Biology: Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
2017-18 General Catalog
Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Department
A308 Earth and Marine Sciences
(831) 459-5358
http://www.eeb.ucsc.edu
EEB Faculty | EEB Course Descriptions
Undergraduate Program Description
The Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (EEB) is devoted to the study of ecological and evolutionary processes across marine, terrestrial, and freshwater environments. The past 30 years have seen several revolutions in our understanding of how the biological world works. Advances in both analytical and genetic methods have given us a far more sophisticated understanding of the complexities of ecological and evolutionary processes in the natural world. Biologists at UCSC have played and will continue to play an important part in these advances, and the campus programs offer unique educational opportunities in biology that feature small class sizes, field studies, and extensive faculty-student interactions.
Class offerings and student research opportunities leverage the varied natural environments in the Monterey Bay region, throughout the western US, and in more distant locations such as Africa, Europe, Mexico, Tahiti, Australia, and the Far East. This emphasis on field and laboratory studies is the hallmark of undergraduate majors. Within this context they address not only basic ecological and evolutionary processes, but also the application of this knowledge to advance environmental, conservation and sustainability science.
An outstanding group of faculty, each with a vigorous, internationally recognized research program, is available to teach courses in their specialties as well as core courses for the major. Areas of research strength within the department include plant biology, animal behavior, physiology, evolution, ecology, and marine biology. UCSC is unique in the UC system in providing exceptional opportunities for undergraduate research, allowing students to interact one-on-one with faculty and other researchers in a laboratory or field setting.
Students may plan a program that leads to one of several bachelor of arts (B.A.) and bachelor of science (B.S.) degrees. Students may choose from the following major options:
Biology B.A.
Ecology and Evolution B.S.
Marine Biology B.S.
Plant Sciences B.S.
Environmental Studies/Biology combined major B.A. (administered by the Environmental Studies Department).
Advanced undergraduates, with the guidance of faculty mentors, have access to extensive departmental laboratories, including state-of-the-art genetics, physiology, and marine science facilities, for independent research. Fieldwork draws on a remarkable variety of terrestrial habitats, as well as ready access to Monterey Bay and the open Pacific. Terrestrial studies are supported by the UCSC reserve on campus, an arboretum, greenhouse facility, and vehicles to transport students to field sites off campus. Freshwater studies have access to a number of coastal tributaries and laboratory facilities at Long Marine Laboratory. Marine studies are supported by the Long Marine Laboratory with running seawater facilities, a boating program, and an AAUS accredited SCUBA diving program for underwater classes and research. Año Nuevo Island, north of Santa Cruz, is the site of extensive behavioral studies of marine mammals. In addition to coursework, there is an array of opportunities for directed independent study that enables biological science majors to enhance their upper-division programs to reflect and strengthen their own interests and goals in the sciences.
Prerequisites
The introductory biology sequence is prerequisite to virtually all upper-division biology courses. BIOL 20A (offered by the Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology Department) has a prerequisite of Chemistry 1A. Therefore, it is essential for students considering a major in the biological sciences to start chemistry as soon as possible. Students who have not taken Chemistry 1A but are prepared to begin biology may begin the introductory sequence with BIOE 20C. The entire introductory biology sequence should be taken the first and second year, concurrently with or following the general chemistry sequence.
An online mathematics placement is required to enroll in a mathematics course. Biological science majors are expected to take this examination and are encouraged to work in the learning modules until they place into calculus. For more information see the mathematics placement website.
Letter Grade Policy
For all students entering UCSC in fall 2001 and later, all courses used to satisfy any of the majors must be taken for a letter grade.
Major Qualification Policy
Ecology and Evolutionary Biology has a qualification policy that applies to the following majors:
- Biology B.A.
- Ecology and Evolution B.S.
- Marine Biology B.S.
- Plant Sciences B.S.
For information on qualifying for the Environmental Studies/Biology Combined major, please see Environmental Studies.
To qualify to declare any of the majors sponsored by the department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, students must complete the following courses, or their equivalents, with a grade of C or better:
Chemistry 1A, General Chemistry
Chemistry 1B, General Chemistry
BIOL 20A, Cell and Molecular Biology
BIOE 20B, Development and Physiology
BIOE 20C, Ecology and Evolution,
Additionally, students declaring ecology and evolutionary biology, marine biology, or plant sciences must complete one of the following calculus courses offered by the Mathematics Department
Mathematics 11A, Calculus with Applications
Mathematics 19A, Calculus for Science, Engineering, and Mathematics
Mathematics courses will not be included in the calculation of the maximum number of NP, C-, D+, D, D-, or F grades for admission to the major.
Determining qualification:
- All courses must be taken for a letter grade; see Letter Grade Policy.
- Students who complete all the qualification courses with a grade of C or better are eligible to declare a major.
- Students who have received one grade of NP, C-, D+, D, D-, or F in one of the qualification courses will only be eligible to declare after successfully completing the same or an equivalent course with a grade of C or better.
- Students with two or more grades of NP, C-, D+, D, D-, or F in the qualification courses are not eligible to declare.
- Students with AP credit for any of the qualification course(s) are eligible to declare after successfully completing the remaining qualification courses.
- Students with non-grades in any of the qualification courses will not be eligible to declare until a grade of C or better has been assigned.
