Environmental Biology Major B.A.
- Preparation for graduate programs in wildlife or environmental studies
- Career paths in natural resource management, public policy, law
- Employers such as Department of Agriculture, the Environmental Protection Agency, environmental consulting firms, research laboratories, nonprofit organizations, treatment plants, zoos, etc.
Major code: BA2129
Faculty Contact: Karen Mammone
Program Overview
The B.A. with a major in Biological Sciences–Environmental Biology provides students with a foundation in basic and organismal biology, as well as an exposure to the social sciences. Students study the ecology, evolution, behavior, and natural history of animals, along with plant biology, geography, geology, philosophy, and political science.
The environmental biology track is designed to serve students who are interested in natural resource management, public policy, law, or who wish to enter graduate programs in wildlife or environmental studies.
Students who complete this curriculum will also complete the requirement for the undergraduate Environmental Studies Certificate.
Students might want to consider a minor in geography or environmental health sciences.
Careers and Graduate School
The environmental biology track is designed to serve students who are interested in natural resource management, public policy, law or who wish to enter graduate programs in wildlife or environmental studies. Students with a degree in environmental biology can secure positions with employers such as the Department of Agriculture, the Environmental Protection Agency, environmental consulting firms, research laboratories, nonprofit organizations, treatment plants, zoos, etc.
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Admissions Information
First year applicants: "Strong preparation in mathematics and science as evidenced by coursework."
Transfer applicants: "Applicants must have a 2.5 cumulative grade point average and have completed the equivalent of BIOS 1700 and 1705."
Degree Requirements
Major Hours Requirement
The biological science major requires a minimum of 124 hours.
University-wide Graduation Requirements
To complete this program, students must meet all University-wide graduation requirements.
College-Level Requirements for the College of Arts & Sciences
View the College-Level Requirements for the College of Arts & Sciences.
Environmental Biology Requirements
Complete a total of 29 semester hours of BIOS coursework, including the four sub-requirements.
Environmental Biology Core Sub-Requirement
Complete the following courses:
- BIOS 1700 - Biological Sciences I: Molecules and Cells Credit Hours: 3.0
- BIOS 1705 - Biological Sciences I Laboratory Credit Hours: 1.0
- BIOS 1710 - Biological Sciences II: Ecology, Evolution, Animal Body Systems Credit Hours: 3.0
- BIOS 1715 - Biological Sciences II Laboratory Credit Hours: 1.0
- BIOS 2750 - Ecology in the 21st Century Credit Hours: 3.0
- BIOS 3760 - Field Ecology Credit Hours: 3.0
Complete one of the following Genetics courses:
- BIOS 2250 - Genetics in Human Society Credit Hours: 3.0
- BIOS 3100 - General Genetics Credit Hours: 3.0
Microbiology Sub-Requirement
Complete either the following course or course group option:
- BIOS 3210 - General Microbiology Credit Hours: 4.0
Course group option
Complete the following courses:
- BIOS 2210 - Microbes and Humans Credit Hours: 3.0
- BIOS 2215 - Microbes and Humans, Laboratory Credit Hours: 1.0
Tier 3 Equivalent Sub-Requirement
Complete one of the following courses:
- BIOS 4730 - Animal Behavior Credit Hours: 3.0
- BIOS 4810 - Animal Conservation Biology Credit Hours: 3.0
Environmental Biology Electives Sub-Requirement
Complete at least two of the following courses:
- BIOS 3300 - Principles of Evolution Credit Hours: 3.0
- BIOS 3160 - Biogeography Credit Hours: 3.0
- BIOS 4290 - Marine Biology Credit Hours: 3.0
- BIOS 4310 - Aquatic Biology Credit Hours: 4.0
- BIOS 4360 - Field Entomology Credit Hours: 3.0
- BIOS 4650 - Ichthyology Credit Hours: 4.0
- BIOS 4710 - Ornithology Credit Hours: 4.0
- BIOS 4720 - Herpetology Credit Hours: 4.0
Extradepartmental Requirements
Complete five sub-requirements.
Sub-Requirement 1: Chemistry
Complete one of the following course group options:
Principles of Chemistry course group option
Complete the following courses:
- CHEM 1210 - Principles of Chemistry I Credit Hours: 4.0
- CHEM 1220 - Principles of Chemistry II Credit Hours: 4.0
Fundamentals of Chemistry course group option
Complete the following courses:
- CHEM 1510 - Fundamentals of Chemistry I Credit Hours: 4.0
- CHEM 1520 - Fundamentals of Chemistry II Credit Hours: 4.0
Chemistry combined course group option
Complete the following courses:
- CHEM 1510 - Fundamentals of Chemistry I Credit Hours: 4.0
- CHEM 1220 - Principles of Chemistry II Credit Hours: 4.0
Sub-Requirement 2: Mathematics
Complete the following course:
- MATH 1300 - Pre-Calculus Credit Hours: 4.0
Sub-Requirement 3: Physics
Complete the following course:
- PHYS 2001 - Introduction to Physics Credit Hours: 4.0
Sub-Requirement 4: Statistics
Complete one of the following:
- MATH 2500 - Introduction to Statistics Credit Hours: 4.0
- PSY 2110 - Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences Credit Hours: 4.0
Sub-Requirement 5: Environmental Studies Certificate
Complete one course in each of the following four components.
Introduction to Environmental Studies
Complete one of the following courses:
- GEOG 2400 - Environmental Geography Credit Hours: 3.0
- GEOL 2150 - Environmental Geology Credit Hours: 3.0
Policy, Politics, and Regulation
Complete one of the following courses:
- EH 2000 - Introduction to Environmental Health and Safety Credit Hours: 3.0
- GEOG 3460 - Environmental Law Credit Hours: 3.0
- POLS 4250 - Environmental and Natural Resources Politics and Policy Credit Hours: 3.0
- POLS 4260 - Politics of the Contemporary Environmental Movement Credit Hours: 3.0
Social Sciences and Humanities
Complete one of the following courses:
- ANTH 3780 - Human Ecology Credit Hours: 3.0
- GEOG 3330 - Appalachia: Land and People Credit Hours: 3.0
- GEOG 3430 - Global Issues in Environment Credit Hours: 3.0
- GEOG 4470 - Natural Resource Conservation Credit Hours: 3.0
- HIST 3060 - American Environmental History Credit Hours: 3.0
- PHIL 3350 - Environmental Ethics Credit Hours: 3.0
Synthesis
Complete one of the following courses:
- ES 4500 - Environmental Studies Capstone Seminar Credit Hours: 3.0
- ES 4910 - Environmental Studies Leadership Experience Credit Hours: 1.0-5.0