Student ID:__________________________ Student Name:_______________________ Advisor Name:_______________________ Catalog: 2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog Program: Biology, Specialization in Ecology and Conservation Biology, B.S.
This is for planning purposes only, please check with your advisor with questions about your degree progress

Biology, Specialization in Ecology and Conservation Biology, B.S.

Ecology is the scientific study of the interactions that determine the distribution and abundance of organisms. Ecology serves as a foundation for Conservation Biology, which is the application of biological knowledge and techniques to the conservation and restoration of natural biodiversity. Students completing a Bachelor of Science specialization in Ecology and Conservation Biology (ECB) will gain a solid foundation in ecology, evolution, and organismal biology while developing the quantitative, analytical, and technical skills essential to qualify for professional positions or advanced study in this area. ECB graduates will be highly competitive for employment with businesses, government, or consulting agencies performing conservation assessment and ecological research, restoration or management of habitat or populations of rare, economically important, or invasive species, or for subsequent graduate training in ecology or conservation biology.

The Ecology and Conservation Biology specialization (ECB) requires completion of a suite of core courses in basic biology, genetics, ecology, evolution, and conservation biology. Elective courses in diverse areas of ecology (Group A) provide more specialized training, while advanced courses in organismal biology (Group B) create depth of knowledge in biodiversity. Applied technical training through experiential learning and focused coursework (Group C) in statistics, GIS, independent research, service learning, or internships is also integrated into the program.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this specialization, undergraduates will:

  • Demonstrate knowledge of the basic principles of ecology and understand the concepts central to conservation, including how organisms and natural systems are impacted by man’s dominance of the biosphere;
  • Demonstrate the ability to critically examine ecological data and scientific literature, design effective experiments, collect appropriate data in field and laboratory settings, and interpret the results of ecological studies;
  • Demonstrate understanding of how to apply the approaches, technology, and quantitative analyses essential to solving conservation problems;
  • Demonstrate the ability to present ecological knowledge in a conservation context in both oral and written formats to professional and non-science audiences.

BG Perspective (BGP) Requirements

Must complete at least 1 course in each of the following:

   English Composition and Oral Communication
   _____________________________    ________

   Quantitative Literacy
   _____________________________    ________

Must Complete at least 2 courses in each of the following:

   Humanities and the Arts
   _____________________________    ________ 
   _____________________________    ________    

   Natural Sciences - at least one Lab Science required
   _____________________________    ________ 
   _____________________________    ________                                                                                      

   Social and Behavioral Sciences
   _____________________________    ________ 
   _____________________________    ________                                                                        

Complete total required BGP credit hours by selecting courses from any of the above categories:

   _____________________________    ________ 
   _____________________________    ________ 
   _____________________________    ________ 
   _____________________________    ________                                                                                    

University Requirements

Designated courses in Humanities and the Arts and the Social and Behavioral Sciences domains may be used to fulfill both the BGP requirement and one of the following university requirements:

Cultural Diversity in the US    ____________
International Perspective       ____________

Composition Requirement:
WRIT 1120                             

Total BGP Credits: Must be at least 36                      

Arts & Sciences Requirements (WLC and QL)

World Languages and Cultures (_____ yrs of HS_______) 

Consult the Undergraduate Catalog or the Arts and Sciences Student Handbook regarding approved course options in the different language and culture areas. 
​   ________1010_________________    ________ 
​   ________1020_________________    ________ 
​   _____________________________    ________ 
   _____________________________    ________ 

Lab Science  

   _____________________________    ________ 

Quantitative Literacy

    ________    ________ EITHER MATH 1310 OR MATH 1340 & MATH 1350 

Multidisciplinary Component

Select from approved offerings, in consultation with an advisor and a faculty mentor. Four courses total, each with a different subject prefix. At least two courses at 3000/4000 level. Courses applied to the Arts & Sciences MDC may not be used to fulfill other Arts and Sciences degree requirements, nor may they be used to fulfill major, minor, BGP or other program requirements.   
   _____________________________    ________ 
   _____________________________    ________ 
   _____________________________    ________ 
   _____________________________    ________  

Major Requirements

Core Courses in Biology

(16 Hours)

Complete courses required for the Specialization and Biology electives. Ensure that you have at least 10 hours of courses at the 4000 level.

Course NameTerms TakenGradeCore
BIOL 2000 - Biology Today
BIOL 2040 - Concepts in Biology I
BIOL 2050 - Concepts in Biology II
BIOL 3500 - General Genetics
BIOL 3510 - Evolution

Ecology & Conservation Biology Specialization

*Note: BIOL 4090 and BIOL 4100 may not count in both the Required Courses or in Group A of Electives.

