Major in Biology - Ecology, Evolution and Conservation Concentration
Completion of this concentration provides background for advanced studies in botany, zoology, conservation biology or ecology, and/or career opportunities in environmental education, in government environmental regulatory agencies and in the private sector. Students completing this concentration are encouraged to take both BIOL 205 and BIOL 207. Those students taking BIOL 208 are required to complete an additional elective. Students in this concentration are strongly encouraged to participate in a research experience or as an intern (e.g., BIOL 491, BIOL 493 or BIOL 499). They should consult with their advisers regarding these opportunities.
Specific requirements for the Ecology, Evolution and Conservation concentration are listed under Requirements and outlined in the suggested Four-Year Plan of Study. A complete list of Biology courses that do not count towards the Biology major may be found on the Resources for Students web page.
The Ecology, Evolution & Conservation Concentration consists of 59-71 units. All Biology majors must complete minimum 19 units toward the major at Towson University, with at least 10 of these units at the upper (300–400) level. Courses taken to fulfill Ancillary Course requirements do not count toward units in residence.
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation Courses | ||
| BIOL 200 & 200L | BIOLOGY I: INTRODUCTION TO CELLULAR BIOLOGY AND GENETICS [LECTURE] and BIOLOGY I: INTRODUCTION TO CELLULAR BIOLOGY AND GENETICS [LAB] | 4 |
| BIOL 204 | EDUCATIONAL AND CAREER PLANNING FOR THE BIOLOGIST | 1 |
| BIOL 206 & 206L | BIOLOGY II: INTRODUCTION TO ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION [LECTURE] and BIOLOGY II: INTRODUCTION TO ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION [LAB] | 4 |
| BIOL 309 | GENETICS | 4 |
| Breadth Courses | ||
| Select one of the following sets: | 6-8 | |
| GENERAL BOTANY and GENERAL ZOOLOGY | ||
OR | ||
| BIODIVERSITY | ||
& one course selected from either the Principles of Ecology or Diversity Elective lists below | ||
| Select one of the following: | 4 | |
| MOLECULAR ECOLOGY, EVOLUTION AND CONSERVATION | ||
| CELL BIOLOGY | ||
| MOLECULAR BIOLOGY | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3-4 | |
| ANIMAL PHYSIOLOGY | ||
| PLANT PHYSIOLOGY | ||
| Elective Courses | ||
| Principles of Ecology Elective | ||
| Select one of the following: | 4 | |
| CONSERVATION BIOLOGY | ||
| GENERAL ECOLOGY | ||
| LIMNOLOGY | ||
| PLANT ECOLOGY | ||
| Diversity Elective | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3-4 | |
| HUMANS, SCIENCE AND THE CHESAPEAKE BAY | ||
| MARINE BIOLOGY | ||
| INVERTEBRATE ZOOLOGY | ||
| ANIMAL PARASITOLOGY | ||
| ANIMAL BEHAVIOR | ||
| EVOLUTION | ||
| VASCULAR PLANT TAXONOMY | ||
| WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT | ||
| TROPICAL ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION | ||
| TROPICAL FIELD ECOLOGY | ||
| WETLAND ECOLOGY | ||
| FISH BIOLOGY | ||
| ORNITHOLOGY | ||
| MAMMALOGY | ||
| ENTOMOLOGY | ||
| HERPETOLOGY | ||
| ORGANISMAL FORM AND FUNCTION LABORATORY | ||
| ECOLOGICAL FIELD METHODS LABORATORY | ||
| MOLECULAR TECHNIQUES IN ECOLOGY, EVOLUTION, AND CONSERVATION | ||
| ELECTIVE IN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH | ||
or BIOL 499 | HONORS SENIOR THESIS IN BIOLOGY | |
| INTRODUCTION TO GEOSPATIAL TECHNOLOGY | ||
| GENERAL PHYSICS II; NON CALCULUS-BASED | ||
or PHYS 242 | GENERAL PHYSICS II CALCULUS-BASED | |
| Additional Electives | ||
| Select two electives from the lists of Principles of Ecology or Diversity Electives above, or one elective from either list and one biology elective from lists of electives in any Biology concentration. | 6-8 | |
| Ancillary Courses | ||
| Chemistry | 13-18 | |
| GENERAL CHEMISTRY I LECTURE and GENERAL CHEMISTRY I LABORATORY | ||
| GENERAL CHEMISTRY II LECTURE and GENERAL CHEMISTRY II LABORATORY | ||
| ESSENTIALS OF ORGANIC CHEMISTRY | ||
| ORGANIC CHEMISTRY I and ORGANIC CHEMISTRY II | ||
| Physics | 4 | |
| GENERAL PHYSICS I; NON CALCULUS-BASED | ||
or PHYS 241 | GENERAL PHYSICS I CALCULUS-BASED | |
| Mathematics | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3-4 | |
| CALCULUS FOR APPLICATIONS | ||
| ELEMENTARY BIOSTATISTICS | ||
| CALCULUS I | ||
| BEHAVIORAL STATISTICS | ||
| Recommended Course | ||
| SEMINAR IN ECOLOGY, EVOLUTION, CONSERVATION AND BEHAVIOR | ||
| Total Units | 59-71 | |
Suggested Four-Year Plan
Based on course availability and student needs and preferences, the selected sequences will probably vary from those presented below. Students should consult with their adviser to make the most appropriate elective choices.
