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
- Nazareth CollegeRochester
- California State University, FullertonFullerton
- Dominican University of CaliforniaSan Rafael
- Saint Leo UniversitySaint Leo
- University of San DiegoSan Diego
- California State University, NorthridgeNorthridge
- Viterbo UniversityLa Crosse
- Houghton UniversityHoughton
- California State University, ChicoChico
- Georgetown CollegeGeorgetown
- Oakland City UniversityOakland City
- Alaska Pacific UniversityAnchorage
- Buffalo State UniversityBuffalo
- The University of Texas at AustinAustin
- Siena CollegeLoudonville
- Bryan CollegeDayton
- Washington CollegeChestertown
- Shawnee State UniversityPortsmouth
- SUNY BrockportBrockport
- California State University, San MarcosSan Marcos
- San Francisco State UniversitySan Francisco
- Coker CollegeHartsville
- Russell Sage CollegeTroy
- University of Colorado BoulderBoulder
- University of California-Santa CruzSanta Cruz
- Coastal Carolina UniversityConway
- Brigham Young UniversityProvo
- University of California-San DiegoLa Jolla
- Texas A & M University-College StationCollege Station
- Iowa State UniversityAmes
- University of Maryland-College ParkCollege Park
- SUNY College of Environmental Science and ForestrySyracuse
- University of North Carolina WilmingtonWilmington
- Colorado State University-Fort CollinsFort Collins
- University of Washington-Seattle CampusSeattle
- Eckerd CollegeSaint Petersburg
- Unity CollegeNew Gloucester
- University of California-Santa BarbaraSanta Barbara
- Stony Brook UniversityStony Brook
- University of Wisconsin–MadisonMadison
- University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical CampusDenver
- University of TampaTampa
- University of GeorgiaAthens
- Harvard UniversityCambridge
- University of Hawaiʻi at MānoaHonolulu
- Utah State UniversityLogan
- University of North TexasDenton
- University of MiamiCoral Gables
- Oklahoma State University-Main CampusStillwater
- University of South Carolina-ColumbiaColumbia
- University of Hawaii at HiloHilo
- University of California-Los AngelesLos Angeles
- University of Rhode IslandKingston
- Colorado CollegeColorado Springs
- University of California-DavisDavis
- New York UniversityNew York
- University of ConnecticutStorrs
- Nova Southeastern UniversityFort Lauderdale
- University of West FloridaPensacola
- Boston UniversityBoston
- California State University, Long BeachLong Beach
- Princeton UniversityPrinceton
- University of New EnglandBiddeford
- Michigan State UniversityEast Lansing
- Stockton UniversityGalloway
- College of CharlestonCharleston
- University of OregonEugene
- Hawaii Pacific UniversityHonolulu
- University of South FloridaTampa
- Florida Southern CollegeLakeland
- East Stroudsburg UniversityEast Stroudsburg
- Yale UniversityNew Haven
- University of Minnesota-Twin CitiesMinneapolis
- University of KansasLawrence
- Central Michigan UniversityMount Pleasant
- Connecticut CollegeNew London
- University of Michigan-Ann ArborAnn Arbor
- The University of Texas at El PasoEl Paso
- Roger Williams UniversityBristol
- Florida International UniversityMiami
- University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh CampusPittsburgh
- California State Polytechnic UniversityPomona
- University of Southern MississippiHattiesburg
- University of ArizonaTucson
- Washington University in St LouisSaint Louis
- University of DaytonDayton
- St. Cloud State UniversitySaint Cloud
- The University of Texas Rio Grande ValleyEdinburg
- University of DelawareNewark
- Bethel UniversityMcKenzie
- Northeastern UniversityBoston
- Savannah State UniversitySavannah
- Monmouth UniversityWest Long Branch
- Western Washington UniversityBellingham
- Jacksonville UniversityJacksonville
