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Biology: Ecology and Evolutionary Biology

2018-19 General Catalog

Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Department
130 McAllister Way
Coastal Science Campus
https://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 majors to enhance their upper-division programs to reflect and strengthen their own interests and goals in the sciences.

Program Learning Outcomes

The undergraduate curriculum offered by the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (EEB) is designed to ensure that all students declared in any EEB sponsored major will achieve the following seven program learning outcomes.

Students will demonstrate broad-based knowledge of the fundamentals of ecology, behavior, evolution and physiology and the relationships among these disciplines.
Students will demonstrate skills in the observation and experimental study of organisms, using both field-based and laboratory-based approaches.
Students will demonstrate skills in identifying, accessing, comprehending and synthesizing scientific information, including interpretation of the primary scientific literature. This includes understanding key questions and hypotheses, interpreting results and conclusions, and evaluating quality through critique.
Students will demonstrate the ability to conceive and execute independent scientific research, including developing their own questions and hypotheses, designing an appropriate theoretical or empirical/experimental approach, executing that approach, and analyzing and interpreting data.
Students will demonstrate an ability to understand and apply fundamental quantitative skills, including models and statistical analyses, so as to properly interpret published research and apply such skills in their own research.
Students will demonstrate the ability to communicate original scientific work in the form of a scientific paper, as well as in oral or poster presentations.
Students will exhibit strong teamwork and problem solving skills. They will demonstrate the ability to make arguments from evidence and work together to find optimal solutions.

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 to start chemistry as soon as possible. Students who have not taken Chemistry 1A 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. We also strongly recommend completing the lower-division physics requirements early in your academic career.

An online mathematics placement is required to enroll in a mathematics course. Students 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.

Advanced Placement (AP) course equivalencies can be used to fulfill prerequisites.

Letter Grade Policy

All courses used to satisfy any major requirement 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.

Determining Qualification

All courses must be taken for a letter grade. The following qualification courses, or their equivalents, must be completed with a grade of C (2.0) 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 the ecology and evolution B.S. major, the marine biology B.S. major, or the plant sciences B.S. major 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

Students with one grade of NP, C-, D+, D, D-, or F in one of the qualification courses are eligible to declare after successfully repeating the same or an equivalent course with a grade of C (2.0) 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. Mathematics courses will not be included in this calculation.

Students with AP credit for any of the qualification course(s) are eligible to declare after successfully completing the remaining qualification courses.

Consult with an EEB undergraduate adviser when requesting to declare the major after the campus declaration deadline.

Students who are not eligible to declare the major may appeal this decision after they have successfully completed the qualification courses by submitting an appeal letter to EEB undergraduate advising. 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.

For information on qualifying for the environmental studies/biology combined major, please see Environmental Studies in this catalog.

Transfer Students

To be considered for admission to UCSC as a proposed major in ecology and evolutionary biology (B.S.), marine biology, plant sciences, or biology (B.A.), transfer students must pass equivalents of the following preparatory courses with a C (2.0) or better prior to transfer:

BIOL 20A, Cell and Molecular Biology
BIOE 20B, Development and Physiology
BIOE 20C, Ecology and Evolution
Chemistry 1A, General Chemistry
Chemistry 1B, General Chemistry
For all programs except the biology B.A., 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.

While it is not required for UC Santa Cruz admission, transfer students are strongly encouraged to complete equivalents of the complete general chemistry series, a second quarter of calculus, and the physics series (PHYS 6A/L, plus 6B or 6C) prior to transfer. Students who transfer without having completed this additional recommended introductory coursework may require more than two years to complete the major requirements. Additional transfer preparation information is here.

Prospective transfer students should review the transfer information here.

Declaring a Major

Students may submit a petition to declare after successful completion of the qualification policy courses. Students who are enrolled in their final qualification policy course(s) 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 B.S., Marine Biology B.S., Plant Sciences B.S., or Environmental Studies/Biology B.A. 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 (Laboratory 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 (Laboratory 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 (UCEAP) 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/6L 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. Courses appearing in more than one category can fulfill only one requirement.

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 and Microbiology and Environmental Toxicology 119L/Laboratory (both lecture and laboratory 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 125 Ecosystems of California
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 upper-division BIOE course numbered 100-179 of 5 or more credits

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 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)

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/6L 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. Courses appearing in more than one category can fulfill only one requirement.

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 upper-division BIOE course numbered 100-179 of 5 or more credits

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)

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)

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

UC Santa Cruz has a strong program in the plant sciences (sometimes called botany). UCSC resources that support the plant sciences major include state-of-the-art greenhouse facilities, natural ecosystems right on the campus from coastal wetlands to redwood forests, the collections of the UCSC Arboretum, and the Center for Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems (including the UCSC Farm and Garden).

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 genetics, soils, and applied plant sciences. After completion of the core courses, students can proceed in one of several directions depending on their interests. For example, a more in-depth study of physiology and evolution courses can serve as preparation for work in biotechnology or plant breeding; further studies in plant ecology, tropical ecology, or restoration ecology can lead to careers in resource ecology and management or biodiversity exploration; upper-division training in agroecology can lead to careers in agriculture or food systems. There are many opportunities for internships both on the UC Santa Cruz campus and in the greater community.

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/6L 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. Courses appearing in more than one category can fulfill only one requirement.

