University Catalog 2024-2025

Biological Sciences (BS): Ecology, Evolution and Conservation Biology Concentration

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

Exploring the Life Sciences
LSC 103Exploring Opportunities in the Life Sciences1
Writing
Advanced Writing Requirement Elective 13
Cannot be double-counted for a GEP requirement.
Biological Sciences
LSC 101Critical and Creative Thinking in the Life Sciences 12
BIO 181Introductory Biology: Ecology, Evolution, and Biodiversity 14
BIO 183Introductory Biology: Cellular and Molecular Biology 14
BIO 270Introduction to Evolution 13
or BIO 330 Evolutionary Biology
AEC 360Ecology 14
or PB 360 Ecology
AEC 460Field Ecology and Methods 14
GN 311Principles of Genetics 14
GN 312Elementary Genetics Laboratory 11
NR 406Conservation of Biological Diversity 13
or GN 450 Conservation Genetics
Select one of the following Physiology courses: 13
Introduction to Whole Plant Physiology
Plant Physiology
Animal Anatomy and Physiology
Physical & Mathematical Sciences
MA 131Calculus for Life and Management Sciences A 13
or MA 141 Calculus I
MA 231Calculus for Life and Management Sciences B 13
or MA 241 Calculus II
CH 101Chemistry - A Molecular Science 13
CH 102General Chemistry Laboratory 11
CH 201Chemistry - A Quantitative Science 13
CH 202Quantitative Chemistry Laboratory 11
CH 221Organic Chemistry I 13
CH 222Organic Chemistry I Lab 11
CH 223Organic Chemistry II 13
CH 224Organic Chemistry II Lab 11
Select one of the following: 14
College Physics I
Physics for Engineers and Scientists I
and Physics for Engineers and Scientists I Laboratory
Select one of the following: 14
College Physics II
Physics for Engineers and Scientists II
and Physics for Engineers and Scientists II Laboratory
ST 311Introduction to Statistics 13
Major Electives
EECB Electives 118
Organismal Biology Elective 13
Learning Experience Elective3
Plant Co-Requisite (verify requirement)
GEP Courses
ENG 101Academic Writing and Research 14
GEP Humanities6
GEP Social Sciences6
GEP Health and Exercise Studies2
GEP US Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion3
GEP Global Knowledge (verify requirement)
World Language Proficiency (verify requirement)
Free Electives
Free Electives 26
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 Hours120
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

BIO 267Research in the Life Sciences I: Research Skills3
COM 211Argumentation and Advocacy3
ENG 214Introduction to Editing3
ENG 232Literature and Medicine3
ENG 287Explorations in Creative Writing3
ENG 288Fiction Writing3
ENG 289Poetry Writing3
ENG 292Writing About Film3
ENG 316Introduction to News and Article Writing3
ENG 323Writing in Rhetorical Traditions3
ENG 331Communication for Engineering and Technology3
ENG 332Communication for Business and Management3
ENG 333Communication for Science and Research3
ENG 381Creative Nonfiction Writing Workshop3
ENG 388Intermediate Fiction Writing Workshop3
ENG 389Intermediate Poetry Writing Workshop3
ENG 416Advanced News and Article Writing3
ENG 417Editorial and Opinion Writing3
ENG 422Writing Theory and the Writing Process3
ENG 425Analysis of Scientific and Technical Writing3
ENG 426Analyzing Style3

EECB Electives

AEC 380Water Resources: Global Issues in Ecology, Policy, Management, and Advocacy3
AEC 400Applied Ecology3
AEC 419Freshwater Ecology4
AEC 420Introduction to Fisheries Science3
AEC 441Biology of Fishes3
AEC 442Biology of Fishes Laboratory1
AEC 501Avian Ecology4
AEC 509Ecology and Conservation of Freshwater Invertebrates3
AEC 519Freshwater Ecology4
BCH 451Principles of Biochemistry4
BIO 230The Science of Studying Dinosaurs3
BIO 267Research in the Life Sciences I: Research Skills3
BIO 269Research in the Life Sciences II: Guided Research3
BIO 315General Parasitology3
BIO 330Evolutionary Biology3
BIO 440The Human Animal: An Evolutionary Perspective3
BIO 444The Biology of Love and Sex3
BIO 485Capstone Course in Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology3
BIO 4983
BIO 4993
BMA 567Modeling of Biological Systems4
BSC 492Professional Experience1-3
BSC 493Research Experience1-3
COM 436Environmental Communication3
CS 230Introduction to Agroecology3
CS 430Advanced Agroecology4
ENT 425General Entomology3
ENT 502Insect Diversity4
ENT 509Ecology and Conservation of Freshwater Invertebrates3
ENT 520Insect Behavior3
FOR 565Plant Community Ecology4
FW 353Wildlife Management3
FW 444Mammalogy3
FW 544Mammalogy3
GIS 510Fundamentals of Geospatial Information Science and Technology3
GIS 530Spatial Data Foundations3
GIS 550Geospatial Data Structures and Web Services3
GN 423Population, Quantitative and Evolutionary Genetics3
GN 450Conservation Genetics3
GN 456Epigenetics, Development, and Disease3
GN 550Conservation Genetics3
MA 242Calculus III4
MA 331Differential Equations for the Life Sciences3
MB 451Microbial Diversity3
MB 452Microbial Diversity Lab2
MEA 220Marine Biology3
MEA 454Marine Physical-Biological Interactions3
MEA 469Ecology of Coastal Resources3
MEA 554Marine Physical-Biological Interactions3
PB 250Plant Biology4
PB 400Plant Diversity and Evolution4
PB 403Systematic Botany4
PB 503Systematic Botany4
PP 222Kingdom of Fungi3
SSC 4213
SSC 470Wetland Soils3
SSC 562Environmental Applications Of Soil Science3
SSC 570Wetland Soils3
ZO 250Animal Anatomy and Physiology4
ZO 317Primate Ecology and Evolution3
ZO 333Captive Animal Biology3
ZO 350Animal Phylogeny and Diversity4
ZO 402Invertebrate Biology4
ZO 410Introduction to Animal Behavior3
MA 432Mathematical Models in Life Sciences3
BSC 497Biological Sciences Honors Project Part 13
BSC 498Biological Sciences Honors Project Part 23
BSC 499Honors Thesis in Biological Sciences1

