Evolutionary Biology Option
In addition to fulfilling University and College (Agricultural & Life Sciences or Letters & Science) requirements, students must complete the following:
1. Mathematics
Math 171: Calculus with Algebra & Trigonometry I (5 cr) and Math 217: Calculus with Algebra & Trigonometry II (5 cr) OR Math 221: Calculus & Analytic Geometry I (5 cr)
AND
Stat 301: Introduction to Statistical Methods (3 cr) OR Stat 371: Introduction to Statistics for the Life Sciences (3 cr) Because some graduate programs require a second semester of Calculus, Math 222 is recommended, as an additional course.
2. Chemistry
a. General Chemistry
Chem 103 and 104: General Chemistry (4 cr, 5 cr) OR Chem 109: Advanced General Chemistry (5 cr)
b. Organic Chemistry
Chem 343: Intro Organic Chemistry (3 cr), Chem 344: Intro Organic Chemistry Lab (2 cr) and Chem 345: Intermediate Organic Chemistry (3 cr)
3. Physics
Physics 103 and 104: General Physics (4 cr each) OR Physics 201 and 202: General Physics (5 cr each) OR Physics 207 and 208: General Physics (5 cr each)
BIOLOGY COURSES The total number of credits in sections 4, 5, 6, and 7 must equal at least 31. Fulfilling minimum credits under each section does not guarantee reaching 31.
4. Introductory Biology. If you have an AP/IB Biology exam score of 4 or 5, you may be able to place out of some introductory courses.
Option A:
Biology/Botany/ Zoology 151 and 152: Intro Biology (5 cr each) plus one foundational course.
Option B: Effective Fall 2017 (see FAQs for previous policy)
Biocore 381: Evolution, Ecology & Genetics (3 cr)
Biocore 382: Evolution, Ecology & Genetics Lab (2 cr)
Biocore 383: Cellular Biology (3 cr)
Biocore 384: Cellular Biology Lab (2 cr)
Biocore 485: Organismal Biology (3 cr)
Biocore courses fulfill both introductory and foundational course requirements.
Option C:
Biology/Zoology 101: Animal Biology (3 cr), Biology/Zoology 102: Animal Biology Lab (2 cr), Biology/Botany 130: General Botany (5 cr) plus one foundational course.
Foundational Course Does not count toward requirement 5; course not required for those taking Option B to satisfy Introductory Biology.
Genetics 466: Principles of Genetics OR Genetics 468: General Genetics II
Because some graduate programs require biochemistry, either Biochem 501: Intro to Biochemistry or Biochem 508: General Biochemistry II is recommended as an additional course and will count towards category “A.”
5. Intermediate/advanced courses (13 cr minimum)
Required: Anthro/Botany/Zoology 410: Evolutionary Biology (3 cr)
A minimum of three additional courses at the intermediate/advanced level, selected from the areas listed below, are needed to satisfy the evolutionary biology breadth requirement. These courses must include at least one approved lab course. At least one course must be from categories “A” or “B”, one must be from category “C” (Botany/Zoology 460: Ecology is recommended), and one must be from category “D.” The course(s) used to satisfy any category must be at least, or add up to, 2 credits. Overall, the courses taken should span plant, animal and microbial biology topics. In accumulating other biology credits toward the 31 credit Biology requirement, students, in consultation with their advisors, will be encouraged to take additional intermediate/advanced courses from categories “A” through “E” related to evolutionary biology.
A. Cellular and Subcellular Biology
C. Ecology
E. Applied Biology, Agriculture and Natural Resources
6. Independent research or laboratory experience (2 cr minimum)
This requirement can be fulfilled with an approved laboratory course beyond that done for requirement 5. Two credits of directed study or research-based senior thesis in a biological science discipline can also count. 699 credits received simultaneously or prior to introductory biology (section 4 above), such as those received for Biology 152, cannot fulfill these requirements. Also, experiences that are focused on teaching assistance, even if the course number used is a 699 course, are not appropriate. With advisor approval, 699 courses can also fulfill the CALS requirement for a capstone experience. However, only a subset of the lab/field courses automatically fulfills the CALS requirement for a capstone experience. See capstone policy and list of approved courses.
The credits taken for requirements 5 and 6 must equal at least 15 and satisfy college requirements for 15 course credits in the major in residence.
7. Biology/Genetics 522: Evolution Seminar Series UG (1 cr)
This seminar will involve attending weekly research presentations given in the Evolution Seminar Series and then participating in a roundtable discussion. It will give those Biology Majors who choose the Evolutionary Biology Option an orientation to the range of research questions and methods used in Evolutionary Biology, as well as providing a weekly social gathering. This seminar is best taken in the second semester of the junior year or in the senior year.