Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Major

Effective Winter 2012  (course list updates)

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.

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 courses 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
    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):
      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.

Advising. To make an appointment, go to the Program in Biology website at http://www.lsa.umich.edu/biology/. 

Honors Program in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology

EEB Biodiversity Focus Courses

EEB Major Approved Electives


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