A concentration in Ecology and Conservation will equip you to be an active, real-world champion of the environment—an expert who applies problem-solving techniques to the ecological issues confronting a variety of natural and managed ecosystems. You’ll explore ecology, climate-change impacts, ecosystem restoration, endangered species, GIS, soil, and the management of fisheries, forests, wildlife, lakes, watersheds, streams, and wetlands.
Develop skills in GIS, modeling, and critical thinking, ready to apply sound ecological principles to analyze and address environmental problems. Learn how to integrate ecological science with sound public policy to protect and enhance the planet’s biological resources. The rigorous, hands-on nature of our program will prepare you for a rewarding career with environmental agencies, nonprofit organizations, consulting firms, or industry positions from local to international levels.
Be Earth’s champion
14STUDENTS FOCUSED ON ECOLOGY & CONSERVATION (Spring 2021)
1:1FACULTY: STUDENT RATIO (2021)
90.4%MSES PLACEMENT RATE (2018)
A strong skill base
You’ll begin by mastering the fundamentals reflected in the MSES program's core competencies. Your Environmental Science core courses (15 credit hours) will give you well-developed knowledge of environmental science and management, along with strong analytical skills. Along with the core sciences classes all MSES students are required to take two courses (6 credit hours) of Economics, Policy and Law as well as one course (3 credit hours) of Tool Skills. These 24 credit hours will ensure that you have well developed science background, along with the tools and skills to apply that knowledge in the real world.
Add in-depth knowledge and detail
The ecology and conservation concertation focuses on problem-solving techniques applied to current ecological issues. We want to ensure all MSES students are highly prepared and motivated to enter todays job market, so along with the core competencies, students pursing a concentration in Ecology and Conversation will take two courses (6 credit hours) in the Field and Identification core and four courses (12 credit hours) in the Ecology and Conservation core:
- Fisheries & Wildlife Management (E 460)*
- Fisheries & Wildlife Management Laboratory (E 461)*
- Forest Ecology and Management (E 528)
- Wetlands Ecology and Management (E 540)
- Stream Ecology (E 546)
- Plants and Plant Communities (E 555)
- Limnology (E 556)
- Vascular Plants (BIOL-B 300)*
- Biology of Birds (BIOL-L 376)*
*For undergraduate level courses or courses outside of O’Neill you will need to work with an advisor.
- Environmental Toxicology (E 520)
- Restoration Ecology (E 534)
- Lake and Watershed Management (E 545)
- BMP Design for Healthy Urban Watersheds (E 555)
- Urban Ecology (E 555)
- Conservation Biology (E 557)
- Climate-Change Impacts on Natural Resources (E 591 / R 591)
- Community Ecology (BIOL-L 579)*
- Methods in Analytical Geochemistry (GEOL-G 544)*
*For courses outside of O’Neill you will need to work with an advisor.
Combining your MSES degree with the MPA can offer you unique advantages in pursuing a particular career, integrating science and policy for better leadership. Our faculty will work to accommodate your specialized professional interests and help you design a program that is best or you.
The above are examples of your course options. For a complete listing, see the official Indiana University Graduate Bulletin and work with your advisor as you make your schedule.
Experiential learning that makes an impact
The MSES program offers far more than traditional lectures and lessons. You'll also get the benefit of experiential learning—typically through an approved internship or research project. What's more, your concentration's course work will culminate in a project-oriented course—an O’Neill Capstone that lets you apply the knowledge you gained throughout the program.
Recent and past placements and internships
O’Neill’s dedicated Career Hub will assist you as you seek an internship or post-graduate employment, and our alumni community is an excellent lead source.
- U.S. Department of Interior Bureau of Land Management
- Indiana Department of Natural Resources
- U.S. Fish & Wildlife Services
- BBP Water Corporation: GIS
- Chicago Botanic Garden
- Sycamore Land Trust
- Clinton Global Initiative
- Coastal Conservation League
- U.S Environmental Protection Agency
- Environmental and Energy Study Institute
- Indiana Clean Lakes Program
- VET Environmental
- Nature Conservancy
- Wood River Land Trust
- North Carolina Coastal Federation
Also check out the CDO’s Explore Careers & Outcomes page.
Gain real-world experience while still in school
You can join the O’Neill Environmental Management & Sustainable Development Association, one of many professional student organizations that offer networking and current information on events in the industry.
Learn from faculty with expertise and experience in ecology and conservation
 Christopher B. Craft |
ccraft@indiana.edu |
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 Melissa A. Laney |
mlaney@indiana.edu |
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 Vicky J. Meretsky |
meretsky@indiana.edu |
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Paul Cummings, MSES’05
“My focus in Applied Ecology shapes my thinking about the impacts of my wind and solar farms on the environment, both actual impacts and the more nebulous regulatory impacts. Other courses, such as Environmental Engineering, prepared me for the hard science aspects like electrical and civil engineering.”
Cummings is a project manager for EDP Renewables North America in Indianapolis.
