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Are you fascinated by the relationships between organisms and their past, present and future global environments — and are you looking for a career that addresses how and why dynamic shifts occur in these vital interactions? The University of Central Missouri’s Bachelor of Science in Biology, with a focus on Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, prepares you for essential ecology careers.

Explore the levels of biological organization and how organisms interact with their environment and change characteristics over time. Courses, fieldwork and lab experiences offer practical, real-world experience in the field of ecology.

What you will study

While earning your UCM Ecology and Evolutionary Biology BS, you’ll study plant and animal diversity, ecology, genetics, evolution and learn to analyze biological data. After you build this foundation, you’ll use what you learn to help address the world-wide loss of biodiversity and its effect on evolution and ecology.

Our classes in evolution and ecology teach you to use the appropriate scientific methods and instrumentation required for in-depth ecology studies. You’ll learn the theories and methods required to understand the complex ecological interactions challenging wildlife and address mounting global threats to biodiversity.

Field studies and research in evolution and ecology are a major component of our curriculum. When you graduate, you’ll be well-prepared to contribute to teams that design, sample and analyze ecological and evolutionary data.

Diverse opportunities for specialization

As an Ecology major, you’ll complete core Biology BS courses and then specialize in plant and animal biology, plant identification, genetics, experimental design and analysis, micro- and macro-biology or wildlife diseases. You can deepen your focus on particular areas of interest with several choices for elective ecology study, including:

Limnology

Mammalogy

Ichthyology

Ecology Field Course

Field Techniques in Biology

What can you do with a bachelor’s degree in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from UCM?

Ecology careers are vitally important to the survival of our intricately connected global ecosystem. UCM graduates work in wildlife biology research or serve as ecological investigators on research teams studying issues that impact animal or plant populations, like pollution and diseases. Many UCM Biology BS graduates with a concentration in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology also continue their studies in fully funded Ph.D. programs at research universities.

Evolution and Ecology degrees offer many exciting career choices

UCM professors have strong relationships with national and regional agencies, such as the Department of Natural Resources, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) and the Missouri Department of Conservation. The knowledge, skills and hands-on experience you achieve during your ecology study at the University of Central Missouri can lead to ecology careers with:

State and federal agencies

Research, diagnostic or field laboratories

Opportunities to teach evolution and ecology

Consulting businesses

Nonprofit organizations or corporations

Use the interactive tool below to explore potential salaries and career pathways with an Ecology and Evolutionary Biology BS from the University of Central Missouri.