Biological Sciences (BS): Ecology, Evolution and Conservation Biology Concentration
To see more about what you will learn in this program, visit the Learning Outcomes website!
There are five different avenues to earning a B.S. in Biological Sciences at NC State. Students studying for a degree in Biological Sciences can opt for a general curriculum (BLS) or can choose to focus in a particular area by selecting one of four areas of concentration: Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology (MCD), Integrative Physiology and Neurobiology (IPN), Human Biology (HB), or Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology (EEC).
The EEC curriculum offers students in-depth studies in areas of biology at the level of the organism, populations, communities, and ecosystems. It is designed for students who have an interest in whole organisms and their biodiversity — what causes and maintains it, what environmental changes affect it, and how to protect it in the face of critical challenges in the Anthropocene.
Plan Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours | Counts towards |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exploring the Life Sciences | |||
| LSC 103 | Exploring Opportunities in the Life Sciences | 1 | |
| Writing | |||
| Advanced Writing Requirement Elective 1 | 3 | ||
Cannot be double-counted for a GEP requirement. | |||
| Biological Sciences | |||
| LSC 101 | Critical and Creative Thinking in the Life Sciences 1 | 2 | |
| BIO 181 | Introductory Biology: Ecology, Evolution, and Biodiversity 1 | 4 | |
| BIO 183 | Introductory Biology: Cellular and Molecular Biology 1 | 4 | |
| BIO 270 | Introduction to Evolution 1 | 3 | |
| or BIO 330 | Evolutionary Biology | ||
| AEC 360 | Ecology 1 | 4 | |
| or PB 360 | Ecology | ||
| AEC 460 | Field Ecology and Methods 1 | 4 | |
| GN 311 | Principles of Genetics 1 | 4 | |
| GN 312 | Elementary Genetics Laboratory 1 | 1 | |
| NR 406 | Conservation of Biological Diversity 1 | 3 | |
| or GN 450 | Conservation Genetics | ||
| Select one of the following Physiology courses: 1 | 3 | ||
| Introduction to Whole Plant Physiology | |||
| Plant Physiology | |||
| Animal Anatomy and Physiology | |||
| Physical & Mathematical Sciences | |||
| MA 131 | Calculus for Life and Management Sciences A 1 | 3 | |
| or MA 141 | Calculus I | ||
| MA 231 | Calculus for Life and Management Sciences B 1 | 3 | |
| or MA 241 | Calculus II | ||
| CH 101 | Chemistry - A Molecular Science 1 | 3 | |
| CH 102 | General Chemistry Laboratory 1 | 1 | |
| CH 201 | Chemistry - A Quantitative Science 1 | 3 | |
| CH 202 | Quantitative Chemistry Laboratory 1 | 1 | |
| CH 221 | Organic Chemistry I 1 | 3 | |
| CH 222 | Organic Chemistry I Lab 1 | 1 | |
| CH 223 | Organic Chemistry II 1 | 3 | |
| CH 224 | Organic Chemistry II Lab 1 | 1 | |
| Select one of the following: 1 | 4 | ||
| College Physics I | |||
| Physics for Engineers and Scientists I and Physics for Engineers and Scientists I Laboratory | |||
| Select one of the following: 1 | 4 | ||
| College Physics II | |||
| Physics for Engineers and Scientists II and Physics for Engineers and Scientists II Laboratory | |||
| ST 311 | Introduction to Statistics 1 | 3 | |
| Major Electives | |||
| EECB Electives 1 | 18 | ||
| Organismal Biology Elective 1 | 3 | ||
| Learning Experience Elective | 3 | ||
| Plant Co-Requisite (verify requirement) | |||
| GEP Courses | |||
| ENG 101 | Academic Writing and Research 1 | 4 | |
| GEP Humanities | 6 | ||
| GEP Social Sciences | 6 | ||
| GEP Health and Exercise Studies | 2 | ||
| GEP US Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion | 3 | ||
| GEP Global Knowledge (verify requirement) | |||
| Foreign Language Proficiency (verify requirement) | |||
| Free Electives | |||
| Free Electives 2 | 6 | ||
| These electives cannot be remedial nor can they be taken at an elementary level after you have taken comparable coursework at a more advanced level. Students interested in graduate school or professional school should check the courses required for admission to the programs to which they plan to apply. | |||
| Total Hours | 120 | ||
- 1
A grade of C- or higher is required.
- 2
Students should consult their academic advisors to determine which courses fill this requirement.
Advanced Writing Requirement Electives
| Code | Title | Hours | Counts towards |
|---|---|---|---|
| BIO 267 | Research in the Life Sciences I: Research Skills | 3 | |
| COM 211 | Argumentation and Advocacy | 3 | |
| ENG 214 | Introduction to Editing | 3 | |
| ENG 232 | Literature and Medicine | 3 | |
| ENG 287 | Explorations in Creative Writing | 3 | |
| ENG 288 | Fiction Writing | 3 | |
| ENG 289 | Poetry Writing | 3 | |
| ENG 292 | Writing About Film | 3 | |
| ENG 316 | Introduction to News and Article Writing | 3 | |
| ENG 323 | Writing in Rhetorical Traditions | 3 | |
| ENG 331 | Communication for Engineering and Technology | 3 | |
| ENG 332 | Communication for Business and Management | 3 | |
| ENG 333 | Communication for Science and Research | 3 | |
| ENG 381 | Creative Nonfiction Writing Workshop | 3 | |
| ENG 388 | Intermediate Fiction Writing Workshop | 3 | |
| ENG 389 | Intermediate Poetry Writing Workshop | 3 | |
| ENG 416 | Advanced News and Article Writing | 3 | |
| ENG 417 | Editorial and Opinion Writing | 3 | |
| ENG 422 | Writing Theory and the Writing Process | 3 | |
| ENG 425 | Analysis of Scientific and Technical Writing | 3 | |
| ENG 426 | Analyzing Style | 3 |
EECB Electives
| Code | Title | Hours | Counts towards |
|---|---|---|---|
| AEC 380 | Water Resources: Global Issues in Ecology, Policy, Management, and Advocacy | 3 | |
| AEC 400 | Applied Ecology | 3 | |
| AEC 419 | Freshwater Ecology | 4 | |
| AEC 420 | Introduction to Fisheries Science | 3 | |
| AEC 441 | Biology of Fishes | 3 | |
| AEC 442 | Biology of Fishes Laboratory | 1 | |
| AEC 501 | Avian Ecology | 4 | |
| AEC 509 | Ecology and Conservation of Freshwater Invertebrates | 3 | |
| AEC 519 | Freshwater Ecology | 4 | |
| BCH 451 | Principles of Biochemistry | 4 | |
| BIO 230 | The Science of Studying Dinosaurs | 3 | |
| BIO 267 | Research in the Life Sciences I: Research Skills | 3 | |
| BIO 269 | Research in the Life Sciences II: Guided Research | 3 | |
| BIO 315 | General Parasitology | 3 | |
| BIO 330 | Evolutionary Biology | 3 | |
| BIO 440 | The Human Animal: An Evolutionary Perspective | 3 | |
| BIO 444 | The Biology of Love and Sex | 3 | |
| BIO 485 | Capstone Course in Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology | 3 | |
| BIO 498 | Honors Project Part I | 3 | |
| BIO 499 | Honors Project Part 2 | 3 | |
| BMA 567 | Modeling of Biological Systems | 4 | |
| BSC 492 | Professional Experience | 1-3 | |
| BSC 493 | Research Experience | 1-3 | |
| COM 436 | Environmental Communication | 3 | |
| CS 230 | Introduction to Agroecology | 3 | |
| CS 430 | Advanced Agroecology | 4 | |
| ENT 425 | General Entomology | 3 | |
| ENT 502 | Insect Diversity | 4 | |
| ENT 509 | Biology of Aquatic Insects | 3 | |
| ENT 520 | Insect Behavior | 3 | |
| FOR 565 | Plant Community Ecology | 4 | |
| FW 353 | Wildlife Management | 3 | |
| FW 444 | Mammalogy | 3 | |
| FW 544 | Mammalogy | 3 | |
| GIS 510 | Fundamentals of Geospatial Information Science and Technology | 3 | |
| GIS 530 | Spatial Data Foundations | 3 | |
| GIS 550 | Geospatial Data Structures and Web Services | 3 | |
| GN 423 | Population, Quantitative and Evolutionary Genetics | 3 | |
| GN 450 | Conservation Genetics | 3 | |
| GN 456 | Epigenetics, Development, and Disease | 3 | |
| GN 550 | Conservation Genetics | 3 | |
| MA 242 | Calculus III | 4 | |
| MA 331 | Differential Equations for the Life Sciences | 3 | |
| MB 451 | Microbial Diversity | 3 | |
| MB 452 | Microbial Diversity Lab | 2 | |
| MEA 220 | Marine Biology | 3 | |
| MEA 454 | Marine Physical-Biological Interactions | 3 | |
| MEA 469 | Ecology of coastal Resources | 3 | |
| MEA 554 | Marine Physical-Biological Interactions | 3 | |
| PB 250 | Plant Biology | 4 | |
| PB 400 | Plant Diversity and Evolution | 4 | |
| PB 403 | Systematic Botany | 4 | |
| PB 503 | Systematic Botany | 4 | |