Biology electives: These courses do not meet group requirements, but do count toward the 10 hours of required courses at the 4000 level: BIOL 4500, 4700, BIOL 4900

Courses Required

(6 Hours)

Course NameTerms TakenGradeCore
BIOL 3540 - Population and Community Ecology

 

BIOL 4090 - Conservation Biology

or

BIOL 4100 - Conservation Biology in Practice *

Electives - Complete 3 Credit Hours in Each of the 4 Groups, A-D

Group A: Ecology & Conservation
Course NameTerms TakenGradeCore
BIOL 4090 - Conservation Biology

or

BIOL 4100 - Conservation Biology in Practice *

 

BIOL 4160 - Landscape Ecology
BIOL 4200 - Animal Behavior
BIOL 4220 - Restoration Ecology
BIOL 4250 - Limnology
BIOL 4290 - Evolutionary Ecology
BIOL 4450 - Environmental Microbiology
BIOL 4710 - Sensory Ecology
ENVS 4120 - Great Lakes Ecosystems
Group B: Biodiversity
Course NameTerms TakenGradeCore
BIOL 3130 - Microbiology
BIOL 3430 - General Botany
BIOL 3740 - Marine Biology
BIOL 4050 - General Parasitology
BIOL 4140 - Plant Diversity
BIOL 4270 - Invertebrate Diversity
BIOL 4300 - Wildlife Biology
BIOL 4350 - Entomology
BIOL 4720 - Ichthyology
BIOL 4730 - Mammalogy
BIOL 4760 - Herpetology
BIOL 4770 - Ornithology
Group C: Cell, Molecular & Regulatory Biology
Course NameTerms TakenGradeCore
BIOL 4070 - Cell Biology
BIOL 4080 - Molecular Biology
BIOL 4110 - Animal Physiology
BIOL 4180 - Neurophysiology
BIOL 4210 - Molecular Biotechnology
BIOL 4310 - Developmental Biology
BIOL 4380 - Endocrinology
BIOL 4390 - Immunobiology
BIOL 4430 - Microbial Physiology
BIOL 4460 - Scanning Electron Microscopy
BIOL 4470 - Microbial Genetics
BIOL 4660 - Genomics
Group D: Quantitative & Applied Science
Course NameTerms TakenGradeCore
  • BIOL 4010 - Biological Research
  • BIOL 4540 - Biology Lab Tour
    BIOL 4620 - Principles of Biometry
    BIOL 4890 - Biology Internship
    ENVS 3010 - Environmental Problems
    ENVS 4020 - Environmental Impact Statements
    SEES 3000 - Geospatial Science

    Total Hours: 36-37

    A maximum of 5 credit hours from the following courses may be included in the required 10 credit hours of 4000-level Biology required for the major: BIOL 4010, BIOL 4520, BIOL 4530, BIOL 4540, BIOL 4890. These courses may be repeated. 

    Additional Biology Required Courses: Chemistry & Physics

    General Chemistry I

    Course NameTerms TakenGradeCore
    CHEM 1230 - General Chemistry I and
    CHEM 1240 - General Chemistry I Laboratory

    or

    CHEM 1350 - General Chemistry

    General Chemistry II

    Course NameTerms TakenGradeCore
    CHEM 1270 - General Chemistry II

    or

    CHEM 1370 - General Chemistry

     

    CHEM 1280 - General Chemistry II Laboratory

    or

    CHEM 1380 - General Chemistry Laboratory

    Organic Chemistry

    Course NameTerms TakenGradeCore
    CHEM 3060 - Basic Organic Chemistry

    or

    CHEM 3410 - Organic Chemistry

    Physics

    Course NameTerms TakenGradeCore
    PHYS 2010 - College Physics I

    or

    PHYS 2110 - University Physics I

    Minor Requirements:

    A “general science” minor is offered to students in place of a conventional minor. Consult your Faculty Advisor. (A conventional minor may also be chosen, usually 20 hours, no Biology courses can be used.)

    For Graduation You Will Need:

    1. 122 credit hours minimum.
    2. Minimum GPA 2.00.
    3. At least 30 credit hours of BGSU course work.
    4. 40 credit hours at the 3000/4000 level.
    5. Completion of all degree requirements, including the BG Perspective Core.
    6. A major, and if required, a minor, specialization or emphasis.

    Any substitution or waiver of courses required for your major or minor program must originate in the department/school offering the major or minor and must be approved by the College Office.

    To ensure a timely graduation, see a College Advisor during the semester prior to your intended graduation.

    Remember to complete an Application for Graduation by the end of the second week of classes during the fall semester or spring regular session, or by the end of the first week of the summer semester. For the specific dates, check your DARS. You may log onto MyBGSU to complete the online application. After the deadlines, you will need to complete an application in person in the College Office.

    Notes: