Honors Program

The department conducts an Honors program to trains students to conduct independent research in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. In addition to completing all the requirements for the EEB concentration, an Honors degree requires a concentration GPA of at least 3.4, and the completion of a significant piece of independent research that is reported in an Honors thesis and presented in a public forum. It is recommended that students discuss the Honors Program with a concentration advisor early in their undergraduate career, and to meet with a concentration advisor to declare Honors as soon a possible.

Admission to the Biology Honors Program

Students may join the Honors Program at any time during their undergraduate career, but applications for a given term must be received no later than the deadline for submission of the Honors thesis. However, it is recommended that students discuss the Honors Program with a concentration advisor early in their undergraduate career, and declare their participation in Honors as soon as possible.

The Honors Program

1. Research: The student must identify a research mentor, preferably by the end of the sophomore year. The research mentor can be a member of the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (EEB) or a life scientist holding a faculty appointment in another unit of the University, such as the School of Natural Resources and the Environment, the Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, or the Life Sciences Institute. If the mentor is not a member of EEB, the student must also identify a co-sponsor from this department.
   
   Students are encouraged to register for independent research (EEB 300 or 400) for at least two terms; most students register for three or four terms of independent research. Students working in labs outside of the EEB Department will usually register for EEB 300 and 400 through their co-sponsor s independent study number. However, it is permitted to use the independent study number of another department if the co-sponsor approves it.
   
   It is highly recommended that students arrange to work full time on their Honors thesis during the summer between their junior and senior years. A limited amount of funds are available from university fellowships, but in most cases support will have to come from the sponsoring lab. Students working on field-based topics are urged to contact faculty about the possibility of starting work during the summer between their sophomore and junior years.
   
   
2. Readers: Prior to submitting their thesis, the student should identify three readers for the thesis, one of whom is the sponsor. At least two readers must be faculty members of the EEB Department, unless the student receives the written approval of the EEB Associate Chair for Curriculum for an exception. Readers must agree to turn in their evaluations within 10 days after the thesis is submitted.
   
   
3. The Honors Thesis: The thesis is due on April 1, August 1, or December 1, depending on the anticipated graduation date. Based on the material presented in the Honors thesis and the student s overall record, the readers of the thesis will recommend a rating of No Honors, Honors, High Honors, or Highest Honors. Readers of Honors theses are expected to file their reports with the Biology Program Honors Committee within 10 days after the thesis is submitted. The reports of all readers should address the quality of the science reported in the thesis, as well as the quality of the written presentation. The report of the mentor should also address the role the student played in the design, execution, and interpretation of the experiments reported in the thesis, and should point out the role that others in the lab played.
   
   The EEB Honors Committee will meet approximately two weeks after the due date of the theses to review the recommendations of the readers and decide on the appropriate level of Honors. The committee will attempt to maintain uniform standards for Honors and is not constrained by the level of Honors recommended by the readers. The Honors committee may decide to table discussion and request the student to revise the thesis if they believe that a revised version might merit a higher rating.
   
   
4. Oral Presentation: The student will present the research results in an advertised public forum, such as a class, a poster session, or a departmental seminar. If the number of Honors students graduating in a particular term warrants it, EEB will organize a departmental poster session that would meet this requirement. Students interested in participating are encouraged to contact the EEB Associate Chair for Curriculum at least two months prior to the end of term. The mentor will declare in the thesis evaluation letter when and where the student has fulfilled the public presentation requirement.

Effective Fall 2011

May be elected as a departmental major

Exclusions: Students who elect a major in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology may not elect the following majors: Biology, General Biology; Microbiology; Plant Biology; or Biochemistry.   They may also not elect a minor in Biology; Ecology and Evolutionary Biology; Plant Biology; Chemistry; or Biochemistry.

