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Overview - Requirements - Sample Schedule - Scheduling Tips

Overview

The field of Ecology explores the interactive web of organisms and the environment. Studies in evolution consider the processes by which modern organisms have developed from ancestral ones. The Ecology and Evolution major is a good choice for students interested in the fundamental questions of the evolutionary origins of organisms and how they survive, or don't survive, in their changing habitats. Within this major, students have the opportunity for in-depth study of the morphological and physiological adaptations of a variety of animals, plants and microorganisms to a changing world, the ecological relationships of organisms from the individual to the global scale, and the mechanisms that drive evolutionary change.

Employment opportunities in the ecological sciences have increased greatly in recent years. There continues to be a demand for well-trained professionals at all levels (BS, MS, and PhD). Government environmental agencies, commercial consulting and testing firms, waste management industries, research laboratories, and natural history and science museums are just a few of the career opportunities. Graduate departments of ecology, evolution, environmental sciences, genetics, botany, public policy, and public health are actively seeking well-qualified students see our guide for applying to graduate schools for more information). The required chemistry, physics, and mathematics courses incorporate the requirements for admission to medical, dental, and other health-professional schools. An ecology and evolution major could also serve as a springboard to a career in law.

Requirements for the Ecology and Evolution Major

All students within the School of Arts and Sciences must complete Arts and Sciences Requirements. These courses provide breadth to your education beyond training in the Biological Sciences. All majors within the Department of Biological Sciences must also complete Corequisite Courses in Chemistry, Math, and Physics; these courses give you the scientific background to maximize your education within the Ecology and Evolution major.

Ecology and Evolution majors must also complete the following BIOSC courses within the Department; consult our scheduling tips, sample schedule and most importantly our Bioscience Advisors when planning your schedule.

* Or Honors course BIOSC 0715
** Or Honors course BIOSC 0716
*** Or Honors course BIOSC 0355
**** Or BIOSC 1810 AND 1820

The Field Courses requirement for the Ecology and Evolution major can be selected from the following list; courses denoted in green are offered at the Pymatuning Laboratory of Ecology.

* BIOSC 0740 is offered at Yellowstone National Park
** Offered at the Pymatuning Laboratory of Ecology

The Ecology and Evolution elective credits must be selected from the following list of courses, or from the list of field courses above. A single course cannot fulfill both the field course and the elective requirement.

The Department will also accept up to 6 credits of the following courses:

 
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