Biology B.S. with Concentration in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology

Program: B.S.
Department of Biology
College of Arts and Sciences

Science Building 330 ~ 260-481-6305 ~ ipfw.edu/bio

This concentration within the Biology B.S. serves students with an interest in the complex interactions between organisms and the surrounding environment. It provides preparation for professions in environmental monitoring, research, and education for positions within governmental agencies, academic institutions, nongovernmental organizations, and private industry. This concentration also provides students with fundamental knowledge and skills in preparation for graduate study in the area. There is an emphasis on terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems in the curriculum, as well as theoretical and applied ecology.

Special Regulation for Biology Majors

Time Limit - All biology courses applied toward graduation must be completed within 10 years from the time the first biology course was completed.

To earn a B.S. with a major in biology, you must fulfill the requirements of IPFW and the College of Arts and Sciences (Part 4 and Part 8 ); earn a GPA of 2.30 or higher in BIOL 117, BIOL 119, BIOL 217, BIOL 218, BIOL 219, and BIOL 491 and elective courses in the concentration (listed below); and complete the following courses:

IPFW General Education Requirements Credits: 33

See Part 2 General Education Requirements for approved courses

A grade of C- or better is required in each course used to satisfy the IPFW general education requirements.

College of Arts and Sciences Requirements

English Writing and Speaking

See Arts and Sciences Part A for Speaking requirement

ENG W233 - Intermediate Expository Writing Cr. 3.

Foreign Language

Requirements in Arts and Sciences Part B Credits: 8

Core (Major) Courses

BIOL 11700 - Principles of Ecology and Evolution Cr. 4.
BIOL 11900 - Principles of Structure and Function Cr. 4.
BIOL 21700 - Intermediate Ecology Cr. 3.
BIOL 21800 - Genetics and Molecular Biology Cr. 4.
BIOL 21900 - Principles of Functional Biology Cr. 4.
BIOL 49100 - Senior Biology Seminar Cr. 1-3. Note: Effective Fall 2014, 3 credits are required

Supporting Courses

Calculus and Statistics

The following calculus and statistics course pattern is typical. Course substitutions are possible with advisor approval. Please note that most graduate programs require a full year of calculus.

Elective Courses in the Concentration Credits: 15

To complete the concentration students are required to take at least one course in the area of evolution and systematics. In addition, two courses with a laboratory are required from the list of ecology and behavior courses so that students obtain relevant hands-on experiences in the area. The remainder of the elective credit hours within the concentration may be filled by choice from the full list of courses to provide a depth of knowledge in the field.

Evolution and Systematics

BIOL 52410 - Bacterial Diversity and Systematics Cr. 3.
BIOL 58000 - Evolution Cr. 3.
FNR 50500 - Molecular Ecology and Evolution Cr. 3.

Ecology and Behavior

BIOL 33500 - Animal Behavior Cr. 3.
BIOL 33600 - Animal Behavior Lab Cr. 1.
BIOL 34500 - Vertebrate Biology Cr. 4.
includes laboratory
BIOL 43400 - Marine Community Ecology Cr. 3.
includes laboratory
BIOL 44500 - Aquatic Biology Cr. 3.
includes laboratory
BIOL 50100 - Field Botany Cr. 4.
includes laboratory
BIOL 50200 - Conservation Biology Cr. 3.
BIOL 50500 - Biology of Invertebrate Animals Cr. 3.
includes laboratory
BIOL 52000 - Contemporary Parasitology Cr. 3.
BIOL 54300 - Population Ecology Cr. 4.
includes laboratory
BIOL 55600 - Physiology I Cr. 3.
BIOL 58200 - Ecotoxicology Cr. 3.
BIOL 58600 - Topics in Behavior and Ecology Cr. 3.
BIOL 59800 - Biology of Fish Cr. 4.
includes laboratory
ENTM 20600 - General Applied Entomology Cr. 2.
ENTM 20700 - General Applied Entomology Laboratory Cr. 1.
FNR 22500 - Dendrology Cr. 3.
includes laboratory
FNR 52300 - Aquaculture Cr. 3.

Free Electives

Sufficient additional credits to bring the total to 120.

Total Credits: 120

Honors in Biology

You may earn an honors degree in biology by achieving an overall GPA of 3.00 or higher and a biology GPA of 3.50 or higher, conducting a two-semester (minimum of 5 credits) research project, preparing a senior thesis based on the research project, and giving an oral presentation of the thesis research. The senior thesis committee must be established one semester before graduation.