| Freshman | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Term 1 | Units | Term 2 | Units |
| BIOL 200 & 200L (Core 7) | 4 | BIOL 206 & 206L (Core 8) | 4 |
| MATH 115 or 119 (Core 3)1 | 3 | CHEM 131 & 131L | 4 |
| Core 1 (or Core 2) | 3 | MATH 211, 237, 273, or PSYC 212 (Core 3 if taking MATH 211, MATH 237 or MATH 273) | 3-4 |
| Core 4 | 3 | Core 2 (or Core 1) | 3 |
| Core 5 | 3 | Core 6 | 3 |
| 16 | 17-18 | ||
| Sophomore | |||
| Term 1 | Units | Term 2 | Units |
| BIOL 2042 | 1 | BIOL 205 (or elective if taking BIOL 208) | 4 |
| BIOL 207 or 208 | 4 | PHYS 211 or 2413 | 4 |
| BIOL 309 | 4 | Core 10 | 3 |
| CHEM 132 & 132L | 4 | Required Elective | 4 |
| Core 9 | 3 | ||
| 16 | 15 | ||
| Junior | |||
| Term 1 | Units | Term 2 | Units |
| BIOL 325 or 436 | 4 | BIOL 484 (recommended)5 | 1 |
| BIOL 405, 408, or 409 | 4 | CHEM 330 or 3314 | 5 |
| Required Elective | 3-4 | Required Elective | 3-4 |
| Core 11 | 3 | Core 12 | 3 |
| **Students should meet with their advisers to discuss REU programs, internships, etc., for next summer | |||
| 14-15 | 12-13 | ||
| Senior | |||
| Term 1 | Units | Term 2 | Units |
| CHEM 332 (if CHEM 331 taken) (or elective) | 5 | Core 14 | 3 |
| Required Elective | 3-4 | Elective | 4 |
| Core 13 | 3 | Elective | 4 |
| Elective | 4 | Elective | 4 |
| 15-16 | 15 | ||
| Total Units 120-124 | |||
- 1
Decisions regarding which class to take should be based on Mathematics placement tests and/or required prerequisites for MATH 211, MATH 237, MATH 273 or PSYC 212. If neither course is necessary, then another course may be taken. Note that PSYC 212 is not a Core 3 course.
- 2
A key assignment in BIOL 204 is completion of your own Degree Completion Plan.
- 3
PHYS 241 and PHYS 242 can be substituted for PHYS 211 and PHYS 212 if Calculus prerequisites are met (requires MATH 273 and MATH 274).
- 4
CHEM 331 and CHEM 332 may be be required for graduate programs. Such choices should always be discussed with your adviser.
- 5
Contact the instructor regarding format and expectations
NOTE: Unit range totals are listed for options on a term-by-term basis. If you take the minimum number of units each semester, you may not have the minimum 120 units needed to graduate. You must review your overall progress toward your degree every term when you meet with your adviser.
- Explain the core concepts and principles of Biology.
- Demonstrate the scientific method through the use of hypothesis testing in the design and implementation of an experiment.
- Utilize scientific methodologies from the biological sciences in the evaluation of issues in society.
- Apply appropriate critical-thinking/problem-solving skills in biological sciences.
- Communicate both verbally and in writing in discipline specific contexts.
- Identify fundamental similarities and differences among various fields of study within the Biological Sciences.