Organismal Biology Electives

AEC 441Biology of Fishes3
AEC 442Biology of Fishes Laboratory1
AEC 501Avian Ecology4
AEC 509Ecology and Conservation of Freshwater Invertebrates3
BIO 315General Parasitology3
BIO 370Developmental Anatomy of the Vertebrates3
ENT 425General Entomology3
ENT 503Insect Morphology and Physiology3
ENT 509Ecology and Conservation of Freshwater Invertebrates3
FOR 3394
FW 444Mammalogy3
FW 544Mammalogy3
MB 351General Microbiology3
MB 352General Microbiology Laboratory1
PB 220Local Flora3
PB 250Plant Biology4
PB 403Systematic Botany4
PB 421Plant Physiology3
PB 445Paleobotany4
PB 503Systematic Botany4
PB 545Paleobotany4
PB 570Plant Functional Ecology3
PP 222Kingdom of Fungi3
ZO 350Animal Phylogeny and Diversity4
ZO 402Invertebrate Biology4

Learning Experience Electives

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 269Research in the Life Sciences II: Guided Research3
BIO 4993
BSC 492Professional Experience1-3
BSC 493Research Experience1-3
BSC 498Biological Sciences Honors Project Part 23
BSC 497Biological Sciences Honors Project Part 13

Plant Co-Requisites

A course from this list can also be used to meet one other requirement in the major.
CS 230Introduction to Agroecology3
CS 430Advanced Agroecology4
FOR 3394
FOR 565Plant Community Ecology4
PB 220Local Flora3
PB 250Plant Biology4
PB 321Introduction to Whole Plant Physiology3
PB 400Plant Diversity and Evolution4
PB 403Systematic Botany4
PB 421Plant Physiology3
PB 445Paleobotany4
PB 503Systematic Botany4
PB 545Paleobotany4
PB 570Plant Functional Ecology3
PP 222Kingdom of Fungi3

Semester Sequence

This is a sample.

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Fall SemesterHours
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
 Hours15
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
 Hours15
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
 Hours16
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
 Hours16
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
 Hours15
Spring Semester
Learning Experience Elective 3
PY 212 College Physics II 1 4
Organismal Biology Elective 3
Free Elective 3
EEC Elective 3
 Hours16
Fourth Year
Fall Semester
NR 406 Conservation of Biological Diversity 3
EEC Elective 3
EEC Elective 3
GEP Humanities 3
Free Elective 3
 Hours15
Spring Semester
EEC Elective 3
EEC Elective 3
EEC Elective 3
GEP US Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion 3
 Hours12
 Total Hours120
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.

Career Titles

  • Agricultural Sciences Professor
  • Agronomist
  • Allergists and Immunologists
  • Anesthesiologist (MD)
  • Anesthesiologist Assistants
  • Animal Breeder
  • Animal Scientist
  • Aquaculture Specialist
  • Aquarium Curator
  • Biochemist
  • Biological Technician
  • Biologist
  • Biology Professor
  • Biomedical Engineer
  • Biophysicist
  • Biopsychologist
  • Botanist
  • Cardiologist (MD)
  • Clinical Dietitian
  • Dentist (DDS)
  • Dietitian and Nutritionist
  • Environmental Disease Analyst
  • Environmental Engineer
  • Environmental Research Analyst
  • Epidemiologists
  • Family Practitioner (MD)
  • Fish and Game Warden
  • Fish Hatchery Specialist
  • Food & Drug Inspector
  • Food Science Technicians
  • Food Technologist
  • Forensic Science Technicians
  • General Internists (MD)
  • Genetic Counselors
  • Geneticist
  • Gynecologist (MD)
  • Hazardous Waste Management Analyst
  • Horticulturist
  • Hospitalists
  • Industrial Hygienist
  • Industrial Waste Inspector
  • Low Vision Therapists, Orientation and Mobility Specialists, and Vision Rehabilitation Therapists
  • Marine and Aquatic Biologist
  • Medical and Scientific Illustrator
  • Medical Equipment Technician
  • Medical Technologist
  • Microbiologist
  • Obstetrician (MD)
  • Occupational Health and Safety Technicians
  • Occupational Physician (MD)
  • Oceanographer
  • Optometrist
  • Park Naturalist
  • Pathologist (MD)
  • Pediatrician (MD)
  • Pharmacist
  • Pharmacologist
  • Phlebotomist
  • Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Physicians
  • Physician Assistant (PA)
  • Radiologist (MD)
  • Sales Representative (Chemicals & Drugs)
  • Soil Conservationist
  • Soil Scientist
  • Sports Physician (Orthopedist)
  • Surgeons (MD)
  • Toxicologist
  • Urologists
  • Veterinarian (VMD)
  • Water Pollution Control Inspector
  • Wildlife Biologist
  • Wildlife Control Agent
  • Winemaker / Vinter
  • Zoologist

Learn More About Careers

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Bio Careers
American Institute of Biological Sciences
Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology