Students majoring in ecology, evolution, and behavior (EEB) focus on three related areas of biology. Ecology examines the growth and maintenance of populations and their interactions in communities, and relationships among organisms and physical events in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Evolution investigates the origin and change of biological diversity by studying evolutionary patterns and processes at various temporal and spatial scales. Behavioral biology explores behavioral adaptations to the environment, mechanisms of behavior, and the evolution of social systems.