Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology, B.S.
In an era marked by global ecological challenges and rapid biodiversity loss, the study of Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology (EECB) has never been more critical and compelling. The 21st Century is witnessing an urgent need for individuals equipped to navigate and mitigate the complexities of environmental crises. The undergraduate majors in Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology at the University of California, Merced, which include both B.S. degrees in General and Pre-Health tracks, instruct students in the intricate relationships within natural ecosystems, evolutionary processes, and conservation strategies vital for preserving our planet's biological wealth.
The Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology (EECB) program at UC Merced teaches these ecology, evolutionary biology, and conservation biology as interconnected and dynamic fields of study, emphasizing data-driven ecological analysis, hypothesis testing in evolutionary biology, and practical conservation strategies. The curriculum is underpinned by foundational concepts from various disciplines including Biology, Data Science, and Environmental Sciences. Students opting for the EECB B.S. will gain deep insight into areas such as organismal ecology, the processes giving rise to the Tree of Life, and cutting-edge conservation practices. The EECB B.S. offers two emphasis tracks: the General track, where students have flexibility to tailor their studies to their unique interests and career aspirations, and the Pre-Health track, which provides students with expertise in ecology, evolution, and conservation biology, while simultaneously fulfilling the Medical Education Core Coursework, opening the door to medical school and other health fields.
The EECB General track offers a comprehensive exploration of ecology, evolution, and conservation biology, allowing students to enrich themselves in the program's core tenets while tailoring their studies to their individual interests. This track is designed to be flexible and broad, ensuring that students gain a strong foundation in the key disciplines while also having the opportunity to specialize in areas such as organismal ecology, conservation practices, and evolutionary biology. Graduates from the General track are prepared to enter a diverse range of fields including wildlife biology, conservation policy, biological research, and education.
Students in the EECB Pre-Health track integrates the Medical Education Core Coursework, preparing students for medical school applications and other health-related postgraduate pursuits. Students will find that their unique background equips them to approach health sciences with a nuanced understanding of the interplay between ecological systems and health outcomes. Their grounding in ecology and evolutionary biology will enable them to specialize in areas such as public health, epidemiology, and infectious diseases, using insights into population dynamics and evolutionary pressures to devise comprehensive approaches to disease transmission, outbreaks, and the impacts of environmental changes on health.
Upon graduation you might become:
*these occupations typically require additional education/training
Employment Outlook for Program Graduates
