Biology is the science of life. The study of biology encompasses molecular, cellular, and physiological processes, evolutionary diversity, ecological relationships, and global systems. Biologists study life from prehistoric times to organisms alive today and model how life may change in the future. Build a strong foundation in the sciences. Use options to focus on depth and breadth of interest areas. Courses cover biology, including molecular and cell biology, physiology and development of animals and plants, conservation biology, disease biology, genetics and genomics, taxonomy and systematics, ecology, and evolutionary biology. Small class sizes in advanced courses. Opportunities for one-on-one research with biology faculty, including field and laboratory experiences. Gain skills in research design, data analysis, DNA and cell biological techniques, physiological diagnostics, ecological and environmental assessment, phylogenetic and evolutionary analysis, global complex systems analysis, computer modeling and simulations, scientific writing, and professional communications. Prepare for graduate and professional schools. Math, science, and engineering community residence halls with other entering students in shared classes provide opportunities for group study, free tutoring, and computer lab access. Conner Museum of Natural History and Marion Ownbey Herbarium offer specimens of animals and plants for research and study.<br><br>Ecology and evolutionary biology, a specialization area in the biology major, provides a broad ecological understanding that can be applied to fields such as environmental and wildlife biology. The biology major provides a strong background in the chemical and cellular basis of life and its many levels of organization, from molecular to ecosystem. A specialization in ecology and evolutionary biology focuses your biology degree and gives you flexibility to study the topics that interest you the most. Inheritance, molecular genetics, the biology of populations, behavior, the flow of energy in living systems, and evolutionary and ecological relationships are among the topics you could study in depth.