Bachelor's Degree in Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology
This bachelor's degree covers ecology, evolution, systematics, and population biology, preparing students for careers in environmental science, research, and conservation.
About
The Bachelor's Degree in Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology is a four-year undergraduate program in the United States. It is designed for students interested in understanding living organisms, their evolution, and interactions within ecosystems. This degree suits those who enjoy biology and want to explore how species develop and adapt over time. Graduates can pursue careers in environmental consulting, wildlife management, research, or continue their studies in graduate programs.
- The program focuses on biological diversity and the relationships between species and their environments.
- It is aimed at students with a strong interest in natural sciences and fieldwork.
- Students learn to analyze populations and ecosystems using scientific methods.
- The degree opens paths to research roles and jobs in conservation organizations.
- It is suitable for those who want to contribute to understanding and protecting biodiversity.
What you study
The curriculum combines theoretical courses and practical experiences over four years. Early years cover foundational biology and chemistry, while later years focus on specialized topics. Students engage in fieldwork and lab sessions to apply concepts directly. The program often includes courses on evolution, ecology, genetics, and systematics.
- First years emphasize general biology, chemistry, and introductory ecology.
- Advanced classes cover population biology, evolutionary mechanisms, and taxonomy.
- Field studies allow students to observe organisms in natural habitats.
- Laboratory work develops skills in data collection and analysis.
- Many programs encourage participation in research projects or internships.
- The curriculum progressively builds scientific reasoning and practical expertise.
How to get in
Admission to this bachelor's degree requires a high school diploma or equivalent, with a strong background in science. In the US, students apply through the Common Application or directly to universities. Selection considers academic records, test scores, and personal statements. Profiles with interest in biology and environmental issues are valued.
- Applicants need a high school diploma with science courses completed.
- Standardized tests like the SAT or ACT may be required.
- Universities review grades and motivation letters.
- Some programs may interview candidates or ask for recommendations.
- Interest in fieldwork and research is an advantage.
Day to day
A typical academic year involves lectures, labs, and field trips. Students balance classroom learning with hands-on activities. Fieldwork often takes place outdoors, studying ecosystems and species. Internships or summer research projects provide real-world experience. The workload includes exams, reports, and presentations.
- Students attend weekly lectures and laboratory sessions.
- Field trips help observe ecological interactions firsthand.
- Projects may involve data collection and analysis in natural settings.
- Internships with environmental organizations are common during breaks.
- Students develop teamwork and scientific communication skills.
Careers this degree leads to
Graduates find opportunities in environmental consulting, conservation, research, and education. Employers include government agencies, non-profits, and private companies. The job market values skills in data analysis, fieldwork, and ecological knowledge. Employment often involves working outdoors and contributing to biodiversity protection.
- Possible roles include environmental scientist and wildlife biologist.
- Jobs exist in natural resource management and ecological research.
- Consulting firms hire graduates for environmental impact assessments.
- Non-governmental organizations focus on conservation projects.
- Work may require travel to study different habitats.
Careers after further study
These careers require a higher level of study than this degree.
Continuing your studies
After this degree, students can pursue graduate studies in ecology, environmental science, or related fields. Master's or doctoral programs allow specialization and research opportunities. Some may choose to study environmental policy or education. The degree also supports career shifts into related scientific areas.
- Graduate degrees in ecology or environmental biology are common next steps.
- Specializations include conservation biology or wildlife management.
- Students can also explore environmental law or education.
