Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology, B.S.
The B.S. major in ecology, evolution, and conservation biology explores the evolutionary origins of organisms and how they survive and reproduce in their changing habitats. Classes in this major examine the morphological and physiological adaptations of animals, plants, fungi, algae, and microorganisms in a changing world, the ecological relationships of organisms from the individual to the global scale, and the mechanisms that drive evolutionary change. Together, these experiences will prepare students for graduate school as well as careers in local, state, and federal agencies, academia, environmental assessment firms, wildlife or natural land management, and/or conservation organizations. The degree program requires 120 credit hours.
Learning Outcomes for Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology B.S. Majors
Ecology, evolution, and conservation biology B.S. graduates of the University of Portland will be able to:
- Apply the scientific process to investigate aspects of ecology, evolution, and conservation by asking questions, critically evaluating scientific literature, creating hypotheses, designing experiments, analyzing data, and formulating conclusions.
- Communicate ecology, evolution, and conservation biology concepts, data interpretations, and significant conclusions to scientists and non-scientists, particularly in writing.
- Characterize the diversity and unity of life and engage with the impacts of anthropogenic change, using biodiversity and ecological interactions from the Pacific Northwest.
- Model, simulate, and quantitatively analyze data in Ecology and Evolution sub-disciplines.
UP Core Requirements — 40 credit hours
All University of Portland students progress through a set of shared course options as part of the University’s liberal arts Core Curriculum. This curriculum offers a foundation of multiple lenses to address enduring questions of human concern, integrating the liberal arts, the University mission, and the knowledge, skills, and values needed in a diverse society and in the workplace.
See UP Core Requirements
Two of the three core requirements in the Science & Problem Solving Habit are satisfied by the mathematics and science requirements within the major.
At least 10 credit hours of electives and/or Exploration Level courses in the University Core Curriculum must be upper-division courses.
BIO 277/278 and the Capstone courses are the designated Writing in the Discipline courses for the B.S. in Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology.
College of Arts and Sciences B.S. Requirements — 6 credit hours
See College Requirements, B.S.
Major Requirements — 57-59 credit hours
Required Courses — 27 credit hours
Upper-Division Statistical and Quantitative Analysis Course - 3 credit hours
One-time course offerings, designated
BIO 391/491, may fulfill the statistical and quantitative analysis course requirement. Please confirm eligible yearly course offerings with the department chair.
Upper-Division Quantitative Analysis of Biological Data Course Lecture and Lab - 4 credit hours
Select one lab with corresponding 3-credit hour lecture course from the following:
Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Courses - 7 credit hours
Select at least two 3-credit lecture courses with one corresponding lab from the following not already used to fulfill the requirements above:
Coding Courses - 2-4 credit hours
Select from the following:
Upper-Division Environmental Studies Lecture and Lab - 4 credit hours
Select one lab with corresponding 3-credit hour lecture course from the following:
Capstone - 3 credit hours
| BIO 440 | Advances in Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology | 3 |
BIO 497, BIO 499, or 497 internships from outside Biology may fulfill the capstone requirement with pre-approval of the department chair.
Upper-division biology electives - 7 credit hours
A maximum of six non-classroom credit hours (from
BIO 397/493/497/499) may be used for completion of the major. A maximum of three upper-division electives in
BIO 397 or 497 may be Pass/No Pass for completion of the major.
Any additional credit hours required to complete a minimum of 120 credit hours
Total Credit Hours: 120