I haven't looked at it lately, but last I knew, the Bio Dept at Brandeis was not interested in anything outside the cell membrane - which would explain some of these policies. I would suggest transferring to a school that appreciates ecology.
> Dear Matt, > > What a crazy biology department you must have! Studying abroad, enrolling > in a SFS program (or, better, helping conduct scientific research in a > more formal setting, or taking an Organization for Tropical Studies > course) is EXACTLY what you should be doing! Students without research > experience in ecology will always have a hard time getting into top > ecology departments. > > > In my experience, environmental studies programs can weak in the hard > sciences ... and you do need to know some physics and chemistry, > certainly math (calculus, linear algebra, probability) and statistics > (means and variances, t-tests, ANOVA, MANOVA, regression, multiple > regression) and ... some real biology - get to know the ecology and > systematics (and physiology) of at least one group very well, and it will > serve as an inspiration and strength forever. > > > Cheers, Tom > > > Thomas J. Givnish > Henry Allan Gleason Professor of Botany > University of Wisconsin > > givn...@wisc.edu > http://botany.wisc.edu/givnish/Givnish/Welcome.html > > On 04/07/15, Matt Smetana wrote: >> Hey Everyone! >> >> My name is Matt Smetana, and Im a current sophomore at Brandeis >> University out near >> Boston. I have been subscribed to this listserve for a few months and >> have been >> applying to various summer internships within the ecological/biological >> field. I am certain >> this is the career path I want to take but am unclear of the skill set >> required to be >> successful in this field. >> >> My current degree is Environmental Studies, but I am also highly >> interested in Ecology, >> Wildlife Biology, and Forestry. I am most drawn to internships and jobs >> pertaining to the >> biological field but enjoy my course work and have a real passion for >> the environment. >> My question is, can I become a successful ecologist or wildlife >> biologist with a degree in >> environmental studies or must I switch my major in order to obtain the >> necessary skills >> for the career that I want. >> >> My main concern with choosing biology is that it inhibits me from taking >> many desired >> courses, studying abroad at a School for Field Studies programs, >> participating in >> independent research opportunities, and possessing an internship this >> summer (I would >> need to enroll in Chemistry this summer). >> >> I will have already taken all of the requirements for the biology degree >> such as the >> introductory courses, biology lab, one semester of general chemistry and >> lab, and all >> required electives. But I have not finished general chemistry, organic >> chemistry, or >> physics. As ecologists, do you think it is more important to go for the >> biology degree or >> stay with environmental studies and gain experience through research, >> study abroad, >> and internships? >> >> Any input would be very helpful and could potentially change the course >> of my future! >> >> Best, >> Matt Smetana > > -- > Thomas J. Givnish > Henry Allan Gleason Professor of Botany > University of Wisconsin > > givn...@wisc.edu > http://botany.wisc.edu/givnish/Givnish/Welcome.html >
