Axe ’Em, Jacks!
Curiosity is in our nature
Do you want to understand the diversity of form and function in the living world? Are you passionate about preserving natural resources? Great! We share your excitement and welcome like-minded students into our labs, research support facilities, and our unique field sites – a large greenhouse, collections of entomological, vertebrate and herbarium specimens and thousands of hectares of forest.
Natural career paths
Evolutionary biologists and ecologists have broad and interesting career opportunities. They find employment in a range of settings such as forests, zoos, museums and botanical gardens. Their skillsets enable them to teach the next generation to protect and preserve nature, find breakthroughs as a lab researcher or guide the public’s understanding of our natural environment by working in a national park.
Undergraduate programs and requirements
Bachelor of Science in Biology
Biology majors must fulfill requirements of at least 40 semester hours of biology, in addition to the requirements of the Bachelor of Science degree for the College of Science and Mathematics. Required biology core courses include:
- Biology (20 hours): 125, 130, 131, 133, 341 and 470
Ecology and evolutionary biology emphasis
Biology majors choosing to pursue an emphasis in ecology and evolutionary biology complete the following courses:
- Ecology and evolution (6 hours): 313 and 370
- Advanced ecology (1 course, 3-6-hours): 403, 407, 412, 414, 450, 471 or 472
- Advanced evolution (3 hours): 471 or 472
- Organismal biology (3-4 hours): 225, 309, 312, 327, 342, 343, 350, 351, 353, 401, 404, 424, 430, 433, 435, 436, 437, 438 or 439
- Advanced elective (3-4 hours): one additional advanced ecology, evolution or organismal course. BIO 475 is also an acceptable elective (courses selected in consultation with an academic advisor).
*See General Bulletin for additional details, guidelines and requirements