Ecology (BS)
Program Description
The Ecology program is intended for students interested in pursuing a career or postgraduate training in ecology. This major prepares you for careers in areas including forestry, fisheries, agriculture, wildlife management, environmental education, and work at a zoo or aquarium.
Entering and Completing the Major
In order to earn a degree, you must complete at least one academic major. SPU encourages students to explore various academic paths, so if you change your mind about a major, or want to include an additional program, you are able to do so, as outlined below.
Note that the University encourages you to enter your chosen major(s) as soon as you have determined it and are eligible to join it, especially by the start of your junior year. Students who transfer as juniors and seniors should enter a major within their first two quarters at SPU.
- If this is your first quarter at SPU and you identified a major in this department as your first choice on your application for admission to the University, you have gained entry to the major. To change or add a major, follow these instructions.
- If you are an SPU student with an SPU cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better, follow these instructions to enter a major in this department.
- The University requires a grade of C- or better in all classes that apply to a major; however, programs may require higher minimum grades in specific courses. You may repeat an SPU course only once for a higher grade.
- To advance in this program, meet with your faculty advisor regularly to discuss your grades, course progression, and other indicators of satisfactory academic progress. If your grades or other factors indicate that you may not be able to successfully complete the major or minor, your faculty advisor can work with you to explore options, which may include choosing a different major.
- You must complete the major requirements that are in effect in the SPU Undergraduate Catalog for the year you enter the major.
Ecology (BS)
94 Credits Minimum, Including 44 Upper Division (UD)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Biology Core Requirements | ||
| BIO 2101 | General Biology | 5 |
| BIO 2102 | General Biology | 5 |
| BIO 2103 | General Biology | 5 |
| BIO 3310 | Ecology | 5 |
| BIO 3325 | Genetics | 5 |
| BIO 3899 | Scientific Literature 1 | 1 |
| BIO 4330 | Evolutionary Mechanisms | 5 |
| Section Credits Required | 31 | |
| Botany Elective | ||
| Select one of the following: | 5 | |
| Coral Reef Ecology 2 | ||
| Biodiversity: Plant Identification and Taxonomy | ||
| Marine Botany | ||
| Forest Ecology 2 | ||
| Section Credits Required | 5 | |
| Applied Ecology 2 | ||
| Select two of the following: | 10 | |
| Evolutionary Ecology in the Galapagos Islands | ||
| Oceanography of the Galapagos Archipelago | ||
| Marine Restoration Ecology | ||
| Behavioral Ecology | ||
| Marine Ecology | ||
| Aquatic Ecology | ||
| Conservation Biology | ||
| Chemical Ecology | ||
| Section Credits Required | 10 | |
| Chemistry Core | ||
| CHM 1211 | General Chemistry I | 5 |
| CHM 1212 | General Chemistry II | 5 |
| CHM 1330 | Survey of Organic Chemistry | 5 |
| or CHM 3371 | Organic Chemistry I | |
| Section Credits Required | 15 | |
| Quantitative Core | ||
| BIO 4360 | Biostatistics | 5 |
| MAT 2360 | Introduction to Statistics for the Sciences | 5 |
| Select one of the following: | 5 | |
| Survey of Calculus | ||
| Calculus I | ||
| Statistical Modeling | ||
| Introduction to Data Science | ||
| Section Credits Required | 15 | |
| General Electives 3 | ||
| Select 15 credits of the following or any course listed above not already being used. | 15 | |
| Advanced Open Water Diving | ||
| Oceanography | ||
| Introduction to Biological Anthropology | ||
| Scientific Diving | ||
| Biodiversity: Vertebrate Biology | ||
| Animal Behavior | ||
| Theological Ecology | ||
| Environmental Physiology | ||
| Animal Physiology | ||
| Plant Physiology | ||
| Neurobiology | ||
| Environmental Economics | ||
| Global Climate Change: Scientific, Social and Moral Implications | ||
| Section Credits Required | 15 | |
| Capstone Experience | ||
| Select one of the following Groups: | 3 | |
| Group A: | ||
| Bioethics | ||
| Group B: | ||
| Biological Research Proposal | ||
| Biological Research | ||
| Section Credits Required | 3 | |
| Field Biology 4 | ||
| Select five credits of the following: | ||
| Coral Reef Ecology | ||
| Evolutionary Ecology in the Galapagos Islands | ||
| Oceanography of the Galapagos Archipelago | ||
| Marine Restoration Ecology | ||
| Behavioral Ecology | ||
| Environmental Physiology | ||
| Marine Botany | ||
| Marine Ecology | ||
| Aquatic Ecology | ||
| Forest Ecology | ||
| Conservation Biology | ||
| Section Credits Required | ||
| Total Credits | 94 | |
- 1
Up to 2 more credits of BIO 3899 can be applied to General Electives category.
- 2
BIO 3302 Coral Reef Ecology and BIO 4825 Forest Ecology may count as Applied Ecology electives if not used elsewhere.
- 3
At least 5 credits must be lab/field.
- 4
Use of these courses in any other area satisfies requirement.
Additional Requirements and Information
- Max 6 credits from BIO 4900-4999 may be applied to major.
Suggested Course Sequence
This suggested course sequence is a potential plan for how to complete the major within four years. Please consult with a departmental faculty advisor for course advisement.
- Students should take the Chemistry Placement test (available in Canvas) prior to New Student Advising.
- A Chemistry Placement score >35 is a pre-requisite for BIO 2101 General Biology and CHM 1211 General Chemistry I.
- Students who score <35 on the Chemistry Placement test, or who would benefit from an introduction to Chemistry, should take CHM 1000 Preparation for General Chemistry in Autumn quarter, then take BIO 2101 General Biology and CHM 1211 General Chemistry I in Winter quarter.
Four-Year Plan: >35 on Chemistry Placement Test
| Freshman | ||
|---|---|---|
| Autumn | Credits | |
| CHM 1211 | General Chemistry I | 5 |
| UCOL 1000 | University Colloquium | 1 |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Winter | ||
| BIO 2101 | General Biology 1 | 5 |
| CHM 1212 | General Chemistry II | 5 |
| Credits | 10 | |
| Spring | ||
| BIO 2102 | General Biology | 5 |
| Credits | 5 | |
| Any Quarter | ||
| WRI 1000 | Academic Inquiry and Writing Seminar | 5 |
| WRI 1100 | Disciplinary Research and Writing Seminar | 5 |
| UFDN 1000 | The Christian Faith | 5 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Sophomore | ||
| Autumn | ||
| BIO 2103 | General Biology | 5 |
| MAT 2360 | Introduction to Statistics for the Sciences | 5 |
| Credits | 10 | |
| Winter | ||
| BIO 3325 | Genetics | 5 |
| CHM 1330 | Survey of Organic Chemistry 2 | 5 |
| Credits | 10 | |
| Spring | ||
| BIO 3310 | Ecology | 5 |
| Credits | 5 | |
| Any Quarter | ||
| Select 5 credits of Math from the following: 3 | ||
| Survey of Calculus | ||
| Calculus I | ||
| Statistical Modeling | ||
| Introduction to Data Science | ||
| Select 10 credits of Applied Ecology from the following: (in years 2 - 4) 4 | 10 | |
| Evolutionary Ecology in the Galapagos Islands | ||
| Oceanography of the Galapagos Archipelago | ||
| Marine Restoration Ecology | ||
| Behavioral Ecology | ||
| Marine Ecology | ||
| Aquatic Ecology | ||
| Conservation Biology | ||
| Chemical Ecology | ||
| Select fifteen credits of General Electives in years 2 - 4: | 15 | |
| Advanced Open Water Diving | ||
| Oceanography | ||
| Introduction to Biological Anthropology | ||
| Scientific Diving | ||
| Biodiversity: Vertebrate Biology | ||
| Animal Behavior | ||
| Theological Ecology | ||
| Environmental Physiology | ||
| Animal Physiology | ||
| Plant Physiology | ||
| Neurobiology | ||
| Environmental Economics | ||
| Global Climate Change: Scientific, Social and Moral Implications | ||
| Select three credits of Field BIO in years 2 - 4 (see catalog for options). Courses in this category may also count for other categories. | 3 | |
| Credits | 28 | |
| Junior | ||
| Winter | ||
| BIO 4360 | Biostatistics | 5 |
| Credits | 5 | |
| Spring | ||
| Apply to graduate! | ||
| Credits | 0 | |
| Any Quarter | ||
| BIO 3899 | Scientific Literature | 1 |
| Select five credits of Botany from the following: | ||
| Coral Reef Ecology 5 | ||
| Biodiversity: Plant Identification and Taxonomy | ||
| Marine Botany | ||
| Forest Ecology 5 | ||
| BIO 4978 & BIO 4979 |
Biological Research Proposal and Biological Research (in years 3 - 4) 6 |
3 |
| Credits | 4 | |
| Senior | ||
| Autumn | ||
| BIO 4615 | Bioethics 6 | 3 |
| Credits | 3 | |
| Winter | ||
| BIO 4330 | Evolutionary Mechanisms | 5 |
| Credits | 5 | |
| Total Credits | 106 | |
- 1
Students who test at Math Placement Level B and who either score >45 on the Chemistry Placement Test or transfer in the complete General Chemistry sequence may take BIO 2103 General Biology in Autumn 2024.