The Ecology and Evolutionary Biology major will train biologists interested in the origins and complex interactions of the Earth's biodiversity and ecosystems with both the fundamental knowledge in these areas and the basic skills of scientific inquiry. The program spans numerous levels of biological organization over multiple time-scales, and includes studies of genes and genomes, organ systems, individual organisms, populations, species, communities, and ecosystems. Students learn to synthesize how these levels of organization are related to one another and what processes govern their interactions. The major in EEB will prepare students for a variety of career paths including graduate study in biology, public health and medical, dental, and veterinary health professions, conservation and natural resource management, teaching at the K-12 level, positions in the local, state and federal governments, non-profit/non-governmental organizations, and private sector opportunities such as environmental consulting agencies. The minor embraces similar principles but to lesser depth for students who wish to supplement a major in another area with additional biological expertise.

Advising. Students will be advised by a combination of staff and faculty to discuss individual course selection based on the student's interests, as well as career counseling, and research opportunities. Students who are interested in the EEB major should consult a general advisor during the freshman year and are strongly encouraged to meet with a department advisor early in their academic career, but no later than the second term of their sophomore year. It is not necessary to complete every prerequisite before declaring a major. To make an appointment come in person to the Undergraduate Program Office located in 1111 Kraus Natural Sciences Building.

Prerequisites to the Major.

• BIOLOGY 171, 172/174 and 173; or BIOLOGY 195 and 173;
• CHEMISTRY 210/211 and CHEMISTRY 215/216;
• MATH 115 and 116;
• PHYSICS 125/127 and 126/128; or PHYSICS 135/136 and 235/236; or PHYSICS 140/141 and 240/241.
• Under exceptional circumstances, students may petition the Associate Chair of Curriculum to substitute other classes in chemistry, physics, mathematics, and statistics for a prerequisite.

Program of study in a major. A minimum of 30 credits (Students who took BIOLOGY 162 or 163, or have AP credit for BIOLOGY 162 must complete 32 credits), including:

1. Core courses
2. 1. Ecology: BIOLOGY 281 & EEB 372* (or BIOLOGY 282); or EEB 381* (elected at UMBS)
   2. Genetics: BIOLOGY 305
   3. Evolution: EEB 390*
   4. Statistics or Biochemistry (students should consult with an EEB advisor prior to choosing and the other option may be taken as an elective):
   5. 1. STATS 250 (or 350); or
      2. One of the following: MCDB 310, or BIOLCHEM 415
   *   EEB 381 or EEB 390 taken at UMBS satisfies both the residential field course requirement and the individual course requirements.
3. Research Experience or Residential Field Course.
   1. EEB 300 or 400, or
   2. Any upper division UMBS course.
   It is possible to receive EEB 300/400 credit for research done under the direction of a faculty member in another unit of the University, as long as an EEB faculty member agrees to serve, in advance, as a co-sponsor. Approval in advance by an EEB advisory is required to obtain credit for residential field courses (minimum duration of three weeks) taken at non-UM academic institutions.
4. Capstone Seminar: EEB 410.
5. Additional Major Courses (Electives): 9-12 credits of courses at the 200-level or above chosen in consultation with, and approved by, the department advisor. These courses should be tailored to the student's individual interests and should promote interdisciplinary approaches among EEB areas and other natural sciences:
   • At least one course must be from EEB offerings
   • At least one course must have a biodiversity focus
   • At least one course must include a lab
   • At least two courses must be at the 300-level or above (one must be an EEB course)

A maximum of three credits of any independent study course may count toward the Additional Major Courses (in addition to those used to meet the Research Experience requirement, i.e., there is a maximum allowable total of six independent research credits). If a student elects EEB 300 or 400 to meet the laboratory requirement, they must complete 3 credits in one term to satisfy the requirement.

Effective Fall 2008

May be elected as a departmental major

Exclusions: Students who elect a major in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology may not elect the following majors: Biology, General Biology; Microbiology; Plant Biology; or Biochemistry.   They may also not elect a minor in Biology; Ecology and Evolutionary Biology; Plant Biology; Chemistry; or Biochemistry.

