The Environmental Biosciences Track provides the essential skills for
entry-level positions that require a good knowledge of biotic systems
and the ability to inventory biologic resources. This track aims to produce
scientists capable of tackling environmental problems in which links/interactions
with life sciences are crucial and a greater knowledge of biological/ecological
sciences is required. It also lays a strong foundation for graduate
or professional training in disciplines such as ecology, wildlife management,
and natural resource management. Students must complete at least 33 s.h. of Environmental
Biosciences Track course work, including one 4 s.h. field course at
Iowa Lakeside Laboratory.
General Sciences
004:121 Organic Chemistry I 3 s.h.
Students are encouraged to take at least one semester of physics.
Environmental Biosciences Foundation
002:128 Fundamental Genetics 4 s.h.
002:131 Evolution 4 s.h.
At least 7 semester hours from these:
002:100 Plant Diversity and Evolution 4 s.h.
002:103 (044:103) Biogeography 3 s.h.
002:108 Vertebrate Zoology 4 s.h.
002:113 Ecological Plant Anatomy 4 s.h.
012:107 Marine Ecosystems and Conservation 3 s.h.
012:122 Evolution of the Vertebrates 3 s.h.
012:144 Phylogenetics and Biodiversity 3 s.h.
012:170 Evolution of Ecosystems 3 s.h.
00L:105 Plant Taxonomy 4 s.h.
00L:115 Field Mycology 4 s.h.
00L:117 Ecology and Systematics of Diatoms 4 s.h.
00L:128 Fish Ecology 4 s.h.
00L:129 Vertebrate Ecology and Evolution 4 s.h.
Environmental Biosciences Field Study
159:195 Field Ecology 3 s.h.
OR one of these Iowa Lakeside Laboratory courses:
00L:103 Aquatic Ecology 4 s.h.
00L:105 Plant Taxonomy 4 s.h.
00L:109 Freshwater Algae 4 s.h.
00L:115 Field Mycology 4 s.h.
00L:117 Ecology and Systematics of Diatoms 4 s.h.
00L:121 Plant Ecology 4 s.h.
00L:122 Prairie Ecology 4 s.h.
00L:126 Ornithology 4 s.h.
00L:128 Fish Ecology 4 s.h.
00L:129 Vertebrate Ecology and Evolution 4 s.h.
00L:144 Ecosystems of North America 4 s.h.
00L:160 Restoration Ecology 4 s.h.
00L:163 Conservation Biology 4 s.h.
Iowa Lakeside Laboratory
is located in northwestern Iowa on Lake Okoboji. It offers unique
summer educational opportunities, including the courses listed above. Information on Lakeside Lab courses
is on ISIS, but registration is handled separately via the Lakeside Lab website
(
https://www.continuetolearn.uiowa.edu/lakesidelab/registration-form.html). Note that you need to
register for Lakeside Lab courses before mid-April (registration begins in January). If you have a
GPA of at least 2.5, you also should apply for a scholarship to cover the cost of room and board
(
https://www.continuetolearn.uiowa.edu/lakesidelab/ustudents/scholarships.html).
Environmental Biosciences Electives
The minimum requirement is 11 s.h., with at least 7 s.h. from the following list.
A Lakeside Laboratory field study course (see Environmental Biosciences Field Study above) may be used
for 4 s.h. of the 11 s.h. of elective course work:
002:124 Animal Physiology 3 s.h.
002:143 Animal Behavior 4 s.h.
002:196 Honors Investigations arr.
002:199 Introduction to Research arr.
004:111 Analytical Chemistry I 3 s.h.
004:112 Analytical Chemistry II 3 s.h.
*06E:133 Environmental and Natural Resource Economics 3 s.h.
012:108 Introduction to Oceanography 2 s.h.
012:121 Principles of Paleontology 3 s.h.
*044:019 Contemporary Environmental Issues 3 s.h.
*044:088 Environmental Conservation 3 s.h.
044:123 Landscape Ecology 3 s.h.
*044:125 Environmental Impact Analysis 4 s.h.
044:126 Wetlands: Function, Geography, and Management 3 s.h.
*044:179 Ecosystem Services: Human Dependence on Natural Systems 3 s.h.
053:050 Natural Environmental Systems 3 s.h.
053:154 Environmental Microbiology 3 s.h.
213:152 Primate Conservation Biology 3 s.h.
22S:148 Intermediate Statistical Methods 3 s.h.
* Only one policy course may be included in the 11 s.h.
Students may petition their Environmental
Science advisor to use other appropriate 100- and 200-level courses
as electives.
