The science of God’s creation. Conservation and Ecological Health

At the nexus of ecology, genetics, and biology sits conservation and ecological health, the branch of the biological sciences that pertains to the preservation and management of biodiversity and natural resources. 

Credential Type

    BS

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.

75% completed an internship

Three-quarters of the most recent graduating class pursued at least one internship.

10:1 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 Students on Black Hills Butte

Program Highlight Benefit From an Integrative Approach

Conservation & Ecological Health is part of the Biological and Health Sciences Department, which also includes Biology, Neurology, Health Science, and Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. Together, these five majors share a core curriculum designed to introduce you to the underpinnings of biological and health sciences and teach you how to read, write, produce, and speak about science. With this firm foundation, you will be well-positioned to pursue the major of your choice

Our interdisciplinary approach also allows us to creatively leverage existing relationships with other departments such as Chemistry, Geology & Environmental Science, and Psychology, to provide an integrated, robust learning experience that prepares you well for graduate school, medical school, or any number of careers in the field of biological and health sciences.

Sample Classes

As a Conservation and Ecological Health major, your coursework will span disciplines, from biology to environmental science. Sample core and elective classes include: 

  • Ecological Health
  • Economic Botany 
  • Processes of Life: Ecology and Evolution
  • Dynamic Earth and Environment
  • Environmental Pollution & Toxicology

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

Andrew Luhmann Tests Icy River

Our Faculty

You’ll learn from faculty members from across disciplines with a range of experience and expertise. Areas of research interest include: air pollution, disease transmission, stress, public health, natural disasters, geochemistry, resilience, and zoology. 

Our Facilities & Equipment

The Meyer Science Center is home to state-of-the-art labs and learning spaces filled with modern equipment and instrumentation. Devoted to sustainability and the stewardship of God’s creation, Wheaton College’s green operations include LEED certification for several campus facilities.

Learn About the Meyer Science Center

Wheaton College Students hiking in Black Hills

Our Experiences

Majoring conservation and ecological health at Wheaton opens you up to immersive learning experiences such as internships, collaborative research projects with faculty mentors, and field study opportunities around the world, including at the Wheaton College Science Station in the Black Hills of South Dakota.

Learn About Wheaton in the Black Hills

WITH Wheaton Opportunities Across Campus & Beyond

Interdisciplinary learning is a way of life at Wheaton. Aside from 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

  • Human Needs and Global Resources (HNGR Program)
  • Wheaton in the Black Hills
  • Wheaton Summer Research Program

Other Opportunities

  • Research
  • Internships
  • Teaching and lab assistantships
  • Campus employment with the campus arboretum, aquarium, and greenhouses
  • Other international and domestic travel programs  
  • Summer science camps for local high school students

Related Centers, Organizations & Co-Curriculars

  • Health Professions Advising 
  • Earth Club
  • Wheaton A Rocha

 Additional Academic Opportunities: Common Minors, Certificates & Second Majors

  • Science Teacher Education Program
  • Accelerated master of arts degree in teaching

 

Meyer Science Center Greenhouse
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. In a world filled with complex social and environmental challenges, the need for informed and technically prepared Christians is greater than ever. The conservation and ecological health curriculum is design to help students develop both theoretical and technical skills needed to engage in the analysis of conservation and ecological health issues and develop practical, implementable solutions that are rooted firmly in a biblical worldview.

More About Christ at the Core

Next Steps

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