Ecology

Preserving the planet’s most precious ecosystems.

Ecology Degree

If you’re passionate about wild animals, natural beauty and the great outdoors, if you’re fascinated by nature shows and podcasts, planet Earth needs you in ecology. Ecology is a branch of biology that examines how living creatures interact with each other and their environment. Join us and learn how to study, protect and restore natural habitats. It’s fun, fascinating and crucial to everyone’s future.

Have fun and fill your life with purpose. Go out and perform vital field work at our 87-acre field station right here near campus. Till and plant in the campus garden. Learn beekeeping and promote bee conservation. Work on lab or field projects side-by-side with your professors and your fellow environmentally conscientious classmates with fascinating life experiences and perspectives. Before you know it, you’ll become an expert in biology and environmental sciences. You’ll be an active part of the solution.

As you advance toward your degree, you’ll do a year-long collaborative research project and present your work at a scientific conference before a roomful of fellow professionals. You’ll take advantage of our internships, such as building nature trails with the Chesapeake Conservancy or conducting research for the Freshwater Institute and Laboratory. By the time you graduate, you can have real-world experience collaborating with government, nonprofit and academic institutions. Launch a life of passion and purpose by starting a career in ecology protecting, conserving, and restoring our natural environments.

Experience science in the field

Hands-On Learning and Research

Susquehanna University’s CEER Field Station is an 87-acre living lab where students bring ideas to life. Through fieldwork and lab studies, you’ll explore geophysics, monitor water tables and work with solar arrays and climate stations. These experiences give you the skills and knowledge to tackle real-world challenges in your career and beyond.

Explore the Ceer field Station

Aerial view of a rural landscape featuring a large red barn with a white roof, surrounded by lush green fields. A paved road runs alongside the barn. In the background, a field with rows of solar panels is visible. Trees and greenery are scattered throughout.

100%

of ecology students conduct yearlong research project with faculty

100%

of ecology students present research at local, national or international conferences

97%

of Susquehanna students study abroad

100%

of students receive financial aid through academic merit scholarships and need-based grants

“Susquehanna’s focus on hands-on learning is important to me, because it allows you to practice skills you’ll use in future careers. The faculty is very engaged with students, teaching skills hands-on while you’re learning them. I was fortunate to travel to Costa Rica with the ecology faculty, learning specific field skills and having experiences I would not have had at another university.”

— Michaela Rolecki ’25

Ecology

Biology

“I didn’t realize how important undergraduate research is for students in STEM fields. But, having spent the last nine years in consulting work and graduate school, I now know how valuable my research training was at Susquehanna. I did research with faculty all three summers — an experience tough to replicate at larger universities where many more students vie for limited opportunities.”

— Sam Silknetter ’14 M.S.

Ecology

which environmental degree should I choose?

A person wearing a blue shirt and glasses kneels in a forest, intently examining a tree stump surrounded by fallen leaves, showcasing a deep focus on Earth and Environmental Sciences with the woods providing an immersive backdrop.

Earth & Environmental Sciences

Earth & Environmental Sciences examines the natural components of our environment and how they impact living things. It’s the scientific study of water, rocks, air and soil, and their dynamic interactions. You’ll take courses in hydrology, geology, weather, soil science and more, with a lot of exciting hands-on field and lab work, culminating in a research collaboration with faculty.

Explore

Three people stand outdoors, examining a small worm on one's hand. They are surrounded by greenery and trees. All are focused on the worm, showing a mix of curiosity and interest.

Ecology

Ecology is a branch of biology that examines how organisms interact with each other and their environment. You’ll take courses in biology and environmental sciences. Field and lab projects are an integral part of this major and every student completes a research project with faculty.

Explore

A group of people stand together outdoors, observing something off-camera. One person takes notes on a clipboard. They are surrounded by green foliage and overcast skies, dressed casually with hats for sun protection.

Environmental Studies

Environmental Studies is an interdisciplinary field that explores the complex relationship between humans and their environment. You’ll learn to address environmental challenges caused by humans, including climate change and environmental injustice. Courses include natural and social sciences, literature, religion, politics and business.

Explore

Explore Your Studies

Program Resources

ECOL 100

Introduction to Ecology

An introduction to ecology and its relationships with other disciplines of science. Emphasizes analysis of current problems in the ecological sciences, particularly as they relate to decisions that students will have to make as citizens of a scientific/technological society. 4 SH. 3 lecture hours, 3 laboratory hours. CC: Scientific Explanations.

ECOL 110

Biogeodiversity

Explores the influences of geology (abiotic factors) on the diversity of life. Students investigate multiple issues posed by the science and technology of the diversity of life on this planet. Particular issues range from how many species occur on earth to how to establish effective public policy guidelines for protection of life’s diversity. Pre-requisites: BIOL-101 or EENV-101 or ECOL-101 or BIOL-205. 4 SH. 3 lecture hours, 3 laboratory hours. CC: Team Intensive,Writing Intensive.

ECOL 113

Geology and the Environment

Fundamental concepts and principles of geology and the processes and materials that interact at the surface of the Earth. The course includes rocks and minerals, plate tectonic interactions, weathering and erosion, the cycling of materials through different environments, and how we use these resources. Same as EENV-113. 4 SH. 3 lecture hours, 3 laboratory/field hours.

ECOL 201

Community and Ecosystems Ecology

Ecosystem ecology addresses the interactions between organisms and their environment as an integrated system. The physical setting for an ecosystem, the climate, geology, and soils interact with water, nutrients and energy to control the organisms that thrive there. Prerequisite: BIOL-101 or ECOL-100 or EENV-101. 4 SH. 3 lecture hours, 3 laboratory/field hours.

ECOL 220

Biostatistics

Biostatistics will focus on the collection and analysis of biological data. The course is designed to introduce students to the fundamental concepts of experimental and sampling design,as well as quantitative hypothesis testing. Some equations will be covered in the course; however, the emphasis will be on interpretation and presentation of statistical results. These concepts will be reinforced in upper level biology/ecology/neuroscience courses taken by students to fulfill distribution requirements during their junior and senior years. Same as BIOL-220. Prerequisites: Sophomore standing and either BIOL-101, BIOL-102,or ECOL-100. 4 SH. 4 lecture hours. CC: Analytical Thought.

ECOL 380

Wetlands Analysis

Wetlands are complex environments that are controlled by chemical, biological and physical interactions. The course explores the structure, function, management, and jurisdictional delineation of non-tidal freshwater wetlands. Lecture material covers the history of wetlands use/abuse, current definitions, and analysis of the common indicators of wetland function; hydrology, soils and vegetation. The laboratory consists of plant identification, techniques for hydric soil analysis, identification of wetland hydrology indicators using current methodologies for delineation of jurisdictional wetlands. Same as EENV-380. Prerequisite: CHEM-103-104, or CHEM-111-112. 4 SH. 3 lecture hours, 3 laboratory/field hours. CC: Writing Intensive.

ECOL 408

Aquatic Ecology

The ecology of freshwater ecosystems. Emphasizes biota of freshwater and their relationships with physical and chemical components of lakes, streams, and reservoirs. Same as BIOL-408. Prerequisite: BIOL-101 or ECOL-100. 3 SH.

ECOL 409

Aquatic Ecology Lab

Field laboratory in aquatic ecology techniques. Topics include physical and chemical measurements and the identification and enumeration of phytoplankton, zooplankton, aquatic plants and benthic organisms. Same as BIOL-409. Prerequisite: BIOL-101 or ECOL-100. 1 SH. 4 laboratory hours.

ECOL 501

Independent Study

1-4

Individual work on selected topics for qualified students under faculty direction. Requires approval of supervising professor and department head. 1-4 SH.

ECOL 509

Student Research I

Introduces students to methods and techniques of ecological research in the context of a collaborative research project. Prerequisite: Instructor’s permission. 2 SH. 8 contact hours.

ECOL 510

Student Research I

2-4

Introduces students to methods and techniques of ecological research in the context of a collaborative research project. Prerequisite: Instructor’s permission. 2 or 4 SH. 16 contact hours.

ECOL 511

Student Research II

1-4

Collaborative research with an emphasis on presentation of data and explanation of results. Prerequisite: Instructor’s permission. 4 SH. 16 contact hours. Capstone. CC: Writing Intensive.