- Students must consult with an EEB department undergraduate advisor when requesting to declare the major after the campus deadline.
Students who are not eligible to declare the major may appeal this decision by submitting a letter to the department chair within 15 days of the denial of the declaration. Within 15 days of receipt of the appeal, the department will notify the student and college of the decision. For more information about the appeal process, see the appeal process website.
Transfer Students
EEB encourages applications from transfer students in the biological sciences. In fall 2012 the department established a Qualification Policy that limits access to the program to those students who have completed a subset of foundational coursework. Transfer students are held to similar criteria for accessing the major.
To be considered for admission to UCSC as one of the EEB majors, transfer students must pass equivalents of the following courses with a C (2.0) or better in these preparatory courses:
- BIOL 20A, Cell and Molecular Biology
- BIOE 20B, Development and Physiology
- BIOE 20C, Ecology and Evolution
- Chemistry 1A, General Chemistry
- Chemistry 1B, General Chemistry
- One of the following calculus courses
- Mathematics 11A, Calculus with Applications
- Mathematics 19A, Calculus for Science, Engineering, and Mathematics
More information on qualifying for the major as a transfer applicant is here.
In addition to the required coursework for admission, students should complete courses equivalent to the calculus, general chemistry, and introductory biology requirements for the major they wish to pursue. Students who transfer without having completed the prerequisite coursework may have difficulty enrolling in courses and may require more than two years to complete their EEB-sponsored degree. For more complete information on preparing to transfer as an EEB major is here.
Prospective transfer students should review the transfer information here.
Declaring a Major
Students may submit a petition to declare after completing the qualification policy courses. Students who are enrolled in their final qualification policy course may submit the petition, but will not be declared until grades have been posted. Information on major declaration can be found here.
Double Major in the Biological Sciences
Students interested in pursuing multiple majors within the biological sciences may not declare any combination of Biology (B.A., B.S.,, or minor), Ecology and Evolution, Marine Biology, Plant Sciences, or Environmental Studies/Biology combined major.
General Biology Bachelor of Arts Major
The general biology bachelor of arts major permits flexibility, but demands careful attention to a student’s own interests and plans. Each student should select courses on the basis of up-to-date information in consultation with a biology faculty adviser whose interests reflect the student’s interests.
General Biology B.A. Major Requirements
Lower-Division Requirements
Introductory Biology: BIOL 20A, BIOE 20B and 20C
General Chemistry: Chemistry 1A and 1B
Statistics: Applied Mathematics and Statistics 5 or 7/L
Physics: Physics 1 or Physics 6A or Physics 7A
Upper-Division Requirements
A total of eight upper-division biology courses, as follows:
Three core courses:
Genetics: BIOL 105
Ecology: BIOE 107
Evolution: BIOE 109
One of the following anatomy or physiology courses:
BIOE 131/L, Animal Physiology/Laboratory (Lab optional)
BIOE 133/L, Exercise Physiology/Laboratory
BIOE 134/L, Comparative Vertebrate Physiology/Laboratory
BIOE 135/L, Plant Physiology/Laboratory
BIOL 130/L, Human Physiology/Laboratory (Lab optional)
Microbiology and Environmental Toxicology 135/L, Functional Anatomy/Laboratory
Electives
Four additional electives chosen from the following:
Four additional electives chosen from BIOE courses numbered 100-179 and:
BIOL 100, Biochemistry
BIOL 101/L, Molecular Biology/Laboratory
BIOL 110, Cell Biology
BIOL 111, Immunology
BIOL 113, Endocrinology
BIOL 115, Eukaryotic Molecular Biology
BIOL 120, Development
BIOL 125, Introduction to Neuroscience
Microbiology and Environmental Toxicology 119, Microbiology
Microbiology and Environmental Toxicology 119L, Microbiology Laboratory
Some of these electives may have prerequisites that do not satisfy major or minor requirements.
Disciplinary Communication (DC) Requirement
Students of every major must satisfy that major's upper-division Disciplinary Communication (DC) Requirement. The DC Requirement for the biology bachelor of arts degree is satisfied by completing two of the following Ecology and Evolutionary Biology courses: BIOE 108, 114/L, 117, 120/L, 122/L, 127/L, 128L, 129/L, 137, 141L, 145, 145L, 150L 151B, 153C, 158L, 159A, 161L, 171, 172/L. For 2-credit laboratory courses taken concurrently with 5-credit lectures, both courses must be passed to receive one half of the DC requirement.
General Biology B.A. Sample Planners
Frosh sample planner
Transfer student sample planner
For information on the general biology minor, see Biology B.S. and Minor.
Ecology and Evolution Major
The ecology and evolution major provides students with interdisciplinary skills necessary for understanding and solving complex problems in ecology, evolution, behavior, and physiology. While some of these disciplines focus on molecular or chemical mechanisms, they all address questions on larger spatial and temporal scales that can be applied to important environmental problems, including genetic and ecological aspects of conservation biology and biodiversity.