- Purdue University West LafayetteWest Lafayette
- University of Puerto Rico-HumacaoHumacao
- Indiana University BloomingtonBloomington
- University of IdahoMoscow
- University of California-IrvineIrvine
- Central Washington UniversityEllensburg
- Inter American University of Puerto Rico-BayamonBayamon
- Rutgers University-New BrunswickNew Brunswick
- Loyola University ChicagoChicago
- University of New HavenWest Haven
- Minnesota State University MoorheadMoorhead
- Northwest Missouri State UniversityMaryville
- Florida Institute of TechnologyMelbourne
- Northern Arizona UniversityFlagstaff
- Wingate UniversityWingate
- Susquehanna UniversitySelinsgrove
- Ferris State UniversityBig Rapids
- University of AlabamaTuscaloosa
- Mitchell CollegeNew London
- Augusta UniversityAugusta
- Friends UniversityWichita
- Liberty UniversityLynchburg
- St. Lawrence UniversityCanton
- Montclair State UniversityMontclair
- Le Moyne CollegeSyracuse
- Auburn UniversityAuburn
- University of DenverDenver
- Whitman CollegeWalla Walla
- Bemidji State UniversityBemidji
- Ohio University LancasterAthens
- Vanderbilt UniversityNashville
- Rollins CollegeWinter Park
- Seattle UniversitySeattle
- Grove City CollegeGrove City
- Georgetown UniversityWashington
- Warren Wilson CollegeSwannanoa
- University of RochesterRochester
- University of Alaska SoutheastJuneau
- Maine Maritime AcademyCastine
- Texas State UniversitySan Marcos
- Providence CollegeProvidence
- Lincoln Memorial UniversityHarrogate
- Lake Superior State UniversitySault Ste Marie
- Michigan Technological UniversityHoughton
- Colby CollegeWaterville
- Sterling CollegeCraftsbury Common
- Central Methodist UniversityFayette
- SUNY CortlandCortland
- Lee UniversityCleveland
- San Jose State UniversitySan Jose
- Wisconsin Lutheran CollegeMilwaukee
- University of the Virgin IslandsCharlotte Amalie
- Columbia UniversityNew York
- Stetson UniversityDeLand
- University of Northern IowaCedar Falls
- Cornerstone UniversityGrand Rapids
- Seattle Pacific UniversitySeattle
- SUNY PlattsburghPlattsburgh
- College of the OzarksPoint Lookout
- Principia CollegeElsah
- Molloy CollegeRockville Centre
- Union UniversityJackson
- University of North AlabamaFlorence
- Trinity UniversitySan Antonio
- Pennsylvania Western UniversityCalifornia
- University of MaineOrono
- Hampton UniversityHampton
- Calvin UniversityGrand Rapids
- Franklin CollegeFranklin
- Northern State UniversityAberdeen
- Troy UniversityTroy
- Northwest Nazarene UniversityNampa
- Case Western Reserve UniversityCleveland
- University of Massachusetts DartmouthNorth Dartmouth
- Barry UniversityMiami
- Elizabethtown CollegeElizabethtown
- Paul Smith's CollegePaul Smiths
- Plymouth State UniversityPlymouth
- University of Southern CaliforniaLos Angeles
- Saint Joseph's College of MaineStandish
- Life UniversityMarietta
- University of West AlabamaLivingston
- Northwestern College - IowaOrange City
- Temple UniversityPhiladelphia
- Saint Mary's University of MinnesotaWinona
- Hampshire CollegeAmherst
- Vermont Technical CollegeRandolph
- Western Michigan UniversityKalamazoo
- St. Edward's UniversityAustin
- Salem State UniversitySalem
- Drury UniversitySpringfield
- Barnard CollegeNew York
- Loyola University New OrleansNew Orleans
- Merrimack CollegeNorth Andover
- University of Montana WesternDillon
- DePauw UniversityGreencastle
- Cedar Crest CollegeAllentown
- Mary Baldwin UniversityStaunton
- New Mexico State UniversityLas Cruces
- Washburn UniversityTopeka
- Fairleigh Dickinson UniversityTeaneck
- Mount St. Mary's UniversityLos Angeles
- University of Puerto Rico at PoncePonce
- Aaniiih Nakoda CollegeHarlem
- Southern Nazarene UniversityBethany
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.






