ECOL 560

Interdisciplinary Explorations Biology

2-4

Explores salient issues in the biological sciences from an interdisciplinary perspective. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing and BIOL-101, BIOL-102, ECOL-100 or instructor’s permission. CC: Interdisciplinary. 2-4 SH.

When you enroll at Susquehanna, you’ll be paired with an advisor and application tool to guide you in your course planning and scheduling. The following is an excerpt from the complete course catalog. Enrolled students follow the requirements of the course catalog for the academic year in which they declare each major and/or minor, consult with their advisor(s).

Ecology is an interdisciplinary program that draws on the strengths of the Biology Department and the Earth and Environmental Sciences Department and provides students the possibility of earning either a major or a minor in ecology.

Learning Goals

Ecology majors will learn to identify and describe the basic principles and theories of ecology and the related sciences (biology, environmental science and geology).
Using these principles and theories, students will learn to construct and critique logical scientific arguments.
Students will learn to use appropriate skills and techniques to acquire and evaluate scientific evidence.
Students will recognize how basic ecological principles and theories are relevant to the broader university curriculum, as well as to their daily lives.

Double-counting Restriction for the Major

Students majoring in ecology may double-count a maximum of 16 semester hours toward another major or minor. Students may not double major in Ecology and Earth and Environmental Sciences.

Major in Ecology

The Bachelor of Science degree in ecology requires 56 semester hours in biology, earth & environmental sciences and chemistry with grades of C- or better in ecology, biology, and earth and environmental sciences courses. The Bachelor of Science in ecology includes a four-course introductory sequence and a year or more of student research. In addition, the 56 semester hours include 24 semester hours of elective courses with at least 12 drawn from each of Category 1 and Category 2. In cases where the lecture and laboratory components of courses are listed separately, students in the ecology program must take both lecture and laboratory.

16 Introductory Sequence (16 semester hours)

4 ECOL-100 Introduction to the Science of Ecology
(BIOL-101 Ecology and Evolution, EENV-101 Environmental Science, or EENV-103 Earth System History may substitute as an initial course in the introductory sequence)

4 ECOL-110 Biogeodiversity
4 ECOL-201 Community and Ecosystems Ecology
4 BIOL-220 Biostatistics

24 Elective Courses:

24 semester hours chosen from the following, with at least 12 semester hours taken in Category 1 and 12 semester hours taken in Category 2.

Category 1: Biology Electives:
12 credits must be chosen from the following. The course must be accompanied with the laboratory when offered and at least two courses of the 12 credits must be lab-based.

4 BIOL-312-313 Microbiology
4 BIOL-324-325 Animal Behavior
4 BIOL-326-327 Invertebrate Zoology
4 BIOL-330/331 Conservation Biology
4 BIOL-332-333 Population Biology
4 BIOL-340-341 Marine Ecology
4 BIOL-404-405 Plant Physiology
4 BIOL-408-409 Aquatic Ecology
4 BIOL-460-461 Winter Ecology of Vertebrates
2 ECOL-560 Explorations in Ecology (e.g. Sustainable Food Systems, Biology of Invasive Species, Amphibian Population Declines, Ecological Analysis: an Introduction to R, Fish Biology, Conservation Biology, Human Evolution and Behavior, etc.)

Category 2: Environmental Science Electives:
12 credits must be chosen from the following:

4 EENV-113 Geology and the Environment
4 EENV-213 Oceanography
4 EENV-220 Water Resources
4 EENV-240 Introduction to Meteorology
4 EENV-242 Climate and Global Change
4 EENV-283 Sedimentology/Stratigraphy
4 EENV-313 The Susquehanna River
4 EENV-360 Geographic Information Systems
4 EENV-380 Wetlands Analysis
4 EENV-383 Soil Science
4 EENV-420 Groundwater Hydrology
4 EENV-430 Chemistry of Natural Waters

8 Student Research*

2 ECOL-509 Student Research I
2 or 4 ECOL-510 Student Research I
4 ECOL-511 Student Research II

* ECOL-509 Student Research I may be taken during the third year for students that require more than one field season of research. ECOL-510 Student Research I may be taken as either 2 or 4 semester hours senior year. Students who have completed ECOL-509 must take no more than 2 semester hours of ECOL- 510.