The Ecology and Evolutionary Biology major will train biologists interested in the origins and complex interactions of the Earthￃﾢ￢ﾂﾬ￢ﾄﾢs biodiversity and ecosystems with both the fundamental knowledge in these areas and the basic skills of scientific inquiry. The program spans numerous levels of biological organization over multiple time-scales, and includes studies of genes and genomes, organ systems, individual organisms, populations, species, communities, and ecosystems. Students learn to synthesize how these levels of organization are related to one another and what processes govern their interactions. The major in EEB will prepare students for a variety of career paths including graduate study in biology, public health and medical, dental, and veterinary health professions, conservation and natural resource management, teaching at the K-12 level, positions in the local, state and federal governments, non-profit/non-governmental organizations, and private sector opportunities such as environmental consulting agencies. The minor embraces similar principles but to lesser depth for students who wish to supplement a major in another area with additional biological expertise.

Advising. Students will be advised by a combination of staff and faculty to discuss individual course selection based on the student's interests, as well as career counseling, and research opportunities. Students who are interested in the EEB major should consult a general advisor during the freshman year and are strongly encouraged to meet with a department advisor early in their academic career, but no later than the second term of their sophomore year. It is not necessary to complete every prerequisite before declaring a major. To make an appointment come in person to the Undergraduate Program Office located in 1111 Kraus Natural Sciences Building.

Prerequisites to the Major.

• BIOLOGY 171, 172/174 and 173; or BIOLOGY 195 and 173;
• CHEMISTRY 210/211 and CHEMISTRY 215/216;
• MATH 115 and 116;
• PHYSICS 125/127 and 126/128; or PHYSICS 135/141 and 235/241; or PHYSICS 140/141 and 240/241.
• Under exceptional circumstances, students may petition the Associate Chair of Curriculum to substitute other classes in chemistry, physics, mathematics, and statistics for a prerequisite.

Program of study in a major. A minimum of 30 credits (Students who took BIOLOGY 162 or 163, or have AP credit for BIOLOGY 162 must complete 32 credits), including:

1. Core courses
2. 1. Ecology: BIOLOGY 281 & 282; or EEB 381* (elected at UMBS)
   2. Genetics: BIOLOGY 305
   3. Evolution: EEB 390*
   4. Statistics or Biochemistry (students should consult with an EEB advisor prior to choosing and the other option may be taken as an elective):
   5. 1. STATS 250 (or 350); or
      2. One of the following: MCDB 310, or BIOLCHEM 415
   *   EEB 381 or EEB 390 taken at UMBS satisfies both the residential field course requirement and the individual course requirements.
3. Research Experience or Residential Field Course.
   1. EEB 300 or 400, or
   2. Any upper division UMBS course.
   It is possible to receive EEB 300/400 credit for research done under the direction of a faculty member in another unit of the University, as long as an EEB faculty member agrees to serve, in advance, as a co-sponsor. Approval in advance by an EEB advisory is required to obtain credit for residential field courses (minimum duration of three weeks) taken at non-UM academic institutions.
4. Capstone Seminar: EEB 410.
5. Additional Major Courses (Electives): 9-12 credits of courses at the 200-level or above chosen in consultation with, and approved by, the department advisor. These courses should be tailored to the student's individual interests and should promote interdisciplinary approaches among EEB areas and other natural sciences:
   • At least one course must be from EEB offerings
   • At least one course must have a biodiversity focus
   • At least one course must include a lab
   • At least two courses must be at the 300-level or above (one must be an EEB course)

A maximum of three credits of any independent study course may count toward the Additional Major Courses (in addition to those used to meet the Research Experience requirement, i.e., there is a maximum allowable total of six independent research credits). If a student elects EEB 300 or 400 to meet the laboratory requirement, they must complete 3 credits in one term to satisfy the requirement.

