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Academic Catalog 2021-2022

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  • Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, BS

Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, BS

2021-2022 Edition

  • Undergraduate
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    • College of Arts, Media and Design
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      • Behavioral Neuroscience
      • Biochemistry
      • Biology
      • Chemistry and Chemical Biology
      • Linguistics
      • Marine and Environmental Sciences
        • Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, BS
        • Environmental and Sustainability Sciences, BS
        • Environmental Studies, BA
        • Marine Biology, BS
        • Computer Science and Environmental and Sustainability Sciences, BS
        • Data Science and Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, BS
        • Data Science and Environmental and Sustainability Sciences, BS
        • Environmental and Sustainability Sciences and Chemistry, BS
        • Environmental and Sustainability Sciences and Economics, BS
        • Environmental and Sustainability Sciences and Landscape Architecture, BS
        • Environmental Studies and History, BA
        • Environmental Studies and International Affairs, BA
        • Environmental Studies and Philosophy, BA
        • Environmental Studies and Political Science, BA
        • Sociology and Environmental Studies, BA
        • Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Minor
        • Environmental and Sustainability Sciences, Minor
        • Environmental Studies, Minor
        • Geosciences, Minor
        • Marine Sciences, Minor
      • Mathematics
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      • Psychology
      • Interdisciplinary
      • Accelerated Bachelor/​Graduate Degree Programs
    • College of Social Sciences and Humanities
    • Faculty
    • Appendix
  • College of Professional Studies Undergraduate
  • Graduate
  • Course Descriptions
  • Catalog Archives
  • Overview
  • Program Requirements
  • Plan of Study

The Bachelor of Science in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (EEB) degree is designed to provide a strong foundation in the fundamentals of ecology and evolutionary biology, including focal points in population, community, and ecosystem ecology; evolutionary ecology and biology; conservation biology; population genetics; behavior; and ecological and evolutionary genomics. Our major provides unique experiential learning opportunities for students interested in the fundamentals of evolution; the ecology of terrestrial, marine, and freshwater systems; and the application of both of these in the pursuit of the conservation and restoration of natural systems. Further, students in our major have the opportunity to focus on cutting-edge techniques in the use of molecular tools to answer fundamental questions in ecology and evolution. The interdisciplinary nature of our major fosters critical thinking and creativity in scientific problem solving while instilling skills that will result in scientifically literate global citizens. The curriculum for this major also satisfies premed and prevet requirements. Courses offered by this major fulfill several core competencies required by the university: Engaging with the Natural and Designed World, Exploring Created Expression and Innovation, Conducting Formal and Quantitative Reasoning, Analyzing and Using Data, Employing Ethical Reasoning, writing-intensive courses, and capstone.

Fieldwork is a valued component of training in our programs, and several of our courses use field sites, resources, and facilities of the Marine Science Center and throughout the greater Boston area. Students interested in having a foundational education in ecology and evolutionary biology, and also participating in the Northeastern Three Seas Program, will be able to meet the requirements for both programs. All students will also have the option to complete undergraduate research experiences with faculty members in the Department of Marine and Environmental Sciences and can take advantage of our faculty networks of scientists and practitioners for additional co-op and research opportunities.

Students graduating with an EEB major will be prepared for success in pursuing graduate degrees; for working in multiple areas of science and technology, including data science and biotech sectors; and for positions with consulting companies, nonprofits, and government agencies.

Ecology and evolutionary biology majors and associated combined majors cannot be combined with majors in biology, marine biology, or environmental and sustainability sciences, nor can those students minor in biology, marine science, or environmental and sustainability sciences. 

Complete all courses listed below unless otherwise indicated. Also complete any corequisite labs, recitations, clinicals, or tools courses where specified and complete any additional courses needed beyond specific college and major requirements to satisfy graduation credit requirements.

University-Wide Requirements

All undergraduate students are required to complete the University-Wide Requirements.

NUpath Requirements

All undergraduate students are required to complete the NUpath Requirements.

Due to overlap in course content, double majoring in ecology and evolutionary biology and marine biology is not permitted. 

Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Major Requirements

Course List
Code Title Hours
Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
EEMB 1101
and EEMB 1102
Foundations in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
and Lab for EEMB 1101
5
Ecology and Evolutionary Genomics
EEMB 1105
and EEMB 1106
Foundations in Ecological and Evolutionary Genomics
and Lab for EEMB 1105
5
Genetics
BIOL 2301
and BIOL 2302
Genetics and Molecular Biology
and Lab for BIOL 2301
5
Evolution
EEMB 2400Introduction to Evolution4
Ecology
EEMB 2302
and EEMB 2303
Ecology
and Lab for EEMB 2302
5
Conservation
EEMB 3460Conservation Biology4
Data Skills
ENVR 1500Introduction to Environmental, Social, and Biological Data4
Biostatistics
ENVR 2500
and ENVR 2501
Biostatistics
and Lab for ENVR 2500
5
Communication
ENVR 4000Science Communication and Professional Development4
Capstone
ENVR 4997Senior Thesis4
or ENVR 4900 Earth and Environmental Science Capstone

Supporting Courses

Course List
Code Title Hours
Math
Complete one of the following:4
MATH 1241
Calculus 1
or MATH 1251
Calculus and Differential Equations for Biology 1
Chemistry
CHEM 1161
and CHEM 1162
and CHEM 1163
General Chemistry for Science Majors
and Lab for CHEM 1161
and Recitation for CHEM 1161
5
Organic or Environmental Chemistry
Complete one of the following:4-5
CHEM 2311
and CHEM 2312
Organic Chemistry 1
and Lab for CHEM 2311
ENVR 3410
Environmental Geochemistry
Physics 1
Complete one of the following:5
PHYS 1145
and PHYS 1146
Physics for Life Sciences 1
and Lab for PHYS 1145
PHYS 1151
and PHYS 1152
and PHYS 1153
Physics for Engineering 1
and Lab for PHYS 1151
and Interactive Learning Seminar for PHYS 1151
PHYS 1161
and PHYS 1162
Physics 1
and Lab for PHYS 1161

Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Topical Requirement

Course List
Code Title Hours
Complete six of the following (at least one course must be taken from each list):24
Evolution of Organisms
EEMB 2290
Ecology and Evolution of Behavior
EEMB 2700
and EEMB 2701
Marine Biology
and Lab for EEMB 2700
EEMB 3001
Genetics and Evolution in Action
EEMB 3450
Physiological Adaptations to the Environment
EEMB 3465
Ecological and Conservation Genomics
EEMB 3475
Wildlife Ecology
EEMB 3700
Desert Ecology
EEMB 4010
Biology of Mammals
Ecology and Conservation Biology
EEMB 3455
Ecosystems Ecology
EEMB 3466
Disease Ecology
EEMB 4000
Applied Conservation Biology
EEMB 4001
Landscape and Restoration Ecology
ENVR 3125
Global Oceanic Change
ENVR 3150
Food Security and Sustainability
ENVR 4505
Wetlands
ENVR 5210
Environmental Planning
ENVR 5220
Ecosystem-Based Management
ENVR 5242
Ancient Marine Life
Analytical Skills
BIOL 3611
and BIOL 3612
Biochemistry
and Lab for BIOL 3611
CHEM 2311
and CHEM 2312
Organic Chemistry 1
and Lab for CHEM 2311
CHEM 2313
and CHEM 2314
Organic Chemistry 2
and Lab for CHEM 2313
EEMB 3555
Networks and Natural Systems
EEMB 5130
Ecological Dynamics
EEMB 5522
Experimental Design Marine Ecology
ENVR 3300
and ENVR 3301
Geographic Information Systems
and Lab for ENVR 3300
ENVR 3410
Environmental Geochemistry
ENVR 5500
Advanced Biostatistics
ENVR 5563
Advanced Spatial Analysis
PHYS 1147
and PHYS 1148
Physics for Life Sciences 2
and Lab for PHYS 1147

Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Credit Requirement

Complete 88 semester hours in the major.

Ecology and Evolutionary Biology GPA Requirement

Complete all major courses with a cumulative GPA of 2.000.

Program Requirement

137 total semester hours required

 Five Years, Three Spring Co-ops

Year 1
FallHoursSpringHours  
EEMB 1101
and EEMB 1102
5EEMB 1105
and EEMB 1106
5  
ENVR 10001PHYS 1145
and PHYS 1146
5  
MATH 1241 or 12514CHEM 1161
and CHEM 1162
and CHEM 1163
5  
ENVR 1500
and ENVR 1501
5Elective4  
Elective4   
 19 19  
Year 2
FallHoursSpringHoursSummer 1HoursSummer 2Hours
ENVR 2500
and ENVR 2501
5COOP 39450COOP 39450Elective4
CHEM 2311 or ENVR 34104  Elective 4
EESC 20001   
BIOL 2301
and BIOL 2302
5   
Elective4   
 19 0 0 8
Year 3
FallHoursSpringHoursSummer 1HoursSummer 2Hours
EEMB 24004COOP 39450COOP 39450Elective4
EEMB 2302
and EEMB 2303
5  Elective4
EEB elective 14   
Elective4   
 17 0 0 8
Year 4
FallHoursSpringHoursSummer 1Hours 
EEB elective 24COOP 39450COOP 39450 
EEB elective 34   
EEMB 34604   
Elective4   
 16 0 0 
Year 5
FallHoursSpringHours  
EEB elective 44EEB elective 64  
EEB elective 54Elective4  
Elective4Elective4  
Experiential credit (capstone/thesis)4ENVR 40004  
 16 16  
Total Hours: 138

Five Years, Three Fall Co-ops

Year 1
FallHoursSpringHours  
EEMB 1101
and EEMB 1102
5EEMB 1105
and EEMB 1106
5  
ENVR 10001PHYS 1145
and PHYS 1146
5  
MATH 1241 or 12514Elective4  
Elective4CHEM 1161
and CHEM 1162
and CHEM 1163
5  
ENVR 1500
and ENVR 1501
5   
 19 19  
Year 2
FallHoursSpringHoursSummer 1HoursSummer 2Hours
ENVR 2500
and ENVR 2501
5EEMB 24004Elective4COOP 39450
BIOL 2301
and BIOL 2302
5EEMB 2302
and EEMB 2303
5Elective 4 
EESC 20001EEB elective 14  
CHEM 2311
and CHEM 2312
5Elective4  
Elective 4   
 20 17 8 0
Year 3
FallHoursSpringHours Summer 2Hours
COOP 39450EEB elective 24 COOP 39450
 EEB elective 34  
 EEMB 34604  
 Elective4  
 0 16  0
Year 4
FallHoursSpringHoursSummer 1HoursSummer 2Hours
COOP 39450EEB elective 44Elective4COOP 39450
 EEB elective 54Elective4 
 Elective4  
 Experiential credit (capstone/thesis)4  
 0 16 8 0
Year 5
FallHoursSpringHours  
COOP 39450EEB elective 64  
 Elective4  
 Elective4  
 ENVR 40004  
 0 16  
Total Hours: 139
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