華盛頓州立大學(xué)

Environmental and ecosystem sciences focuses on the interactions of physical, chemical, and biological conditions of natural and human-modified environments, with the goal of solving growing environmental challenges.

The environmental and ecosystem sciences major at WSU features a broad interdisciplinary science and social science core coupled with a flexible advanced curriculum. This flexibility allows students to choose in-depth studies in an area of interest, and add a minor in virtually any subject. It also delivers hands-on research and management experience that prepare you for graduate school and management careers.

Strengths of the program

Become inspired to make a difference in the real world in a program that prepares you to address the challenges of global change, environmental and resource conservation, and sustainability
Benefit from a flexible interdisciplinary science curriculum that gives you the freedom to focus on what interests you the most and prepares you for numerous careers and graduate school
Acquire hands-on experience from research in campus ecology laboratories, field camps, internship programs, and study abroad
Work closely with professors who are nationally recognized for

Environmental science
Conservation biology and genetics
Climate change biology
Landscape and restoration ecology
Aquatic ecology, water science, and water resource management
Plant and wildlife ecology and management
Earth science

Receive academic and professional advising throughout your time here to support your optimum scholarly, professional, and personal growth

Core courses and curriculum

As an environmental and ecosystem science major, you begin with core courses in:

Biology and chemistry
Environmental science
Ecology
Earth systems
Water science
Modeling and spatial analysis
Society and environmental management
Statistics

Next, the flexible curriculum allows you to work with a faculty advisor to create your own specialized program of study by choosing a large block of advanced professional electives in areas such as:

Animal or plant ecology, climate change, or biology
Ecosystem ecology, landscape ecology and management, restoration ecology, or spatial/quantitative ecology
Environmental management, conservation, and sustainability
Aquatic ecosystem science, water science and management, environmental assessment, or hazardous waste management
Environmental policy and social science or pre-law
Advanced Earth science, physical and biological oceanography

You may also choose from a wide variety of seminars, special topics courses, minors, senior theses, and study-abroad opportunities.

Sample career options in environmental and ecosystem sciences
Careers for environmental science graduates include:

Conservation biologist or hydrologist
Aquatic, stream or wetland ecologist
Water resource specialist
Oceanographer
Landscape or forest ecologist or manager
Restoration ecologist
Environmental engineer, educator, or consultant
Range manager
Land, watershed, natural area, park, or wildlife refuge planner or manager
Resource policy advisor
Sustainability program coordinator
Pollution control technician

Suggested preparation for incoming students
Students who become environmental and ecosystem science majors often enjoy

Biological and physical sciences
Hands-on learning
Working outdoors
Applying analytical techniques to solving practical problems
Making a difference in the real world