Western Washington University · Bellingham, Washington
Biology—Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology (EEO) Emphasis, BS
What Is the Study of Biology?
Biology is the study of living things, an academic endeavor with a basic research focus on seeking answers to questions rather than on applying biological knowledge to solve problems. As scientists, biologists have two prime motivations: (1) intellectual curiosity about biological systems, and (2) the philosophy that creating and disseminating reliable knowledge has intrinsic worth. Thus, we intend for our intensive academic program to stimulate our students’ curiosity and appetite for life-long learning about biology.
The biology curriculum provides an effective combination of knowledge in areas that students can apply to many careers. The supporting courses for the Biology major in math, physics, and chemistry, along with the biology core curriculum at the 200-level and 300-level, plus one 400-level course in evolution, fulfill the goals of a liberal arts education. Students select 300-level and 400-level specialty courses that focus on ecology, evolution, plant or animal biology. In these courses students not only pursue their interests more specifically, but begin to integrate and apply knowledge, and develop the skills and abilities to pursue careers of their choosing.
Hence, the integrated conceptual foundation in biology, the critical thinking skills, quantitative problem-solving abilities, leadership with team-building skills, and scientific research skills students obtain from lecture and laboratory courses in the B.S. Biology curriculum ultimately are critical for post-baccalaureate studies and future job performance. We expect that students who graduate with a B.S. or B.A. in Biology can apply their education to a variety of jobs across careers.
Why Should I Consider this Major?
This degree program focuses on the structure, function, ecology and evolution of organisms, with an emphasis on plants and animals. A diploma granted under this major will indicate “Bachelor of Science”; official transcripts will indicate Biology – Ecology, Evolution and Organismal Biology Emphasis.
How to Declare:
Declare your Biology, Phase I major as soon as you discover you are interested. Contact Maren Brinson in the Biology Department Office, BI 315 for details. Freshmen, your first quarter is not too soon!
The Biology Department has a two-step process for admission into our degree programs:
Phase I: Students declare their intent to major in biology, and are in the process of completing the introductory biology (BIOL 204, 205, 206) and general chemistry (CHEM 121, 122, 123) series.
Phase II: Admissions is based on academic performance in the Phase I introductory courses. Students must have achieved an average grade of 2.9 or higher in their introductory biology and general chemistry courses before they can advance to Phase II and begin taking upper-division coursework. Students may repeat only one course in Phase I in order to remain eligible for Phase II.
Coursework
- BIOL 204 Introduction to Evolution, Ecology and Biodiversity (4)
- BIOL 205 Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Biology (5)
- BIOL 206 Introduction to Organismal Biology (5)
- BIOL 321 Genetics (4)
- BIOL 323 Cell and Molecular Biology (4)
- BIOL 325 Ecology (3)
- BIOL 340 Biometrics (5)
- BIOL 432 Evolutionary Biology (4)
- Choose either:
CHEM 121 General Chemistry I (5)
CHEM 122 General Chemistry II (5)
CHEM 123 General Chemistry III (4)
or
CHEM 125 General Chemistry I, Honors (5)
CHEM 126 General Chemistry II, Honors (5)
CHEM 225 General Chemistry III, Honors (5) - CHEM 351 Organic Chemistry (4)
- CHEM 352 Organic Chemistry (4)
- One course from:
MATH 124 Calculus and Analytic Geometry I (5)
MATH 134 Honors Calculus I (5) - Choose either:
PHYS 114 Principles of Physics I (5)
PHYS 115 Principles of Physics II (0 or 5)
PHYS 116 Principles of Physics III (recommended) (0 or 5)
or
PHYS 121 Physics With Calculus I (5)
PHYS 122 Physics With Calculus II (5)
PHYS 123 Electricity and Magnetism (5)
Depth Requirements:
- One of the Following:
- BIOL 322 - Genetics Lab
- BIOL 324 - Methods in Molecular Biology
- BIOL 326 - Ecology Laboratory
- Two additional upper-division lab (or lecture and lab) courses, including at least one 400-level course from the list of courses below. An additional lab course from these categories can be used to complete the lab requirements.
- Three courses (including required lecture and lab courses) chosen from the categories below, with at least one course from each category.
- Ecological and Evolutionary Processes:
- BIOL 403 - Physiological Ecology of Animals
- BIOL 405 - Microbial Ecology
- BIOL 407 - Marine Ecology
- BIOL 408 - Ecological Methods
- BIOL 409 - Research Reptile Ecology
- BIOL 410 - Animal Behavior
- BIOL 416 - Ecosystem Ecology and Global Change
- BIOL 424 - Applied Molecular Ecology
- BIOL 433 - Quaternary Biogeography
- BIOL 436 - Molecular Phylogeny and Microbial Diversity
- BIOL 437B - Tropical Marine Ecology
- BIOL 450 - Plant Anatomy
- BIOL 467 - Comparative Vertebrate Physiology
- BIOL 468 - Comparative Vertebrate Physiology Laboratory
- BIOL 482 - Developmental Biology of Animals
- Taxon Diversity and Organismal Biology:
- BIOL 405 - Microbial Ecology
- BIOL 436 - Molecular Phylogeny and Microbial Diversity
- BIOL 437A - Tropical Marine Organismal Biology
- BIOL 452 - Systematic Botany
- BIOL 456 - Algae
- BIOL 460 - Invertebrate Zoology
- BIOL 462 - Entomology
- BIOL 464 - Biology of Marine Mammals
- BIOL 465 - Vertebrate Zoology
- BIOL 467 - Comparative Vertebrate Physiology
- Ecological and Evolutionary Processes:
Electives:
- 0-4 credits to make 95-96 total (75-76 credits of basic requirements, 19 upper-division biology depth and elective credits). No more than 3 credit hours combined in BIOL 395, 496 and 498 can be applied to this category. Additional biology elective credits can be taken to fulfill University graduation requirements:
- Any 300 or 400-level biology course under advisement, including BIOL 300, 400, 444 and 497.
- ESCI courses under advisement.
GURs:
These courses are offered within this major and may be used to satisfy GUR or Writing Proficiency Requirements.
- QSR: MATH 124 or 134
- LSCI: CHEM 121, 122, 123; BIOL 204, 205, 206; PHYS 115, 116 or 121, 122, 123
- WP: Three Writing Proficiency points are required for graduation (they are noted as WP1, 2, and 3). Check Classfinder or Online Timetable for departmental offerings each quarter.
Sample Careers
- Botanist
- Conservation Biologist
- Educator
- Ecologist
- Environmental Consultant
- Evolutionary Biologist
- Field Biologist
- Laboratory Technician
Department
Contact
Department Chair:
Dr. Joann Otto
BI 315
(360) 650-4044
Joann.Otto@wwu.edu
Program Coordinator:
Maren Brinson
BI 315
(360) 650-6165
maren.brinson@wwu.edu