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. 

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 204EDUCATIONAL AND CAREER PLANNING FOR THE BIOLOGIST1
BIOL 206
206L
BIOLOGY II: INTRODUCTION TO ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION [LECTURE]
and BIOLOGY II: INTRODUCTION TO ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION [LAB]
4
BIOL 309GENETICS4
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
HONORS SENIOR THESIS IN BIOLOGY
INTRODUCTION TO GEOSPATIAL TECHNOLOGY
GENERAL PHYSICS II; NON CALCULUS-BASED
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
Chemistry13-18
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
Physics4
GENERAL PHYSICS I; NON CALCULUS-BASED
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 Units59-71

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 1UnitsTerm 2Units
BIOL 200
200L (Core 7)
4BIOL 206
206L (Core 8)
4
MATH 115 or 119 (Core 3)13CHEM 131
131L
4
Core 1 (or Core 2)3MATH 211, 237, 273, or PSYC 212 (Core 3 if taking MATH 211, MATH 237 or MATH 273)3-4
Core 43Core 2 (or Core 1)3
Core 53Core 63
 16 17-18
Sophomore
Term 1UnitsTerm 2Units
BIOL 20421BIOL 205 (or elective if taking BIOL 208)4
BIOL 207 or 2084PHYS 211 or 24134
BIOL 3094Core 103
CHEM 132
132L
4Required Elective4
Core 93 
 16 15
Junior
Term 1UnitsTerm 2Units
BIOL 325 or 4364BIOL 484 (recommended)51
BIOL 405, 408, or 4094CHEM 330 or 33145
Required Elective3-4Required Elective3-4
Core 113Core 123
**Students should meet with their advisers to discuss REU programs, internships, etc., for next summer 
 14-15 12-13
Senior
Term 1UnitsTerm 2Units
CHEM 332 (if CHEM 331 taken) (or elective)5Core 143
Required Elective3-4Elective4
Core 133Elective4
Elective4Elective4
 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. 

  1. Explain the core concepts and principles of Biology.
  2. Demonstrate the scientific method through the use of hypothesis testing in the design and implementation of an experiment.
  3. Utilize scientific methodologies from the biological sciences in the evaluation of issues in society.
  4. Apply appropriate critical-thinking/problem-solving skills in biological sciences.
  5. Communicate both verbally and in writing in discipline specific contexts.
  6. Identify fundamental similarities and differences among various fields of study within the Biological Sciences.