I think not. What you are speaking of is more appropriately placed in the environmental science/studies degree programs rather than ecology. Mixing these two programs would do a disservice to both majors.
On Thu, August 16, 2007 9:39 pm, LOREN BYRNE wrote: > This question about undergrad requirements for ecology programs prompts me > to throw out to the community a general question that I have pondered for > years: > Given the increasingly recognized importance of integrating the social > sciences into ecology for topics such as ecosystem services, urban > ecology, etc., is it time to begin shifting our ecology education paradigm > toward inclusion of "non-traditional" courses as suggested correlative > courses, if not requirements, in ecology curricula, i.e., courses in > sociology, economics and maybe even communications? > Many might argue (legitimately so in my opinion) that such social science > courses could be more important and beneficial for students who want to go > into conservation biology or environmental management fields than the > standard "full year of chemistry and physics." > > cheers > Loren > > > > > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: Jonathan Horton <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Date: Thursday, August 16, 2007 2:26 pm > Subject: courses required for graduate ecology programs > >> Colleagues, >> >> We are considering revising our course curriculum for our B.S. >> Biology >> degree with a concentration in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. >> Many >> of us feel that more training in statistics and experimental design >> will >> be beneficial to our graduates seeking professional positions and >> entry >> into research-based graduate programs. Our current requirements >> are as >> follows: >> >> 1. A core curriculum (16 hours) required of all Biology majors that >> includes introductory Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Cellular >> and >> Molecular Biology, Botany and Zoology >> 2. Chemistry (Introductory I and II with lab, Organic I and either >> Biochemistry with a lab or Organic II with a lab >> 3. Two semesters of Physics >> 4. Calculus and one semester of introductory statistics >> 5. And many upper level biology courses >> >> With our general education requirements (we are a public Liberal >> Arts >> College), this makes it a full 4 to 4.5 year schedule for graduation. >> >> We are discussing cutting back on the amount of chemistry (through >> Organic I) and Physics (only 1 semester) and instead having our >> students >> take additional courses in Statistics (Linear Regression and Anova) >> and >> experimental design and analysis. >> >> My questions to the group is this: What are the entrance >> requirements >> to ecology graduate programs in terms of course work? Which would >> better prepare students for a research-based graduate program or >> professional position, additional chemistry and physics or >> additional >> statistical training. >> >> We would not want to limit our graduates chances of entering a >> graduate >> program by failing to meet entrance requirements in terms of >> supplemental science coursework. Please provide your thoughts. >> >> Feel free to answer off the list. >> >> Thanks, >> >> Jonathan >> >> -- >> ************************* >> Jonathan Horton Ph.D. >> Department of Biology >> One University Heights >> UNC-Asheville CPO#2440 >> Asheville, NC 28804 >> Phone: (828)232-5152 >> Fax: (828)251-6623 >> [EMAIL PROTECTED] >> ************************* >> > Malcolm L. McCallum Assistant Professor of Biology Editor Herpetological Conservationa and Biology [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED]
