Ecology

Overview

Ecology programs teach people how life forms relate to each other and their environments.

Ecology programs include topics such as:

Dynamics of oceans, deserts, forests, grasslands
Biogeochemistry
Regulation of nutrient cycles
Community and habitat dynamics
Ecophysiology
Evolutionary ecology
Population genetics and ecology

Schools

A few community colleges and other two-year schools offer associate degree programs in ecology. An associate degree usually takes two years to complete. Students may work as a field crewmember, technical assistant, or lab technician with an associate degree, or transfer to a college or university for further study.

Many colleges and universities offer bachelor's degrees in ecology. A bachelor's degree usually takes about four years of full-time study.

Many universities offer graduate degrees in ecology. A master's degree typically requires two years of study beyond a bachelor's degree. Doctoral (PhD) degree programs usually require two or more years of study beyond the master's degree.

See schools that offer this program.

Related Educational Programs

Related Careers

Careers Directly Related to this Program of Study

Other Careers Related to this Program of Study

Program Admission

You can prepare for this program by taking courses in high school that prepare you for college. This typically includes four years of English, three years of math, three years of social studies, and two years of science. Some colleges also require two years of a second language.

Below is a list of high school courses that will help prepare you for this program of study:

Biology
Chemistry
Earth Science
Environmental Science
Pre-Calculus
Wildlife Management

Graduate Admissions

Admission to graduate programs is competitive. You need a bachelor's degree in ecology or a related science, good grades, and good test scores.

Additional requirements at some schools include:

Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General
Graduate Record Examination (GRE) Biology
Statement of research interest and personal goals
Letters of recommendation

Typical Course Work

Program Courses

This undergraduate program typically includes courses in the following subjects:

Animal Ecology
Biochemistry
Biogeochemistry
Biological Diversity
Biostatistics
Calculus
Coevolution
Ecology and the Environment
Evolutionary Biology
General Chemistry
Genetics and Evolution
Limnology
Marine Ecosystems
Organic Chemistry
Physics
Plant Physiology
Principles of Organismal Biology
Terrestrial Ecosystems

No matter where you go to school, you're likely to take a set of "core" courses similar to the list above. Once you've completed those courses, you can take advanced courses in ecology.

Graduate Program Courses

Graduate programs may include:

Advanced Evolutionary Biology
Advanced Topics in Behavioral Biology
Advanced Topics in Biological Diversity
Advanced Topics in Ecology
Ethics in Research

Graduate students usually focus on one area of interest. Typical courses vary by specialty. All require original research. A list of common graduate requirements is below:

Required courses
Thesis (master's degree)
Preliminary exams (doctoral degree only)
Dissertation and dissertation defense (doctoral degree)

Things to Know

Take every opportunity to get hands-on experience doing ecology fieldwork. Get a summer or part-time job at a park or nature center, or attend a summer field camp.

Many jobs in this field require you to write technical reports and give presentations. Taking writing and speaking courses will develop your communication skills.

Many ecologists spend a large part of their time conducting field research.