The Ecology major at Brevard College strives to produce graduates who are prepared to enter graduate or professional school, immediate technical employment in the natural sciences, or other careers such as consulting that are based in science. The faculty of the Ecology major endeavors to ensure that our graduates will be competitive with graduates from large research universities as well as other liberal arts institutions. Skills in reading, writing, speaking, interpreting, and presenting scientific information will be demonstrated by the graduates of the Ecology major. Because Brevard College’s graduates receive their Bachelor of Science degree within the liberal arts setting, they are broadly trained and prepared for future employment in any area.
What makes the Brevard College Ecology Program unique?
It is rare to find an undergraduate major in Ecology. Our students are broadly trained not only in Biology, but in the more focused arena of Ecology. Ecology is comprehensive and involves not only collecting data from the natural world, but interpreting that data so that society can make informed choices about how ecosystems function.
You should consider the Ecology major if you:
• Want to work outdoors as well as in the laboratory
• Are curious about how the environment works
• Have an aptitude for scientific reasoning and problem solving
• Want to work in an area that is important to society
What kinds of careers may be pursued with a Brevard College B.A. in Ecology?
| Graduate school |
Environmental consulting |
| Veterinary school |
Wildlife Law Enforcement |
| Research Technician |
Teaching |
Some of our recent graduates, in their own words:
• The students leaving the Ecology program at Brevard are as competitive if not more, to any other students that I have come in contact with all over the country. (This comment is from a BC graduate who is currently enrolled at the University of Tennessee, a large research-oriented university.)
• The Brevard College Department of ESMNS was one of the best things to ever happened to me. I am finding out now more than ever, how well the Ecology program prepared me for both graduate school and a professional career.
• I benefited from and enjoyed the Ecology program at Brevard College immensely. Because of the educational path that I chose, the program provided a comprehensive science base that has lent itself greatly to my teaching.
• I had a great experience at Brevard College. The small classes and opportunity to talk to your professor any time, made learning enjoyable and less stressful.
• Brevard gave me the upper hand in terms of my acceptance to veterinary school…the smaller classes and ability to interact and form connections with professors allowed me to excel.
Courses offered within the Ecology major:
| Field based, organismal courses such as Local Birds or Wildflowers |
Calculus |
| Aquatic and Terrestrial Ecosystems |
Biodiversity |
| Evolutionary Biology |
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Faculty Highlights:
Full-time faculty who teach in the Ecology major are impressively credentialed in the ecology field. The
particular field of research for most faculty is Ecology. Each professor maintains an active website that lists their courses, publications and research efforts, and other items of interest. Several of our professors have been acknowledged by both their faculty peers and their students as outstanding teachers.
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Janie Sue Brooks, Ph.D. Cornell University
Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies and Ecology Coordinator, Ecology Major
S. Carroll Brooks, Ph.D. Cornell University
Assistant Professor of Chemistry and Environmental Studies
Anita Bryant, M.S. Western Carolina University
Associate Professor of Chemistry
Robert Cabin, Ph.D. University of New Mexico
Assistant Professor of Environmental Science and Ecology Coordinator, Environmental Science Major
Kenneth M. Duke, Ph.D. University of Georgia
Associate Professor of Environmental Studies and Ecology
Coordinator, Environmental Studies Major
Chair, Division of Environmental Studies, Math, and Natural Sciences
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Jennifer Frick-Ruppert, Ph.D. Clemson University
Associate Professor of Environmental Studies and Ecology
Jeffrey B. Llewellyn, Ph.D. University of Nevada-Reno
Professor Ecology and Biology
Mary Emma Thornton Distinguished Service Professor of Ecology
Coordinator Health Science Studies Major
James H. Reynolds, Ph.D. Dartmouth College
Associate Professor of Geology
C. Clarke Wellborn, Ph.D. Tulane University
Professor of Physics and Mathematics
Edwin Schmidt Distinguished Service Professor of Physics and Mathematics
Scott Yager, M.S. University of Central Florida
Instructor in Physics
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Scholarship Information:
The Environmental Studies, Mathematics, and Natural Science Division awards “challenge” grants up to
$500 to promising incoming freshmen and transfer students declaring Ecology as their major. Interested students should contact Dr. Ken Duke, Chair of the ESMNS Division. All new students, Ecology majors and all other majors, may also qualify for academic scholarships through the Admission Office, ranging from $3,000 to $15,000. Need-Based Financial Aid is also available to students who qualify as a result of filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
| Division of Environmental Studies, Mathematics & Natural Sciences |
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For more information, contact:
Janie Sue Brooks
Acting Coordinator of the
Ecology Major
828.884.2474
brooksjs@brevard.edu
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Major Programs
Ecology (B.S.)
Environmental Science (B.S)
Environmental Studies
General Science
Health Science Studies
Mathematics
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Minor Programs
Biology
Chemistry
Ecology
Environmental Studies
Geology
Mathematics Natural History
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