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Duluth Campus

Natural History Minor

D Earth & Environmental Sci
Biology
Swenson College of Science and Engineering
  • Program Type: Undergraduate free-standing minor
  • Requirements for this program are current for Fall 2015
  • Required credits in this minor: 34
  • None
The natural history minor enhances student understanding of the ecology and geology of the natural world. It places particular emphasis on courses with field labs. The minor program covers a wide range of topics in earth's history, geomorphology, ecology, ornithology, entomology, ichthyology, mammalogy, animal behavior, and field interpretation for education, as well as other topics.
Program Delivery
This program is available:
  • via classroom (the majority of instruction is face-to-face)
Minor Requirements
Required Courses (22 cr)
BIOL 1011 - General Biology I [LE CAT, NAT SCI] (5.0 cr)
BIOL 1012 - General Biology II [SUSTAIN] (5.0 cr)
BIOL 2801 - General Ecology (3.0 cr)
EES 1110 - Geology and Earth Systems [LE CAT, NAT SCI, SUSTAIN] (4.0 cr)
EES 2110 - Reconstructing Earth's Climate History (4.0 cr)
BIOL 4992 - Senior Seminar: Classic Readings in Natural History (1.0 cr)
Required Electives (12 cr)
At least 10 credits of electives MUST be 3xxx or above.
Take 12 or more credit(s) from the following:
Biology
Take 1 or more course(s) from the following:
· BIOL 3601 - Plant Diversity (3.0 cr)
· BIOL 3603 - Plant Taxonomy (3.0 cr)
· BIOL 3701 - Animal Diversity (4.0 cr)
· BIOL 3760 - Marine Biology (3.0 cr)
· BIOL 3761 - Field Studies in Marine Biology (4.0 cr)
· BIOL 3830 {Inactive} (3.0 cr)
· BIOL 3835 - Freshwater Ecology (3.0 cr)
· BIOL 4731 - Entomology (3.0 cr)
· BIOL 4761 - Ichthyology (3.0 cr)
· BIOL 4763 - Ornithology (3.0 cr)
· BIOL 4764 - Mammalogy (3.0 cr)
· BIOL 4803 {Inactive} (4.0 cr)
· BIOL 4805 {Inactive} (2.0 cr)
· BIOL 4818 - Biotic Response to Climate Change (3.0 cr)
· BIOL 4850 - Food and Humans (3.0 cr)
· BIOL 4891 - Animal Behavior (3.0 cr)
· BIOL 5515 - Microbial Diversity and Phylogeny (3.0 cr)
· BIOL 5777 {Inactive} (2.0 cr)
· BIOL 5801 - Microbial Ecology (2.0 cr)
· BIOL 5802 {Inactive} (2.0 cr)
· BIOL 5805 - Fisheries Ecology and Management (3.0 cr)
· BIOL 5811 {Inactive} (2.0 cr)
· BIOL 5833 - Stream Ecology (3.0 cr)
· BIOL 4839 - Coral Reef Field Studies [GLOBAL PER] (3.0 cr)
· BIOL 5861 - Lake Ecology (3.0 cr)
· BIOL 5862 {Inactive} (3.0 cr)
· BIOL 5863 - Ecosystems Ecology (3.0 cr)
· BIOL 5865 - Conservation Biology (2.0 cr)
· BIOL 5870 - Wetland Ecology (3.0 cr)
· Geology
Take 1 or more course(s) from the following:
· GEOL 1120 {Inactive} [LE CAT] (3.0 cr)
· EES 1610 - Oceanography [LE CAT, NAT SCI, SUSTAIN] (3.0 cr)
· GEOL 2350 {Inactive} [LE CAT, NAT SCI] (3.0 cr)
· EES 3100 {Inactive} (3.0 cr)
· EES 3210 {Inactive} (4.0 cr)
· EES 4500 - Field Geology (6.0 cr)
· EES 5220 {Inactive} (3.0 cr)
· GEOL 5320 {Inactive} (3.0 cr)
· EES 4839 - Coral Reef Geology [GLOBAL PER] (3.0 cr)
· Additional Elective Options
Take 0 or more course(s) from the following:
· ENED 3341 - Field Interpretive Techniques Fall (3.0 cr)
· ENED 3342 - Field Interpretive Techniques - Winter & Spring (3.0 cr)
· FST 3236 - Icelandic Geology & the New Society (3.0 cr)
 
More program views..