Where to study this degree (200)
Liste des 200 établissements
- Bryan CollegeDayton
- University of OklahomaNorman
- California State University, NorthridgeNorthridge
- Buffalo State UniversityBuffalo
- Wright State UniversityDayton
- The University of Texas at AustinAustin
- University of Colorado BoulderBoulder
- Oakland City UniversityOakland City
- Georgetown CollegeGeorgetown
- Saint Leo UniversitySaint Leo
- SUNY BrockportBrockport
- Viterbo UniversityLa Crosse
- Siena CollegeLoudonville
- University of GeorgiaAthens
- Murray State UniversityMurray
- California State University, FullertonFullerton
- Portland Community CollegePortland
- Dominican University of CaliforniaSan Rafael
- Nazareth CollegeRochester
- Shawnee State UniversityPortsmouth
- California State University, San MarcosSan Marcos
- Alaska Pacific UniversityAnchorage
- Russell Sage CollegeTroy
- University of Massachusetts BostonBoston
- Missouri University of Science and TechnologyRolla
- Brunswick Community CollegeBolivia
- California State University, ChicoChico
- Coker CollegeHartsville
- San Francisco State UniversitySan Francisco
- University of Central FloridaOrlando
- Washington CollegeChestertown
- University of San DiegoSan Diego
- Houghton UniversityHoughton
- Boston UniversityBoston
- Columbia UniversityNew York
- Emory UniversityAtlanta
- University of MiamiCoral Gables
- The University of Texas Health Science Center at HoustonHouston
- University of California-Santa CruzSanta Cruz
- Coastal Carolina UniversityConway
- Brigham Young UniversityProvo
- Harvard UniversityCambridge
- University of California-San DiegoLa Jolla
- Texas A & M University-College StationCollege Station
- Tufts UniversityMedford
- Iowa State UniversityAmes
- University of Maryland-College ParkCollege Park
- Yale UniversityNew Haven
- Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimore
- SUNY College of Environmental Science and ForestrySyracuse
- University of North Carolina WilmingtonWilmington
- University of Washington-Seattle CampusSeattle
- Colorado State University-Fort CollinsFort Collins
- Eckerd CollegeSaint Petersburg
- University of Michigan-Ann ArborAnn Arbor
- Unity CollegeNew Gloucester
- George Washington UniversityWashington
- University of California-Santa BarbaraSanta Barbara
- Stony Brook UniversityStony Brook
- Drexel UniversityPhiladelphia
- University of Wisconsin–MadisonMadison
- University of California-Los AngelesLos Angeles
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiNew York
- University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical CampusDenver
- University of TampaTampa
- University of Hawaiʻi at MānoaHonolulu
- Utah State UniversityLogan
- University of North TexasDenton
- University of Minnesota-Twin CitiesMinneapolis
- Oklahoma State University-Main CampusStillwater
- University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh CampusPittsburgh
- University of South Carolina-ColumbiaColumbia
- University of Hawaii at HiloHilo
- University of Rhode IslandKingston
- Benedictine UniversityLisle
- University of California-DavisDavis
- Colorado CollegeColorado Springs
- University of ConnecticutStorrs
- New York UniversityNew York
- Nova Southeastern UniversityFort Lauderdale
- University of West FloridaPensacola
- California State University, Long BeachLong Beach
- University of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel Hill
- Ohio State University-Main CampusColumbus
- Princeton UniversityPrinceton
- Tulane UniversityNew Orleans
- University of New EnglandBiddeford
- Michigan State UniversityEast Lansing
- Stockton UniversityGalloway
- Saint Louis UniversitySt Louis
- University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphia
- College of CharlestonCharleston
- University of OregonEugene
- University of West AlabamaLivingston
- Hawaii Pacific UniversityHonolulu
- University of South FloridaTampa
- Temple UniversityPhiladelphia
- Stanford UniversityStanford
- Florida Southern CollegeLakeland
- East Stroudsburg UniversityEast Stroudsburg
- Ohio University LancasterAthens
- University of IowaIowa City
- Central Michigan UniversityMount Pleasant
- University of KansasLawrence
- Northeastern UniversityBoston
- The University of Texas at El PasoEl Paso
- Connecticut CollegeNew London
- Florida International UniversityMiami
- Roger Williams UniversityBristol
- California State Polytechnic UniversityPomona
- Texas State UniversitySan Marcos
- University of Southern MississippiHattiesburg
- University of DelawareNewark
- Savannah State UniversitySavannah
- University of Massachusetts-AmherstAmherst
- University of ArizonaTucson
- St. Cloud State UniversitySaint Cloud
