Ecosystem Sciences

  1. Office & Department Directory
  2. Environmental Science
  3. Pathways
  4. Ecosystem Sciences

Graduates of the Ecosystem Sciences pathway will be well positioned for professional roles
that integrate ecological expertise with applied environmental problem-solving. Career
opportunities include positions as Environmental Consultants working with consulting agencies to
assess and mitigate ecological impacts, GIS Analysts supporting city planning departments and
land-use management, and Environmental Risk Analysts employed by insurance companies to
evaluate ecological and climate-related risks. Students may also pursue roles as Climate Change
Analysts with federal agencies such as NOAA or the EPA, or with non-governmental
organizations focused on climate adaptation and conservation. These reflect the pathway’s
emphasis on fieldwork, data analysis, and interdisciplinary training, preparing students to
contribute effectively to applied practice and policy in ecological and environmental fields.

  • Suggested courses for the two 200+ level lab courses: BIO 221 General Ecology and BIO 200/300-level organismal elective (with lab).
  • Suggested courses for the two 300+ level courses: BIO 303 Biostatistics and one BIO 300-level Ecosystem-specific elective OR two BIO 300-level Ecosystem-specific electives.
  • Suggested courses for the two 200+ level ESP (Environmental Science and Policy) courses: ENVS 236 Health Effects of Pollution, ENVS 326 Once and Future Forest, ENVS 338 Ecology of Agroecosystems, ENVS 369 Ecological Restoration, ENVS 370 Global Amphibian Decline, ENVS 372 Transboundary Wildlife Conservation.   

Suggested STEM major advisors: Brad Baldwin (Biology), Erika Barthelmess (Biology), Judith Nagel-Myers (Biology and Geology), Aswini Pai (Biology), Sue Wilson (Biology).

Suggested ESS major advisors: Sara Ashpole (ESS), Lori Clark (ESS), Aaron Iverson (ESS), David Murphy (ESS), Pete Pettengil (ESS),  Jon Rosales (ESS).