Majors and Minors

The department's majors and minors provide students with a strong foundation in evolution, ecology, biodiversity, and marine science. Students are prepared for careers in research, conservation, environmental science, healthcare, education, and other life science fields, while also building an excellent foundation for graduate and professional study.

Majors

Evolution, Ecology and Biodiversity

Explore how plants, animals and microbes adapt to the environment and to each other and learn to predict whether populations of interacting organisms will persist over time or become extinct. You will learn about the diversity of life on Earth, including diversity in genes, physiology, shapes, sizes and behaviors. You will learn about how this diversity emerged, as plants, animals, and microbes become adapted to the environment and understand fundamental concepts that unify the biological sciences and form the foundation for efforts in the conservation and protection of the earth’s biodiversity.

Major Requirements - B.S.

Major Requirements - B.A.

Sample 4-Year Plan

B.S.

B.A.

Marine and Coastal Science - Marine Ecology and Organismal Biology

Discover the foundational disciplines within marine science, including biology, chemistry, geology and physics and explore issues facing marine and coastal environments. The major in Marine and Coastal Science focuses on the interdisciplinary nature of marine sciences by exposing students to core, breadth, and focus area courses in the discipline, in addition to a strong foundation of science preparatory material. The major builds upon existing strengths at UC Davis in marine and coastal sciences as well as field-based courses offered at Bodega Marine Laboratory to provide students a unique, interdisciplinary, “hands on” education.

Major Requirements - B.S.

Sample 4-Year Plan

B.S.

Minors

Evolution, Ecology and Biodiversity

Learn about the diversity of life on Earth, including diversity in genes, physiology, shapes, sizes, and behaviors. You will learn about how this diversity emerged, as plants, animals, and microbes became adapted to the environment and to each other. And you will learn to predict whether populations of interacting organisms will persist over time. Students majoring in Evolution, Ecology and Biodiversity cannot pursue the Evolution, Ecology and Biodiversity minor.

Minor Requirements

Course Material and Service Fees

Deciding between a B.S. and a B.A.?

A Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree typically emphasizes a deeper focus on science and math, with more specialized coursework in technical or research areas. In contrast, a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree allows for greater flexibility, often incorporating a broader range of liberal arts courses, making it ideal for students who want to combine scientific study with other disciplines or pursue diverse career paths. Both degrees provide valuable foundations but cater to different academic and professional goals.

Majors and Course Policies

PTA (Permission to Add):
No course will be enrolled above the enrollment cap as determined by the department and registrar. All large enrollment courses with a waiting list will be enrolled as the seats open within the 10-day drop window and before the last day to add on the 12th day of instruction. Do not contact your instructor for a PTA. It is department policy NOT to give out PTAs for courses with a wait list or to add after the 12th day of instruction.
Drop deadlines:
Upper division courses will have a 10-day drop deadline. We encourage students to evaluate course sections based on their schedule, graduation plans (Please consult with your BASC advisor).
PTD (Permission to Drop)
Students should review the relevant policies and guidelines and work with their advisors in BASC to submit a PTD through OASIS.

Full PTA Policies