Get A Master's In Ecology

Ecology is an interdisciplinary field of study that examines how living organisms interact with each other and with their environment, as well as the solutions that prevent and reduce negative environmental impacts. Due to the interdisciplinary nature of the degree, students seeking a master’s in ecology will find a diversity of career opportunities that includes jobs in environmental protection, conservation, forestation, wildlife management, wetland science, restoration, and more.

Ecologists work in private biological and engineering firms, research centers, state parks, federal agencies, health systems, and academia. Whether students want to explore the migratory behaviors of an endangered species or advise policy makers on environmental issues, a master’s in ecology from Florida Tech provides the rigorous classroom study, laboratory research, and extensive fieldwork to prepare students for a career in ecology.

Hands-On Experience

A wide range of organisms and ecosystems can be studied in ecology, and the approaches can be observational, experimental, or theoretical, or a combination of these. Research is a foundation of every master’s in ecology degree at Florida Tech, giving students a chance to build subject matter expertise for leadership roles in the workplace.

When searching for the best ecology graduate program, look no further than Florida Tech. The program is the perfect choice for graduate students interested in the ecological issues facing the environment today, and for those individuals interested in work as environmental educators.

World-Class Faculty

Guided by a faculty with extensive experience in the field, students earning a master’s in ecology at Florida Tech study in an intimate learning environment where class sizes are small and research is hands-on. With hundreds of published research papers, books, and over 10,000 citations, professors at Florida Tech are nationally recognized researchers providing major contributions to their field.

At Florida Tech, students experience an intimate, focused environment where professors mentor students throughout their degree, class sizes are small, and faculty-led and personal research is conducted. Professors take an interdisciplinary approach to the degree curriculum, guiding graduate students to collaborate and explore their ideas among a wider view of different biological disciplines. Bringing a wealth of teaching and research experience to the classroom, professors in the Ecology program present the latest ecological topics and research being done around the world.

Superb Location for Ecology Majors

Although many graduate students live and work in the area, Florida Tech also attracts students from around the world. The university’s location on Florida’s Space Coast puts it in close proximity to rich marine environments and “natural laboratories” such as the Atlantic Ocean marine ecosystem, and the highly diverse habitats of the Indian River Lagoon, as well as forests, rivers and wildlife areas. Florida Tech has many associations with local, state and national agencies, marine environmental firms, public aquaria, and private marine research organizations that often work with students for internships and future employment. Combined with the university’s high-tech biological facilities, students develop subject matter expertise and research methods they will use in their careers.

Research Opportunities

Ecology graduate programs need state-of-the-art facilities, and Florida Tech delivers. The university is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities in the F. W. Olin Physical Sciences Center and Instrumentation Center, and the F.W. Olin Life Sciences Building,. The Center for High Resolution Microscopy and Imaging is housed in Life Sciences.  An aquarium facility in the L3Harris Center provides opportunities for small-scale experimentation under environmentally controlled conditions.

Research is the foundation of every degree program at Florida Tech. As a master’s degree candidate in ecology, students work with professors to identify research topics that match their particular study interests, something not all ecology graduate programs offer. Degree candidates are encouraged to engage in studies that make a contribution to the field at the local, regional, state, or national level on relevant ecology topics such as sustainability, coastal management, climate change, and more.

Some of the research topics studied and published by students working towards and master’s in ecology include:

• Coral-reef ecology
• Climate change
• Paleoecology
• Plant geography of the Amazon / Andes
• Plant physiology
• Polar biology
• Invasive species

The Department offers an exciting program of summer field courses to exotic locales. Florida Tech graduate students in ecology can also arrange internships under the supervision of professors. Students are expected submit the research findings for publication in scientific journals.

Individuals from around the world have advanced their career with a degree from Florida Tech. Graduates with a master’s in ecology from Florida Tech are well prepared for leadership positions in private biological and engineering firms, research centers, federal agencies, health systems, and academia.

Career Outlook

Students in ecology graduate programs find careers in environmental protection, conservation, forestation, wildlife management, natural resources, wetland science, restoration, land use planning, and more. Ecologists work in private biological and engineering firms, research centers, nature centers, state parks, federal agencies, health systems, and academia. Florida Tech graduates have secured positions with research and technology companies including Scripps Research Institute, Millennium Research Laboratories, and Florida Biologix.

The Occupational Outlook Handbook, published by the US Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Standards (BLS), provides information about specific jobs including median annual pay, working conditions and job outlook, among other things. According to the Bureau, job growth for ecological scientists (which is included with environmental scientists) is projected to grow 15% through 2022, while employment of wildlife biologists is projected to grow 5%. During the same time period conservation scientists can expect a 3% job growth.

Employment growth is projected to be in private consulting firms as increasing demands are placed on the environment by population growth. These firms help clients monitor and manage environmental concerns and comply with local, state, and federal regulations. Jobs will also be found with government industries and publicly funded universities, hospitals and national research facilities that develop practices to minimize waste, prevent pollution, and conserve resources.

Careers in Ecology

• Conservation scientist
• Environmental protection officer
• Wildlife scientist
• Wildlife management director
• Research ecologist
• Ecological field technician
• Wetland research analyst
• Restoration project manager
• Forestry technician
• Botanical garden director
• Postsecondary teacher