Biological Sciences : Ecology & Evolution BS

The BS in Biological Sciences: Ecology & Evolution at the University of Cincinnati emphasizes hands-on study of organisms, ecosystems, biodiversity, and evolutionary processes. Students develop practical skills through required biology laboratories, upper-level laboratory courses, and undergraduate research, with opportunities to investigate real biological questions in university facilities and nearby research environments. The program’s Ecology, Evolution & Conservation research focus also connects students with research spanning organismal biology, conservation, behavior, and evolutionary science.

Students can build this practical experience through several program-specific opportunities:

• Laboratory coursework: Students complete introductory biology lecture/lab sequences and sophomore biology courses with laboratory components, followed by upper-level biology electives that include laboratory work. Undergraduate research can be used to fulfill one of the required upper-level laboratory components.
• Undergraduate research: Students can participate directly in faculty research and earn academic credit that applies toward upper-level biology requirements. The department notes that undergraduate researchers may take major research roles and, in some cases, contribute to peer-reviewed publications.
• Field-based learning: The department supports field-oriented biological education through the UC Center for Field Studies, a facility specifically identified by the department among its resources for research and teaching. Biology students can also undertake fieldwork as part of biology capstone opportunities.
• Greenhouse: The Biological Sciences Greenhouse on the roof of Rieveschl Hall houses plant collections used as reference material for classes and serves as a research space for undergraduate, graduate and faculty projects—particularly relevant to ecology, plant biology and organism–environment studies.
• Research laboratories: The department organizes research around Ecology, Evolution & Conservation (EEC) as one of its three principal research areas, alongside Sensory Biology & Behavior and Molecular Biology, Genetics & Physiology.
• External research environments: Undergraduate research can also take place in nearby laboratories outside the department, including the UC Medical School, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, giving students access to research settings beyond the traditional biology department.
• Local field and conservation opportunities: UC highlights volunteer and practical opportunities involving Burnet Woods, Mills Creek and the UC Field Station, allowing students interested in ecology and conservation to engage with local natural environments.
• Teaching technology and facilities: The department states that its teaching laboratories are well equipped for undergraduate education and that faculty use new teaching methods and technology to enrich students’ learning experiences.
• Collaborative research: Students benefit from a research-intensive environment where faculty collaborate within and across laboratories and research groups, with department research also involving institutions such as the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 

The Biological Sciences: Ecology & Evolution BS prepares students to study how organisms interact with one another and their environments, while developing skills in observation, biological analysis, and scientific problem-solving. Graduates can pursue careers across environmental, conservation, research, natural-resource, and education settings, with some career paths requiring postgraduate study.

Career opportunities: Typical roles include ecologist, conservation specialist, environmental studies specialist, natural resources manager, and wildlife management specialist.

• Career support: University of Cincinnati’s career resources and experiential-learning environment connect students with employers and professional opportunities; UC reports 1,700+ employer partners worldwide and a 92.5% university-wide rate of graduates employed or enrolled in graduate school within six months.
• Employment and salary: UC does not publish a program-specific employment rate or starting-salary figure for the Ecology & Evolution BS on the official program page. The university’s published outcomes therefore should not be interpreted as a salary or employment statistic specifically for this major.
• University–industry connections: UC identifies biology graduates working with organizations including Medpace, Cincinnati Children’s, UC Health, Christ Hospital, P&G, and Eli Lilly, while the university overall reports more than 1,700 employer partners.
• Research opportunities: Students can participate in faculty research for academic credit, including research in the Department of Biological Sciences and nearby laboratories such as UC Medical School, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, and the Environmental Protection Agency.
• Accreditation value: The University of Cincinnati and its regional campuses are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, providing institutional accreditation for the university and supporting the long-term academic recognition of the degree.
• Graduation outcomes: Graduates can enter environmental and biological careers or continue into graduate and professional education. UC specifically identifies graduate study in biology, including MS and PhD pathways, as an option, while its career list also includes research, conservation, environmental work, wildlife management, education, and veterinary medicine.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the BS, students can continue into an MS or PhD in Biology and develop deeper expertise for research and teaching careers. Depending on their career goals and prerequisites, the undergraduate foundation can also support progression into professional fields such as veterinary medicine and other advanced programs.