| PP 222 | Kingdom of Fungi | 3 | |
| SSC 421 | Role of Soils in Environmental Management | 3 | |
| SSC 470 | Wetland Soils | 3 | |
| SSC 562 | Environmental Applications Of Soil Science | 3 | |
| SSC 570 | Wetland Soils | 3 | |
| ZO 250 | Animal Anatomy and Physiology | 4 | |
| ZO 317 | Primate Ecology and Evolution | 3 | |
| ZO 333 | Captive Animal Biology | 3 | |
| ZO 350 | Animal Phylogeny and Diversity | 4 | |
| ZO 402 | Invertebrate Biology | 4 | |
| ZO 410 | Introduction to Animal Behavior | 3 | |
| MA 432 | Mathematical Models in Life Sciences | 3 | |
| BSC 497 | Biological Sciences Honors Project Part 1 | 3 | |
| BSC 498 | Biological Sciences Honors Project Part 2 | 3 | |
| BSC 499 | Honors Thesis in Biological Sciences | 1 |
Organismal Biology Electives
| Code | Title | Hours | Counts towards |
|---|---|---|---|
| AEC 441 | Biology of Fishes | 3 | |
| AEC 442 | Biology of Fishes Laboratory | 1 | |
| AEC 501 | Avian Ecology | 4 | |
| AEC 509 | Ecology and Conservation of Freshwater Invertebrates | 3 | |
| BIO 315 | General Parasitology | 3 | |
| BIO 370 | Developmental Anatomy of the Vertebrates | 3 | |
| ENT 425 | General Entomology | 3 | |
| ENT 503 | Insect Morphology and Physiology | 3 | |
| ENT 509 | Biology of Aquatic Insects | 3 | |
| FOR 339 | Dendrology | 4 | |
| FW 444 | Mammalogy | 3 | |
| FW 544 | Mammalogy | 3 | |
| MB 351 | General Microbiology | 3 | |
| MB 352 | General Microbiology Laboratory | 1 | |
| PB 220 | Local Flora | 3 | |
| PB 250 | Plant Biology | 4 | |
| PB 403 | Systematic Botany | 4 | |
| PB 421 | Plant Physiology | 3 | |
| PB 445 | Paleobotany | 4 | |
| PB 503 | Systematic Botany | 4 | |
| PB 545 | Paleobotany | 4 | |
| PB 570 | Plant Functional Ecology | 3 | |
| PP 222 | Kingdom of Fungi | 3 | |
| ZO 350 | Animal Phylogeny and Diversity | 4 | |
| ZO 402 | Invertebrate Biology | 4 |
Learning Experience Electives
| Code | Title | Hours | Counts towards |
|---|---|---|---|
| Learning experience in an appropriate area, with prior approval by faculty adviser, prospective supervisor, and departmental undergraduate coordinator. Contact and arrangements with prospective supervisors is the responsibility of the student. | |||
| BIO 269 | Research in the Life Sciences II: Guided Research | 3 | |
| BIO 499 | Honors Project Part 2 | 3 | |
| BSC 492 | Professional Experience | 1-3 | |
| BSC 493 | Research Experience | 1-3 | |
| BSC 498 | Biological Sciences Honors Project Part 2 | 3 | |
| BSC 497 | Biological Sciences Honors Project Part 1 | 3 | |
Plant Co-Requisites
| Code | Title | Hours | Counts towards |
|---|---|---|---|
| A course from this list can also be used to meet one other requirement in the major. | |||
| CS 230 | Introduction to Agroecology | 3 | |
| CS 430 | Advanced Agroecology | 4 | |
| FOR 339 | Dendrology | 4 | |
| FOR 565 | Plant Community Ecology | 4 | |
| PB 220 | Local Flora | 3 | |
| PB 250 | Plant Biology | 4 | |
| PB 321 | Introduction to Whole Plant Physiology | 3 | |
| PB 400 | Plant Diversity and Evolution | 4 | |
| PB 403 | Systematic Botany | 4 | |
| PB 421 | Plant Physiology | 3 | |
| PB 445 | Paleobotany | 4 | |
| PB 503 | Systematic Botany | 4 | |
| PB 545 | Paleobotany | 4 | |
| PB 570 | Plant Functional Ecology | 3 | |
| PP 222 | Kingdom of Fungi | 3 | |
Semester Sequence
This is a sample.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | Hours | |
| LSC 101 | Critical and Creative Thinking in the Life Sciences 1 | 2 |
| BIO 181 | Introductory Biology: Ecology, Evolution, and Biodiversity 1 | 4 |
| CH 101 | Chemistry - A Molecular Science 1 | 3 |
| CH 102 | General Chemistry Laboratory 1 | 1 |
| MA 131 | Calculus for Life and Management Sciences A 1 | 3 |
| LSC 103 | Exploring Opportunities in the Life Sciences | 1 |
| GEP Health and Exercise Studies | 1 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| BIO 183 | Introductory Biology: Cellular and Molecular Biology 1 | 4 |