- Washington University in St LouisSaint Louis
- University of DaytonDayton
- University of Alaska AnchorageAnchorage
- The University of Texas Rio Grande ValleyEdinburg
- University of California-IrvineIrvine
- Bethel UniversityMcKenzie
- The University of Texas Medical Branch at GalvestonGalveston
- Western Washington UniversityBellingham
- Monmouth UniversityWest Long Branch
- William & MaryWilliamsburg
- Purdue University West LafayetteWest Lafayette
- Jacksonville UniversityJacksonville
- University of ToledoToledo
- University of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignUrbana
- University of Puerto Rico-HumacaoHumacao
- University of Maryland, BaltimoreBaltimore
- Indiana University BloomingtonBloomington
- University of LouisvilleLouisville
- University of IdahoMoscow
- Central Washington UniversityEllensburg
- Cornell UniversityIthaca
- Rutgers University-New BrunswickNew Brunswick
- Kent State University at KentKent
- University of Wisconsin–StoutMenomonie
- Inter American University of Puerto Rico-BayamonBayamon
- University of Missouri-ColumbiaColumbia
- University of New HavenWest Haven
- University of FloridaGainesville
- University of North Texas Health Science CenterFort Worth
- Loyola University ChicagoChicago
- University of Southern CaliforniaLos Angeles
- Minnesota State University MoorheadMoorhead
- Florida Institute of TechnologyMelbourne
- North Dakota State UniversityFargo
- Medical University of South CarolinaCharleston
- University of Nevada, RenoReno
- Susquehanna UniversitySelinsgrove
- Vanderbilt UniversityNashville
- Wingate UniversityWingate
- Northwest Missouri State UniversityMaryville
- Loma Linda UniversityLoma Linda
- Northern Arizona UniversityFlagstaff
- University of ProvidenceGreat Falls
- Hood CollegeFrederick
- Ferris State UniversityBig Rapids
- Southern Maine Community CollegeSouth Portland
- Duke UniversityDurham
- Towson UniversityTowson
- University of AlabamaTuscaloosa
- Mitchell CollegeNew London
- Friends UniversityWichita
- University of California-BerkeleyBerkeley
- Augusta UniversityAugusta
- Le Moyne CollegeSyracuse
- Montclair State UniversityMontclair
- St. Lawrence UniversityCanton
- University of Puerto Rico-MayaguezMayaguez
- University of DenverDenver
- Auburn UniversityAuburn
- The University of MontanaMissoula
- Liberty UniversityLynchburg
- Warren Wilson CollegeSwannanoa
- Western Kentucky UniversityBowling Green
- Seattle UniversitySeattle
- Georgetown UniversityWashington
- Claremont Graduate UniversityClaremont
- Grove City CollegeGrove City
- Bemidji State UniversityBemidji
- West Virginia UniversityMorgantown
- Case Western Reserve UniversityCleveland
- University at BuffaloBuffalo
- Rollins CollegeWinter Park
- University at AlbanyAlbany
- Pennsylvania State University-Main CampusUniversity Park
- Texas A&M University – Corpus ChristiCorpus Christi
- Whitman CollegeWalla Walla
- University of CincinnatiCincinnati
- Maine Maritime AcademyCastine
- Providence CollegeProvidence
- Lake Superior State UniversitySault Ste Marie
- Michigan Technological UniversityHoughton
- San Diego State UniversitySan Diego
- University of RochesterRochester
Frequently asked questions
What background do I need to apply?
You should have completed high school with a focus on science subjects like biology and chemistry. Strong academic records and interest in natural sciences help your application.
Are there practical experiences included?
Yes, the program includes fieldwork and laboratory sessions where you observe ecosystems and conduct experiments to apply what you learn.
Can I work while studying this degree?
While the degree does not typically offer formal work-study programs, you can often find internships or part-time jobs related to ecology during breaks.
What careers can I get after graduation?
Graduates can work as environmental scientists, wildlife biologists, consultants, or in conservation roles within various organizations.
Is graduate study necessary after this degree?
Graduate studies are common for specialization and research careers, but some entry-level jobs are available with the bachelor's degree alone.
How selective is admission?
Admission is selective, with universities looking for good academic records and motivation in science and environmental topics.
Does the program involve teamwork?
Yes, many courses include group projects and field activities that develop collaboration and communication skills.
Are there opportunities to study abroad?
Some universities offer study abroad programs or field courses in different ecosystems, which can enrich your learning experience.
