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 125 Ecosystems of California
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 Kelp Forest Ecology
BIOE 161L Kelp Forest Ecology Laboratory
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 upper-division BIOE course numbered 100-179 of 5 or more credits

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

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/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 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)

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 completion of a comprehensive requirement. This requirement can be satisfied in one of the following ways:

receiving a passing grade in an independent research course, or field/laboratory course listed below;
completing a senior thesis;
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 EEB undergraduate advising office before the last day of the graduating quarter;
obtaining a 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 EEB undergraduate 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 151ABCD, Ecology and Conservation in Practice
BIOE 153ABC, Arctic Ecology
BIOE 155L, Freshwater Ecology Laboratory
BIOE 158L, Marine Ecology Laboratory
BIOE 159ABCD, 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 183W, Undergraduate Research in EEB

Comprehensive courses offered by Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology

BIOL 100L, Biochemistry Laboratory
BIOL 105L, Eukaryotic Genetics Laboratory
BIOL 109L, Yeast Molecular Genetics Laboratory
BIOL 110L, Cell Biology 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 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 undergraduate adviser.

At least half of the upper-division courses (numbered 100–179) required for each major must be taken in EEB at UC Santa Cruz not as transfer credits from another department or institution.

Transfer students are advised to contact an EEB undergraduate 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. Additional information for transfer students is provided above in the “Transfer Students” section.

Only one upper-division course requirement may be met with a research-based independent study or graduate-level UCSC biology course.

Academic Advising

Academic advising is available at the EEB undergraduate advising office. The undergraduate webpages contain advice and information pertinent to students’ most frequently voiced questions. Each student should review the information posted on the website; for further assistance, contact an EEB undergraduate adviser.

Education Abroad Opportunities

The UC Education Abroad Program (UCEAP) offers qualified students unique opportunities to broaden their educational horizons. The EEB Department encourages interested students to participate. It is possible to satisfy major requirements abroad and graduate on time; consult with an EEB undergraduate adviser early in the planning process.

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 introductory requirements, including chemistry, mathematics, and biology and must declare their major prior to going abroad. Visit the UCEAP office as soon as possible to begin planning and seek advice and approval for your UCEAP plan from an EEB undergraduate adviser prior to participation in UCEAP.

Graduate Program Description

The ecology and evolutionary biology (EEB) graduate program at UC Santa Cruz 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 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 research fellowships and awards for their presentations at international meetings in addition to publishing their work in the best journals of their fields. Students take 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, the Arctic, and around the Pacific Rim. Research in EEB comprises four core areas: ecology, evolutionary biology, physiology, and 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

All curricular requirements are aimed at preparing students for timely and successful completion of a doctoral dissertation. The Ph.D. curriculum in EEB includes six stages: 1) required coursework, 2) the comprehensive examination, 3) the qualifying examination, 4) two quarters of teaching experience, 5) submission of at least one paper for publication, 6) the research, writing, and defense of the dissertation.

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 the second year. 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 status.

Each Ph.D. student should expect to complete at least two quarters as a teaching assistant during their graduate career.

The comprehensive examination is completed in the fall of the second year. 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, organismal biology (including physiology and behavior), and general biology. In both the written and oral examinations, the expected level of knowledge of basic biology ranges from introductory level in fields most removed from the student’s focus area to a more substantial and advanced level in fields closer to the student’s focus area.

The qualifying examination follows the comprehensive examination and is completed no later than the third year. The goal of this two-part examination is to establish the student’s proposed dissertation project. Students submit a dissertation research proposal to their qualifying exam committee and defend it in an oral examination. The proposal should be submitted no less than ten days before the oral defense. The proposal defense must be completed by the spring quarter of the third year and be followed by a departmental seminar on the student’s research proposal. Students advance to candidacy after having completed all coursework, the comprehensive examination, and the qualifying examination.

The dissertation is submitted to the students’ dissertation reading committee, defended in a closed oral examination, and presented in a departmental seminar. At least one chapter of the dissertation must be submitted to a refereed journal for publication as a final program requirement before receipt of the Ph.D.

Deadlines at each stage must be confirmed with the graduate program coordinator.

Master of Arts (M.A.) Requirements

All curricular requirements are aimed at preparing students for timely and successful completion of a master thesis. The M.A. curriculum in EEB includes two stages: 1) required coursework, 2) the research, writing, and defense of the master thesis. 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 (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 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.

The master research project is identified by students and requires approval from the students’ masters reading committee in the fall of the second year. The master thesis manuscript is submitted to the students’ masters reading committee, defended in a closed oral examination, and presented in a departmental seminar by the end of the second year.

Deadlines at each stage must be confirmed with the graduate program coordinator.

Requirements for the Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Designated Emphasis

To receive a designated emphasis in ecology and evolutionary biology (EEB), graduate students must complete the following requirements, in addition to the degree requirements for the doctorate in their home department:

Identify a designated graduate adviser from among the faculty of the EEB department, who commits to serve on the qualifying examination committee and on the Ph.D. dissertation reading committee.
Once a designated graduate adviser has been identified, file intent to complete the designated emphasis in EEB with the EEB Department graduate program coordinator.
Take the following EEB core courses (required for all EEB graduate students):
BIOE 200A, Scientific Skills; BIOE 200B, Advanced Organismal Biology; BIOE 279, Evolutionary Ecology.
Enroll in BIOE 294 and attend all EEB Department seminars for one quarter.
Enroll in EEB adviser’s BIOE 281 and attend their laboratory group seminars for one quarter.
Take at least two other EEB graduate courses.

In all, students are required to complete at least 20 credits of EEB coursework. Courses taken to fulfill program requirements within the home department will not count toward the designated emphasis program's required coursework.

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Revised: 07/15/18