The Ecological Concentration within the Biology major at Covenant College is designed for students passionate about understanding the relationships between organisms and their environments. This concentration is ideal for those pursuing careers in ecology, environmental science, conservation, wildlife or plant biology, and natural resource management, as well as students preparing for graduate studies in ecological or environmental sciences.
A unique feature of this concentration is Covenant College’s affiliation with the Au Sable Institute, which offers a rich variety of summer courses, fieldwork, and research opportunities in ecology, conservation biology, land and water management, and environmental ethics. Through immersive field-based learning, students gain valuable hands-on experience in ecological research and applied conservation. Covenant students will be billed separately for their Au Sable expenses, and Covenant will give credit for most Au Sable Institute courses. Fellowships and scholarships are available.
Students also benefit from Covenant’s location near diverse ecosystems and a wealth of local conservation organizations. Through the Ecological Concentration, students develop the expertise needed to understand and steward God’s creation, integrating faith with scientific inquiry to address pressing ecological challenges while preparing for impactful careers in conservation, research, teaching, and environmental advocacy.
The core and distribution requirements for a major in biology are those listed for baccalaureate degrees with the exception that CHE 121 General Chemistry I is fulfilling the natural science lab requirement, and is already required for the major.