Ecologists study the interactions and relationships that living organisms have with each other and their environment.  They develop expertise in understanding the composition, distribution, and dynamic processes of the world’s ecosystems and the organisms that live there.  Understanding ecology strongly complements conservation biology, or the study of our planet’s biodiversity for the sake of protecting species, habitats, and ecosystems.  Ecologists and conservationists learn about behavior, biodiversity (from botany to zoology), climate, genetics, evolution, nutrient cycles, natural resources, and more.  Careers in this specialization are often with non-profit environmental groups or governmental agencies aiming to protect and serve the environment and our planet’s biodiversity. 

Biology Specializations - Ecology and Conservation (PDF)

Recommended Courses

Students interested in this specialization should prioritize completing ecology (BIOL 3120) and evolution (BIOL 3150) within the biology core curriculum.

For advanced biology coursework, take at least nine credits from the lists below, ideally spread across the three topical areas presented below (lab courses are denoted by • ):

Those planning to work in the field are encouraged to take a course in GPS and GIS, as these tools are often used in field work. 

Suggested Supporting Science Courses

For most students interested in ecology and conservation, taking the minimum course sequences for supporting science requirements (one semester of general chemistry, one semester of organic chemistry, one semester of biochemistry, and one semester of physics) is sufficient. More extensive coursework in chemistry will be useful for ecologists and conservationists wishing to focus on abiotic aspects of the environment. Both introductory statistics and intermediate statistics are recommended; calculus is not typically used in this specialization.