To receive a bachelor's degree at Northern Arizona University, you must complete at least 120 units of credit that minimally includes a major, the liberal studies requirements, and university requirements as listed below.
The full policy can be viewed here.
In addition to University Requirements:
Students may be able to use some courses to meet more than one requirement. Contact your advisor for details.
| Minimum Units for Completion | 120 |
| Major GPA | C |
| Highest Mathematics Required | MAT 125 |
| Fieldwork Experience/Internship | Optional |
| Research | Optional |
| University Honors Program | Optional |
| Some online/blended coursework | Required |
| Progression Plan Link | View Progression Plan |
Purpose Statement
This degree is for students who are fascinated by questions of how life has evolved and how organisms function in the nature. Students will have the opportunity to apply knowledge of ecology and evolution to environmental and societal problems and to experience fieldwork among the diverse habitats of the Colorado Plateau. Opportunities to specialize include any of the diverse areas of expertise of our faculty from wildlife to plants to microbes and from evolutionary genetics to population ecology to ecosystem ecology.
This degree is offered by the Department of Biological Sciences, ensuring a well-rounded foundation in the understanding life of earth. In the course of this major, students will identify, describe, and apply the major concepts, theoretical perspectives, and empirical findings in ecology and evolution. Students will master the theory of evolution; examine the genetic and environmental bases of variation in organisms; and describe how populations are regulated, species interact in communities, and the major nutrients cycle in natural ecosystems. These objectives are supported by a comprehensive set of courses addressing ecology, evolution, and genetics in the sophomore year and by research investments in faculty and facilities made by NAU.
In their upper division coursework, students will apply this knowledge to scientific and societal problems by using quantitative reasoning, synthesizing, and effectively communicating theory and empirical findings in ecology and evolutionary biology. Students will connect this body of knowledge to specific organisms and how they function in nature though examining a group of organisms in depth and conducting field studies on the Colorado Plateau. Students will be poised to contribute to managing the increasing environmental impact of humans on the Colorado Plateau and beyond. The Ecology and Evolutionary Biology degree will assist students in preparing for research and internship experiences to help make them competitive for positions in graduate and professional schools and for jobs in natural resources, public, non-profit, and educational sectors.
This major is a great foundation for many careers across diverse fields where expertise is required in genetics, evolution, natural history, ecology, organismal biology, natural history, agriculture, or environmental impacts and their mitigation. Career options with the BS degree include technicians in everything from molecular genetics laboratories to field survey for universities, non-profits, consulting firms, and government agencies. Positions in informal science education and interpretation are also available at a range of institutions from zoos to arboreta to parks. Environmental compliance professionals are in demand for environmental consulting firms and agencies.
Many students in this major will also go on to complete master’s degrees which open a range of higher-level job classifications with the further development of technical skills. This pathway is particularly applicable for skilled technical positions at agencies and consulting firms. An EEB degree at NAU also provides a strong background for continuing to professional school in veterinary, law, and public health arenas or to PhD programs in ecology, evolution, and related fields.
Student Learning Outcomes
1. Identify, describe, and apply the major concepts, theoretical perspectives, and empirical findings in ecology and evolution with a strong basis in the natural sciences including:
More Information
This major requires 69-72 units.
Take the following 69 - 72 units including 42 units of Biology and Biology-related courses from the lists below with a Grade of "C" or better in each course:
Please note many of the following major requirements also satisfy Liberal Studies requirements.
The Department of Biological Sciences does not allow dual majors within the department.
Additional coursework is required if, after you have met the previously described requirements, you have not yet completed a total of 120 units of credit.
You may take these remaining courses from any of the academic areas, using these courses to pursue your specific interests and goals. You may also use prerequisites or transfer credits as electives if they weren't used to meet major, minor, or liberal studies requirements.
We encourage you to consult with your advisor to select the courses that will be most advantageous to you.
Be aware that some courses may have prerequisites that you must also successfully complete. For prerequisite information, click on the course or see your advisor.