Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Undergraduate Program

The department jointly offers a major in Biology leading to a B.A. or a B.S. degree. The B.A. program is intended for students who are interested in ecology, evolution and organism diversity as a part of a liberal education but do not intend to pursue graduate work in the discipline. The B.S. program is designed for students intending to attend medical or veterinary school or to pursue graduate study in ecology and evolutionary biology, other biological disciplines, or the environmental sciences. The two programs share the same prerequisite and core requirements but differ in elective and senior requirements.

The prerequisites for the EEB major are intended to provide core scientific literacy. Beyond the prerequisites, the EEB major may be satisfied by pursuing either of two tracks. The requirements for the first track emphasize courses appropriate for ecology, evolutionary biology, and environmental science careers; the second track is most appropriate for premedical and preveterinary students. Premedical and preveterinary students can use courses required by medical schools, but not required by the major, as electives.

The programs in the Biology major are designed to enhance a liberal education as well as offer excellent preparation for professional and graduate study in the biological or environmental sciences, and in medicine and other health-related fields. After a common set of prerequisite courses, the major is organized around two Areas of Concentration that reflect the interests and perspectives of faculty in the two participating departments.

Core Courses for the Major

Track 1:

• E&EB 220a General Ecology
• E&EB 225b Evolutionary Biology
• E&EB 2xx Organismal Diversity Course
• E&EB 2xxL Organismal Diversity Lab

Track 2:

• MCDB 300 Biochemistry
• E&EB 295 Comparative Physiology or BENG 350 Physiological Systems
• E&EB 290 Comparative Anatomy
• E&EB 291L Comparative Anatomy Lab