Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
Bachelor of Arts
Quick Facts
Top 3%
Online Bachelor's
Program in the Nation
- U.S. News & World Report, 2025
TOP 25
Public Flagship
University
- U.S. News & World Report, 2024
The Bachelor of Arts in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology builds the foundational scientific knowledge necessary to excel in this interdisciplinary field and related fields.
This BA program prepares you to succeed in various professions requiring scientific knowledge or STEM skills. Graduates of the program advance in careers such as conservation and natural resource management, teaching and outreach, environmental policy, public health administration, and science communication.
The curriculum for this program includes core courses in genetics, ecology, and evolution. Elective course options include organismal diversity and evolution, animal behavior, community and ecosystem ecology, and ecological and evolutionary theory, among other topics.
The BA in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology is offered by a top-ranked program renowned for groundbreaking scientific discoveries and a long tradition of involving students in leading-edge research.
A minor is required for this program. You may choose to complete any minor in order to reach the 120 total units (including 42 upper division units) required for this program.
*Residents of some U.S. Territories may not be eligible. Please see our Eligibility & State Authorization page for more information.
The core curriculum for this program includes:
Explore fundamental ecology and evolutionary biology concepts through activities and experimentation. Apply the scientific method and study how organisms interact and change over time to adapt to their environments.
Learn about the origin, diversity, and evolution of life. In this course, you will also focus on the physiology of plants, animals, and organ systems. Explore the processes of microevolution and macroevolution, animal behavior, and ecology of populations, and communities emphasizing biotic interactions and biogeography.
Learn fundamental ecological principles, formulate and test ecological hypotheses, conduct basic ecological observations and experiments, and interpret and evaluate ecological data.
Examine the basic genetic principles that govern the inheritance of all living organisms, with an emphasis on molecular, quantitative, population, and evolutionary genetics.
Examine the basic processes and patterns of evolution, including major evolutionary transitions in individuality, natural selection and mechanisms of evolution, the genetic analysis of evolutionary change and adaptation, species and speciation, phylogenetics, and the integration of evolution and development.
Perform laboratory exercises that present techniques and fundamental principles of modern biology.
Learn the fundamental principles of molecular and cellular biology and basic genetics. In this course, there is an emphasis on biological function at the molecular level.
Outcomes
Skills
Earning your Bachelor of Arts in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology will build core skills, including:
- Analytical thinking
- Collaboration
- Communication
- Community engagement
- Critical thinking
- Data analysis
- Information literacy
- Political advocacy
- Problem solving
- Research ethics
- Technical writing
Potential Career Paths
Graduates of the BA in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology program will be prepared to pursue the following careers:
