Biology: Organismal, Ecological, and Evolutionary Biology
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Organismal, Ecological, & Evolutionary Biology (BS) Degree Map
Explore the courses you'll need to complete your degree.
Outcomes & Careers
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$88k
Microbiologist
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual salary for a microbiologist is $88,950.
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$95k
Biological Scientist
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual salary for a biological scientist is $95,920.
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$87k
Environmental Scientist
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual salary for an environmental scientist and geoscientist is $87,480.
The Organismal, Ecological, and Evolutionary biology curriculum includes coursework to prepare you for career paths in research, education, public policy and ecology, and evolutionary biology. You’ll complete a minimum of 120 credit hours to complete this degree, including the general education requirements and at least 39 senior division hours.
A minimum 2.0 GPA in the major and overall are required to graduate with a B.S. in Organismal, Ecological, and Evolutionary Biology. “Critical Courses” are italicized and bolded. Data shows that students who have completed this course in the first two years and have earned the noted grade are most likely to complete this program of study.
Required Courses:
- BI163 Evolution & Ecology (4)
- BI173 Cell & Organismal Biology (4)
- BI283 Genetics (4)
- BI389 Career Development in Biology (2)
- CH184 General Chemistry I Lab (1)
- CH185 General Chemistry I (3)
Choose one math course:
- MA116 Precalculus A (3)
- MA137 Precalculus (5)
- MA139 Applied Calculus (3)
- MA140 Analytical Geometry & Calculus I (5)
Choose one additional math course:
- MAxxx Additional math (for which MA116 is a prerequisite) (3)
- MA155 Statistical Reasoning (3)
Experiential Learning Requirement (2 hours):
- BI551-553 Biology Field Studies (2)
- BI563-565 Experience in Museum Curation (1-3)
- BI570 Development of Instructional Materials (1)
- BI582 Internship in Biology (1-3)
Organismal, Ecological, & Evolutionary Option Required Courses:
- BI300 Introduction to Evolutionary Biology (3)
- BI332 General Ecology (3)
- BI438 Biogeography (3)
- BO310 Plant Biology (4)
- ZO310 Zoology (4)
Biology Electives (7 Hours):
- Any BI, BO, ZO, BT courses, 300 level and above (7)
- Social and Behavioral Sciences – 6 hours
- Constitution Requirement – 3 hours
- Written Communication – 6 hours
- Oral Communication – 3 hours
- Natural Sciences – 7 hours (from two disciplines, one to include a lab)
- Mathematics – 3 hours
- Humanities & Fine Arts – 9 hours (from at least two disciplines)
- Additional requirements – 5 hours (to include UI100 for native students)
- Civics examination
Freshman Year
Fall Semester (15-17 Hours)
- UI100 (1)
- BI163 (4)
- CH184/185 (4)
- MA116/137/139/140 (3-5)
- General Education (3)
Spring Semester (16 Hours)
- BI173 (4)
- EN100 (3)
- Additional Math (3)
- General Education (3)
- General Education (3)
Milestone: achieve a target cumulative GPA of 3.0
Sophomore Year
Fall Semester (16 Hours)
- BI283 (4)
- General Education (3)
- General Education (3)
- General Education (3)
- Elective (3)
Spring Semester (16 Hours)
- BI332 (3)
- BO310 (4)
- General Education (3)
- General Education (3)
- General Education (3)
Milestone: achieve a target cumulative GPA of 3.0
Junior Year
Fall Semester (15 Hours)
- BI389 (2)
- ZO310/010 (4)
- Biology elective (3)
- Elective (3)
- Elective (3)
Spring Semester (15 Hours)
- BI300 (3)
- Biology elective (4)
- Elective (3)
- Elective (3)
- Elective (2)
Milestone: achieve a target cumulative GPA of 3.0
Senior Year
Fall Semester (14 Hours)
- Experiential Learning Course (2)
- Elective (3)
- Elective (3)
- Elective (3)
- Elective (3)
Spring Semester (13 Hours)
- BI438 (3)
- Elective (3)
- Elective (4)
- Elective (3)
Milestone: achieve a target cumulative GPA of 3.0
A “Milestone” signifies a significant stage for a student in the completion of a degree.
What will it cost?
Become a Redhawk.
Do more than dream about the future. Take the first steps to make it all happen.
Hands-on Learning
You’ll gain hands-on real-world experience through required 80 hours outside the classroom, gaining experience conducting, presenting, and publishing research.
Alumna
"I’ve been going to the Saint Louis Zoo since I was a little kid, and the Primate House was my favorite part to go to every time. When I decided on my major and found out I needed an internship, the Saint Louis Zoo was the first place I thought of. I get to learn all about the species that they care for in the Primate House and how different each of them are. I am seeing how zoos work and how much they do for the animals and the conservation work of animals all around the world."
Emma Ahern
Getting the Job
Your education is just one piece to launching an extraordinary career. Once you’ve mastered the material, you still have to find the job you want, make the right connections, sell your knowledge and experience—and if all this is giving you anxiety, don’t panic. SEMO’s Career Services office is here to help you with the next step. They’ll provide the expertise and support you need, so you’re landing your dream job in no time.
Happening in Biology
The Will to Do
Cape Girardeau, Missouri 63701