COURSE CURRICULUM

The Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences with a concentration in Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation is designed to prepare students for careers in wildlife management, conservation biology, environmental science, or graduate study in ecological and evolutionary biology. The program provides a strong foundation in biological and physical sciences, requiring 37–41 units of lower-division coursework including biodiversity, cellular and molecular biology, general and organic chemistry, physics, mathematics, and statistics. Upper-division core courses, such as Introduction to Scientific Analysis and General Genetics, develop research skills and analytical competence. The Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation concentration requires 29 units, including foundational courses in General Ecology, Quantitative Methods in Biology, Molecular Ecology, Evolution, and a seminar on Ecological and Environmental Issues. Students also complete 15 units of electives, including at least one course from Biodiversity (e.g., Plant Taxonomy, Human Parasitology, Ornithology) and one from Ecology and Evolution (e.g., Animal Behavior, Conservation Biology, Natural Resource Conservation), plus additional electives selected with faculty guidance to ensure breadth and depth in ecological and evolutionary topics. Practical experience is emphasized through internships, laboratory teaching, research, and co-curricular activities. In addition, students complete 43 units of General Education requirements covering English communication, critical thinking, oral communication, mathematics, arts and humanities, social and behavioral sciences, physical and biological sciences, and ethnic studies, along with upper-division courses in arts, social sciences, and quantitative or scientific reasoning. The combination of rigorous coursework, hands-on research, and field experiences equips graduates with the skills necessary to analyze ecosystems, study species interactions, and implement conservation strategies. This program prepares students for employment with local, state, and federal agencies, non-profit organizations, or environmental consultancies, while also laying the academic groundwork for advanced study in ecological, evolutionary, and environmental sciences.