X. Degree Programs

Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.)

Ecology (ECOL)

Department of Integrative Biology, College of Biological Science

The program provides a solid foundation in the principles of ecology, and further training in both pure and applied aspects of ecology. After the fourth semester, the student may choose to enter one (1) of three (3) areas of emphasis, or to design a course package that meets his/her own specific ecological interests (General Ecology). The program offers preparation for careers in conservation, resource management, ecological consulting, or nature interpretation; or for graduate training and research in fundamental ecology and evolutionary biology. This major qualifies students for post-graduate work in the environmental sciences, and provides a sound science background for students wishing to pursue careers in teaching, government service or the private sector.

Major (Honours Program)

Students may enter this major in Semester 1 or any semester thereafter. A student wishing to declare the major must consult the Faculty Advisor. A minimum total of 20.00 credits is required to complete the major.

Semester 1
BIOL*1030 [0.50] Biology I
CHEM*1040 [0.50] General Chemistry I
MATH*1080 [0.50] Elements of Calculus I
PHYS*1070 [0.50] Introductory Physics for Life Sciences
0.50 Arts or Social Science electives
Students who are admitted deficient in one OAC/4U course in Biology, Chemistry or Physics must take the equivalent introductory course in first semester. The first-year science core in that subject should be completed by the end of Semester 3.
Semester 2
BIOL*1040 [0.50] Biology II
CHEM*1050 [0.50] General Chemistry II
PHYS*1080 [0.50] Physics for Life Sciences
One of:
CIS*1200 [0.50] Introduction to Computing
CIS*1500 [0.50] Introduction to Programming
0.50 Arts or Social Science electives
Semester 3
MCB*2210 [0.50] Introductory Cell Biology
STAT*2040 [0.50] Statistics I
One of:
GEOG*1300 [0.50] Introduction to the Biophysical Environment
GEOL*1050 [0.50] Geology and the Environment
1.00 electives*
Semester 4
BIOC*2580 [0.50] Introductory Biochemistry
BIOL*3110 [0.50] Population Ecology
MBG*2000 [0.50] Introductory Genetics
One of:
BIOL*2250 [0.50] Biostatistics and the Life Sciences
STAT*2050 [0.50] Statistics II
0.50 electives*
Semester 5
BIOL*3010 [0.50] Laboratory and Field Work in Ecology
One of:
BOT*2100 [0.50] Life Strategies of Plants
ZOO*3200 [0.50] Comparative Animal Physiology I
One of:
BIOL*3020 [0.50] Population Genetics
BIOL*3400 [0.50] Evolution
1.00 electives
Semester 6
BIOL*3120 [0.50] Community Ecology
2.00 electives
Semester 7
BIOL*4110 [0.75] Ecological Methods
1.75 electives
Semester 8
BIOL*4120 [0.50] Evolutionary Ecology
2.00 electives

* Restricted Electives

One of:
ZOO*2090 [0.50] Vertebrate Structure and Function
ZOO*2700 [0.50] Invertebrate Morphology & Evolution

Areas of Emphasis

General Ecology (GECO)

A minimum of 3.00 credits from the area-of-emphasis-specific credits, plus 1.50 additional science credits. Of the 4.50 credits, at least 3.50 must be at the 3000 or 4000 level.

Experimental Ecology (EECO)
ZOO*4070 [0.50] Animal Behaviour
ZOO*4170 [0.50] Experimental Comparative Animal Physiology
0.75 credits from:
BIOL*4410 [0.75] Field Ecology
BIOL*4600 [0.75] Tropical Ecology
BIOL*4610 [0.75] Arctic Ecology
BIOL*4700 [0.50] Field Biology
BIOL*4710 [0.25] Field Biology
BIOL*4800 [0.50] Field Biology
BIOL*4810 [0.25] Field Biology
IBIO*4500 [0.75] Research in Integrative Biology I
One of the following not already successfully completed in Semester 6:
BIOL*3020 [0.50] Population Genetics
BIOL*3400 [0.50] Evolution
1.75 additional science credits, at least 1.50 of which are at the 3000 or 4000 level
Interpretive Ecology (IE)
ENVB*3000 [0.50] Nature Interpretation
ZOO*4070 [0.50] Animal Behaviour
ZOO*4910 [0.50] Integrative Vertebrate Biology
0.75 credits from:
BIOL*4410 [0.75] Field Ecology
BIOL*4600 [0.75] Tropical Ecology
BIOL*4610 [0.75] Arctic Ecology
BIOL*4700 [0.50] Field Biology
BIOL*4710 [0.25] Field Biology
BIOL*4800 [0.50] Field Biology
BIOL*4810 [0.25] Field Biology
At least 0.75 additional science credits at the 3000 or 4000 level
One of:
BIOL*3050 [0.50] Mycology
BOT*3710 [0.50] Plant Diversity and Evolution
One of:
ZOO*4920 [0.25] Lab Studies in Ornithology
ZOO*4930 [0.25] Lab Studies in Ichthyology
ZOO*4940 [0.25] Lab Studies in Herpetology
ZOO*4950 [0.25] Lab Studies in Mammalogy
One of:
BIOL*3450 [0.50] Introduction to Aquatic Environments
ENVB*3090 [0.50] Insect Diversity and Biology
Recommended:
CHEM*3360 [0.50] Environmental Chemistry and Toxicology
ENVB*3040 [0.50] Natural Chemicals in the Environment
ENVB*4040 [0.50] Behaviour of Insects
MICR*4140 [0.50] Soil Microbiology and Biotechnology
Resource Conservation (RC)
AGEC*2700 [0.50] Survey of Natural Resource Economics
BIOL*3130 [0.50] Conservation Biology
BIOL*4040 [0.50] Natural Resources Policy
ECON*1050 [0.50] Introductory Microeconomics

2.50 additional science credits, at least 1.50 of which are at the 3000 or 4000 level

Recommended:

BIOL*4060 [0.50] Restoration Ecology
BIOL*4150 [0.50] Wildlife Conservation and Management
ECON*2100 [0.50] Economic Growth and Environmental Quality
ENVB*2030 [0.50] Current Issues in Forest Science
ENVB*4780 [0.50] Forest Ecology
ENVS*3320 [0.50] Principles of Landscape Ecology

Minor (Honours Program)

A minimum of 5.00 credits is required to completed the minor, which must include:

BIOL*3010 [0.50] Laboratory and Field Work in Ecology
BIOL*3110 [0.50] Population Ecology
BIOL*3120 [0.50] Community Ecology
BIOL*4110 [0.75] Ecological Methods
BIOL*4120 [0.50] Evolutionary Ecology
One of:
BIOL*3020 [0.50] Population Genetics
BIOL*3400 [0.50] Evolution
One of:
BOT*2100 [0.50] Life Strategies of Plants
ZOO*2090 [0.50] Vertebrate Structure and Function
One of:
GEOG*1220 [0.50] Human Impact on the Environment
GEOG*1300 [0.50] Introduction to the Biophysical Environment
GEOL*1050 [0.50] Geology and the Environment
0.75 credits chosen in consultation with the faculty advisor
University of Guelph
50 Stone Road East
Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1

Canada
519-824-4120