- 2
CHM 3371 Organic Chemistry I (Autumn) may be taken instead of CHM 1330 Survey of Organic Chemistry
- 3
MAT 1221 Survey of Calculus and MAT 1234 Calculus I require a passing score on the Calculus Placement Test (in Canvas). MAT 1234 Calculus I/MAT 1235 Calculus II is recommended for some graduate programs, instead of MAT 1221 Survey of Calculus.
- 4
Plan ahead as these are primarily summer or inter-term courses. May be applied toward Field Bio credits.
- 5
BIO 3302 Coral Reef Ecology and BIO 4825 Forest Ecology can be used in Applied Ecology if not used here.
- 6
Research (BIO 4978 Biological Research Proposal Biological Research Proposal & BIO 4979 Biological Research Biological Research) or BIO 4615 Bioethics may count for the Capstone Experience requirement.
Freshman Notes
- Take Math Placement Test (in Canvas) if you are at Math Level 0 or A at time of admission.
- Math Level B is a prerequisite for BIO 2102 General Biology, BIO 2103 General Biology, CHM 1212 General Chemistry II and MAT 2360 Introduction to Statistics for the Sciences.
- Students who test into Level 0 or A should plan to take MAT 0144 College Readiness Math I and/or MAT 0145 College Readiness Math II to achieve Math Level B.
Sophomore Notes
- MAT 2360 Introduction to Statistics for the Sciences is a pre-requisite for BIO 3325 Genetics and BIO 4360 Biostatistics.
- BIO 3325 Genetics is offered both Autumn and Winter. It is a pre-requisite for BIO 4330 Evolutionary Mechanisms (Winter only).
Junior Notes
- Physics is recommended for most graduate programs.
- Check the time schedule, as most upper division courses are offered only in certain quarters.
