OHIO University Undergraduate Catalog 2021-22
[Archived Catalog]
Biological Sciences—Environmental Biology Major (B.A.) |
Major code BA2129
College of Arts and Sciences
Biological Sciences Department
Irvine Hall 107
Athens, OH 45701
biosci@ohio.edu
https://www.ohio.edu/cas/biosci/
Robert Colvin, contact person
colvin@ohio.edu
Program Overview
Environmental biology B.A. is a major in biological sciences that provides students with a foundation in basic and organismal biology, and training in the social sciences. Students study the ecology, evolution, behavior, and natural history of animals, along with plant biology, geography, geology, philosophy, and political science. The environmental biology track is designed to serve students who are interested in natural resource management, public policy, law, or who wish to enter graduate programs in environmental studies. Students who complete this curriculum also must complete the requirement for the undergraduate Environmental Studies Certificate. Students should consider a minor in geography or environmental health sciences.
Admission Information
Freshman/First Year Admission
In the past, Biological Sciences had a very strong admission requirement of a PL1-level math placement. With the implementation of the test-optional admission pathway, this requirement is no longer in place. However, achievement of PL1-level math placement can be a good indicator of strong preparation in math. After admission to Ohio University, students may transfer into a Biological Sciences major if they have earned a grade of “C” or better in both BIOS 1700 and BIOS 1705 and have a minimum accumulative GPA of 2.5 at Ohio University.
Change of Program Policy
Current Ohio University students who would like to declare one of the Biology majors must have a minimum Math ACT subscore of 20; equivalent Math SAT subscore (490 on tests taken prior to March 2016 or 520 on tests taken March 2016 or later); a minimum Ohio University math placement score of PL1; or a grade of “C” or better in equivalent courses to both BIOS 1700 and BIOS 1705 with a minimum accumulative Ohio University GPA of 2.5.
External Transfer Admission
Transfer students who would like to declare one of the Biology majors must have a minimum Math ACT subscore of 20; equivalent Math SAT subscore (490 on tests taken prior to March 2016 or 520 on tests taken March 2016 or later); a minimum Ohio University math placement score of PL1; or a grade of “C” or better in the equivalent courses to both BIOS 1700 and BIOS 1705 with a minimum accumulative GPA of 2.5 from their previous institution.
Opportunities Upon Graduation
The environmental biology track is designed to serve students who are interested in natural resource management, public policy, law or who wish to enter graduate programs in environmental studies. Students with a degree in environmental biology can secure positions with employers such as the Department of Agriculture, the Environmental Protection Agency, in the area of policy and management, or with environmental consulting firms, research laboratories, nonprofit organizations, non-governmental organizations, water treatment plants, zoos, etc.
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Requirements
Major Hours Requirement
The environmental biology major requires a minimum of 29 hours. 2.0 GPA required.
Universitywide Graduation Requirements
To complete this program, students must meet all Universitywide graduation requirements .
Liberal Arts and Sciences Distribution Requirement
View the College and Liberal Arts and Sciences Distribution Requirements .
Environmental Biology Requirements
Complete a total of 29 semester hours of BIOS coursework, including the four sub-requirements.
Environmental Biology Core Sub-Requirement
Complete the following courses:
- BIOS 1700 - Biological Sciences I: Molecules and Cells Credit Hours: 3
- BIOS 1705 - Biological Sciences I Laboratory Credit Hours: 1
- BIOS 1710 - Biological Sciences II: Ecology, Evolution, Animal Body Systems Credit Hours: 3
- BIOS 1715 - Biological Sciences II Laboratory Credit Hours: 1
- BIOS 2750 - Ecology in the 21st Century Credit Hours: 3
- BIOS 3760 - Field Ecology Credit Hours: 3
Complete one of the following Genetics courses:
- BIOS 2250 - Genetics in Human Society Credit Hours: 3
- BIOS 3100 - General Genetics Credit Hours: 3
Microbiology Sub-Requirement
Complete one of the following course group options:
- BIOS 3220 - General Microbiology Credit Hours: 3
- BIOS 3225 - General Microbiology Laboratory Credit Hours: 2
Course group option
Complete the following courses:
- BIOS 2210 - Microbes and Humans Credit Hours: 3
- BIOS 2225 - Microbes and Humans, Laboratory Credit Hours: 2
Tier 3 Equivalent Sub-Requirement
Complete one of the following courses:
- BIOS 4730 - Animal Behavior Credit Hours: 3
- BIOS 4810 - Animal Conservation Biology Credit Hours: 3
Environmental Biology Electives Sub-Requirement
Complete at least two of the following courses:
- BIOS 3160 - Biogeography Credit Hours: 3
- BIOS 3300 - Principles of Evolution Credit Hours: 3
- BIOS 4290 - Marine Biology Credit Hours: 3
- BIOS 4310 - Aquatic Biology Credit Hours: 4
- BIOS 4360 - Field Entomology Credit Hours: 3
- BIOS 4650 - Ichthyology Credit Hours: 4
- BIOS 4710 - Ornithology Credit Hours: 4
- BIOS 4720 - Herpetology Credit Hours: 4
Principles of Chemistry course group option
Complete the following courses:
- CHEM 1210 - Principles of Chemistry I Credit Hours: 4
- CHEM 1220 - Principles of Chemistry II Credit Hours: 4
Fundamentals of Chemistry course group option
Complete the following courses:
- CHEM 1510 - Fundamentals of Chemistry I Credit Hours: 4
- CHEM 1520 - Fundamentals of Chemistry II Credit Hours: 4
Chemistry combined course group option
Complete the following courses:
- CHEM 1510 - Fundamentals of Chemistry I Credit Hours: 4
- CHEM 1220 - Principles of Chemistry II Credit Hours: 4
Sub-Requirement 2: Mathematics
Complete the following course:
- MATH 1300 - Pre-Calculus Credit Hours: 4
Sub-Requirement 3: Statistics
Complete one of the following:
- MATH 2500 - Statistics and Probability Credit Hours: 4
- PSY 2110 - Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences Credit Hours: 4
Sub-Requirement 4: Physics
Complete the following course:
- PHYS 2001 - Introduction to Physics Credit Hours: 4
Sub-Requirement 5: Environmental Studies Certificate
Complete one course in each of the following four components.
Introduction to Environmental Studies
Complete one of the following courses:
- ES 3620 - Environmental Science and Public Policy Credit Hours: 3
Policy, Politics, and Regulation
Complete one of the following courses:
- EH 2000 - Introduction to Environmental Health and Safety Credit Hours: 3
- GEOG 3460 - Environmental Law Credit Hours: 3
- POLS 4250 - Environmental and Climate Change Politics and Policy Credit Hours: 3
- POLS 4260 - Politics of the Contemporary Environmental Movement Credit Hours: 3
Social Sciences and Humanities
Complete one of the following courses:
- ANTH 3780 - Human Ecology Credit Hours: 3
- GEOG 3330 - Appalachia: Land and People Credit Hours: 3
- GEOG 3430 - Global Issues in Environment Credit Hours: 3
- GEOG 4470 - Natural Resource Conservation Credit Hours: 3
- HIST 3060 - American Environmental History Credit Hours: 3
- PHIL 3350 - Environmental Ethics Credit Hours: 3
Synthesis
Complete one of the following courses:
- ES 4500 - Environmental Studies Capstone Seminar Credit Hours: 3
- ES 4910 - Environmental Studies Leadership Experience Credit Hours: 1 - 5