Ecology Concentration

The Ecology concentration is a course of natural science study for students interested in investigating and preserving the Earth's biodiversity. This concentration provides the necessary foundation for students to work as a field or research technician or pursue graduate degrees in such fields as ecology, conservation biology, and restoration ecology. Students with this major generally aspire to careers working as a research scientist for state and federal governments, non-governmental organizations, and environmental consulting firms, or for a career as a middle school or high school science teacher or university professor.

Ecology Concentration: example course plan (first 3 semesters)

This is an example course plan based on the 2023-2024 University Catalog; your actual schedule may deviate from this example. Your faculty advisor will work with you to select appropriate courses.

As an IWU student, it is your responsibility to track your progress each semester towards completing graduation requirements using the MyIWU degree audit tool.

Fall Semester

ENST 100 Environment & Society (AV)
BIOL 101 General Biology (LSL)
Gateway Colloquium (or ENST 230 Earth Systems Science (PSL) if Gateway is taken in the Spring semester)
Second Language Course
Physical Education (PEX)

Spring Semester

BIOL 102 General Biology (LSL)
One ES course from approved list designated as:
- Humanities and Social Science
General Education Course* (or Gateway if not completed in the Fall semester)
Second Language Course
Physical Education (PEY)

May Term

Optional*

* Students may want to consider a general education course that will also fulfill a Humanities and Social Science requirement for the major, or for May Term consider ENST/BIO 318 Field Ornithology (offered in alternate May Terms) which fulfills an Ecology elective requirement.

Fall Semester

BIOL 324 Principles of Ecology (WI) (if offered, or alternatively an Ecology elective)
One ES course from approved list designated as:
- Ecology
- Humanities and Social Science
General Education Course*
Second Language Course
Physical Education (PEY)

Additional Information for Spring Semester

During the 4th semester (Spring of Year 2) Ecology majors should take ENST 230 Earth Systems Science (PSL), if not taken in Year 1, and also ENST 200 Geographic Information Systems/GIS (FR) to fulfill a Methods requirement for the major.

*Depending on career interests, in consultation with their advisor, students may also consider taking CHEM 201 General Chemistry.

Study Abroad

Students are encouraged to study abroad and should consult with the Director of the Environmental Studies Program to decide on a case-by-case basis which semester(s) would be most appropriate.

Additional Information

Though BIOL 101-102 is not required for the Nature and Society concentration or the Global Sustainability, Policy & Justice concentration, students should enroll in BIOL 101-102 their first year if they are interested in pursuing the Ecology concentration. BIOL 102 is a prerequisite for taking upper level biology courses. Due to course sequencing, without taking the introductory biology sequence (BIOL 101-102) in the first year, it may be impossible later in their undergraduate career to pursue the Ecology concentration.