Students majoring in ecology and evolution will receive a B.S. degree based on an integrated series of courses providing breadth in fundamental areas of biology and allied sciences that enhance understanding of evolutionary and ecological processes. The capstone of this curriculum is a suite of field courses providing students unique opportunities to learn and conduct research in a host of ecological systems. Students are encouraged to take field courses in their areas of specialization. Other opportunities include participation in research projects with faculty sponsors and the intensive Education Abroad Programs (EAP) in Costa Rica (tropical biology) and Australia (marine sciences).
Ecology and Evolution B.S. Major Requirements
Lower-Division Requirements
Introductory Biology: BIOL 20A, BIOE 20B, and BIOE 20C
General Chemistry: Chemistry 1A, 1B and 1C/N
Calculus: Mathematics 11A and B or 19A and B
Biostatistics: Applied Mathematics and Statistics 7/L
Physics: Physics 7A/L and 7B recommended, or Physics 6A/L and 6B, or Physics 6A/L and 6C
Upper-Division Requirements
A total of eleven upper-division courses; two must include laboratory or fieldwork.
Three upper-division core courses:
Genetics: BIOL 105
Ecology: BIOE 107
Evolution: BIOE 109
One of the following physiology courses:
BIOE 131/L, Animal Physiology/Laboratory (lab optional)
BIOE 133/L Exercise Physiology/Laboratory
BIOE 134/L Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy/Laboratory
BIOE 135/L, Plant Physiology/Laboratory
One of the following organism courses:
BIOE 112/L, Ornithology/Ornithology Field Studies
BIOE 114/L, Herpetology/Field Methods in Herpetological Research
BIOE 117/L, Systematic Botany of Flowering Plants/Laboratory
BIOE 120/L, Marine Botany/Laboratory
BIOE 122/L, Invertebrate Zoology/Laboratory
BIOE 124/L, Mammalogy/Laboratory
BIOE 127/L, Ichthyology/Laboratory
BIOE 129/L, Biology of Marine Mammals/Laboratory (lab required)
Microbiology and Environmental Toxicology 119/L Microbiology/Laboratory (lab required)
Elective List for Ecology and Evolution Major
Three topical electives chosen from the following:
BIOE 108, Marine Ecology
BIOE 112/L, Ornithology/Ornithology Field Studies
BIOE 114/L, Herpetology/Field Methods in Herpetological Research
BIOE 117/L, Systematic Botany/Laboratory
BIOE 118, Plant and Society: The Biology of Food, Shelter, and Medicine
BIOE 120/L, Marine Botany/Laboratory
BIOE 122/L, Invertebrate Zoology/Laboratory
BIOE 124/L, Mammalogy/Laboratory
BIOE 127/L, Ichthyology/Laboratory
BIOE 128L, Large Marine Vertebrates Field Course
BIOE 129/L, Biology of Marine Mammals/Laboratory (lab optional)
BIOE 131/L, Animal Physiology/Laboratory (lab optional)
BIOE 133/L, Exercise Physiology/Laboratory
BIOE 134/L, Comparative Vertebrate Physiology/Laboratory
BIOE 135/L, Plant Physiology/Laboratory
BIOE 137/L, Molecular Ecology/Laboratory
BIOE 140, Behavioral Ecology
BIOE 141L, Behavioral Ecology Field Course
BIOE 145, Plant Ecology
BIOE 145L, Field Methods in Plant Ecology
BIOE 147, Community Ecology
BIOE 148A, Quantitative Ecology
BIOE 148B Quantitative Methods in Ecology and Evolution
BIOE 149, Disease Ecology
BIOE 150, Ecological Field Methods
BIOE 150L, Ecological Field Methods Laboratory
BIOE 151A, B, C, and D, Ecology and Conservation in Practice
BIOE 153A, B, and C, Arctic Ecology
BIOE 155, Freshwater Ecology
BIOE 155L, Freshwater Ecology Laboratory
BIOE 158L, Marine Ecology Laboratory
BIOE 159A, B, C, and D, Marine Ecology Field Quarter
BIOE 161, Kelp Forest Ecology
BIOE 161L, Kelp Forest Ecology Laboratory
BIOE 163/L, Ecology of Reefs, Mangroves, and Seagrasses/Laboratory
BIOE 165, Marine Conservation Biology
BIOE 172/L, Population Genetics/Laboratory
BIOL 100, Biochemistry
BIOL 101/L, Molecular Biology/Laboratory
BIOL 110, Cell Biology
BIOL 115, Eukaryotic Molecular Biology
BIOL 120, Development
Environmental Studies 125, Ecosystems of California
Microbiology and Environmental Toxicology 119, Microbiology
Microbiology and Environmental Toxicology 119L, Microbiology Laboratory
Ocean Sciences 118, Marine Microbial Ecology
Three general electives chosen from the following:
Biological Sciences-EEB
Any 5-credit, upper-division BIOE course numbered 100-179.
