Nov 21, 2024

2019-2020 Undergraduate Catalog

2019-2020 Undergraduate Catalog [Archived Catalog]

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

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

Science Building 330 ~ 260-481-6305

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.

Student Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of this degree, students will:

demonstrate comprehension of basic biological principles and theories, and an ability to apply those theories and principles to problem solving
demonstrate knowledge of the scientific method, and be able to apply that knowledge to problem solving
demonstrate the ability to critically evaluate biological information
demonstrate the basic knowledge and experience of field and laboratory work, and be able to communicate the results of an investigation

Program Delivery:

This program is available on-campus

Declaring this Major:

Declare this major within the Department of Biology

General Requirements:

Program Requirements:

A GPA of 2.00 or higher for all courses required for the major.
A GPA of 2.30 or higher in biology core and biology elective/concentration courses.
A maximum of 6 credits in BIOL 29500 or 59500.
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 and the concentration in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, you must fulfill the following requirements in addition to the General Requirements noted above:

General Education Requirements: Credits 33

Click on the Purdue Fort Wayne General Education Requirements link above for details.
Some majors may require particular General Education courses as specified in their program description. Up to six credits of approved General Education courses satisfying requirements in Areas A and B, and three credits satisfying requirements in Area C, may originate in the major. A grade of C- or higher in each course, and an overall GPA of 2.0 is required to satisfy the Purdue Fort Wayne General Education Requirements.

College of Arts and Sciences Requirements

Click on the Purdue Fort Wayne College Requirements link above. Go to Arts and Sciences Requirements for the Bachelor of Science Degree

English Writing and Speaking: Credits 6

See Part A in Arts and Sciences Requirements for the Bachelor of Science Degree for Speaking requirement

ENGL 23301 - Intermediate Expository Writing Cr. 3.

International Language: Credits 8

See Part B in Arts and Sciences Requirements for the Bachelor of Science Degree

Core (Major) Courses: Credits 23

BIOL 11700 - Principles of Ecology and Evolution Cr. 4.
BIOL 11900 - Principles of Structure and Function Cr. 4.
BIOL 12000 - Biology Resource Seminar Cr. 1.
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: Credits 9

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, take:

at least one course in the area of evolution and systematics
two courses with a laboratory are required from the list of Ecology and Behavior courses
the remainder of the elective credit hours within the concentration may be filled by choice from the full list of courses

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 34500 - Vertebrate Biology Cr. 4.
includes laboratory
BIOL 43400 - Marine Community Ecology Cr. 3.
includes laboratory
BIOL 43700 - General Microbiology Cr. 4.
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 54110 - Invasion Biology 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.
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.

General Electives

Sufficient additional credits to bring the total to 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 while completing at least 6 research credits. Research credits should be composed of BIOL 59500, although BIOL 29500 credits will be accepted if it can be demonstrated that the BIOL 29500 research was conducted on the same topic as the BIOL 59500 research. A senior thesis committee of three faculty members must be established at least one semester before graduation. Students must prepare a plan of research, senior thesis, and give a public oral presentation of the thesis research for review by the thesis committee. Students earning the Departmental Honors Degree in Biology are not eligible for the Biology Research Certificate.

Time Limit

All Biology courses applied toward graduation must be completed within ten (10) years from the time the first Biology course was completed.

Total Credits: 120

Student Responsibility

You are responsible for satisfying the graduation requirements specified for your selected program. Thus, it is essential that you develop a thorough understanding of the required courses, academic policies and procedures governing your academic career. All requests for exceptions to specific requirements must be made in writing and may be granted only by written approval from the appropriate chair or dean.