BS in Biological Science (Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation)

Degree Roadmaps (2YR) (4YR)

Units required for Major: 73-85, includes units of study in chosen concentration (see below).
Total units required for BS: 120

Program Description

The concentration in Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation is designed for students interested in wildlife management, conservation biology, or pursuing graduate study in ecological and evolutionary approaches in the Biological Sciences. By choosing the concentration, students get necessary training for a career working with local, state, or federal agencies as a biologist or environmental scientist. It will also prepare students for graduate study in the Biological Sciences.

Program Requirements

Required Lower Division Core Courses (37-41 Units)
BIO 1Biodiversity, Evolution and Ecology 15
BIO 2Cells, Molecules and Genes5
CHEM 1AGeneral Chemistry I 15
CHEM 1BGeneral Chemistry II5
Select one of the following:3 - 6
Organic Chemistry Lecture--Brief Course 2
Organic Chemistry Lecture I
Organic Chemistry Lecture II
Select one of the following:3 - 4
Calculus I for the Social and Life Sciences
Calculus I
PHYS 5AGeneral Physics: Mechanics, Heat, Sound4
PHYS 5BGeneral Physics: Light, Electricity and Magnetism, Modern Physics4
STAT 1Introduction to Statistics 13
Required Upper Division Core Courses (7 Units)
BIO 100Introduction to Scientific Analysis3
BIO 184General Genetics4
Concentration (29-37 Units)
Select from the following concentrations:29 - 37
General Biology
Biomedical Sciences
Cell and Molecular Biology
Clinical Laboratory Sciences
Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation
Forensic Biology
Microbiology
Total Units73-85
1

Course also satisfies General Education (GE)/Graduation Requirement.

2

CHEM 24 and CHEM 124 may be taken in lieu of CHEM 20. (CHEM 124 is not counted toward the 36 upper division unit requirement in the major except in the Biomedical Sciences Concentration.)

Notes:

  • Pre-Health Professional students should take the Chemistry and Math requirements as stated in the Pre-Health Professional Program section of this catalog.
  • With approval, up to six units of upper division coursework from related fields may be applied as electives in the major.

Concentration in Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation (29 units)

Required Courses (14 Units)
BIO 160General Ecology3
BIO 167Quantitative Methods in Biology3
BIO 178Molecular Ecology4
BIO/ENVS 186BEcological and Environmental Issues Seminar1
BIO 188Evolution3
Elective Courses (15 Units)
Select one of the following Structure and Function electives:3
Physiology of Human Reproduction
Advanced Human Anatomy
Neuroanatomy
Comparative Vertebrate Morphology
Developmental Biology
Plant Anatomy and Physiology
Histology
Systemic Physiology
Neurophysiology
Cardiovascular, Respiratory and Renal Physiology
Select three of the following Ecology, Evolution, and Biodiversity electives: 19
Part A: Biodiversity Electives
Plants and Civilization
Plant Taxonomy
The Diversity of Microorganisms
Human Parasitology
General Entomology
Ichthyology: The Study of Fishes
Amphibians and Reptiles: An Introduction to Herpetology
Ornithology
Mammalogy
Part B: Ecology and Evolution Electives
Evolution and Speciation in Flowering Plants
Natural Resource Conservation
Animal Behavior
Principles of Fisheries Biology
Conservation Biology & Wildlife Management
Select additional upper division elective courses in consultation with an advisor to total 15 upper division elective units3
Total Units29
1

At least one course must be from Part A and one course from Part B (each course must be a minimum of 3 units).

  • No more than 3 units from the following combined can be applied to the Biological Sciences upper division major requirement.  No more than 2 units from BIO 195 and 197 series courses may count toward this requirement.
BIO 195Biological Internship1 - 2
BIO 197ALaboratory Teaching Assistant1 - 2
BIO 197BLaboratory Techniques1 - 2
BIO 197CCo-curricular Activities in Biology1 - 2
BIO 199AIntroductory Undergraduate Research1 - 2
BIO 199BDirected Readings1 - 2

General Education Requirements1

Area A: Basic Subjects (9 Units)
A1 - Oral Communication3
A2 - Written Communication3
A3 - Critical Thinking3
Area B: Physical Universe and Its Life Forms (3 Units)
B1 - Physical Science 20
B2 - Life Forms 20
B3 - Lab (Note: Lab experience to be taken with one of the following: B1, B2 or B5) 20
B4 - Math Concepts 20
B5 - Additional Course (Any B to reach 12 units) - Take upper-division course to complete Area & upper division requirements.3
Area C: Arts and Humanities (12 Units)
C1 - Arts3
C2 - Humanities3
C1/C2 - Area C Course3
C1/C2 - Area C Course - Take upper-division course to complete Area & upper division requirements.3
Area D: The Individual and Society (9 Units)
Area D Course3
Area D Course3
Area D Course - Take upper-division course to complete Area & upper division requirements.3
Area E: Understanding Personal Development (3 Units)
Area E Course3
Area F: Ethnic Studies (3 Units)
Area F Course3
Total Units39
1

To help you complete your degree in a timely manner and not take more units than absolutely necessary, there are ways to use single courses to meet more than one requirement (overlap). For further information, please visit the General Education page.

Note: There is no way to list all possible overlaps so please consult with a professional advisor. The Academic Advising Center can be visited online, by phone (916) 278-1000, or email.

2

Required in Major; also satisfies GE.

Graduation Requirements1

Graduation Requirements (required by CSU) (9 Units)
American Institutions: U.S. History3
American Institutions: U.S. Constitution & CA Government3
Writing Intensive (WI)3
Graduation Requirements (required by Sacramento State) (12 Units)
English Composition II3
Race and Ethnicity in American Society (RE)3
Foreign Language Proficiency Requirement 26
1

To help you complete your degree in a timely manner and not take more units than absolutely necessary, there are ways to use single courses to meet more than one requirement (overlap). For further information, please visit the General Education page.

Note: There is no way to list all possible overlaps so please consult with a professional advisor. The Academic Advising Center can be visited online, by phone (916) 278-1000, or email.

2

If not satisfied before entering Sacramento State, it may be satisfied in General Education Area C2 (Humanities). "C- or better required." The alternative methods for satisfying the Foreign Language Proficiency Requirement are described here: https://www.csus.edu/college/arts-letters/world-languages-literatures/foreign-language-requirement.html