Biological Sciences-MCDB
BIOL 100, Biochemistry
BIOL 101/L, Molecular Biology/Laboratory
BIOL 110, Cell Biology
BIOL 115, Eukaryotic Molecular Biology
BIOL 120, Development
Earth Sciences
Earth and Planetary Sciences 100/L, Vertebrate Paleontology/Laboratory
Earth and Planetary Sciences 101/L, Invertebrate Paleobiology/Laboratory
Earth and Planetary Sciences 102, Marine Geology
Earth and Planetary Sciences 105, Coastal Geology
Economics
Economics 166A, Game Theory and Applications I
Economics 166B, Game Theory and Applications II
Environmental Studies (enrollment by permission of instructor)
Environmental Studies 104A/L, Introduction to Environmental Field Methods/Laboratory
Environmental Studies 107ABC, Natural History Field Quarter
Environmental Studies 108, General Entomology
Environmental Studies 115A/L, GIS and Environmental Applications/Exercises in GIS
Environmental Studies 120, Conservation Biology
Environmental Studies 122, Tropical Ecology and Conservation
Environmental Studies 123, Animal Ecology and Conservation
Environmental Studies 125, Ecosystems of California
Environmental Studies 129, Integrated Pest Management
Environmental Studies 130A/L, Agroecology and Sustainable Agriculture/Laboratory
Environmental Studies 130B, Principles of Sustainable Agriculture
Environmental Studies 131, Insect Ecology
Environmental Studies 160, Restoration Ecology
Environmental Studies 161A, Soils and Plant Nutrition
Environmental Studies 162, Plant Physiological Ecology
Environmental Studies 163, Plant Disease Ecology
Environmental Studies 167, Freshwater and Wetland Ecology
Environmental Studies 168, Biochemistry and the Global Environment
Microbiology and Environmental Toxicology
Microbiology and Environmental Toxicology 119, Microbiology
Microbiology and Environmental Toxicology 119L, Microbiology Laboratory
Ocean Sciences
Ocean Sciences 118, Marine Microbial Ecology
Ocean Sciences 130, Biological Oceanography
Psychology
Psychology 123, Behavioral Neuroscience
Some of these electives may have prerequisites that do not satisfy major or minor requirements.
One of the following may also be used as an upper-division general elective:
Biological Sciences-EEB
Any 5 credits of undergraduate research (BIOE 183W, 183L, 193, 193F, or 19
Environmental Studies
Environmental Studies 183, Environmental Studies Internship (5 credits)
Disciplinary Communication (DC) Requirement
Students of every major must satisfy that major's upper-division Disciplinary Communication (DC) requirement. The DC requirement in ecology and evolution is satisfied by completing two of the following Ecology and Evolutionary Biology courses: BIOE 108, 114/L, 117, 120/L, 122/L, 127/L, 128L, 129/L, 137, 141L, 145, 145L, 150L 151B, 153C, 158L, 159A, 161L, 171, 172/L. For 2-credit laboratory courses taken concurrently with 5-credit lectures, both courses must be passed to receive one half of the DC requirement.
Ecology and Evolution B.S. Sample Planners
Frosh sample planners.
Transfer student sample planners.
Marine Biology Major
UCSC is situated within five miles of Monterey Bay and its great diversity of coastal marine ecosystems; nature reserves; and state, federal, and private marine research institutions and resource management agencies. These resources, combined with on-campus computing and analytical facilities and the Long Marine Laboratory, make UCSC an exceptional campus for the study of marine biology and its application to coastal conservation and management. Descriptions of nearby environments, institutions, and facilities are available through the Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Department website.
The marine biology major is designed to introduce students to marine organisms and the biological and physical processes that affect these organisms, their populations, and their coastal and oceanic ecosystems. The emphasis is on basic principles that help in understanding the processes that shape life in marine environments. The marine biology major is a demanding program that offers a B.S. degree and requires several more courses than the general biology B.A. major.
Marine Biology B.S. Major Requirements
Lower-Division Requirements
Introductory Biology: BIOL 20A, BIOE 20B and BIOE 20C
General Chemistry: Chemistry 1A, 1B and 1C/N
Calculus: Mathematics 11A and B or 19A and B
Biostatistics: Applied Mathematics and Statistics 7/L
Physics: Physics 7A/L and 7B recommended, or Physics 6A/L and 6B, or Physics 6A/L and 6C
Upper-Division Requirements
A total of 11 upper-division courses; two must include laboratory or fieldwork.
