The Ecology, Behavior, and Evolution major is appropriate for students preparing for graduate study in ecology, behavior, and evolution or for employment in areas such as environmental biology, animal behavior, conservation, teaching, museum work, and governmental positions dealing with environmental issues of wide importance and impact. A strong field component involving study in terrestrial and marine locales such as coastal, desert, and mountain environments in California and the Southwest and in the Neotropics is required.
 

Capstone Major

The Ecology, Behavior, and Evolution major is a designated capstone major. Students apply theory and techniques learned through four years of classroom and laboratory experience to their own independent projects. The main purpose of the capstone is to provide a unique field experience that involves designing and executing a research project. Students are aided in the scientific process of learning about a new ecosystem, developing relevant questions, designing conceptually based projects, troubleshooting and completing the work, and writing a publication-ready manuscript. They are also expected to exhibit strong teamwork, problem-solving, and communication skills. 

Mga Resulta ng Pagkatuto

1. Demonstrated broad knowledge of fundamentals of ecology, behavior, and evolution, or marine biology acquired through coursework

2. Development of skills in library research, data interpretation, synthesis, and scientific writing

3. Use of current primary scientific literature, including database searches, identification of appropriate sources, and reading and understanding papers

4. Understanding of key questions and hypotheses, interpretation of results and conclusions, and discrimination of quality through critique

5. Use of knowledge gained for conception and execution of student project that includes self-developed questions and hypotheses, design of appropriate theoretical or empirical/experimental approach, execution of that approach, and analysis and interpretation of data

6. Communication of original scientific work to colleagues and mentors through capstone scientific paper

7. Demonstrated communication skills through oral or poster presentation at a symposium

8. Display of strong teamwork and problem-solving skills