Ecology and Environmental Science Major

Program Coordinator/Contact
Nels H. Troelstrup, Jr., Interim Department Head
Department of Natural Resource Management
Northern Plains Biostress Laboratory, Room 138
605-688-5503
E-mail: nels.troelstrup@sdstate.edu
www.sdstate.edu/nrm
Click here for additional information. 

Program Information
The Ecology and Environmental Science major includes a strong core in biological and physical sciences and a variety of elective courses that allow students to follow their interests within the major. Most students enrolled in this major are planning careers with environmental monitoring and regulatory agencies or private consulting firms. Students are given the opportunity to select from two emphases, Ecology and Environmental Science.

• The Ecology Emphasis allows substantial flexibility in course selection for those interested in employment with state or federal agencies, or private consulting firms as an ecologist.  Students graduating with this major meet requirements to be certified as an Ecologist in Training with the Ecological Society of America.  Preparation for graduate programs also is a common goal for students in this emphasis.
• The Environmental Science Emphasis is for students seeking careers or graduate programs to address contemporary environmental issues.  Students typically seek employment with state or federal environmental monitoring and regulatory agencies or private consulting firms.  This emphasis includes a broad selection of elective credits, allowing the student to design a track optimal for their future career or graduate education path.

Accreditation, Certification, and Licensure
The Ecology and Environmental Science program is based on certification requirements of the Ecological Society of America. Curricula are designed so that upon completion, ecology students may become a Certified Ecologist in Training from the Ecological Society of America.

Course Delivery Format
Program coursework is delivered on-campus, in lecture, discussion, and laboratory settings, and off-campus in numerous field-based settings.