Marine Freshwater Environmental Biology Major B.S.
- Preparation for graduate programs in marine biology, zoology, ecology, and conservation biology
- Career paths with state and federal agencies (i.e., USDA or EPA) charged with environmental protection, research and monitoring, and information collection.
Major code: BS2126
Faculty Contact: Karen Mammone
Program Overview
Biological Sciences provides this program for undergraduate majors who are interested in careers studying marine and freshwater organisms and their environments. Students focusing on terrestrial environments should consider the wildlife and conservation biology track.
Courses meet the requirements for admission to graduate programs in marine biology, zoology, ecology, and conservation biology. The program also provides the necessary background for jobs with state and federal agencies (i.e., USDA or EPA) charged with environmental protection, research and monitoring, and information collection. Tier II social science electives can be chosen to meet the requirements of the Environmental Studies Certificate. For federal job and employment information. See USA Jobs.
Careers and Graduate School
Courses meet the requirements for admission to graduate programs in marine biology, zoology, ecology, and conservation biology. The program also provides the necessary background for jobs with state and federal agencies (i.e., USDA or EPA) charged with environmental protection, research and monitoring, and information collection.
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Admissions Information
First year applicants: "Strong preparation in mathematics and science as evidenced by coursework."
Transfer applicants: "Applicants must have a 2.5 cumulative grade point average and have completed the equivalent of BIOS 1700 and 1705."
Degree Requirements
Major Hours Requirement
The biological science major requires a minimum of 123 hours.
University-wide Graduation Requirements
To complete this program, students must meet all University-wide graduation requirements.
College-Level Requirements for the College of Arts & Sciences
View the College-Level Requirements for the College of Arts & Sciences.
Biological Sciences Hours Requirement
Complete a total of 37 semester hours of BIOS coursework, including all of the requirements below. Note: 1000- and 2000-level courses not specifically required by the major will not count toward the BIOS hours requirement, but they may be used to fulfill University graduation requirements.
Biological Sciences Common Curriculum
Complete the following courses:
- BIOS 1700 - Biological Sciences I: Molecules and Cells Credit Hours: 3.0
- BIOS 1705 - Biological Sciences I Laboratory Credit Hours: 1.0
- BIOS 1710 - Biological Sciences II: Ecology, Evolution, Animal Body Systems Credit Hours: 3.0
- BIOS 1715 - Biological Sciences II Laboratory Credit Hours: 1.0
- BIOS 3100 - General Genetics Credit Hours: 3.0
- BIOS 3200 - Fundamentals of Animal Cell Biology Credit Hours: 3.0
- BIOS 3300 - Principles of Evolution Credit Hours: 3.0
Aquatic
Complete one of the following courses:
- BIOS 4290 - Marine Biology Credit Hours: 3.0
- BIOS 4310 - Aquatic Biology Credit Hours: 4.0
Ecology
Complete one of the following courses:
- BIOS 3750 - Animal Ecology Credit Hours: 3.0
- BIOS 3760 - Field Ecology Credit Hours: 3.0
Molecular, Cellular, Physiology
Complete one course from the following:
- BIOS 3430 - Principles of Physiology Credit Hours: 3.0
- BIOS 3435 - Principles of Physiology Lab Credit Hours: 2.0
Note: BIOS 3430/3435 satisfies one course requirement. - BIOS 4260 - Molecular Genetics Credit Hours: 3.0
- BIOS 4630 - Biological Chemistry Credit Hours: 3.0
Organismal
Complete one of the following courses:
- BIOS 3030 - Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy Credit Hours: 4.0
- BIOS 3210 - General Microbiology Credit Hours: 4.0
- BIOS 4360 - Field Entomology Credit Hours: 3.0
- BIOS 4650 - Ichthyology Credit Hours: 4.0
- BIOS 4720 - Herpetology Credit Hours: 4.0
Internship
Complete an internship for a minimum of 2 credit hours:
- BIOS 4910 - Biological Internship Credit Hours: 1.0-3.0
Biological Sciences Upper Level Laboratory Courses
Complete additional Biological Sciences courses at the 3000 level or above to meet the 37 credit hour requirement. At least three laboratory courses at the 3000 level or above must be included in the 37 hours.
- BIOS 3015 - Human Anatomy Lab Credit Hours: 1.0
- BIOS 3030 - Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy Credit Hours: 4.0
- BIOS 3105 - Laboratory Genetics Credit Hours: 2.0
- BIOS 3205 - Cell and Microbiology Techniques Credit Hours: 2.0
- BIOS 3210 - General Microbiology Credit Hours: 4.0
- BIOS 3430 - Principles of Physiology Credit Hours: 3.0
and BIOS 3435 - Principles of Physiology Lab Credit Hours: 2.0 - BIOS 3455 - Human Physiology Laboratory Credit Hours: 2.0
- BIOS 3640 - Forensic Biology Credit Hours: 3.0
- BIOS 3760 - Field Ecology Credit Hours: 3.0
- BIOS 4135 - Human Neuroscience Laboratory Credit Hours: 1.0
- BIOS 4190 - Computer Simulation in Biology Credit Hours: 3.0
- BIOS 4290 - Marine Biology Credit Hours: 3.0
- BIOS 4310 - Aquatic Biology Credit Hours: 4.0
- BIOS 4360 - Field Entomology Credit Hours: 3.0
- BIOS 4570 - Animal Systematics Credit Hours: 3.0
- BIOS 4650 - Ichthyology Credit Hours: 4.0
- BIOS 4710 - Ornithology Credit Hours: 4.0
- BIOS 4740 - Mammalogy Credit Hours: 4.0
- BIOS 4865 - Immunology Lab Credit Hours: 1.0
- BIOS 4910 - Biological Internship Credit Hours: 1.0-3.0
- BIOS 4940 - Undergraduate Research Credit Hours: 1.0-3.0
- BIOS 4940H - Honors Undergraduate Research Credit Hours: 2.0-6.0
- BIOS 4941 - Senior Research and Thesis Credit Hours: 3.0
Extradepartmental Requirements
Complete five sub-requirements.
Sub-Requirement 1: Chemistry
Complete the following courses:
- CHEM 1510 - Fundamentals of Chemistry I Credit Hours: 4.0
- CHEM 1520 - Fundamentals of Chemistry II Credit Hours: 4.0
Organic Chemistry
Complete either the following course or course group option:
- CHEM 3010 - Organic Chemistry Credit Hours: 3.0
Organic Chemistry course group option
Complete the following courses:
- CHEM 3050 - Organic Chemistry I Credit Hours: 3.0
- CHEM 3060 - Organic Chemistry II Credit Hours: 3.0
Sub-Requirement 2: Mathematics
Complete the following course:
- MATH 2301 - Calculus I Credit Hours: 4.0
Sub-Requirement 3: Physics
Complete one of the following course group options:
Introduction to Physics course group option
Complete the following courses:
- PHYS 2001 - Introduction to Physics Credit Hours: 4.0
- PHYS 2002 - Introduction to Physics Credit Hours: 4.0
General Physics course group option
Complete the following courses:
- PHYS 2051 - General Physics Credit Hours: 5.0
- PHYS 2052 - General Physics Credit Hours: 5.0
Sub-Requirement 4: Statistics
Complete one of the following courses:
- MATH 2500 - Introduction to Statistics Credit Hours: 4.0
- PSY 2110 - Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences Credit Hours: 4.0