1. TRANSFER STUDENT ORIENTATION
Ecology & Evolutionary Biology

2. WELCOME TO ECOLOGY & EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY!
A little about our department:
We focus on guiding our undergraduates to discover the nature and principles underlying ecological and evolutionary processes, the origin and maintenance of biodiversity, and the diversity and dynamics of the world’s natural systems. Our focus is broad, spanning levels of organization from molecular genetics and organismal function as they relate to evolution and ecology, from population and community ecology to biological diversity, phylogeny and macroevolution.
The EEB Department has three majors: Biology, Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, and Bioinformatics. Through this information session, you will learn more about how to earn a degree through our department: which classes to take, how to be successful in your classes, and how to get involved in science at the University of Arizona.

3. Please follow the link below to schedule an appointment.
MEET YOUR ADVISORS Your academic advisors can help you with everything from course planning to career goals to general questions about the U of A.
Sarah Kortessis
Meredith Larrabee
You are required to meet with an academic advisor after you view this presentation and complete the online quiz.
Please follow the link below to schedule an appointment.
EEB Advising Office Hours
Meetings by appointment only (30 minute appointments):
Monday/Tuesday/Thursday/Friday, 9-12 and 1-4:30pm
Walk-in advising (limited to 10 minutes): Wednesday from 9-12 and 1-4
Schedule your appointment online here:

4. PURPOSE OF ONLINE ORIENTATION
After reviewing this slideshow, you’ll be more familiar with:
The EEB Department
Your Major & Requirements
UA Campus Resources

5. HOW TO GET A UA DEGREE
In order to earn a degree from the University of Arizona, you must meet each of these requirements:
120 TOTAL UNITS
This includes all transfer units and test credits that have been accepted by the UA as well as all units taken at the UA.
56 UNIVERSITY UNITS
This includes all units taken at a 4-year University, UA or otherwise. This does not include units taken at a community college.
42 UPPER DIVISION UNITS
This includes all units earned from 300-level and 400-level courses. Upper-division units are typically not offered at community colleges.
ALL MAJOR REQUIREMENTS
This includes everything required by the EEB department. Meeting major requirements does not ensure you’ll meet the requirements listed above.
It is your responsibility to ensure you meet these requirements by the time you graduate! Please consult your academic advisor if you have any questions about how to meet these requirements.

6. EEB BIOLOGY WHAT’S MY MAJOR?
The Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology houses three majors: Ecology & Evolutionary Biology (EEB), Biology, and Bioinformatics.
EEB
Focuses on biological systems across all levels, from genetics through global ecosystems
Education in the following areas:
Genetics
Organismal biology
Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior
Geared toward students who wish to pursue graduate study or a career in ecology, evolution, or a related field
High focus on research
BIOLOGY
Offers broad training in biological systems from molecules and cells, through organisms and communities
Education in the following areas:
Genetics
Cell and molecular biology
Organismal biology
Physiology
Prepares students for graduate studies, professional programs, or a career in life sciences

7. BIOINFORMATICS WHAT’S MY MAJOR?
The Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology houses three majors: Ecology & Evolutionary Biology (EEB), Biology, and Bioinformatics.
BIOINFORMATICS
Interdisciplinary study at the intersection of Biology and Computer Science
Applies computational techniques to manage, analyze, and understand biological information
Provides students with the biological knowledge and computational skills to leverage the large variety of biological data currently being generated
Four tracks available:
Ecology & Evolutionary Biology
Molecular and Cellular Biology
Systems Biology
Computer Science

8. Broad biological education in the following areas:
WHAT’S MY MAJOR?
The Biology major is further broken down into a General track and a Biomedical Sciences track.
BIOLOGY - GENERAL
Broad biological education in the following areas:
Physiology
Cellular and molecular biology
Genetics
Organismal biology
Ecology, evolution, and behavior
BIOLOGY - BIOMEDICAL
Fulfills all pre-requisites for most health professional schools
Broad biological education in the following areas:
Physiology
Cellular and molecular biology
Genetics
Organismal biology
Science and Society

9. OVERVIEW OF DEGREE COMPONENTS
The next several slides offer an overview of the courses required for each of our degrees. We will review which requirements you’ve completed when you come in for advising, but you can use this guide to determine approximately how far along you are as well as which major may be most interesting to you.

