We seek to educated the next generation of environmental scientists and environmental citizens by expanding our course offerings and by increasing hands-on, local, and applied learning opportunities.
Even as they strive to further enhance research, the EEB faculty has a deep commitment to students. They share a love of the natural world that inspires their teaching. The Department offers unique experiences in field courses that study biodiversity in the Big Thicket, coral reefs and global change in Belize, and bird migration in our coastal marshes. Students at all levels share in the research in EEB laboratories, and many undergraduates publish work in top journals. Faculty in EEB understands cooperation and how both faculty and students benefit from being part of a team.
The Departments of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and Biochemistry and Cell Biologyoffer a broad range of courses in the biosciences: animal behavior, animal biology, biochemistry, biophysics, cell biology, developmental biology, ecology, endocrinology, evolutionary biology, genetics, immunology, microbiology, molecular biology, neurobiology plant biology, and advanced courses in these and related areas. Students may elect a:
- BA in Biochemistry and Cell Biology
- BA in Biological Sciences
- BS in Biochemistry and Cell Biology
- BS in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
MathematicsMATH 101/102 Single Variable Calculus I and II ChemistryCHEM 121/122 General Chemistry with Laboratory PhysicsPHYS 125/126 General Physics I and II BiosciencesBIOS 201/202 Introductory Biology 1 Group B BIOS course |
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Math 111 and 112 may be substituted for Math 101; Chem 151 and 152 may be substituted for Chem 121 and 122; Phys 101 and 102 or Phys 111 and 112 and their labs may be substituted for Phys 125 and 126. See listings in the Courses of Instruction for Group A and B designations. No course may be counted more than once toward any of the major requirements.
One of the advanced laboratory course requirements can be satisfied by taking any of the following: (i) BIOS 310 if taken for at least two credits; or (ii) Hons 470/471, if the research supervisor is from one of the biosciences departments or if the research is biological in nature and preapproved by the student's advisor; (iii) BIOS 412; or (iv) BIOS 393.
It is recommended that the 100-level mathematics and chemistry courses be taken in the freshman year; that the 100-level physics courses and the 200- level biosciences courses be taken in either the freshman or sophomore year; and that Chem 211, 212, 215 be taken in the sophomore year. Those with a limited background in chemistry should complete Chem 121, 122 before taking BIOS 201, 202. Others are urged to take BIOS 201, 202 as freshmen to permit earlier access to advanced level BIOS courses. Phys 125 and 126 are the preferred physics courses for biosciences majors. However, Phys 101 and 102 or Phys 111 and 112 and their labs may be taken instead by those wishing to preserve the option of majoring in a subject for which Phys 101 and 102 are required.
Note that BIOS 311 is a prerequisite for BIOS 312, 313, 314, 315, and 318. This prerequisite will be strictly enforced, and majors in Biological Sciences whose interests are primarily in cell and molecular biology, are advised to take BIOS 311 as early as possible to allow for scheduling subsequent lab modules. An undergraduate major in biosciences must have 48 semester hours in courses numbered 300 or higher to obtain a BA or BS degree. Students also must complete no fewer than 60 semester hours outside the departmental requirements. These must include the courses needed to satisfy the university distribution requirements.
DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
BA in Biological Sciences
In addition to the core courses that are required of all biosciences majors, BA majors within this option must take:
- Math 211, Math 213, Stat 305, or BIOS 338
- 1 of the following advanced lab courses: Bios 311, 312, 313, 314, 315, 316, 317, 318, 319, 320 (BIOE 342),327, 330, 337, 393, 530, 533, or 535
- 1 of the following Group A courses: BIOS 302, 341, 344, 352
- 1 additional Group A course
- 2 Group B courses
- 1 additional Group A or Group B course
Only 1 of the courses used to satisfy these Group A and Group B requirements may be BIOS 401, 402, 403, or 404. NEUR 511/512 may be substituted for 1 Group A course. CHEM 311/312 may be substitued for BIOS 352. Students may receive credit toward the major for a maximum of 3 credits of BIOS 390 and 3 credits of BIOS 391. Students desiring to specialize in ecology and evolutionary biology can choose a Group B course for the Group A or B course and their advanced lab can be BIOS 316, 317, 319, 327, 330, 337, or 393.
BS in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
In addition to the core courses required of all biosciences majors, BS majors must also take:
- Math 211, Math 213, Stat 305, or BIOS 338
- 1 of the following advanced laboratory courses: Bios 316, 317, 319, 327, 330, 337, 393 Biosciences 111
- 1 Group A biosciences course
- Bios 403 and Bios 404
- 2 additional Group B biosciences courses
- 1 additional biosciences course from Group A or B
NEUR 511 and 512 may be substituted for 1 Group A course. Students may receive credit toward the major for a maximum of 3 credits of BIOS 390 and 3 credits of BIOS 391.
The Bachelor of Science Degree offered by the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at Rice University requires that prospective students take BIOS 403 and BIOS 404 (Honors Research), in the Fall and Spring semesters of their senior year. The research performed in BIOS 403/404 will culminate in a senior thesis. Often students will have begun research considerably before their senior year in Bios 310 or as research assistants. In any case, students must contact and be accepted by an advisor no later than the Spring of their junior year. A completed Application for Research and B.S. Degree in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology form, must be turned in to the administrative office of the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, 130 Anderson Biology Labs.