Two core courses:
Genetics: BIOL 105
Evolution: BIOE 109
One ecology course:
BIOE 107, Ecology
BIOE 108, Marine Ecology
One marine-environment course:
Ocean Sciences 101, Marine Environment
Ocean Sciences 130, Biological Oceanography
One marine course:
BIOE 120/L, Marine Botany/Laboratory
BIOE 122/L, Invertebrate Zoology/Laboratory
BIOE 127/L, Ichthyology/Laboratory
BIOE 129/L, Biology of Marine Mammals/Laboratory (lab optional)
Elective list for Marine Biology Major
Three topical electives chosen from the following:
BIOE 108, Marine Ecology
BIOE 120/L, Marine Botany/Laboratory
BIOE 122/L, Invertebrate Zoology/Laboratory
BIOE 127/L, Ichthyology/Laboratory
BIOE 128L, Large Marine Vertebrates Field Course
BIOE 129/L, Biology of Marine Mammals/Laboratory (lab optional)
BIOE 155, Freshwater Ecology
BIOE 155L, Freshwater Ecology Laboratory
BIOE 158L, Marine Ecology Laboratory
BIOE 159ABCD, Marine Ecology Field Quarter
BIOE 161, Kelp Forest Ecology
BIOE 161L, Kelp Forest Ecology Laboratory
BIOE 163/L, Ecology of Reefs, Mangroves, and Seagrasses/Laboratory
BIOE 165, Marine Conservation Biology
Earth and Planetary Sciences 102, Marine Geology
Earth and Planetary Sciences 105, Coastal Geology
Ocean Sciences 118, Marine Microbial Ecology
Ocean Sciences 130, Biological Oceanography
Three general electives chosen from the following:
Biological Sciences-EEB
Any 5-credit upper-division BIOE course numbered 100-179
Biological Sciences-MCDB
BIOL 100, Biochemistry
BIOL 101/L, Molecular Biology/Laboratory
BIOL 110, Cell Biology
BIOL 115, Eukaryotic Molecular Biology
BIOL 120, Development
Earth and Planetary Sciences
Earth and Planetary Sciences 100/L, Vertebrate Paleontology
Earth and Planetary Sciences 101/L, Invertebrate Paleobiology/Laboratory
Earth and Planetary Sciences 102, Marine Geology
Earth and Planetary Sciences 105, Coastal Geology
Economics
Economics 166A, Game Theory and Applications I
Economics 166B, Game Theory and Applications II
Environmental Studies (enrollment by permission of instructor)
Environmental Studies 104A/L, Introduction to Environmental Field Methods/Laboratory
Environmental Studies 107ABC, Natural History Field Quarter
Environmental Studies 108, General Entomology
Environmental Studies 115A/L, GIS and Environmental Applications/Exercises in GIS
Environmental Studies 120, Conservation Biology
Environmental Studies 122, Tropical Ecology and Conservation
Environmental Studies 123, Animal Ecology and Conservation
Environmental Studies 125, Ecosystems of California
Environmental Studies 129, Integrated Pest Management
Environmental Studies 130A/L, Agroecology and Sustainable Agriculture/Laboratory
Environmental Studies 130B, Principles of Sustainable Agriculture
Environmental Studies 131/L, Insect Ecology/Laboratory
Environmental Studies 160, Restoration Ecology
Environmental Studies 161A/L, Soils and Plant Nutrition/Laboratory
Environmental Studies 162, Plant Physiological Ecology
Environmental Studies 163, Plant Disease Ecology
Environmental Studies 167, Freshwater and Wetland Ecology
Environmental Studies 168, Biochemistry and the Global Environment
Microbiology and Environmental Toxicology
Microbiology and Environmental Toxicology 119, Microbiology
Microbiology and Environmental Toxicology 119L, Microbiology Laboratory
Ocean Sciences
Ocean Sciences 118, Marine Microbial Ecology
Ocean Sciences 130, Biological Oceanography
Psychology
Psychology 123, Behavioral Neuroscience
Some of these electives may have prerequisites that do not satisfy major or minor requirements.
One of the following may also be used as an upper-division general elective:
Biological Sciences-EEB
Any 5 credits of undergraduate research (BIOE 183L, 183W, 183L, 193, 193F, or 195, or 198)
Environmental Studies
Environmental Studies 183, Environmental Studies Internship (5 credits)
Disciplinary Communication (DC) Requirement
Students of every major must satisfy that major's upper-division Disciplinary Communication (DC) Requirement. The DC Requirement in marine biology is satisfied by completing two of the following Ecology and Evolutionary Biology courses: BIOE 108, 114/L, 117, 120/L, 122/L, 127/L, 128L, 129/L, 137, 141L, 145, 145L, 150L 151B, 153C, 158L, 159A, 161L, 171, 172/L. For 2-credit laboratory courses taken concurrently with 5-credit lectures, both courses must be passed to receive one half of the DC requirement.
Marine Biology B.S. Sample Planners
Frosh sample planners.
Transfer student sample planners.
Plant Sciences Major
UCSC has a strong program in the plant sciences (sometimes called botany). A fine natural environment, the campus Arboretum, the facilities under the Center for Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems (especially the Farm and Garden), and an excellent greenhouse collection all enhance the resources that support UCSC’s botanical programs.
The plant sciences major is designed for students with an interest in plant biology and its associated curricular fields such as plant ecology, plant physiology, plant pathology, plant molecular biology, soils, and applied plant sciences. After completion of the core courses, students can proceed in one of several directions depending on their interest. For example, a more in-depth study of physiology and molecular biology courses can serve as preparation for work in the biotechnology field or for graduate school; further studies in plant ecology, tropical ecology, or restoration ecology can lead to careers such as resource ecologist or naturalist or to the pursuit of related fields in graduate school; upper-division training in agroecology can lead to careers in agriculture or food systems. There are many opportunities for internships both on the UCSC campus and in the community at large.
Plant Sciences B.S. Major Requirements
Lower-Division Requirements
Introductory Biology: BIOL 20A, BIOE 20B and 20C
General Chemistry: Chemistry 1A, 1B and 1C/N
Calculus: Mathematics 11A and B or 19A and B
Biostatistics: Applied Mathematics and Statistics 7/L
Physics: Physics 7A/L and 7B (recommended), or Physics 6A/L and 6B, or Physics 6A/L and 6C
Upper-Division Requirements
A total of 11 upper-division courses; two of which must include laboratory or fieldwork.
