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Concentration in Ecology
and Environmental Biology


This Concentration is designed for students with interests in Ecology, Field Biology, Natural Resources, Environmental Biology, Conservation Biology, Evolution, Animal Behavior, and Organismal Biology. If you are interested in these areas, you can declare the Concentration by filling out a form in the Biology Office.

For more information, talk to any of these faculty:  Cocking, Flint, Gobetz, Griscom, Harris, Herrick, Kastendiek, Keffer, McMullen, Murphy, Pesce, Wiggins, Wyngaard.



Concentration in Ecology and Environmental Biology


Students choosing a concentration in Ecology and Environmental Biology (Biology/EEB majors) must complete 40 credit hours of Biology courses.  Specific requirements include the four core courses and at least 24 credit hours chosen from a list of elective courses at the 300 and 400 level (including at least three upper-division laboratory or field courses, and one course with an emphasis on organismal diversity).  In addition, Biology/EEB majors must choose from a set of cognate courses that include Chemistry, Geography, Mathematics, Statistics, and Physics.  Students are encouraged to participate in independent research with a faculty mentor.  Credits earned doing research will count toward the Biology/EEB major, but some restrictions apply.


The Biology/EEB Concentration differs from the Biology Major in the following ways:

1.  Students must take two additional cognate courses: 

MATH 321. Analysis of Variance and Experimental Design
    or BIO 454. Introduction to Biometrics
GEOG 366. Introduction to Geographic Information Science
    or BIO 457. Biological Applications of Geographic Information Systems

2.  For the upper-level Biology course requirements, students must complete at least 24 credit hours from the list below.  At least one of these must be an organismal diversity course (*), and at least three must be laboratory/field courses (&).  With prior approval from the concentration coordinator, BIO 426 and/or BIO 427 may be substituted.  Students are strongly encouraged to discuss their career interests with an adviser who can help select courses best suited to their needs.  Students are encouraged to participate in independent research with a faculty mentor.


BIO 305. Ornithology *&
BIO 310. General Entomology *&
BIO 320. Comparative Anatomy of Vertebrates *&
BIO 340. Morphology and Anatomy of Vascular Plants *&
BIO 370. Animal Physiology §
BIO 380. General Microbiology *&
BIO 386. Field Botany *&
BIO/PSYC 395. Comparative Animal Behavior
BIO 404. Evolutionary Analysis

BIO 409. Marine and Freshwater Invertebrates *
BIO 451. Ecological Systems &
BIO 452. Population Ecology &
BIO 453. Microbial Ecology
BIO 454. Introduction to Biometrics
BIO 455. Plant Physiology &
BIO 456. Landscape Ecology
BIO 458. Comparative Animal Physiology &
BIO 459. Freshwater Ecology &
BIO 465. Environmental Toxicology
BIO 466. Ecotoxicology Seminar
BIO 470. Morphology of Nonvascular Plants *&
BIO 486. Systematics of Vascular Plants *&

(*) counts as an organismal diversity course
(&
) counts as a laboratory/field course
 
Note:  It is highly recommended that students take additional upper-level degree elective courses in Geography/GIS (such as GEOG 466. GIS & Geographic Databases, or GEOG 467. Applied Geographic Information Systems) and in Statistics (such as MATH 322 Applied Linear Regression, or MATH 324 Applied Nonparametric Statistics).  Consult with your adviser about which courses are appropriate.

   

  

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For information contact:
Sheila Santee
540-568-6225 or 6733
Dept. Fax: 540-568-3333
Web site maintained by:

Jon Monroe
Mailing address:
Department of Biology
MSC 7801
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA  22807   USA
Express mailing address:
Department of Biology
Burruss Hall, Room 243
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA  22807   USA

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