Biology, Ecology Concentration, Major

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

This area of concentration within the Biology major is designed to prepare students for careers in academic, governmental, non-profit and private sector research, consulting or outreach programs focused on ecology and the environment. It also prepares students for graduate study in marine and terrestrial ecology, astrobiology, environmental science, and other fields of life and environmental sciences (including medical school).

Program Learning Outcomes

Please see the Biology Major .

Major Requirements (66-69 units)

Students must declare the Ecology Concentration within two semesters of completing BIOL 310 (with a grade of C or higher).

Required Courses (25 units)

Note:

*All students in the Biology major must earn a minimum grade of C in the core Biology courses required for the Major (General Biology I and II, Cell Physiology, Genetics, Ecology, Evolution, and the undergraduate Seminar) to meet graduation requirements. Courses required for the Biology major (including Chemistry, Physics and Math classes) can be repeated no more than once to earn the minimum grade required in the course. If the minimum grade is not achieved in the second time completing the course, the student will be disqualified from the Biology major.

Field Electives (8 units)

Complete 8 units from the following: field courses.:

*4 units of BIOL 498 or BIOL 598 /BIOL 599 may be counted as one field elective

Additional Electives (8 units)

Complete 8 units from the following:

*A minimum of 4 units must be a field or lab course

Supporting Courses (25 - 28 units)

Area I: General Chemistry

Complete the following:

Area II: Mathematics

Complete one of the following:

Area III: Physics

Complete one of the following options:

Option I -Introductory Physics I & II

Option II - General Physics I & II

Area IV: Organic Chemistry

Choose one of the following options:

Option I - Fundamentals of Organic Chemistry

Option II - Organic Chemistry

Curriculum Map

Freshman Year

Fall	Units
Core B2: BIOL 105 - Gen Biology - Molec of Life	4
CHEM 111 - General Chemistry I	3
CHEM 112 - Laboratory	1
Core A2: Rhetoric and Composition - Course 1	4
Core A1: Public Speaking - OR - Core: First Year Seminar	4
Total Semester Units	16
Spring	Units
BIOL 106 - Gen Biology -Diversity of Life	4
CHEM 113 - General Chemistry II	3
CHEM 114 - Laboratory	1
Core A2: Rhetoric & Composition - Course 2	4
Core - OR - Core: First Year Seminar (C1)	4
Total Semester Units	16

Sophomore Year

Fall	Units
BIOL 212 - Cell Physiology	4
Core B1: MATH 102 - Biostatistics	4
Language - Course 1	4
Core (C2)	4
Total Semester Units	16
Spring	Units
BIOL 310 - Genetics	3
BIOL 311 - Genetics Lab	1
CHEM 236 - Fundamentals of Organic Chem	4
Language - Course 2	4
Core (D1)	4
Total Semester Units	16

Junior Year

Fall	Units
BIOL 319 - Ecology	4
Core - B2: PHYS 100 - Introductory Physics I	4
CHEM 232 - Organic Chemistry Lab I	1
Core (D2)	4
Core (D3)	4
Total Semester Units	17
Spring	Units
BIOL Upper Division Field Elective	4
PHYS 101 - Introductory Physics II	4
Core (E)	4
Core (F)	4
Total Semester Units	16

Senior Year

Fall	Units
BIOL Upper Division Field Elective	4
BIOL Upper Division Field Elective	4
Core (CD)	4
Core (CEL)	4
Total Semester Units	16
Spring	Units
BIOL Upper Division Elective	4
BIOL 414 - Evolution	4
BIOL 490 - Undergraduate Seminar in Biology	1
Elective	4
Elective	4
Total Semester Units	17

*This information is subject to change, the curriculum map is a sample, and students should consult with the department for any updated information.