Three core courses:
Genetics: BIOL 105
Ecology: BIOE 107
Evolution: BIOE 109
One plant physiology course from the following:
BIOE 135/L, Plant Physiology/Laboratory
Environmental Studies 162, Plant Physiological Ecology
One botany course from the following:
BIOE 117/L, Systematic Botany/Laboratory
BIOE 120/L, Marine Botany/Laboratory
Three topical electives chosen from the following:
Biological Sciences-EEB
BIOE 117/L, Systematic Botany/Laboratory
BIOE 118, Plant and Society: The Biology of Food, Shelter, and Medicine
BIOE 120/L, Marine Botany/Laboratory
BIOE 135/L, Plant Physiology/Laboratory
BIOE 137/L, Molecular Ecology/Laboratory
BIOE 145, Plant Ecology
BIOE 145L, Field Methods in Plant Ecology
BIOE 148A, Quantitative Ecology
BIOE 148B, Quantitative Methods in Ecology and Evolution
BIOE 149, Disease Ecology
BIOE 151ABCD, Ecology and Conservation in Practice
BIOE 153ABC, Artic Ecology
BIOE 161/L Kelp Forest Ecology
BIOE 188, Introduction to Science Writing
Biological Sciences-MCDB
BIOL 100, Biochemistry
BIOL 101/L, Molecular Biology/Laboratory
BIOL 110, Cell Biology
BIOL 115, Eukaryotic Molecular Biology
Environmental Studies (enrollment by permission of instructor)
Environmental Studies 104A/L, Introduction to Environmental Field Methods/Laboratory
Environmental Studies 125, Ecosystems of California
Environmental Studies 129, Integrated Pest Management
Environmental Studies 130A/L, Agroecology and Sustainable Agriculture/Laboratory
Environmental Studies 130B, Principles of Sustainable Agriculture
Environmental Studies 131, Insect Ecology
Environmental Studies 160, Restoration Ecology
Environmental Studies 161A, Soils and Plant Nutrition
Environmental Studies 162, Plant Physiological Ecology
Environmental Studies 163, Plant Disease Ecology
Three general electives chosen from the following:
Biological Sciences-EEB
Any 5-credit upper-division BIOE course numbered 100-179
Biological Sciences-MCDB
BIOL 100, Biochemistry
BIOL 101/L, Molecular Biology/Laboratory
BIOL 110, Cell Biology
BIOL 115, Eukaryotic Molecular Biology
BIOL 120, Development
Earth and Planetary Sciences
Earth and Planetary Sciences 100/L, Vertebrate Paleontology
Earth and Planetary Sciences 101/L, Invertebrate Paleobiology/Laboratory
Earth and Planetary Sciences 102, Marine Geology
Earth and Planetary Sciences 105, Coastal Geology
Economics
Economics 166A, Game Theory and Applications I
Economics 166B, Game Theory and Applications II
Environmental Studies (enrollment by permission of instructor)
Environmental Studies 104A/L, Introduction to Environmental Field Methods/Laboratory
Environmental Studies 107ABC, Natural History Field Quarter
Environmental Studies 108/L, General Entomology/Laboratory
Environmental Studies 115A/L, GIS and Environmental Applications/Exercises in GIS
Environmental Studies 120, Conservation Biology
Environmental Studies 122, Tropical Ecology and Conservation
Environmental Studies 123, Animal Ecology and Conservation
Environmental Studies 125, Ecosystems of California
Environmental Studies 129, Integrated Pest Management
Environmental Studies 130A/L, Agroecology and Sustainable Agriculture/Laboratory
Environmental Studies 130B, Principles of Sustainable Agriculture
Environmental Studies 131, Insect Ecology
Environmental Studies 160, Restoration Ecology
Environmental Studies 161A, Soils and Plant Nutrition
Environmental Studies 162, Plant Physiological Ecology
Environmental Studies 163, Plant Disease Ecology
Environmental Studies 167, Freshwater and Wetland Ecology
Environmental Studies 168, Biochemistry and the Global Environment
Microbiology and Environmental Toxicology
Microbiology and Environmental Toxicology 119, Microbiology
Microbiology and Environmental Toxicology 119L, Microbiology Laboratory
Ocean Sciences
Ocean Sciences 118, Marine Microbial Ecology
Ocean Sciences 130, Biological Oceanography
Psychology
Psychology 123, Behavioral Neuroscience
Some of these electives may have prerequisites that do not satisfy major or minor requirements.
One of the following may also be used as an upper-division general elective:
Biological Sciences-EEB
Any 5 credits of undergraduate research (BIOE 183W, 183L, 193, 193F, or 195, or 198)
Environmental Studies
Environmental Studies 183, Environmental Studies Internship (5 credits)
Disciplinary Communication (DC) Requirement
Students of every major must satisfy that major's upper-division Disciplinary Communication (DC) Requirement. The DC Requirement in plant sciences is satisfied by completing two of the following Ecology and Evolutionary Biology courses: BIOE 108, 114/L, 117, 120/L, 122/L, 127/L, 128L, 129/L, 137, 141L, 145, 145L, 150L 151B, 153C, 158L, 159A, 161L, 171, 172/L. For 2-credit laboratory courses taken concurrently with 5-credit lectures, both courses must be passed to receive one half of the DC requirement.