| CH 221 | Organic Chemistry I 1 | 3 |
| CH 222 | Organic Chemistry I Lab 1 | 1 |
| ENG 101 | Academic Writing and Research 1 | 4 |
| MA 231 | Calculus for Life and Management Sciences B 1 | 3 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| Physiology Requirement | 3 | |
| CH 223 | Organic Chemistry II 1 | 3 |
| CH 224 | Organic Chemistry II Lab 1 | 1 |
| Evolution or Ecology | 3 | |
| GEP Social Sciences | 3 | |
| GEP Humanities | 3 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| GN 311 | Principles of Genetics | 4 |
| GN 312 | Elementary Genetics Laboratory 1 | 1 |
| CH 201 | Chemistry - A Quantitative Science 1 | 3 |
| CH 202 | Quantitative Chemistry Laboratory 1 | 1 |
| Evolution or Ecology | 4 | |
| GEP Social Sciences | 3 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| AEC 460 | Field Ecology and Methods 1 | 4 |
| Advanced Writing Requirement | 3 | |
| PY 211 | College Physics I 1 | 4 |
| ST 311 | Introduction to Statistics 1 | 3 |
| GEP Health and Exercise Studies | 1 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| Learning Experience Elective | 3 | |
| PY 212 | College Physics II 1 | 4 |
| Organismal Biology Elective | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| EEC Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| NR 406 | Conservation of Biological Diversity | 3 |
| EEC Elective | 3 | |
| EEC Elective | 3 | |
| GEP Humanities | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| EEC Elective | 3 | |
| EEC Elective | 3 | |
| EEC Elective | 3 | |
| GEP US Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion | 3 | |
| Hours | 12 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
- 1
A grade of C- or higher is required.
Career Opportunities
Many students majoring in the Department of Biological Sciences take advantage of scholarship and honors programs available at NC State, including the University Honors Program and the University Scholars Program. In addition, we offer a discipline-based Undergraduate Honors Program in Biological Sciences (DBS Honors Program). The DBS Honors Program requires students to design a challenging program of advanced study, including eight credits of honors coursework in biology and at least two semesters of research or teaching scholarship. Participants write an honors thesis and are required to present their scholarly work at a local, regional, or national meeting. Invitations to join the DBS Honors Program are sent in the first three weeks of the Fall and Spring semesters. Students in any major in the Department of Biological Sciences who have earned an overall GPA of 3.60 after completing 30-65 credit hours at NC State will receive an invitation to join the DBS Honors Program; transfer students in any of our majors who have earned an overall GPA of 3.60 in 15 credit hours at NC State also will receive an invitation.
Students who graduate from the Department of Biological Sciences are well prepared for employment in broad variety of positions in government agencies and private industries. Graduates may continue their education with studies leading to advanced degrees in many areas of the biological sciences, including cell biology, ecology, evolutionary biology, microbiology, genetics, zoology, neurobiology, and biomedical disciplines. Many choose to seek advanced degrees in medicine, dentistry, optometry, veterinary medicine, public health, and other health-related fields. Students who plan to seek certification for pre-college teaching may want to pursue a second major in the Department of Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics Education. Overall, graduates in the EEC concentration pursue diverse and successful trajectories in local, state, and federal agencies, non-governmental organizations, diverse private industries, and academia.