Learn to steward, preserve, and protect God's creation. Conservation and Ecological Health

As a student of Conservation and Ecological Health, you will learn about life and its processes in ecological contexts. Such knowledge will prepare you to support the flourishing of life in all of its diversity. You will be able to participate in a variety of vocations or continue your studies in postgraduate education in fields focused on creation care.  

Credential Type

  • B.S.

Major Credits Required

  • 50

Offered As

  • Major

98.9% employed or in graduate school

Within six months of graduation, nearly 99% of Wheaton’s Class of 2021 found work in their field or continued their education.

86% pursue advanced degrees

The majority of Wheaton biology students attend graduate, medical, dental, veterinary, or nursing school within 10 years of graduation.

11:1 student-faculty ratio

Small class sizes mean individualized attention and greater access to faculty.

Connect with Admissions

You can reach us anytime via admissions@wheaton.edu.

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Wheaton Conservation and Ecology Students Doing Stream Ecology Work

Why Study at Wheaton? Benefit From an Integrative Approach

Conservation and Ecological Health is part of the Biological and Health Sciences Department, which also includes Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (offered jointly with the Chemistry Department), Biology, Health Science, and Neuroscience. Together, these five majors share a core curriculum designed to introduce you to foundational biological and chemical concepts, scientific research methods, and the intersection of Christian faith with science. You will learn to read scientific literature critically, communicate scientific information effectively, and conduct scientific experiments correctly. This firm foundation, coupled with upper-divisional courses in Biological and Health Sciences, prepares you for graduate school in environmental or ecological studies, Master of Public Health programs, jobs in conservation and sustainability fields, or any number of careers in the field of biological and health sciences.

Our interdisciplinary approach also allows us to creatively leverage existing relationships with the Department of Earth & Environmental Science to provide an integrated, robust learning experience.

Faces & Spaces Where You’ll Learn, Who You’ll Meet

Kristen Page

Our Faculty

Learn from accomplished, caring faculty members with scientific expertise in parasitology and disease transmission, botany, marine biology, microbiology, cardiovascular physiology, nutrition, epidemiology, diabetes,  genetics, neurobiology, and theories of origins. 

Our Facilities & Equipment

The Meyer Science Center, certified by the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) gold standard, is home to state-of-the-art learning spaces including a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) lab.  

Wheaton College Students hiking in Black Hills

Our Experiences

Majoring in Conservation and Ecological Health at Wheaton exposes you to many immersive learning experiences, from internships and collaborative research projects with faculty mentors to mission-driven service work around Chicagoland and abroad. 

WITH Wheaton Opportunities Across Campus & Beyond

Interdisciplinary learning is a way of life at Wheaton. In addition to your work within your chosen major, you can enrich your educational experience and connect with peers and professors across campus and beyond in many ways.

 


Real-World Learning at Wheaton & Beyond

  • Wheaton in the Black Hills
  • Wheaton Summer Research Program
  • Human Needs and Global Resources (HNGR) program
  • Creation Care Studies Program (Belize)
  • International Sustainable Development Studies Institute (ISDSI)
  • Semester in Environmental Science (Woods Hole, MA)
  • Uganda Studies Program--Global Health Emphasis

Other Opportunities

  • Faculty-mentored student research
  • Internships
  • Teaching assistantships and lab assistantships
  • Campus employment with the campus arboretum, aquarium, and greenhouse
  • Other international and domestic travel programs 

Related Centers, Organizations & Co-Curriculars

  • Symbiosis (BHS student-run club)
  • Society of Women in STEM
  • Pre-Health Ministry
  • Thunderbirds (birding club)
  • Wheaton A Rocha (student chapter of the international Christian conservation organization)
  • Wheaton College Nature Club

 

Wheaton College IL Science Station Black Hills South Dakota
Featured Opportunity: Wheaton in the Black Hills

Study in the Great Outdoors

The Wheaton College Science Station in the Black Hills of South Dakota provides hands-on field learning experiences and includes trips to explore geological features of Wyoming’s Bighorn Mountains and National Parks like Yellowstone and Grand Tetons.

Students live and learn in community while seeing their classroom learning come alive in the field. Geology students earn 8 credit hours of required coursework during one summer prior to graduation with available financial aid support.

Learn About Wheaton in the Black Hills
Hands planting seeds in cups
CONSERVATION and ECOLOGICAL HEALTH for Christ & His Kingdom

Faith & Learning

A Wheaton education is built on the foundation of our unique Christ at the Core general education curriculum. A major in Conservation and Ecological Health, coupled with additional liberal arts courses in the Christ at the Core program, will equip you to lead and serve the global church and society in this critical and current field of study.

More About Christ at the Core

Success After Wheaton What Can You Do with a Biological and Health Sciences Degree?

Wheaton BHS students are well-prepared for further professional training to ultimately pursue careers as practitioners, researchers, and educators. Many graduates head right into the workforce, landing roles in a variety of industries.

You can get a job. Examples include:

  • Agricultural and food scientist
  • Medical laboratory technician
  • National Park Service specialist
  • Research assistant
  • Science writer

You can pursue an advanced degree that will lead to careers such as

  • Bioethicist
  • Biostatistician
  • Computational biologist
  • Conservation ecologist
  • Dentist
  • Environmental lawyer
  • Genetic counselor
  • Health care administrator
  • Marine biologist
  • Medical doctor
  • Natural resource manager
  • Nurse practitioner
  • Physician Assistant
  • Psychologist
  • Professor
  • Public Health professional
  • Teacher
  • Scientist at the CDC or WHO
  • Veterinarian

RESOURCES & LINKS For Going Deeper

If you’re a current student or want to dig deeper in this area of study, here are some additional resources for you to explore.

Department Website

Visit the Department of Biological and Health Sciences website for more information about our majors, minors, faculty, facilities, and more.

Course Requirements

View the Wheaton College catalog for specific degree requirements and course descriptions.

Next Steps

Interested in studying conservation and ecological health at Wheaton? Request more information or start your application today.