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Course: Ecology
If you’ve ever gotten so caught up in details that you’ve lost sight of the big picture, then you know what people mean when they say you can’t see the forest for the trees.
But when ecologists get to work, they not only look at the trees, they look at the animals, the rocks, the soil, and the air. In short, they look at the forest -- the whole picture of a given area.
Ecology majors study the web of living and nonliving things in an environment to understand how the whole system works.
Did You Know?
Population ecologists study the ups and downs of a species’ population and look for the reasons it rises and falls.
Are You Ready To...?
- Research and write a senior thesis on, for example, the ecology of drying ponds
- Do field work at ecological sites, such as lakes and forests
- Attend lectures and labs
It Helps To Be...
Able to make connections between details and the big picture. It also helps to be into hiking, outdoor activities, and wildlife.
College Checklist
- Is ecology a major in its own right or is it a concentration within another major, such as general biology?
- How big are classes? Make sure you’ll get the individual attention you need.
- What opportunities will you have to conduct independent research?
- Will you be able to work closely with professors on their research?
- Are there natural areas nearby where you can do field work?
Did You Know?
The study of evolution is a big part of the ecology major. You’ll look at how plants and animals have changed over the ages in your attempt to understand the vast range of life.
Course Spotlight
In most programs, you’ll have your choice of advanced courses and can choose subjects that match your interests. For example, you might choose a class on the ecology and biology of vertebrates (animals with backbones). In that case, you’ll learn how vertebrates have evolved and adapted to their environments. In the lab, you’ll dissect fish, birds, reptiles, and mammals to see how their bodies work.
Or, if you’re more interested in the water, you can take an aquatic ecology class. That class would include visits to nearby streams and lakes to examine the habitat and life forms that live there.