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. 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 54-75 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] 1 | 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 |
| Intermediate Courses: Genetics, Biodiversity and Physiology | ||
| BIOL 309 | GENETICS | 4 |
| Select one Biodiversity option from the following: | 3-8 | |
| GENERAL BOTANY and GENERAL ZOOLOGY | ||
| BIODIVERSITY | ||
| Select one Physiology option from the following: | 3-8 | |
| ANIMAL PHYSIOLOGY 2 | ||
| PLANT PHYSIOLOGY | ||
| HUMAN ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY I FOR BIOLOGY MAJORS and HUMAN ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY II FOR BIOLOGY MAJORS 1 | ||
| Ancillary Courses | ||
| Chemistry | ||
| CHEM 131 & 131L | GENERAL CHEMISTRY I LECTURE and GENERAL CHEMISTRY I LABORATORY | 4 |
| CHEM 132 & 132L | GENERAL CHEMISTRY II LECTURE and GENERAL CHEMISTRY II LABORATORY | 4 |
| CHEM 333 & 333L | ESSENTIALS OF ORGANIC CHEM [LECTURE] and ESSENTIALS OF ORGANIC CHEMISTRY LABORATORY | 5-8 |
| or CHEM 334 & CHEM 336 & CHEM 337 | ORGANIC CHEMISTRY I [LECTURE] and INTRODUCTORY ORGANIC CHEMISTRY LABORATORY and ORGANIC CHEMISTRY II [LECTURE] | |
| Mathematics | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3-4 | |
| CALCULUS FOR APPLICATIONS | ||
| ELEMENTARY BIOSTATISTICS | ||
| CALCULUS I | ||
| BEHAVIORAL STATISTICS | ||
| Physics | ||
| PHYS 211 | GENERAL PHYSICS I; NON CALCULUS-BASED | 4 |
| or PHYS 241 | GENERAL PHYSICS I CALCULUS-BASED | |
| Ecology, Evolution and Conservation Concentration Courses | ||
| BIOL 310 | CONSERVATION BIOLOGY | 4 |
| or BIOL 402 | GENERAL ECOLOGY | |
| BIOL 405 | MOLECULAR ECOLOGY, EVOLUTION AND CONSERVATION | 3-4 |
| or BIOL 413 | EVOLUTION | |
| Electives | ||
| Select minimum three upper (300-400) elective courses. Minimum two courses must be from the following list of Ecology, Evolution and Conservation Concentration Electives. The remaining course may be selected from the list or from any course not already taken that may be counted toward any concentration of the major (excluding ancillary and UTeach courses). One elective course must be a lecture/laboratory course, a laboratory course, or BIOL 491. | 8-12 | |
| Total Units | 54-73 | |
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Ecology, Evolution and Conservation Concentration Electives | ||
| BIOL 310 | CONSERVATION BIOLOGY (if not taken as required) | 4 |
| BIOL 334 | HUMANS, SCIENCE AND THE CHESAPEAKE BAY | 3 |
| BIOL 347 | MARINE BIOLOGY | 3 |
| BIOL 353 | INVERTEBRATE ZOOLOGY | 4 |
| BIOL 355 | ANIMAL PARASITOLOGY | 3 |
| BIOL 371 | ANIMAL BEHAVIOR | 4 |
| BIOL 402 | GENERAL ECOLOGY (if not taken as required) | 4 |
| BIOL 405 | MOLECULAR ECOLOGY, EVOLUTION AND CONSERVATION (if not taken as required) | 4 |
| BIOL 406 | LIMNOLOGY | 4 |
| BIOL 413 | EVOLUTION (if not taken as required) | 3 |
| BIOL 419 | ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY | 3 |
| BIOL 432 | VASCULAR PLANT TAXONOMY | 4 |
| BIOL 435 | PLANT ECOLOGY | 4 |
| BIOL 444 | WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT | 3 |
| BIOL 446 | TROPICAL ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION | 3 |
| BIOL 447 | TROPICAL FIELD ECOLOGY | 4 |
| BIOL 452 | WETLAND ECOLOGY | 4 |
| BIOL 455 | FISH BIOLOGY | 4 |
| BIOL 456 | ORNITHOLOGY | 4 |
| BIOL 458 | MAMMALOGY | 4 |
| BIOL 461 | ENTOMOLOGY | 4 |
| BIOL 467 | HERPETOLOGY | 4 |
| BIOL 472 | ORGANISMAL FORM AND FUNCTION LABORATORY | 3 |
| BIOL 473 | ECOLOGICAL FIELD METHODS LABORATORY | 3 |
| BIOL 474 | MOLECULAR TECHNIQUES IN ECOLOGY, EVOLUTION, AND CONSERVATION | 3 |
| GEOG 221 | INTRODUCTION TO GEOSPATIAL TECHNOLOGY 3 | 3 |
Sample Four-Year Plan
The selected course sequence below is an example of the simplest path to degree completion. Based on course schedules, student needs, and student choice, individual plans may vary. Students should consult with their adviser to make the most appropriate elective choices and to ensure that they have completed the required number of units (120) to graduate.
| 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 241 | 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, 342, or 436 | 4 | BIOL 343 (if BIOL 342 selected) or elective | 4 |
| BIOL 405 or 413 | 4 | BIOL 484 (recommended)4 | 1 |
| Required Elective | 3-4 | Core 12 | 3 |
| Core 11 | 3 | CHEM 333 & 333L | 3-5 |
| **Students should meet with their advisers to discuss REU programs, internships, etc., for next summer | OR | ||
| Elecitve | 3 | ||
| 14-15 | 14-16 | ||
| Senior | |||
| Term 1 | Units | Term 2 | Units |
| BIOL 310 or 402 | 4 | Core 14 | 3 |
| CHEM 336 & CHEM 337 | 5 | Required Elective | 4 |
| Core 13 | 3 | Elective | 4 |
| Elective | 4 | Elective | 4 |
| 16 | 15 | ||
| Total Units 123-127 | |||
- 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
CHEM 334 and CHEM 336 & CHEM 337 may be required for graduate programs. Such choices should always be discussed with your adviser.
- 4
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.