8 Required Corollary Courses
Students must complete the following corollary chemistry courses:

4 General Chemistry I – choose from: CHEM-103 or CHEM-111
4 General Chemistry II – choose from: CHEM-104 or CHEM-232

Note: Additional corollary courses are strongly recommended for those intending to pursue graduate training. These recommended courses include:

CHEM-221 Organic Chemistry I
CHEM-222 Organic Chemistry II
CHEM-242 Methods of Chemical Analysis
Introductory Physics I (PHYS-202, or PHYS-204)
Introductory Physics II (PHYS-205 or PHYS-206)

Majors must also take a comprehensive ecology examination prior to graduation. Exam content will be drawn from introductory sequence courses. Students have multiple opportunities to take the comprehensive examination; only the highest score is recorded on the transcript. Performance on the comprehensive examination is reported on the transcript as high pass, pass or fail.

Honors in Ecology

The ecology program encourages and recognizes superior academic performance in ecology.

Candidates for academic honors must:

Maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.25 and a GPA of 3.50 in major courses to qualify for academic honors.
Successfully complete Student Research I and II (ECOL-510 and ECOL-511) and earn a grade of B- or better in these courses.

Candidates for research honors must:

Be nominated by a member of the faculty who teaches within the ecology program by midterm of Student Research II (ECOL-511).
Submit an acceptable research thesis based upon two semesters of Student Research (ECOL-510 and ECOL-511).
Pass an oral comprehensive examination of their thesis in their final semester. The oral comprehensive examination is administered by faculty who teach within the ecology major.

Ecology Research Facilities

The Center for Environmental Education and Research (CEER) is an 87-acre field station for observational and manipulative studies in ecology, and is home to the Freshwater Research Institute, a research laboratory and center for freshwater ecological research. Located adjacent to campus, the CEER also includes a research greenhouse, research plots and storage facilities for field equipment. In addition, the department operates the George A. Hepner Ecology Laboratory at Camp Karoondinha that provides a small research laboratory and a variety of habitats, offering students experience through short- and long-term experiments. The property features more than 600 acres from 600 to 1,800 feet above sea level. It includes both deciduous and mixed coniferous forests, an 8-acre lake, Penns Creek and small streams.

Minor in Ecology

The minor in ecology requires 24 semester hours in ecology, biology, and earth and environmental sciences with grades of C- or better. The first course in the minor may be one of the following: ECOL-100, BIOL-101, EENV-101 or EENV-103. That introductory course should be followed by the sequence of ECOL-110/BIOL-204 and ECOL-201. Following the completion of the introductory sequence, the student will take at least four semester hours from Category 1 (biology) and four semester hours from Category 2 (earth and environmental sciences).

Double-counting restriction for interdisciplinary minors

Only 8 semester hours of this minor may be double-counted toward the student’s major.

Category 1: Biology Electives (must be taken with the laboratory)

4 BIOL-312/313 Microbiology
4 BIOL-324/325 Animal Behavior
4 BIOL-326/327 Invertebrate Zoology
4 BIOL-332/333 Population Biology
4 BIOL-404/405 Plant Physiology
4 BIOL-408/409 Aquatic Ecology

Category 2: Environmental Science Electives

4 EENV-213 Oceanography
4 EENV-220 Water Resources
4 EENV-240 Introduction to Meteorology
4 EENV-242 Climate and Global Change
4 EENV-283 Sedimentology/Stratigraphy
4 EENV-313 The Susquehanna River
4 EENV-360 Geographic Information Systems
4 EENV-380 Wetlands Analysis
4 EENV-383 Soil Science
4 EENV-420 Groundwater Hydrology
4 EENV-430 Chemistry of Natural Waters

Natural resources manager
Wildlife and fisheries officer
Environmental consultant
Field ecologist
Environmental protection specialist

DIVE INTO SUSQUEHANNA’S FRESHWATER RESEARCH INSTITUTE

The Susquehanna River is a hidden gem teeming with life where you can study the local ecology. Grab your specimen jar, lab notebook and become a part of a summer crew that ensures this valuable resource will always be protected.

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