It sounds like the problem is being able to fit in all the requirements while still having time for research and study-abroad, right?
Generally speaking, the specific name of the degree matters less than your experience when you are applying to jobs or grad school. Having research experience in a relevant area looks WAY better than having the right title but no experience. So, if you don’t want to change schools and you think the environmental studies major would give you more “wiggle room” - stay in that program, and beef up the “science” part with whatever science classes are most relevant for your future career/education interests. I would recommend chemistry and probably organic chemistry, as well as genetics, evolution, and some ecology classes. Some of these you can do as part of a study-abroad if your program allows you to transfer the credits: I did wildlife biology and plant physiology in Australia, for example. Check with the biology program - you might be able to do with them this as well. You could also double major or get a minor, as Malcolm suggests, but that might increase your scheduling problems rather than alleviating them! Of course, if the requirements for a bio minor are fairly, well, minor…it wouldn’t hurt! Emily Moran UC Merced On Apr 8, 2015, at 11:35 AM, Malcolm McCallum <malcolm.mccallum.ta...@gmail.com> wrote: > Rather than switch majors, why not double major? > When I was an undergrad, I was triple majoring in biology, agriculture and > chemistry until course conflicts made it impossible to fulfill all the > requirements for all three. Then, I dropped chemistry (which I fully > regret!) and graduated in five years with a double major in bio and ag. > A LOT of students were double majors at UMKC when I was there in a temp > position. > > If you are in environmental studies, it will largely depend on the focus of > the program. > some are focused on social sciences (Policy and sustainablity) whereas > others are focused on the science end (bio-chem-geol). > > If you are going to go into the science end, you need to have a science > background. > I don't think it is so important whether your major in bio or env studies > if you plan to go to grad school. > But, if you don't, you need to cover your bases now. > > Your options are > Major in env studies, minor in bio > major in env studies, major in bio > major in bio, minor in env studies. > > There are also other options you might consider. > if you are specifically interested in env studies, you might even consider > minoring in public administration. > However, a minor in chemistry might be more valuable. > > IN general, I personally think a double major is far superior to a major > with multiple minors. Not everyone agrees with this, but it is my opinion. > Depending on your situation, my opinion may be wrong. Without seeing your > transcript, nowing your grades, understanding the programs you are > comparing, it is pretty hard to give GOOD advice. HOWEVER, the advice you > have received with the options they provide in the series of emails from > various people are all pretty darn good. YOu need to read through it, > maybe contact the people individually offline and discuss more intimately > your situation. Then, maybe you can hammer down yoru options. > > I'ld be glad to correspond with you further off-line, and I know from > experience some of the others would be glad to help you out too. You > should probably talk to your advisor too. I suspect that you will find > them very helpful in that he/she will have a much better grasp on your > situation and the programs you are speaking of. For example, had I > realized early on that it would be impossible for me to complete a triple > major in my three fields, I might have dropped one early and taken up > geology instead, or a math/computer minor (man would that have been > useful!) > > YOU REALLY NEED TO DEFINE WHAT IT IS YOU ARE TRYING TO DO, WHAT ARE YOUR > GOALS IN YOUR EDUCATION? > I get a vibe you sorta have these hammered out, but not exactly. That > might refect more directy your problem than which major to take! > > Malcolm McCallum > > On Tue, Apr 7, 2015 at 5:36 PM, Matt Smetana <smetana.m...@gmail.com> wrote: > >> Hey Everyone! >> >> My name is Matt Smetana, and I’m 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 >> > > > > -- > Malcolm L. McCallum, PHD, REP > Environmental Studies Program > Green Mountain College > Poultney, Vermont > > “Nothing is more priceless and worthy of preservation than the rich array > of animal life with which our country has been blessed. It is a > many-faceted treasure, of value to scholars, scientists, and nature lovers > alike, and it forms a vital part of the heritage we all share as Americans.” > -President Richard Nixon upon signing the Endangered Species Act of 1973 > into law. > > "Peer pressure is designed to contain anyone with a sense of drive" - Allan > Nation > > 1880's: "There's lots of good fish in the sea" W.S. Gilbert > 1990's: Many fish stocks depleted due to overfishing, habitat loss, > and pollution. > 2000: Marine reserves, ecosystem restoration, and pollution reduction > MAY help restore populations. > 2022: Soylent Green is People! > > The Seven Blunders of the World (Mohandas Gandhi) > Wealth w/o work > Pleasure w/o conscience > Knowledge w/o character > Commerce w/o morality > Science w/o humanity > Worship w/o sacrifice > Politics w/o principle > > Confidentiality Notice: This e-mail message, including any > attachments, is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may > contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized > review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not > the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply e-mail and > destroy all copies of the original message.