Effective through Summer 2008 

Ecology and Evolutionary Biology

May be elected as a departmental major

The Ecology and Evolutionary Biology major will train biologists interested in the origins and complex interactions of the Earth's biodiversity and ecosystems with both the fundamental knowledge in these areas and the basic skills of scientific inquiry. The program spans numerous levels of biological organization over multiple time-scales, and includes studies of genes and genomes, organ systems, individual organisms, populations, species, communities, and ecosystems. Students learn to synthesize how these levels of organization are related to one another and what processes govern their interactions. The major in EEB will prepare students for a variety of career paths including graduate study in biology, public health and medical, dental, and veterinary health professions, conservation and natural resource management, teaching at the K-12 level, positions in the local, state and federal governments, non-profit/non-governmental organizations, and private sector opportunities such as environmental consulting agencies. The minor embraces similar principles but to lesser depth for students who wish to supplement a major in another area with additional biological expertise.

Advising. Students will be advised by a combination of staff and faculty to discuss individual course selection based on the student's interests, as well as career counseling, and research opportunities. Students who are interested in the EEB major should consult a general advisor during the freshman year and are strongly encouraged to meet with a department advisor early in their academic career, but no later than the second term of their sophomore year. It is not necessary to complete every prerequisite before declaring a major. To make an appointment come in person to the Undergraduate Program Office located in 1111 Kraus Natural Sciences Building.

Prerequisites to the Major.

• BIOLOGY 171, 172 and 173; or BIOLOGY 195 and BIOLOGY 173; or BIOLOGY 162; or BIOLOGY 163;
•   CHEMISTRY 210/211 and CHEMISTRY 215/216;
•   MATH 115 and 116;
•   PHYSICS 125/127 and 126/128; or PHYSICS 135/141 and 235/241; or PHYSICS 140/141 and 240/241.

Under exceptional circumstances, students may petition the Associate Chair of Curriculum to substitute other classes in chemistry, physics, mathematics, and statistics for a prerequisite.

Program of study in a major. A minimum of 33 credits (30 credits for those who elected the new introductory Biology series BIOLOGY 171, 172, 173; or BIOLOGY 195 and 173), including:

1.  Core courses

a.  Ecology: BIOLOGY 281 & 282; or EEB 381* (elected at UMBS)

b    Genetics: BIOLOGY 305

c    Evolution: BIOLOGY 390*

d.  Statistics or Biochemistry (students should consult with an EEB advisor prior to choosing and the other option may be taken as an elective):

1. STATS 350 OR 400, or

2. One of the following: BIOLOGY 310, 311, or BIOLCHEM 415

*   EEB 381 or BIOLOGY 390 taken at UMBS satisfies both the residential field course requirement and the individual course requirements.

2.  Research Experience or Residential Field Course.

1. EEB 300 or 400, or
2. Any upper division UMBS course.

It is possible to receive EEB 300/400 credit for research done under the direction of a faculty member in another unit of the University, as long as an EEB faculty member agrees to serve, in advance, as a co-sponsor. Approval in advance by an EEB advisory is required to obtain credit for residential field courses (minimum duration of three weeks) taken at non-UM academic institutions.

3.  Capstone Seminar designed to meet the ULWR: EEB 410.

4.  Additional Major Courses (Electives): 9-12 credits of courses at the 200-level or above chosen in consultation with, and approved by, the department advisor. These courses should be tailored to the student's individual interests and should promote interdisciplinary approaches among EEB areas and other natural sciences:

• At least one course must be from EEB offerings
• At least one course must have a biodiversity focus
• At least one course must include a lab
• At least two courses must be at the 300-level or above

A maximum of three credits of any independent study course may count toward the Additional Major Courses (in addition to those used to meet the Research Experience requirement, i.e., there is a maximum allowable total of six independent research credits). If a student elects EEB 300 or 400 to meet the laboratory requirement, they must complete 3 credits in one term to satisfy the requirement.