Concentration in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
The concentration in ecology and evolutionary biology explores how organisms interact with and adapt to their environments.
Preparing You for Success
Ecology and evolutionary biology gives you foundational knowledge of individual organisms and the ecosystems they share. This experience prepares you to become a scientist, laboratory technician, field ecologist or natural resources staff. Classes introduce you to research methods your first year, then you can build on those through labs, independent studies and summer research.
By the time you graduate, your experiences may include:
- One-on-one mentorship from faculty who have research experience in ecology or evolutionary biology
- Opportunities to publish your research and share it at professional conferences
- A senior research capstone project
- Opportunities for networking and professional development through Tri-Beta national honor society and the Biology Undergraduate Society
Making Your Mark
Ecology and evolutionary biology majors are valuable for graduate school or a career managing natural resources. You can pursue a graduate degree or enter the workforce after leaving Bradley.
Concentration Requirements
The ecology and evolutionary biology concentration requires completion of the undergraduate biology major plus the following.
Required Courses - 6 hrs.
- BIO 385: Supervised Research - 3 hrs.
- BIO 485: Research - 3 hrs.
Elective Courses (choose two) - 6-8 hrs.
- BIO 323: Comparative Anatomy - 4 hrs.
- BIO 324: Plant Diversity - 4 hrs.
- BIO 334: Reproduction and Identification of Flowering Plants - 4 hrs.
- BIO 371: Invertebrate Zoology - 4 hrs.
- BIO 417: Environmental Physiology - 4 hrs.
- BIO 419: Ethology - 4 hrs.
- BIO 420: Ecosystem Ecology - 4 hrs.
- BIO 440: Evolution - 3 hrs.
- BIO 450: Conservation Biology - 3 hrs.
- BIO 460: Ecology - 4 hrs.
- BIO 463: Plant Ecology - 4 hrs.
- BIO 502: Biometry - 3 hrs.
- BIO 517: Environmental Physiology - 3 hrs.
- BIO 519: Comparative Animal Behavior - 3 hrs.
- BIO 520: Advanced Ecosystems Ecology - 3 hrs.
- BIO 530: Plant Systematics - 3 hrs.
- BIO 540: Evolution - 3 hrs.
- BIO 550: Conservation Biology - 3 hrs.
- BIO 563: Advanced Plant Ecology - 3 hrs.
Note: The courses used for the concentration cannot have been used to fulfill the requirements for the major.
Course Sequence
Sample program plan information is provided for sample purposes only. Students should consult with their academic advisor about their individual plan for course registration and completion of program requirements.
| First Year - Fall Semester | ||
|---|---|---|
| BIO 150 | Introduction to Biology | 2 hours |
| CHM 110/111 | General Chemistry I - Lab | 4 hours |
| MTH 115 | Calculus I | 4 hours |
| Core Courses | 6 hours | |
| Total | 16 hours | |
| First Year - Spring Semester | ||
|---|---|---|
| BIO 151/152 | Molecules to Cells - Lab | 3 hours |
| CHM 116/11 | General Chemistry II - Lab | 5 hours |
| MTH 116 | Calculus II | 3 hours |
| COM 103 | Oral Communication | 3 hours |
| Total | 15 hours | |
| Sophomore - Fall Semester | ||
|---|---|---|
| BIO 250 | Organismal Biology | 4 hours |
| BIO 260 | Biological Statistics I | 1 hours |
| CHM 252/253 | Organic Chemistry I - Lab | 5 hours |
| Core Course | 3 hour | |
| Elective | 3 hour | |
| Total | 16 hours | |
| Sophomore - Spring Semester | ||
|---|---|---|
| BIO 251/252 | Ecology, Evolution and Biodiversity - Lab | 4 hours |
| BIO 261 | Biological Statistics II | 2 hours |
| BIO | Research | 1 hour |
| Elective | 6 hours | |
| Core Course | 3 hours | |
| Total | 16 hours | |
| Junior - Fall Semester | ||
|---|---|---|
| BIO 310/311 | Genetics - Lab | 4 hours |
| PHY 107 | Physics I | 4 hours |
| PHY 107 | Physics I | 4 hours |
| BIO | Research | 2 hours |
| Core Course | 3 hours | |
| Electives | 3 hours | |
| Total | 16 hours | |
| Junior - Spring Semester | ||
|---|---|---|
| PHY 108 | General Physics II | 4 hours |
| BIO | Lab Course | 4 hours |
| BIO | Research | 2 hours |
| Core Course | 3 hours | |
| Electives | 3 hours | |
| Total | 16 hours | |
| Senior - Fall Semester | ||
|---|---|---|
| BIO | Lab Courses | 8 hours |
| BIO | Elective | 3 hours |
| BIO | Research | 2 hours |
| Electives | 3 hours | |
| Total | 16 hours | |
| Senior - Spring Semester | ||
|---|---|---|
| BIO 490 | Biology Capstone | 1 hours |
| BIO | Lab Courses | 8 hours |
| BIO | Elective | 3 hours |
| BIO | Research | 1 hour |
| Elective | 3 hours | |
| Total | 16 hours | |