10. OVERVIEW OF DEGREE COMPONENTS
English Requirement: ENGL 101 & 102 or ENGL 109H
Foreign language requirement: 2nd Semester Proficiency in Second Language (4th semester for BA)
General Education “Gen Eds” class requirements:
2 Tier I Individuals & Societies “150”
2 Tier I Traditions & Cultures “160”
1 Tier II Arts
1 Tier II Humanities
1 Tier II Individuals & Societies
(7 total gen ed classes)
**All English and General Education requirements are fulfilled with completion of an AGEC at an Arizona Community College.

11. OVERVIEW OF DEGREE COMPONENTS: Foundation Math & Science
BIOLOGY & EEB BS
CHEM 151- General Chemistry I
CHEM 152- General Chemistry II
CHEM 241a/243a- Organic Chemistry I
CHEM 241b/243b- Organic Chemistry II
PHYS 102/181- Introductory Physics I
PHYS 103/182- Introductory Physics II
MATH 122a/b or 125- Calculus I
MATH 129- Calculus II
or MATH 263- Biostatistics
ECOL 230 or 249 or 280
EEB ONLY
Additional Physical Science Course
BIOINFORMATICS BS
CHEM 151- General Chemistry I
CHEM 152- General Chemistry II
CHEM 241a/243a- Organic Chemistry I
CHEM 241b/243b- Organic Chemistry II
MCB 181R/181L Introductory Biology I
ECOL 182R/182L Introductory Biology II
MATH 122a/b or 125- Calculus I
MATH 129- Calculus II
CSC 127A Intro to Computer Science
CSC 127B Intro to Computer Science
BA does not require organic chemistry, physics lab, calculus 2

12. OVERVIEW OF DEGREE COMPONENTS:
Major Core Courses
BIOLOGY & EEB BS
MCB 181 R/L- Introductory Biology I
ECOL 182 R/L- Introductory Biology II
ECOL 302- Ecology
ECOL 320- Genetics
ECOL 335- Evolutionary Biology
BIOINFORMATICS BS
ECOL 296B- Seminar in Bioinformatics
ECOL 346- Bioinformatics
CSC 245- Intro to Discrete Structures
CSC 250- Essential Computing for the Sciences
CSC 345- Analysis of Discrete Structures
BA does not require both ECOL 302 and 335, student choice.

13. OVERVIEW OF DEGREE COMPONENTS: Upper Division Elective Courses
The Biology and EEB majors each require a certain number of biology-related elective courses, outlined in the following slides. Electives can be found at the following link on our website:

14. OVERVIEW OF DEGREE COMPONENTS: Biology Upper Division Elective Courses
BIOMEDICAL
BIOC 384- Biochemistry
8 units Physiology (OR PSIO 201 & 202)
3 units Genetics
3 units Cellular/Molecular Biology
1 course Microorganismal Biology
1 course Macroorganismal Biology
2 courses Science & Society
GENERAL
BIOC 384- Biochemistry
3 units Physiology
3 units Genetics
3 units Cellular/Molecular Biology
8 units Organismal Biology
3 units Ecology, Evolution & Behavior
Change slide!!
Biomedical: Designed specifically for students who plan to enter medical or professional school. Includes more physiology electives, as well as courses in Darwinian medicine and medical ethics
Organismal: Geared toward students who wish to sample multiple areas of biology with a potential interest in future graduate study. Includes more courses in organismal biology and ecology & evolutionary biology.
BioInformatics: A new BioInformatics degree will be available for student next Fall. The courses will include EEB core courses, electives, and a heavy emphasis on computer science.

15. OVERVIEW OF DEGREE COMPONENTS: EEB Upper Division Elective Courses
BS DEGREE
3 units Genetics OR
Cellular/Molecular Biology
8 units Organismal Biology
12 units Ecology, Evolution & Behavior
3 units Independent Study, Capstone or Internship
BA DEGREE
8 units Organismal Biology
8 units Ecology, Evolution & Behavior

16. OVERVIEW OF DEGREE COMPONENTS:
Bioinformatics Upper Division Elective Courses
The Bioinformatics major is split into 4 tracks. Each track requires a different set of 7-8 required courses and 1-2 upper-division electives. Your advisor will go over this with you in more detail when you come in to meet in person.