View college catalog(s):
· Swenson College of Science and Engineering

View future requirement(s):
· Fall 2022
· Fall 2020
· Fall 2017
· Fall 2016


View checkpoint chart:
· Natural History Minor
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BIOL 1011 - General Biology I (LE CAT, NAT SCI)
Credits: 5.0 [max 5.0]
Course Equivalencies: BIOL 1011/BIOL 1013
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Fall & Spring
Fundamental concepts of biology, including chemical basis of life, cell structure and function, energy transformations, photosynthesis, cellular respiration, genetics, molecular biology, DNA technology, development, origin of life, and evolution. (4 hrs lect, 2.5 hrs lab) prereq: 1 yr high school Chem or 1 semester college Chem, Math ACT 21 or higher or MATH 1005 or higher; credit will not be granted if already received for BIOL 1013
BIOL 1012 - General Biology II (SUSTAIN)
Credits: 5.0 [max 5.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Fall & Spring
Fundamental concepts of biology, including classification and diversity of life, anatomy, physiology, and development of prokaryotes, protistans, fungi, animals, and plants; behavior; population, community, and ecosystem ecology. (4 hrs lect, 2.5 hrs lab) prereq: A grade of C- or better in 1011
BIOL 2801 - General Ecology
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Fall & Spring
Relationships between life and environment for individuals, populations, communities, and ecosystems; surveys of environmental factors and biomes. May be taken without lab 2802. (3 hrs lect) prereq: A grade of C- or better in both 1011 and 1012; may be taken without lab BIOL 2802
EES 1110 - Geology and Earth Systems (LE CAT, NAT SCI, SUSTAIN)
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Course Equivalencies: EES 1110 FST 1409
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Fall & Spring
Earth systems science is an interdisciplinary approach to understanding the processes operating within and the interactions between the geosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere. In this course we investigate the changing nature of the Earth; its composition, architecture, and antiquity; the internal and external processes that shape it through time; cycles of energy and matter; the development of life and impact of human activity; and both local environmental issues and global change. For students using a 2012-2021 LEP catalog year, the GEOL subject is now EES. If you took GEOL 1610, EES 1110 will not fulfill the requirement of a different subject. Credit will not be granted if already received for GEOL 1110
EES 2110 - Reconstructing Earth's Climate History
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Course Equivalencies: EES 2110/FST 2082
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Spring
What is it that makes Earth habitable? What makes earth?s climate stable over geologic time? In this class, we will examine energy sources to earth?s surface and the processes that change them over geologic time. We will do this within a framework of mass balance ? comparing inputs to outputs at varying scales, investigating the evolution of climate, life and tectonics through time. Our goal is to identify, investigate, characterize, and assess the principal processes that shape earth?s surface environment from 4.54 billion years ago to present. To accomplish this aim, we will learn how geoscientists read Earth?s history, and what tools they use to do so. prereq: GEOL or EES 1110 or 1130 or 1610 or Ast 1040 or Geog 1414 or instructor consent; credit will not be granted if already received for GEOL 2110
BIOL 4992 - Senior Seminar: Classic Readings in Natural History
Credits: 1.0 [max 1.0]
Grading Basis: S-N or Aud
Typically offered: Every Spring
Readings and discussion of the classics of natural history writing from authors such as Charles Darwin, Charles Lyell, John Wesley Powell, Peter Freuchen, Rachel Carson, Paul Errington, and E.O. Wilson, among others. prereq: Seniors who have declared a natural history minor, no grad credit
BIOL 3601 - Plant Diversity
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Fall
Evolutionary survey of plants, focusing on diversity of life histories and patterns of organization. Fossil and extant groups, including algae, fungi and nonvascular and vascular land plants. (2 hours lecture, 3 hours lab, field trip) prereq: 1012
BIOL 3603 - Plant Taxonomy
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Spring
Introduction to taxonomy of vascular plants, emphasizing seed plants; representative families; terminology; literature; use of keys. (2 hrs lect, 2 hrs lab) prereq: 1012
BIOL 3701 - Animal Diversity
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Spring
Survey of major animal phyla, focusing on phylogeny, anatomy, physiology, and ontogeny. (2 hrs lect, 4 hrs lab) prereq: 1012
BIOL 3760 - Marine Biology
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Spring Even Year
A multidisciplinary approach will be used to explore the diverse ecosystems of the marine realm. Emphasis will be on the ecological and physiological adaptations that have allowed animals to colonize habitats ranging from the intertidal zone to the abyss. prereq: 1011, 1012
BIOL 3761 - Field Studies in Marine Biology
Credits: 4.0 [max 8.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Periodic Summer
Introduction to the marine environment by visiting either US i.e. Friday Harbor, WAS or MBL, Woods Hole, MA) or International (i.e. Leigh, New Zealand) marine lab and conducting both laboratory and field research. Topics include ecology, animal physiology, animal behavior, ichthyology and fisheries biology. Lectures will precede daily field trips where students will make in situ measurements and/or bring specimens back to the laboratory for study. prereq: 1011 or instructor consent; Course may only be repeated if location is different.
