University of California, Los Angeles College of Letters and Science 116 courses
The Ecology, Behavior, and Evolution major is appropriate for students preparing for graduate study in ecology, behavior, and evolution or for employment in areas such as environmental biology, animal behavior, conservation, teaching, museum work, and governmental positions dealing with environmental issues of wide importance and impact. A strong field component involving study in terrestrial and marine locales such as coastal, desert, and mountain environments in California and the Southwest and in the Neotropics is required. The Ecology, Behavior, and Evolution major is a designated capstone program. Students apply theory and technique learned through four years of classroom and laboratory experience to their own independent projects. The mission of the capstone program is to provide a unique learning experience to students, based on their academic aspirations, from a breadth of options from field research, to independent research, to a rigorous course plan. Students are aided in the scientific process of learning, based on the path they choose, culminating in being able to exhibit strong teamwork, problem-solving, and communication skills.
Preparation for the Major: Life Science Core Curriculum: Chemistry
Select one series from:
Preparation for the Major: Life Science Core Curriculum: Chemistry: Chemistry 14 series
Preparation for the Major: Life Science Core Curriculum: Chemistry: Chemistry 20 and 30 series
Preparation for the Major: Life Science Core Curriculum: Life Sciences
Complete the following four courses:
Preparation for the Major: Life Science Core Curriculum: Mathematics
Select one series from:
Preparation for the Major: Life Science Core Curriculum: Mathematics: Life Sciences 30 series
| Code | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| LIFESCI 30A | Mathematics for Life Scientists | 5 |
| LIFESCI 30B | Mathematics for Life Scientists | 5 |
Preparation for the Major: Life Science Core Curriculum: Mathematics: Mathematics 3 series
Preparation for the Major: Life Science Core Curriculum: Mathematics: Mathematics 31 series
Students may select Mathematics 31A or 31AL.
Preparation for the Major: Life Science Core Curriculum: Statistics
Select one course from:
| Code | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| LIFESCI 40 | Statistics of Biological Systems | 5 |
| STATS 13 | Introduction to Statistical Methods for Life and Health Sciences | 5 |
Preparation for the Major: Life Science Core Curriculum: Physics
Select one series from:
Preparation for the Major: Life Science Core Curriculum: Physics: Physics 1 series
Preparation for the Major: Life Science Core Curriculum: Physics: Physics 5 series
The Major
Complete the following courses (36 to 44 units) as follows: 4 units of morphology and systematics, 4 units of physiology, 12 units of ecology, behavior, and evolution, 8 to 16 culminating experience units, and 8 units of electives.
The Major: Morphology and Systematics
Select at least four units (one course) from:
The Major: Physiology
Select at least four units (one course) from the following list. Students with credit for Ecology and Evolutionary Biology 170 cannot also take Physiological Science 166.
The Major: Ecology, Behavior, and Evolution
Select at least 12 units (three courses) from the following list. Students with credit for Life Sciences 4 cannot also take course 107. Students with credit for Ecology and Evolutionary Biology 120 cannot also take course 185.
The Major: Culminating Experience Requirement
Select one of the following culminating experience requirement options (8 to 16 units):
The Major: Culminating Experience Requirement: Field Quarter
Complete the Field Biology Quarter (FBQ), Marine Biology Quarter (MBQ), Field Marine Biology Quarter (FMBQ), or pre-approved equivalent (see undergraduate adviser) for up to 16 units.
The Major: Culminating Experience Requirement: Thesis
Complete two quarters of mentored research (Ecology and Evolutionary Biology 198A and 198B) with a full-time department faculty member, producing a senior thesis. Students must formally present their work at Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Research Day or UCLA Undergraduate Research Week.
| Code | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EE BIOL 198A | Honors Research in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology | 4 |
| EE BIOL 198B | Honors Research in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology | 4 |
The Major: Culminating Experience Requirement: Project
Complete one research project-based upper-division ecology and evolutionary biology course to be determined by the undergraduate curriculum committee, combined with at least 4 units of faculty-mentored undergraduate research (Ecology and Evolutionary Biology 199), culminating in a formal paper or report. The 199 units may be completed in one or two quarters. Students must formally present their work at Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Research Day or UCLA Undergraduate Research Week.
| Code | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EE BIOL 199 | Directed Research in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology | 2 to 4 |
The Major: Culminating Experience Requirement: Coursework
Complete three additional upper-division ecology and evolutionary biology courses (minimum 12 units). Students expand their knowledge of the field. Specific course options are determined by the undergraduate curriculum committee through a course plan petition completed and submitted by the student.
The Major: Electives
Select at least 8 units (two courses) from the following options:
The Major: Electives: Anthropology
| Code | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ANTHRO 128P | Primate Behavior Nonhuman to Human | 4 |
The Major: Electives: Chemistry
Upper-division chemistry (except Chemistry 188SA through 199; Chemistry 153A and 153L are strongly recommended).
The Major: Electives: Earth, Planetary, and Space Sciences
Upper-division Earth, planetary, and space sciences (geology only; except Earth, Planetary, and Space Sciences 188 through 199).