17. PLACEMENT TESTS
All students will be prompted to take the following placement exams in the Next Steps Center, but not all students need to take every exam. Please read through these instructions to find out which placement tests you are required to take.
If the following applies to you, you must take the
MATH PLACEMENT TEST:
You have not yet taken math at a college level,
OR you have only taken math courses BELOW college algebra,
OR you haven’t taken math in more than a year
If the following applies to you, you must take the
LANGUAGE PLACEMENT TEST:
You have not yet taken a second language at a college level
AND you have background in a second language,
OR you want to take Spanish and have not taken any Spanish at a college level
If you have any questions about which exams to take, please ask your Academic Advisor!

18. TRANSFER COURSE EVALUATION
You can view your courses that have been transferred to the U of A by logging into UAccess Student at
All courses listed as “Posted” have been accepted as transfer credits.
The next step is to have them designated as equivalent to UA Courses.
This is done automatically for many courses taken within Arizona.
For out-of-state courses or courses from private colleges, course information must be submitted to each individual department.

19. TRANSFER COURSE EVALUATION
For courses that have already been evaluated, the column marked “Equivalent Course” should read as a specific course code and number (e.g. CHEM 151).
Any courses not yet evaluated will be marked with a subject and a lower-division or upper-division designator (e.g. CHEM 1TR or CHEM 3TR). This means this course still needs to be evaluated!
Courses that need to be evaluated will fall into one of two categories:
GENERAL EDUCATION: These are evaluated by your Academic Advisor. No additional paperwork is necessary, with two exceptions: English courses and Second Language courses.
MAJOR COURSES: These are evaluated by individual departments. Please follow the instructions on the next slide.

20. TRANSFER COURSE EVALUATION
Please submit the information below as soon as possible! The sooner your transfer courses are evaluated, the sooner you’ll be able to sign up for UA classes. MATH: Submit course information online at BIOLOGY, CHEMISTRY/BIOCHEM, PHYSICS, PHYSIOLOGY: Submit course information online at (You will have to fill out a separate form for each subject area) ENGLISH: course information to SECOND LANGUAGE: Contact your Academic Advisor for the appropriate contact information based on the language you’ve taken

21. CHOOSING YOUR CLASSES
At this point, you should have an idea of your overall degree requirements as well as what you’ve already taken. The next step is to choose what classes to take at the UA! When you come in for an appointment with an Academic Advisor, we will work with you to come up with a list of classes to take this semester. You are welcome to bring ideas and suggestions or to simply go by what we suggest.

22. GETTING INVOLVED—OUTSIDE OF CLASS
EEB LISTSERV
You will be automatically added to the EEB Department Listserv. s will be sent to your official UA account regarding important dates, department events, research opportunities, and more.
EEB AMBASSADORS
EEB Ambassadors are current Biology, Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, and Bioinformatics students who wish to take an active role in assisting current and prospective EEB and Biology students, as well as departmental faculty and staff.  Ambassadors are involved with new freshmen orientation, recruitment visits, graduation ceremonies, peer mentoring, and other workshops and events.
UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH
An excellent way to further your science education is to get involved in a research lab on campus. You can get hands-on experience in the field you are studying, either through the EEB Department or another department on campus. Watch the EEB Listserv for opportunities or visit for more information on formal research opportunities.
Visit the EEB Undergraduate Website for more information on involvement and research!

23. PRE-HEALTH ADVISING We can help with…
The UA has a Pre-Health Advising Center which can guide you through the process of entering a health professional school such as medical school, dental school, etc. They are a great resource – visit their website to learn more.
We can help with…
How to graduate with a biology or EEB degree
General education and major requirements
Core and elective biology classes
Research opportunities
Involvement in your major and department
They can help with…
Networking
Clinical Experience & Shadowing
Application, personal statement, letters of recommendation
MCAT, DAT, other test prep
Prerequisite courses
Involvement with other pre-health students

24. WHAT’S NEXT? SUBMIT TRANSFER COURSE EVALUATIONS
If you are an out-of-state student, we will only be able to build your schedule if we know what you’ve already completed. Please submit your courses for evaluation ASAP!
FILL OUT STUDENT INFORMATION FORM
Click here to fill out our information form to help us best prepare for your appointment. If you have not filled this out before you schedule an appointment, we will cancel your appointment!
MAKE ADVISING APPOINTMENT
Click here to schedule an appointment. Make sure to select “Transfer Student Orientation” as your question.
REGISTER FOR CLASSES
Log in to UAccess Student to register for the classes we discussed at our appointment.

25. WHAT’S NEXT?
QUESTIONS? an academic advisor and we are happy to help! Meredith Larrabee – Sarah Kortessis – Feel free to bookmark or download this presentation and refer back to it for any questions that arise!