From tiny viruses and bacteria to blue whales weighing 200 tons, the diversity and extent of life on Earth are dazzling.
Ecology is the subject that studies the relations between organisms, including humans and the environmental elements that affect them. Ecology helps the world understand how microscopic bacteria grow in water, how animals and plants interact and survive in the seas, deserts, forests, or land. Ultimately ecology will help you to understand the planet better to protect it better.
If you are interested in studying ecology, exciting opportunities are waiting for you.
Future Scope for Careers in Ecology
- The Bureau of Labor and Statistics expected job growth in ecology to be about 8% from 2019 through 2029.
- The United Nations often hires ecologists as researchers to complete various assignments that come up in the UNEP (United Nations Environment Program).
- With the number of ecological disasters escalating every year, there is an increasing need for ecologists. Ecologists can work as researchers, ecology scientists, natural resources managers, wildlife managers, environmental consultants, and restoration ecologists.
- Ecologists are employed in national parks to guide visitors and study various species, and their interaction with the environment.
- Ecologists can also work with private consulting firms that examine environmental issues or as advisers to landowners, industries, and water companies.
- Multi-National companies are hiring ecologists to set up environment-friendly methods in their workspace.
- The field of journalism also demands people from an ecological background to write on environmental-related issues.
Skills Required to Study Ecology
- Interest in the natural world
- Analytical Skills
- Communication Skills
- Technical Skills
- Learning Skills
- Observational skills
- Ability to handle numerical and statistical data
Careers in Ecology
- Environmental Biologist
- Wildlife Film-maker
- Wildlife Photographer
- Environment Photographer
- Environment Journalist
- Conservation Hydrologist
- Forest Carbon Specialist
- Director of Waste Management
- Research Assistant
Eligibility to Pursue a Degree in Ecology
Students who passed 10+2 from recognized institutions under any stream can apply for the Bachelor’s degree in Ecology. Most Indian universities offer the course Bachelor of Environmental Science and Ecology. Some Universities select candidates through entrance examinations.
Entrance Examinations
- Delhi University Entrance Test (DUET) – national level exam conducted by Delhi University for admission to specific Undergraduate Courses.
- Jawaharlal Nehru University Entrance Examination (JNUEE) – national level exam conducted by the Jawaharlal Nehru University for admission to specific Undergraduate Courses.
- BHU UET – national level entrance exam conducted by Banaras Hindu University for admission to undergraduate courses.
Top Colleges/Universities in India and Abroad to Study Ecology
- Harvard University, US
- University of California, US
- Stanford University, US
- Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Switzerland
- University of Queensland, Australia
- B R Ambedkar University, India
- Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, India
- Chaudhary Sarwan Kumar Agricultural Vishvavidyalaya, India
- Cochin University of Science and Technology, India
- Bharati Vidyapeeth University, India
Famous People Connected With Ecology
Nancy A. Moran
Moran is an American evolutionary biologist. She has made significant contributions to the field of bacterial evolution.
Stuart L. Pimm
Pimm is an American-British biologist and theoretical ecologist. He has specialized in biodiversity and conservation biology.
Top Institutions that Employ People in this Field
- Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)
- United Nations Environment Program (UNEP)
- Earth System Governance Project
- Embassies and other International organizations related to the environment
- L&T
- Accenture
- Maxwell Ecosystems
- JayPee
- Allstate solutions
- Grassroots research
- Westrock
- Roufs Cleaning
- Intertek