Plant Sciences B.S. Sample Planners
Frosh sample planners.
Transfer student sample planners.
Comprehensive Requirement
All majors in the biological sciences require a comprehensive requirement. This requirement can be satisfied in one of the following ways:
- by receiving a passing grade in an internship, independent research laboratory, or field course listed below;
- by completing a senior thesis;
- by achieving a graduate record examination (GRE) score at or above the 50th percentile on the biology subject test or the biochemistry, cell, and molecular biology subject test. Reports of GRE scores must be submitted to the biological sciences advising office before the last day of the graduating quarter;
- by obtaining an medical college admission test (MCAT) score at or above the 50th percentile on the biological sciences section. Reports of MCAT scores must be submitted to the biological sciences advising office before the last day of the graduating quarter.
Comprehensive courses offered by Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
BIOE 112L, Ornithology Field Studies
BIOE 114L, Field Methods in Herpetological Research
BIOE 117L, Systematic Botany of Flowering Plants Laboratory
BIOE 120L, Marine Botany Laboratory
BIOE 122L, Invertebrate Zoology Laboratory
BIOE 124L, Mammalogy Laboratory
BIOE 127L, Ichthyology Laboratory
BIOE 128L, Large Marine Vertebrates Field Course
BIOE 129L, Biology of Marine Mammals Laboratory
BIOE 131L, Animal Physiology Laboratory
BIOE 133L, Exercise Physiology Laboratory
BIOE 134L, Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy Laboratory
BIOE 135L, Plant Physiology Laboratory
BIOE 137L, Molecular Ecology Laboratory
BIOE 141L, Behavioral Ecology Field Course
BIOE 145L, Field Methods in Plant Ecology
BIOE 150L, Ecological Field Methods
BIOE 151, Ecology and Conservation in Practice
BIOE 155L, Freshwater Ecology Laboratory
BIOE 158L, Marine Ecology Laboratory
BIOE 159, Marine Ecology Field Quarter
BIOE 161L, Kelp Forest Ecology Laboratory
BIOE 163L, Ecology of Reefs, Mangroves, and Seagrasses Laboratory
BIOE 172L, Population Genetics Laboratory
BIOE 183, Undergraduate Research in EEB
Comprehensive courses offered by Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology
BIOL 100L, Biochemistry Laboratory
BIOL 105L, Eukaryotic Genetics Laboratory
BIOL 105M, Microbial Genetics Laboratory
BIOL 109L, Yeast Molecular Genetics Laboratory
BIOL 110L, Cell Biology Laboratory
BIOL 111L, Immunology Laboratory
BIOL 115L, Eukaryotic Molecular Biology Laboratory
BIOL 120L, Developmental Biology Laboratory
BIOL 121L, Environmental Phage Biology Laboratory
BIOL 178L, Protocols in Stem Cell Biology
BIOL 186L, Undergraduate Research in MCD Biology
BIOL 186R, Undergraduate Research in MCD Biology
BIOL 187L, Molecular Biotechnology Laboratory
BIOL 189, Health Sciences Internship
Comprehensive courses offered in other departments
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 110L, Advanced Biochemistry Laboratory
Microbiology and Environmental Toxicology 119L, Microbiology Laboratory
Honors
Honors in the biological sciences majors are awarded to graduating students whose academic performance demonstrates excellence at a grade point average (GPA) of 3.5 or above. Highest honors are awarded to those students whose performance demonstrates the highest level of excellence and results in a GPA of 3.8 or above.
Course Substitution/Transfer Credit Policy
To discuss the process for a course substitution, contact an EEB department adviser.
At least half of the upper-division courses (numbered 100–179) required for each major must be taken through the biological sciences program at UCSC, not as transfer credits from another department or institution.
Transfer students are advised to contact an EEB department adviser before enrolling in numerous upper-division courses at other institutions. For more information on transferring courses to UCSC, please consult the Transfer Student website.
Only one upper-division course requirement may be met with a research-based independent study or graduate-level UCSC biology course or a course offered by another UCSC department.
Academic Advising
Academic advising is available at the EEB Department office. The undergraduate webpages contain advice and information pertinent to students’ most frequently voiced questions. Each student in the major should review the information posted on the website; for further assistance, contact an academic adviser.
Education Abroad Opportunities
The UC Education Abroad Program (EAP) offers qualified students unique opportunities to broaden their educational horizons. The EEB Department encourages interested students to participate. Many programs are in English-speaking countries or use English for advanced courses. Many programs offer small classes, extensive laboratories, and/or field research experience.
There are excellent programs in Costa Rica, Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Denmark, and Germany, among others. The Costa Rica Tropical Biology Program is of note to students interested in tropical biology and ecology. Held spring and fall quarters at the Monteverde research station, this program gives students experience with hands-on field research and offers a homestay program. The University of Queensland (Australia) offers an intensive, full-semester marine science program, which includes stays at research stations on the Great Barrier Reef and in sheltered mangrove and seagrass habitats near Brisbane.
Students interested in study abroad need to get an early start on their basic science requirements, including chemistry, mathematics, and introductory biology and must declare their major prior to applying to go abroad. Visit the EAP office as soon as possible to begin planning; you must seek advice about your EAP plan for major courses at UCSC from an EEB Department undergraduate adviser and/or faculty advisor and receive their approval for your plans.