The Major: Electives: Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
Upper-division ecology and evolutionary biology (except Ecology and Evolutionary Biology 188SA through 196).
The Major: Electives: Geography
Upper-division geography (except Geography 188SA through 199).
The Major: Electives: Life Sciences
Students with credit for Life Sciences 4 cannot take Life Sciences 107.
| Code | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| LIFESCI 107 | Genetics | 5 |
The Major: Electives: Mathematics
Upper-division mathematics (except Mathematics 105A, 105B, 105C, 106, 188SA through 199).
The Major: Electives: Microbiology
Upper-division microbiology (except Microbiology 193A through 199).
The Major: Electives: Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology
| Code | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MCD BIO 172 | Genomics and Bioinformatics | 5 |
The Major: Electives: Physics
Upper-division physics (except Physics 188SA through 199).
The Major: Electives: Recommended: Taxon-Oriented Courses
Recommended: taxon-oriented courses in ecological, behavioral, and evolutionary processes such as:
| Code | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EE BIOL 111 | Biology of Vertebrates | 5 |
| EE BIOL 112 | Ichthyology | 6 |
| EE BIOL 113A | Herpetology | 4 |
| EE BIOL 113AL | Herpetology Laboratory | 4 |
| EE BIOL 114A | Ornithology | 5 |
| EE BIOL 115 | Mammalogy | 5 |
Field Biology
The department offers three quarter-long programs of advanced courses in field biology: the Field Biology Quarter (FBQ), the Marine Biology Quarter (MBQ), and the joint Field Marine Biology Quarter (FMBQ). These programs focus on the biology of organisms living in their natural environments, emphasize independent student research projects, and take place at field sites away from the UCLA campus. The course composition varies somewhat from year to year, but each program always carries 16 units of course credit. The Field and Marine Biology quarters may occur during fall, winter, or spring quarter, depending on location and faculty participation. To participate, students must enroll in all courses in the respective program. Participants in both programs are selected by personal interview. Information and applications are available in the Undergraduate Advising Office.
Field Biology: Field Biology Quarter (FBQ)
The Field Biology Quarter involves some combination of the following list of courses:
| Code | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EE BIOL 113B | Field Herpetology | 8 |
| EE BIOL 114B | Field Ornithology | 8 |
| EE BIOL 124A | Field Ecology | 4 or 8 |
| EE BIOL 124B | Field Ecology | 4 or 8 |
| EE BIOL C126 | Behavioral Ecology | 4 or 8 |
| EE BIOL 132 | Field Behavioral Ecology | 8 |
| EE BIOL 151B | Field Tropical Ecology | 8 |
Field Biology: Marine Biology Quarter
The Marine Biology Quarter includes some combination of the following list of courses:
| Code | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EE BIOL 102 | Biology of Marine Invertebrates | 4 |
| EE BIOL 106 | Experimental Marine Invertebrate Biology | 4 or 6 |
| EE BIOL 123A | Field Marine Ecology | 4 or 8 |
| EE BIOL 123B | Field Marine Ecology | 4 or 8 |
| EE BIOL 148 | Biology of Marine Plants | 4 |
Honors Program
To be eligible for department honors, students must complete the field quarter, thesis, or project capstone option, and have a cumulative grade-point average (GPA) of 3.5 or better. To qualify for highest honors, students must have a cumulative GPA of 3.7 or better, complete Ecology and Evolutionary Biology 198A and 198B or 199, and receive a faculty recommendation.
Computing Specialization
Majors may select a specialization in Computing by (1) satisfying all the requirements for a bachelor’s degree in the specified major, (2) completing Program in Computing 10A, 10B, 10C, 30, and 60, and (3) completing one course from Computer Science CM186, Psychology 186A, or 186B. A grade of C– or better is required in each course, with a combined grade-point average in the specialization of at least 2.0. Students must petition for admission to the program and are advised to do so after completing Program in Computing 10B (petitions should be filed in the Undergraduate Advising Office). Students graduate with a bachelor’s degree in their major and a specialization in Computing.
Computing Specialization: Program to Computing
Complete the following three courses and Program in Computing 30 and 60:
| Code | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| COMPTNG 10A | Introduction to Programming | 5 |
| COMPTNG 10B | Intermediate Programming | 4 |
| COMPTNG 10C | Advanced Programming | 5 |
Computing Specialization: Additional Course
Select one course from:
Click a course code or title to read the full course description.
Our subject experts help with essays, research papers, case studies, discussion posts, and capstone projects for these programs — written from scratch to your course requirements.
Program and course information is reproduced from each university's published academic catalog for informational purposes and may change. Always confirm current requirements with your university. We are an independent academic support service and are not affiliated with or endorsed by the universities listed.
Expert guides on essay writing, citation styles, study skills, and academic success.
View All Articles
Learn how to write a good research question for a paper. Narrow your topic, identify a research problem, and create a focused question with practical examples.
Learn how to choose a research topic you can actually research. Discover how to narrow broad ideas, find reliable sources, and develop a focused research question.
Learn how to cite sources in a research paper using APA, MLA, and Chicago styles, with in-text citation examples and reference-list tips.