BIOL 3835 - Freshwater Ecology
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Spring Even Year
Exploration of freshwater habitats and their biological diversity with emphasis on how human behavior is affecting those habitats and biodiversity. prereq: 2801 or concurrent
BIOL 4731 - Entomology
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Periodic Fall & Spring
Structure, life history, ecology, classification, evolution, principles of control, and significance of insects in our society. Field collections. (2 hrs lect, 3 hrs lab and field) prereq: 1012 or IBS Grad student
BIOL 4761 - Ichthyology
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Periodic Fall & Spring
Physiologic, taxonomic, ecologic, economic, and behavioral aspects of fishes. Lab emphasis on fishes of Great Lakes region, including field conducted independent study. (2 hrs lect, 3 hrs lab, field) prereq: 2801 or IBS Grad student
BIOL 4763 - Ornithology
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Periodic Spring
Lab and field identification of birds, their migration and habitats; biological, taxonomic, and economic considerations. (2 hours lecture, 2 hours lab and field) prereq: 2801 or IBS Grad student
BIOL 4764 - Mammalogy
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Periodic Fall
Origin, taxonomy, distribution, physiology, ecology and behavior of mammals. Laboratory and fieldwork includes collection, preparation and identification of Minnesota species. (2 hrs lecture, 3 hours lab, field) prereq: 2801 or IBS Grad student
BIOL 4818 - Biotic Response to Climate Change
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Periodic Spring
Many species are already responding to climate change, as evidenced by earlier budburst, flowering, and arrival of insect and bird pollinators. In only a few cases can we distinguish between phenotypic responses to longer growing seasons and warmer temperatures (plasticity) and evolutionary change in response to altered patterns of natural selection. Climate change will pose strong evolutionary challenges to native populations. In this course we will explore the fundamental response of the biota to these changes" extinction, migration, and adaptation. prereq: Biol 2201, no grad credit
BIOL 4850 - Food and Humans
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Fall Odd Year
In this course we will examine the evolutionary genetics underlying the process of plant and animal domestication, and the evolution of weeds and insect pests in the new environment provided by human-initiated agriculture. Classical readings on the origin of agriculture and agricultural pests (weeds and insects) and the latest findings in this constantly changing field will be examined. Students will learn key concepts regarding the response of plants and animals to natural and artificial selection, and the application of population genetics, phylogenetics, quantitative genetics, and genetic mapping to major questions in agricultural genetics. Past and current challenges in agricultural productivity and sustainability will be addressed throughout the course. prereq: 2201, 3401 or IBS graduate student
BIOL 4891 - Animal Behavior
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Periodic Fall
Known behavior of various vertebrate and invertebrate phyla, emphasizing adaptive significance and the genetics and ontogeny of behavioral patterns. Mating, aggressive, nutritive, and nurturing behavior and relation to ecology of animal populations. (2 hrs lect) prereq: BIOL 2410 or 2801 or IBS Grad student
BIOL 5515 - Microbial Diversity and Phylogeny
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F only
Typically offered: Periodic Fall
Evolutionary survey and characteristics of microorganisms focusing on autotrophic and heterotrophic prokaryotes from various habitats. Isolation, examination, and identification of bacteria from field collections using microscopic, physiological, biochemical, molecular, phylogenetic, and computer database techniques. (2 hours lecture and 2 hours lab) prereq: 2101 or 3100 oe 3502 or 4501 or IBS Grad student
BIOL 5801 - Microbial Ecology
Credits: 2.0 [max 2.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Periodic Spring
Microorganisms in natural environments: diversity, distribution, energetics, and growth of heterotrophic and autotrophic microbes in oxic and anoxic habitats. Roles of microbial populations and communities in biogeochemical cycling, ecosystem functioning, landscapes, and industrial, agricultural, and environmental applications. prereq: (2101 or 3100) and (2801 or 3502 or 4501), or WRS or IBS Grad student
BIOL 5805 - Fisheries Ecology and Management
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Periodic Fall & Spring
Lectures, readings and computer exercises relating to current issues in fisheries ecology. Computer exercises will emphasize techniques used by scientists working in the field and prepare the student for the use of quantitative research tools for independent research. Includes 2 one-hour lectures and 1 three-hour lab weekly. prereq: 2801, 2802, college-level course in statistics or WRS or IBS Grad student
BIOL 5833 - Stream Ecology
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Fall Even Year
Studies of stream communities and ecosystems as influenced by biological interactions and physical factors. Emphasis on North Shore streams. (2 hrs lect, 6 hrs lab and field) prereq: 2801 or WRS or IBS Grad student
BIOL 4839 - Coral Reef Field Studies (GLOBAL PER)
