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College of Agriculture & Life Sciences
Department of Ecology and Conservation Biology
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      • B.S. in Ecology and Conservation Biology
        • Ecology and Conservation Biology Track
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        • Teaching Track in Ecology and Conservation Biology
        • Vertebrate Zoology Track (Pre-Vet)
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Vertebrate Zoology Track (Pre-Vet)

The Vertebrate Zoology track is tailored specifically for those ECCB students with a deep interest in vertebrates, their diversity, ecology, and conservation and/or are interested in pursuing veterinary school. This track capitalizes on the collective experience of ECCB faculty in the areas of vertebrate ecology, evolution, genetics, anatomy, physiology, and behavior to provide a comprehensive understanding of vertebrate biology and ecology. In addition to core courses in ecology and conservation, ECCB students in the Vertebrate Zoology track complete coursework in vertebrate ecology, diversity, and evolution, and enroll in national or international field courses that focus on vertebrates, including their collection and identification. This is a flexible track that permits the inclusion of courses specifically required by graduate programs as well as schools of veterinary medicine. Students on this track may use free electives to personalize or broaden their experience to meet certification requirements for vertebrate-focused professional societies (e.g., American Fisheries Society and The Wildlife Society). The Vertebrate Zoology track satisfies all prerequisite requirements for veterinary school.

Program Requirements
Vertebrate Zoology Track Degree Plan

Program Details

  • Degree: B.S. Ecology and Conservation Biology
  • Credit Hours: 120 total credit hours

Career Options

The Vertebrate Zoology track capitalizes on the collective experience of ECCB faculty in the areas of vertebrate ecology, evolution, genetics, anatomy, physiology, and behavior to provide a comprehensive understanding of vertebrate biology and ecology that will prepare students for vet school professional studies, as well as careers within government and non-government agencies associated with the conservation and management of vertebrates.

Other Opportunities

In addition to supporting pre-veterinary (Pre-Vet) students, we welcome those interested in pre-dentistry, pre-medical, pre-nursing, pre-pharmacy, and pre-physician assistant programs. Our department offers unique pathways to prepare for these professional schools while gaining expertise in ecology and conservation biology. Many of the required courses for these programs are already included in the Vertebrate Zoology Track, and we are currently updating the curriculum to better integrate these options.

Below are examples of courses that can be substituted into major electives. For guidance, please consult Professional School Advising (https://opsa.tamu.edu/) before committing to a professional school pathway.

Examples of Courses for Pre-Medical School and Pre-Dentistry

Course NumberCourse TitleCredit Hours
COMM 2031Public Speaking3
CHEM 120¹Fundamentals of Chemistry II4
BICH 409² or BICH 410²Principles of Biochemistry or Comprehensive Biochemistry I3
GENE 301³ or GENE 320³ or BIMS 320³Comprehensive Genetics or Biomedical Genetics or Biomedical Genetics3
VTPB 405⁴ or BIOL 351⁴ or BIOL 206⁴Biomedical Microbiology or Fundamentals of Microbiology or Introductory Microbiology4
CHEM 257Organic Chemistry 14
CHEM 258Organic Chemistry 24
PHYS 201College Physics4
PHYS 202College Physics4
BIOL 319Integrated Human Anatomy and Physiology I4
BIOL 320Integrated Human Anatomy and Physiology II4

Footnotes:

  1. The course is taken under the University Core requirement.
  2. Biochemistry (BICH 409 or BICH 410) is substituted for CHEM 222.
  3. Genetics (GENE 301, GENE 320, or BIMS 320) is substituted for ECCB 400.
  4. Microbiology (VTPB 405, BIOL 351, or BIOL 206) is taken under Ecological Concepts: Individual Function.

Examples of Courses for Pre-Nursing Program

Course NumberCourse TitleCredit Hours
COMM 2031Public Speaking3
VTPB 405 or BIOL 351 or BIOL 206Biomedical Microbiology, or Fundamentals of Microbiology, or Introductory Microbiology4
NUTR 202Fundamentals of Human Nutrition3
PHYL 111 or PHYL 251Introductory Physiology or Human Anatomy and Physiology4
PBSI 107Introduction to Psychology3
PBSI 225Lifespan Developmental Psychology3
BIOL 319Integrated Human Anatomy and Physiology I4
BIOL 320Integrated Human Anatomy and Physiology II4

Footnote:

  1. The course is taken under the University Core requirement.

Examples of Courses for Pre-Pharmacy Program

Course NumberCourse TitleCredit Hours
COMM 2031Public Speaking3
MATH 1471 or MATH 1711 or MATH 1511Calculus I for Biological Sciences or Engineering Mathematics I or Engineering Mathematics I4
CHEM 120¹Fundamentals of Chemistry II4
VTPB 405² or BIOL 351² or BIOL 206²Biomedical Microbiology, or Fundamentals of Microbiology, or Introductory Microbiology4
CHEM 257 and CHEM 258Organic Chemistry4 each
GENE 301 or GENE 320 or BIMS 320Comprehensive Genetics or Biomedical Genetics3
PHYS 201College Physics4
BIOL 319Integrated Human Anatomy and Physiology I4

Footnotes:

  1. The course is taken under the University Core requirement.
  2. Microbiology (VTPB 405, BIOL 351, or BIOL 206) is required for Pre-Pharmacy.
  3. Calculus (MATH 147, MATH 171, or MATH 151) is taken under the University Core require

Example of Courses for Pre-Physician Assistant Program

Course NumberCourse TitleCredit Hours
COMM 2031Public Speaking3
CHEM 120¹Fundamentals of Chemistry II4
VTPB 405⁴ or BIOL 351⁴ or BIOL 206⁴Biomedical Microbiology, or Fundamentals of Microbiology, or Introductory Microbiology4
BICH 409² or BICH 410²Principles of Biochemistry or Comprehensive Biochemistry I3
GENE 301³ or GENE 320³ or BIMS 320³Comprehensive Genetics or Biomedical Genetics3
PBSI 107Introduction to Psychology3
PBSI 225Lifespan Developmental Psychology3
BIOL 319Integrated Human Anatomy and Physiology I4
BIOL 320Integrated Human Anatomy and Physiology II4
HLTH 354Medical Terminology3

Footnotes:

  1. The course is taken under the University Core requirement.
  2. Biochemistry (BICH 409 or BICH 410) is substituted for CHEM 222.
  3. Genetics (GENE 301, GENE 320, or BIMS 320) is substituted for ECCB 400.
  4. Microbiology (VTPB 405, BIOL 351, or BIOL 206) is taken under Ecological Concepts: Individual Function.

Contact Us

Email [email protected] or contact one of our advising team members.

  • Folsom, Jenny

    Jenny Folsom

    Senior Academic Advisor

    Focus: HORT, PSSC, TGSC, USAL-ENB

    979-845-6148

    [email protected]

    120 WFES

  • Lee, Faegen

    Faegen Lee

    Academic Advisor II

    (979) 862-4215

    [email protected]

    WFES 116

  • Werner, Michael

    Michael Werner

    Academic Advisor III

    (979) 845-0122

    [email protected]

    WFES 118

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Department of Ecology and Conservation Biology

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