Environmental Biology Undergraduate Major
The major in Environmental Biology is a focused course of study intended for students who are interested in conservation biology, environmental preservation, human health, education, and public policy. Our diverse faculty offer engaging, student-centered courses with ample opportunities for hands-on learning in the lab and field, in addition to research and study abroad programming in Ecuador, Australia, and Scandinavia, for example. Students are encouraged to join our labs, where they can develop a wide range of skills and expertise in areas including coastal, aquatic, tropical, and disease ecology. The major will prepare students who are interested in seeking employment with environmental agencies of federal, state, and municipal governments or non-governmental organizations, and in private industry, including environmental economics and environmental consulting firms. The program also may appeal to individuals planning to enter the field of environmental law. Global Change Biology and Conservation Biology are required electives for the ENVB major.
What You'll Learn
The Environmental Biology major builds an understanding of biological processes among populations, communities, and ecosystems, with required coursework in conservation biology and global change biology at its core. Students round this out with electives in areas like coastal, aquatic, tropical, and disease ecology, paired with hands-on lab and field work and study abroad opportunities in places like Ecuador, Australia, and Scandinavia.
Career Outlook
The Environmental Biology major prepares students for employment with environmental agencies at the federal, state, and municipal level, as well as non-governmental organizations and private industry roles in environmental economics and consulting. The program also appeals to students considering environmental law, giving graduates a wide range of paths across government, industry, and advocacy.
Meet Our Faculty
Environmental Biology faculty bring diverse expertise across coastal, aquatic, tropical, and disease ecology, offering engaging, student-centered courses paired with real hands-on learning in the lab and field. They actively welcome undergraduates into their labs, building close mentorship relationships as students develop specialized skills in these areas.
Curriculum Requirements
The major in environmental biology provides an understanding of biological processes among populations, communities, and ecosystems. Majors must complete eight core courses, three elective courses, three chemistry courses (or alternatives as listed below), two mathematics courses, and the capstone requirement.
Students pursuing this bachelor’s degree must earn a minimum of 30 credit hours in the Newcomb-Tulane College core curriculum, 120 credit hours in their degree, and a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.000.
Research
Research tied to the Environmental Biology major spans coastal, aquatic, tropical, and disease ecology, giving students the chance to dig into pressing questions about conservation, environmental preservation, and global change. Undergraduates are encouraged to join faculty labs directly, often alongside research and study abroad opportunities in locations like Ecuador, Australia, and Scandinavia, gaining real fieldwork experience well before graduation.
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FAQs
Environmental Biology is the study of biological processes among populations, communities, and ecosystems, with a focus on conservation, environmental preservation, and the ways human activity is reshaping the natural world. It's a field geared toward tackling real-world environmental challenges — training students for careers spanning government agencies, conservation organizations, environmental consulting, and environmental law.
If you are ready to declare a major in Environmental Biology, please fill out this form, and submit it to the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. The form will be signed and returned to you, and you can send it along to NTC Advising. Please note that it is your responsibility to send this form to your NTC advisor.
If your major advisor does not reach out, you may want to contact them to introduce yourself or to set up a meeting.
The Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology may approve transfer of credit for courses taken outside of Tulane if certain criteria are met, specific supporting documentation is provided and the request is approved by the Academic Advising Center.
To have your request reviewed for possible transfer credit in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, you must meet the following criteria:
-The course must be taught in an accredited college or university.
-The course must be comparable in content to the Tulane course to be given equivalency to a Tulane course.
-Summer laboratory courses must be at least 5 weeks in length for credit.
-We do not give course credit for internships not coordinated by Tulane University.
The following materials must be provided when requesting approval:
-Properly completed Transfer of Credit Form from the Academic Advising Center.
-Course description from the course catalog or summer school bulletin.
-Syllabus for the course.
-List of exercises and/or experiments done in the labs.
The Transfer of Credit Form must be turned into the EBB main office:
-Students can obtain the Transfer of Credit Form from the Academic Advising Center. For more information, visit the Academic Advising Center's website.
-When the form is completed and signed by the Academic Advising Center, students should bring it to the Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology office, 400 Lindy Boggs, along with the required supporting documentation.
-The EEB Department will review the request and determine if the transfer of credit can be approved.
Transfer of Credits from Study Abroad Programs:
-The EBIO department encourages students to study abroad but doing so requires planning. If you are considering studying abroad, follow the steps outlined in this document, preferably in the order they are presented. If you have any questions, contact Dr. Renata Ribeiro (rduraes@tulane.edu).
Any qualified sophomore, junior or senior may apply to be an Undergraduate Fellow in the Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Scholars Program. Students who have declared a major in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or greater, and a 3.5 or greater GPA in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology may apply to become an Undergraduate Fellow. Applications should be submitted by April 1st for consideration for fellowships the following academic year. A limited number of students will be admitted to the program, therefore, admission is competitive.
As an Undergraduate Fellow in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, students will join a cadre of leaders among Ecology and Evolutionary Biology majors by participating in undergraduate teaching as peer teachers. The peer-teaching program involves serving as a laboratory aid in freshman courses under the supervision of the department’s Laboratory Supervisor and a Laboratory Instructor during the junior and senior years. Peer teaching is an extremely valuable educational experience, providing the Ecology and Evolutionary Biology scholars with an in-depth understanding of ecology and evolutionary biology and experience in working effectively in groups.
Fellowships are honorary awards which are renewable each semester and provide each Undergraduate Fellow with a small supplemental income (honorarium) of $400 each semester in their first (usually junior) year and $500 each semester in the second (usually senior) year as long as the scholar meets all of the peer teaching responsibilities and maintains a cumulative 3.0 GPA and a 3.5 GPA in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology as a major in good standing at Tulane. The teaching responsibilities include attendance of the laboratory training and preparation meeting on Monday morning and assisting in one laboratory each week. The time of the laboratory section will be arranged with the Laboratory Supervisor. The total time commitment is about four to five hours per week.
Students interested in applying to become an Undergraduate Fellow in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology should complete the application form and submit it to the department office, 400 Boggs, by April 1st. The statement of interest in the program, background in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, and description of the impact the fellowship would have on the undergraduate educational experience are very important. Fellowship awards will be made based on academic qualifications as well as interest and anticipated educational benefits. Please keep in mind that Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Undergraduate Fellowships may be awarded in addition to other scholarship awards, and that they do require a time commitment (training/preparation and one lab each week) to participate in the peer-teaching program.
Contact Us
By Mail
Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology
Tulane University
6823 St. Charles Avenue
Lindy Boggs Building, Room 400
New Orleans, LA 70118-5698