Student ID:__________________________ Student Name:_______________________ Adviser Name:_______________________ Catalog: 2013-2014 Catalog Program: Biology - Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology (EEO) Emphasis, BS Minimum Credits Required:__________________

Biology - Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology (EEO) Emphasis, BS

Department of Biology, College of Sciences and Technology

95-96 credits

Introduction/What is the Study of Biology?

Biology is the study of living things, an academic endeavor with a basic research focus on seeking answers to questions rather than on applying biological knowledge to solve problems. As scientists, biologists have two prime motivations: (1) intellectual curiosity about biological systems, and (2) the philosophy that creating and disseminating reliable knowledge has intrinsic worth. Thus, we intend for our intensive academic program to stimulate our students’ curiosity and appetite for life-long learning about biology.

The biology curriculum provides an effective combination of knowledge in areas that students can apply to many careers. The supporting courses for the Biology major in math, physics, and chemistry, along with the biology core curriculum at the 200-level and 300-level, plus one 400-level course in evolution, fulfill the goals of a liberal arts education. Students select 300-level and 400-level specialty courses that focus on ecology, evolution, plant or animal biology. In these courses students not only pursue their interests more specifically, but begin to integrate and apply knowledge, and develop the skills and abilities to pursue careers of their choosing.

Hence, the integrated conceptual foundation in biology, the critical thinking skills, quantitative problem-solving abilities, leadership with team-building skills, and scientific research skills students obtain from lecture and laboratory courses in the B.S. Biology curriculum ultimately are critical for post-baccalaureate studies and future job performance. We expect that students who graduate with a B.S. or B.A. in Biology can apply their education to a variety of jobs across careers.

Why Consider an Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology Emphasis in the Biology Major? 

This degree program focuses on the structure, function, ecology and evolution of organisms, with an emphasis on plants and animals. A diploma granted under this major will indicate “Bachelor of Science”; official transcripts will indicate Biology – Ecology, Evolution and Organismal Biology Emphasis.

 Contact Information

Department Chair
Joann Otto
Biology 315
360-650-4044
Joann.Otto@wwu.edu

Major Information Program Coordinator
Maren Brinson
Biology 315
360-650-6165
Maren.Brinson@wwu.edu

 Sample Careers

Botanist | Conservation Biologist | Educator | Ecologist | Environmental Consultant | Evolutionary Biologist | Field Biologist | Laboratory Technician

 Major/Career Resources

http://www.wwu.edu/careers/students_choosingamajor.shtml

How to Declare (Admission and Declaration Process):

The Biology Department has a two-step process for admission into our degree programs. Phase I students are students who have declared their intent to major in biology and are in the process of completing the introductory biology (BIOL 204, 205, 206) and general chemistry (CHEM 121, 122, 123) series. Admission to Phase II is based on academic performance in the introductory courses. Students must have achieved an average grade of 2.9 or higher in their introductory biology and general chemistry courses before they can advance to Phase II and begin taking upper-division coursework.

Major requirements include 74-76 credits of foundational courses in biology, chemistry, physics and math, and 19 upper division biology depth and elective credits. Biology Phase II status is required for admission into 300- and 400-level biology courses for biology majors.

Grade Requirements

A grade of C- or better is required for a student’s major courses.

Requirements

Basic Requirements:

Course NameTerm TakenGradeGen Ed
 BIOL 204 - Introduction to Evolution, Ecology and Biodiversity
 BIOL 205 - Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Biology
 BIOL 206 - Introduction to Organismal Biology
 BIOL 321 - Genetics
 BIOL 323 - Cell and Molecular Biology
 BIOL 325 - Ecology
 BIOL 340 - Biometrics
 BIOL 432 - Evolutionary Biology

❑ Choose one of the following series:

     CHEM 121 - General Chemistry I
     CHEM 122 - General Chemistry II
     CHEM 123 - General Chemistry III

       OR

     CHEM 125 - General Chemistry I, Honors
     CHEM 126 - General Chemistry II, Honors
     CHEM 225 - General Chemistry III, Honors
 CHEM 351 - Organic Chemistry
 CHEM 352 - Organic Chemistry

❑ One course from:

     MATH 124 - Calculus and Analytic Geometry I
     MATH 134 - Calculus I Honors

❑ Choose one of the following series:

     PHYS 114 - Principles of Physics I
     PHYS 115 - Principles of Physics II
     PHYS 116 - Principles of Physics III

       OR

     PHYS 161 - Physics with Calculus I
     PHYS 162 - Physics with Calculus II
     PHYS 163 - Physics with Calculus III

Depth Requirements:

Course NameTerm TakenGradeGen Ed

❑ One of the Following:

    BIOL 322 - Genetics Lab
    BIOL 324 - Methods in Molecular Biology
    BIOL 326 - Ecology Laboratory

❑ Two additional upper-division lab (or lecture and lab) courses, including at least one 400-level course from the list of courses below. An additional lab course from these categories can be used to complete the lab requirements.

❑ Three courses (including required lecture and lab courses) chosen from the categories below, with at least one course from each category.

Ecological and Evolutionary Processes:

     BIOL 403 - Physiological Ecology of Animals
     BIOL 405 - Microbial Ecology
     BIOL 407 - Marine Ecology
     BIOL 408 - Ecological Methods
     BIOL 409 - Research Reptile Ecology
     BIOL 410 - Animal Behavior
     BIOL 416 - Ecosystem Ecology and Global Change
     BIOL 424 - Applied Molecular Ecology
     BIOL 433 - Quaternary Biogeography

     BIOL 436 - Molecular Phylogeny and Microbial Diversity

     BIOL 437B - Tropical Marine Ecology

     BIOL 450 - Plant Anatomy
     BIOL 467 - Comparative Vertebrate Physiology
     BIOL 468 - Comparative Vertebrate Physiology Laboratory
     BIOL 482 - Developmental Biology of Animals

Taxon Diversity and Organismal Biology:

     BIOL 405 - Microbial Ecology

     BIOL 436 - Molecular Phylogeny and Microbial Diversity

     BIOL 437A - Tropical Marine Organismal Biology

     BIOL 452 - Systematic Botany
     BIOL 456 - Algae
     BIOL 460 - Invertebrate Zoology
     BIOL 462 - Entomology
     BIOL 464 - Biology of Marine Mammals
     BIOL 465 - Vertebrate Zoology

     BIOL 467 - Comparative Vertebrate Physiology

Electives:

0-4 credits to make 95-96 total (75-76 credits of basic requirements and 19 upper-division biology depth and elective credits). No more than 3 credit hours combined in BIOL 395, 496 and 498 can be applied to this category. Additional biology elective credits can be taken to fulfill University graduation requirements:

           ❑ Any 300 or 400-level biology course under advisement, including
              BIOL 300, 400, 444 and 497.

           ❑ ESCI courses under advisement.

University Graduation Requirements

General University Requirements (GURS) 
Writing Proficiency Requirement (WP)
180 Minimum Total Credits
60 Minimum Upper Division Credits
Residency Requirement
Minimum Grade Requirements
Final Quarter Requirement

Notes: