The Bachelor of Science in Ecology and Environmental Sciences is an interdisciplinary
program offered cooperatively by the faculties of the Departments of Plant, Soil
and Environmental Sciences; Biological Sciences; Forest Ecosystems Science; Resource
Economics and Policy; and Wildlife Ecology. Students majoring in the program are
taught and advised by over thirty-five faculty from several academic departments.
The program is designed for students who wish to pursue a professional career
in environmental conservation, management, administration, planning, or research.
The degree can also be used in preparation for postgraduate study in several disciplines
related to ecology and environmental sciences.
The BS in Ecology and Environmental Sciences is designed to acquaint students
with the scope and characteristics of our natural resources, and to introduce
the scientific and economic principles that govern resource use and conservation.
The Ecology and Environmental Sciences curriculum is composed of seven requirement
areas, amounting to at least 99 credits (depending upon selections), plus up to
21 credits reserved for unstructured electives. The requirement areas are as follows:
I. Ecology and Environmental Sciences Courses; II. Biological and Ecological
Science Courses; III. Physical and Chemical Science Courses; IV. Quantitative
Skills Courses; V. Communication Skills Courses; VI. Human Values and Social Context
Courses; VII. Ecology and Environmental Sciences Concentration; VIII. Free Electives.
The requirements are designed so that Ecology and Environmental Sciences graduates
will be well grounded in both the natural and social sciences, and will possess
the skills necessary for a successful career. However, the program is also designed
to allow students ample flexibility to pursue individual interests in preparing
for careers or postgraduate study.
The Ecology and Environmental Sciences concentrations allow a student to pursue
a particular aspect of natural resources in depth with an eye toward future employment
or postgraduate study. Students should decide on their area of concentration early
in their programs so that course choices in the first and sophomore years will
include the prerequisites for courses in their chosen concentration.