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Course Equivalencies: BIOL 4839/EES 4839/FST 4839
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Periodic Spring
Field study on San Salvador, Bahamas focusing on the biological and geological studies of the coral reef complex and associated habitats of the Caribbean. We will examine the ecology and taxonomy of associated biota as well as the physical, chemical and sedimentary processes in coral reef environments. prereq: BIOL 1011 and 1012 or GEOL or EES 1110 or IBS Grad student
BIOL 5861 - Lake Ecology
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Spring
This course offers a hands-on introduction to the ecology of lake ecosystems with a focus on lakes of the temperate and boreal regions, particularly Minnesota. We explore how factors including temperature, light, water chemistry, water motion, nutrients, and organisms interact in aquatic environments to determine the distribution, abundance, and behavior of aquatic biota. Laboratory exercises reinforce and expand on lecture materials and include the identification of fish, zooplankton, benthos, and phytoplankton as well as field excursions to area lakes. prereq: WRS or IBS Grad student
BIOL 5863 - Ecosystems Ecology
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Course Equivalencies: BIOL 5863/EES 5863
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Spring
Ecosystems ecology is the integrated study of the flows of materials and energy through ecosystems, which includes both the living (biotic) and non-living (abiotic) components. Biogeochemistry is a major subfield of ecosystems ecology, and deals with the cycling of nutrients through ecosystems. In this class, we will discuss the integration of ecosystmes and biogeochemistry in terrestrial environments, specifically focusing on how human activities influence ecological systems and vice versa. It is my hope that you walk away from this course with a better understanding of how large environmental issues such as climate change and invasive species affect ecological systems. pre-req: BIOL 2801, CHEM 1153 or CHEM 1173 or graduate student
BIOL 5865 - Conservation Biology
Credits: 2.0 [max 2.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Periodic Spring
Introduction to science of species, habitat, and ecosystem conservation and management. prereq: 2801 or IBS Grad student
BIOL 5870 - Wetland Ecology
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Fall Odd Year
Hydrology, nutrient cycling, and productivity of wetland ecosystems and the adaptations and interactions of resident biota; assessment, management, conservation, restoration, and creation of wetlands. Two daylong weekend field trips required. prereq: 2801, 2802 or WRS or IBS Grad student
EES 1610 - Oceanography (LE CAT, NAT SCI, SUSTAIN)
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Course Equivalencies: EES 1610/FST 1512
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Fall
Origin and history of ocean basins, sea floor morphology, chemistry of sea water, currents, waves, tides, life in the sea, primary productivity, nutrient dynamics, human impact. For students using a 2012-2021 LEP catalog year, the GEOL subject is now EES. If you took GEOL 1110, EES 1610 will not fulfill the requirement of a different subject. Credit will not be granted if already received for GEOL 1610.
EES 4500 - Field Geology
Credits: 6.0 [max 6.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Summer
Geological mapping of sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic terranes and of Quaternary deposits and landforms; topographic maps and aerial photographs, including preparation of geologic maps and cross sections, and map unit descriptions. prereq: EES or GEOL 4450, department consent; no grad credit, credit will not be granted if already received for GEOL 4500
EES 4839 - Coral Reef Geology (GLOBAL PER)
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Course Equivalencies: BIOL 4839/EES 4839/FST 4839
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Spring Odd Year
Field study on San Salvador, Bahamas focusing on the biological and geological studies of the coral reef complex and associated habitats of the Caribbean. We will examine the ecology and taxonomy of associated biota as well as the physical, chemical and sedimentary processes in coral reef environments. prereq: BIOL 1011 and 1012 or EES or GEOL 1110 or IBS Grad student; credit will not be granted if already received for GEOL 4839
ENED 3341 - Field Interpretive Techniques Fall
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Fall
Techniques and methods used to interpret natural history of autumn and early winter environments. Emphasizes geomorphology, tree identification, and basic raptor ecology. Primarily field based at sites throughout northeastern Minnesota. prereq: credit will not be granted if already received for REC 3341
ENED 3342 - Field Interpretive Techniques - Winter & Spring
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Spring
Techniques and methods used to interpret natural history of winter and spring environments. Ecology of winter, vernal ponds, spring wildflowers, biomes, and migratory birds. Primarily field based at sites throughout northeastern Minnesota. prereq: credit will not be granted if already received for EnEd 3342
FST 3236 - Icelandic Geology & the New Society
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Typically offered: Periodic Summer
Study Abroad Course prereq: Admitted to an approved Study Abroad program, required consent from the International Education Office.