Environmental Biology Degree Program
Environmental biology majors feel passionate about life and want to explore and protect its complex functions. Sound like you?
Wingate University’s broad-based environmental biology major prepares students for professional work or graduate study in a wide range of disciplines including zoology, plant biology, wildlife ecology, field botany and animal behavior. Lab and field work supplement your classroom time, so you acquire the fundamental skills you need for your career.
Fundamentals and Beyond
In addition to the standard life sciences curriculum, environmental biology majors study zoology and botany and choose from wide-ranging electives such as animal and plant ecology, ornithology, entomology, wildlife management, marine biology and oceanography, genetics and microbiology.
Study Outside the Classroom
Opportunities for enhancing coursework with real-life experiences are well within your reach. Our students have completed internships with:
- Carolina Raptor Center
- Carolina Waterfowl Rescue
- Local veterinarians
- Marine Mammal Stranding Center, New Jersey
- Nature centers
- Zoos
Qualified students can study abroad and earn Wingate University credit hours as part of the Denmark International Studies program in environmental biology.
Student Research Starts Here
Motivated environmental biology majors can participate in faculty-directed undergraduate research projects for academic credit. You might conduct research into:
- Animal behavior and ecology
- Bird communication
- Field botany
- Seed germination
Our student researchers regularly present their projects at the Creative and Investigative Partnerships symposium held on campus each spring semester. Many majors have presented their research results at regional, state and national scientific meetings.
Job Prospects
With a bachelor’s degree in hand, many environmental biology majors go on to biology careers with non-profit groups, corporations, consulting firms, environmental education organizations, and state and federal agencies. Others continue their work in graduate school and pursue academic or research careers.
Please contact us to learn more about the environmental biology major and see how it aligns with your goals.
My experience
"It wasn’t until I attended Wingate University in undergrad that I would find my true passion for research, wildlife, and birds. I have to credit my two undergraduate research advisors: Dr. Alison Brown, who taught me the true passion and joy in conducting research, and Dr. Edward Mills, who introduced me to ornithology as well as many other aspects of wildlife biology through the courses that he taught. I gained research experience and the opportunity to work with various species of animals including sheep and Chinese Blue-breasted Quail. I also got the experience of presenting my work publicly at professional science conferences."
Lauren Pharr, 2019 Environmental Biology grad now working on her master's in Fisheries, Wildlife & Conservation BiologY at N.C. State