UCSB's two biological sciences departments are strongly committed to excellence in research and undergraduate education. Faculty members have received prestigious recognition, including membership in the National Academy of Sciences, American Cancer Society Junior Faculty Fellowships, and the International Eminent Ecologist Award. In addition, our faculty are known for their excellence in teaching. Biological sciences professors have won the campus's Outstanding Undergraduate Teaching Award in the Sciences for three of the past six years. Faculty are major contributors to nationally recognized campus research units, including the Neuroscience Research Institute and the Marine Science Institute, and many students carry on their own research activities at these facilities.
All students enroll in the pre-major in biology before choosing one of the specialized majors.
The pre-major reflects the importance of a strong interdisciplinary foundation for further study and provides an opportunity to explore the subdisciplines of biology before deciding which major best fits students' goals and interests. The pre-major includes core courses in chemistry, mathematics, and physics as well as biology. Satisfactory completion of the pre-major allows students to advance to full major status. The majors and coursework offered by the Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Biology emphasize the biology physiology, evolution, ecology, and behavior of organisms and the ecosystems in which they live, including marine, freshwater, and terrestrial habitats. Strong emphasis is placed on providing hands-on experience through courses, oceanographic cruises, work in remote field sites, and field and laboratory projects.