Graduate Program Description
The Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (EEB) Graduate Program at UCSC reflects the remarkable local and global diversity of species and environments studied by the EEB faculty and students. The vision of the EEB graduate program is to provide a nurturing, creative, and intellectual environment conducive to the development of world-class scientists. The small size of the EEB graduate program encourages close working relations between students and faculty in an informal atmosphere advantageous to rapid learning and professional growth. Interdisciplinary collaborations with oceanographers, geologists, mathematicians, environmental and conservation biologists, toxicologists, and others enable students to explore the conceptual connections between related fields as they acquire mastery in their areas of specialization.
The graduate program in EEB at UC Santa Cruz is one of the premier EEB programs in the country. UCSC graduate students in EEB regularly win prestigious awards for their presentations at international meetings and publish their work in the best journals of their fields. In addition to taking advantage of local field sites and state-of-the-art departmental laboratories, more than two-thirds of the EEB faculty also participate in field studies throughout the world, especially in Africa, Latin America, Antarctica, and around the Pacific Rim.
Research in EEB comprises four core tracks:
Ecology
Evolutionary biology
Physiology
Behavior
Degree Requirements
Core Courses
BIOE 200A, Scientific Skills
BIOE 200B, Advanced Organismal Biology
BIOE 279, Evolutionary Ecology
BIOE 293, Readings in Ecology and Evolution (or equivalent)
BIOE 294, Ecology, Evolutionary Biology Seminar (taken each quarter when in residence)
BIOE 295, Advanced Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Seminar (may substitute for BIOE 293)
Ph.D. Requirements
Ph.D. students must take BIOE 200A and 200B in the fall of the first year, and BIOE 279 in the winter of the first year. Two quarters of BIOE 293 are taken in the winter and spring of the first year. In addition, two quarters of BIOE 295 or two additional quarters of BIOE 293 should be completed by the end of year two. BIOE 281, 294, and 297/299 (Independent Study) must be taken every quarter the student is in residence. All students must be enrolled in at least 15 credits per quarter, unless on approved part-time, absentia or leave of absence status.
Each Ph.D. student should expect to complete at least two quarters as a teaching assistant during their graduate career.
During fall of the second year, students take a comprehensive examination. This is a two-part examination, written and oral, the goal of which is to examine the student’s breadth and depth of knowledge of evolution, ecology, physiology, behavior, organismal, and general biology.
Later in the second or third year, the student submits a dissertation research proposal to the proposal committee and must defend it in an oral examination, followed by a seminar on his/her proposed research. The student advances to candidacy only after having completed all coursework, the comprehensive examination, the proposal defense, and the proposal seminar.
No sooner than 30 days after submitting the dissertation to a dissertation reading committee, the student defends the dissertation to the committee, followed by a public seminar. At least one chapter of the dissertation must be submitted to a refereed journal for publication before receipt of the Ph.D.
Master of Arts (M.A.) Requirements
M.A. students must take BIOE 200A, BIOE 200B, BIOE 279, and two quarters of BIOE 293 (or one quarter of 293 and one quarter of 295) within their first two years. Biology 281, 294, and 297/299 (Independent Study) must be taken every quarter the student is in residence. All students must be enrolled in at least 15 credits per quarter, unless on approved part-time, absentia or leave of absence status. The minimum number of credits for the master’s degree is 35 of which no more than 15 credits from upper-division undergraduate courses may be used as part the student’s coursework.
No sooner than 30 days after submitting the thesis to a thesis reading committee, the student defends the thesis to the committee, followed by a public seminar.
Requirements for the Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Designated Emphasis
To receive a parenthetical notation in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (hereafter EEB), graduate students must complete the following requirements, in addition to the degree requirements for the doctorate in their home department:
1. Take the following EEB core courses (required for all EEB graduate students): BIOE 279 Evolutionary Ecology (5 credits), BIOE 200A Scientific Skills (5 credits), BIOE 200B Advanced Organismal Biology (5 credits)
2. Attend EEB department seminars (enroll in BIOE 294, 2 credits) for one quarter
3. Attend a lab group seminar course (enroll in BIOE 281, 2/5 credits) for one quarter
4. Take at least two courses from any other graduate or appropriate upper-division courses in biology, for example:
BIOE 293 Readings in Ecology and Evolution (2 credits)
BIOE 295 Special Advanced Topics in Ecology and Evolution (2 credits)
BIOE 272 Exercise Physiology (5 credits)
BIOE 233 Exercise Physiology (5 credits)
BIOE 248A Quantitative Ecology (5 credits)
BIOE 252 Community Ecology (5 credits)
BIOE 208 Marine Ecology (5 credits)
BIOE 245 Plant Ecology (5 credits)
BIOE 274 Evolutionary Game Theory (5 credits)
BIOE 286 Experimental Design and Data Analysis (5 credits)
5. In all, students will be expected to complete at least 20 credits of EEB coursework. Courses taken to fulfill graduate requirements within the home department will not count toward the Designated Emphasis requirements.
6. Have a designated graduate adviser from among the faculty of the EEB department, who commits to serve on the qualifying exam committee and on the Ph.D. dissertation reading committee.
Revised: 09/01/17