Four-Year Plan: <35 on Chemistry Placement Test
| Freshman | ||
|---|---|---|
| Autumn | Credits | |
| CHM 1000 | Preparation for General Chemistry | 2 |
| UCOL 1000 | University Colloquium | 1 |
| Credits | 3 | |
| Winter | ||
| BIO 2101 | General Biology | 5 |
| CHM 1211 | General Chemistry I | 5 |
| Credits | 10 | |
| Spring | ||
| BIO 2102 | General Biology | 5 |
| CHM 1212 | General Chemistry II | 5 |
| Credits | 10 | |
| Any Quarter | ||
| WRI 1000 | Academic Inquiry and Writing Seminar | 5 |
| WRI 1100 | Disciplinary Research and Writing Seminar | 5 |
| UFDN 1000 | The Christian Faith | 5 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Sophomore | ||
| Autumn | ||
| BIO 2103 | General Biology | 5 |
| MAT 2360 | Introduction to Statistics for the Sciences | 5 |
| Credits | 10 | |
| Winter | ||
| CHM 1330 | Survey of Organic Chemistry 1 | 5 |
| Credits | 5 | |
| Spring | ||
| BIO 3310 | Ecology | 5 |
| Credits | 5 | |
| Any Quarter | ||
| Select five credits of Math from the following: 2 | ||
| Survey of Calculus | ||
| Calculus I | ||
| Statistical Modeling | ||
| Introduction to Data Science | ||
| Select 10 credits of Applied Ecology from the following: (in years 2 - 4) 3 | 10 | |
| Evolutionary Ecology in the Galapagos Islands | ||
| Oceanography of the Galapagos Archipelago | ||
| Marine Restoration Ecology | ||
| Behavioral Ecology | ||
| Marine Ecology | ||
| Aquatic Ecology | ||
| Conservation Biology | ||
| Chemical Ecology | ||
| Select fifteen credits of General Electives in years 2 - 4 (see catalog for course options) | 15 | |
| Advanced Open Water Diving | ||
| Oceanography | ||
| Introduction to Biological Anthropology | ||
| Scientific Diving | ||
| Biodiversity: Vertebrate Biology | ||
| Animal Behavior | ||
| Theological Ecology | ||
| Environmental Physiology | ||
| Animal Physiology | ||
| Plant Physiology | ||
| Neurobiology | ||
| Environmental Economics | ||
| Global Climate Change: Scientific, Social and Moral Implications | ||
| Select three credits of Field Bio in years 2 -4 (see catalog for options). Courses in this category may also count for other categories. | 3 | |
| Credits | 28 | |
| Junior | ||
| Winter | ||
| BIO 3325 | Genetics | 5 |
| BIO 4360 | Biostatistics | 5 |
| Credits | 10 | |
| Spring | ||
| Apply to graduate! | ||
| Credits | 0 | |
| Any Quarter | ||
| BIO 3899 | Scientific Literature | 1 |
| Select five credits of Botany from the following: (in years 3 - 4) | 5 | |
| Coral Reef Ecology 4 | ||
| Biodiversity: Plant Identification and Taxonomy | ||
| Marine Botany | ||
| Forest Ecology 4 | ||
| BIO 4978 & BIO 4979 |
Biological Research Proposal and Biological Research (in years 3 - 4) 5 |
3 |
| Credits | 9 | |
| Senior | ||
| Autumn | ||
| BIO 4615 | Bioethics 5 | 3 |
| Credits | 3 | |
| Winter | ||
| BIO 4330 | Evolutionary Mechanisms | 5 |
| Credits | 5 | |
| Total Credits | 113 | |
- 1
CHM 3371 Organic Chemistry I (Autumn) may be taken instead of CHM 1330 Survey of Organic Chemistry
- 2
MAT 1221 Survey of Calculus Survey of Calculus and MAT 1234 Calculus I Calculus I require a passing score on the Calculus Placement Test (in Canvas). MAT 1234 Calculus I Calculus I/MAT 1235 Calculus II Calculus II is recommended for some graduate programs, instead of MAT 1221 Survey of Calculus Survey of Calculus.
- 3
Plan ahead as these are primarily summer or inter-term courses. May be applied toward Field Bio credits.
- 4
BIO 3302 Coral Reef Ecology Coral Reef Ecology and BIO 4825 Forest Ecology Forest Ecology can be used in Applied Ecology if not used here.
- 5
Research (BIO 4978 Biological Research Proposal & BIO 4979 Biological Research) or BIO 4615 Bioethics may count for the Capstone Experience requirement.
Freshman Notes
- Take Math Placement Test (in Canvas) if you are at Math Level 0 or A at time of admission.
- Math Level B is a prerequisite for BIO 2102 General Biology, BIO 2103 General Biology, CHM 1212 General Chemistry II and MAT 2360 Introduction to Statistics for the Sciences.
- Students who test into Level 0 or A should plan to take MAT 0144 College Readiness Math I and/or MAT 0145 College Readiness Math II to achieve Math Level B.
- BIO 2102 General Biology and BIO 2103 General Biology can be taken in either order.
Sophomore Notes
- MAT 2360 Introduction to Statistics for the Sciences is a pre-requisite for BIO 3325 Genetics and BIO 4360 Biostatistics.