High-impact learning happens when students are actively engaged in the educational process and their experience expands beyond the classroom and is applied in their personal and work lives. High-impact learning provides hands-on experience and the ability to work closely in a diverse setting. Students engaged in high-impact learning often see improvement in grade point averages and are more involved in their education.
Education Abroad
ECCB offers several Education Abroad programs where students travel to the Caribbean, the Amazon, and South Africa with ECCB faculty to engage in exciting exploration adventures where they experience other cultures and environments. ECCB works to keep these programs affordable by subsidizing a portion of the trip cost and offering direct scholarships to eligible students who apply. These scholarship opportunities are advertised by email to students each fall and spring.
Undergraduate Research
Hands-on research experience is critically important for the future careers of undergraduate students in ecology and conservation biology. ECCB provides a diverse array of research opportunities for interested undergraduates. Interested students may directly apply to the faculty member offering the research experience.
ECCB may have funds available to award undergraduate research mini-grants to eligible students conducting undergraduate research. This funding opportunity is advertised by email to ECCB faculty and students each fall and spring when funding is available.
Internships
Internships are an important experience for all students. While course credit may not be available, internship experiences are highly recommended for all students. Internships provide a realistic view of what a career in ecology and conservation biology entails. Student interns gain practical, hands-on knowledge and experience. Internships provide an opportunity for students to network with career professionals and build valuable relationships as students prepare to embark on their professional careers.
Helpful Resources
General Resources
Academic Catalogs – Details and steps to degree completion
Aggie Dining –
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Campus Maps – Find your way around Aggieland
Career Center –
CV writing, job postings, career/job search and graduate student workshops
Graduate and Professional School – Academic process, forms, dates and deadlines
Graduate Student Academic Success Resources –
Thesis/dissertation guides, mentoring, professional development and well-being
International Student and Scholar Resources – Supports international students, scholars, and their families at Texas A&M University
Medical Sciences Library –
Carolyn Jackson, [email protected]
Multicultural Student Services –
Services for African American, Asian American, Hispanic and Native American students
Office for Student Success –
Supports undergraduate students as they transition to Texas A&M
Parent and Family Programs –
Aggie parents and family resources
Parking and Transportation – Create an account or log in for a parking permit and transportation information.
Rec Center – Recreational sports facility
Registrar – Academic calendar and registration details
Student Assistance Services –
Variety of resources for personal and academic matters
Student Business Services –
Tuition and fees information, Aggie ID and loans
Student Legal Services – Legal services for students
Student Life –
Division of Student Affairs
University Libraries – Research and study, research collections, study space, and search for resources
Veterans Services Office – Veterans funding, financial aid, resource and support center, and thesis/dissertation support
Writing Center –
Writing support, consultations, workshops and thesis/dissertation retreats
Safety, Health and Wellness Resources
Concerning Behavior Response Guide through Tell Somebody
Corps Escort – Call 979-845-6789
Disability Resources – Accommodations, coordination, evaluation referral and adaptive technology
Emergency Information – Used to communicate important information to the public
Hazing – Report hazing acts
Ombuds Services for Faculty – Independent, confidential and impartial resource for faculty to assist with informally resolving workplace conflicts
Ombuds Services for Graduate Students –
Resource for anyone from the graduate and professional community to obtain assistance with conflict, misunderstanding, concerns or issues related to graduate education
Ombuds Services for Undergraduate Students – Resource for every member of the University Committee. Will listen, support and help create a plan moving forward.
Sexual Assault Resource Center –
24 hour hotline services for Brazos Valley
Stop Hate – Hate is not an Aggie value
Student Assistance Services – Variety of resources for personal and academic matters
University Health Services – Student physical and mental health care
Tell Somebody (Special Situations Team) – Submit observations that may signal larger issues
Texas A&M Title IX Officer –Professional staff contact for students who have been sexually assaulted, harassed, stalked, or who are in a violent relationship
University Police – Protection of persons and property of Texas A&M. Call 979-845-2345
Well-being Improvement Survey in Higher Education Settings – Texas A&M University survey to better understand students’ overall well-being
Mental Health Support for all Students
University Health Services offers mental health support options for Texas A&M University students 24 hours a day.
During normal business hours, individual counseling, group counseling, and a variety of health and wellness workshops provide growth opportunities through both in-person and virtual formats.
After hours, HelpLine volunteers stand ready to provide peer support, information, crisis intervention and referrals to students, as well as those concerned about students, from 4 p.m. to 8 a.m. on weekdays and 24 hours a day on weekends when classes are in session.
Around the clock and regardless of location, the TELUS Health Student Support app provides 24/7 access to professional counseling in multiple languages via app, telephone and web, in addition to mental health assessments, a mental health content library and access to virtual fitness sessions — all free and confidential. Also, University Health Services maintains a robust library of mental health-focused self-help content to help students navigate challenges related to anxiety, depression, relationships and more.
The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences has an embedded licensed professional counselor. Ms. Molly McCann dedicates her time to the wellness of students in AGLS, with an office located at BCBP 103C. Contact her at [email protected] or 979.845.5032.
Pregnancy and Related Conditions: Title IX Protections, accommodations and other information. For more information on services provided to pregnant students, see Pregnancy and Parenting Accommodations and Resources for Students and Parenting Students Rights and Resources.
A Pocket Pantry is available at Suite 109 in Kleberg. It is open 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Friday, excluding holidays when the university is closed.
Visitors interested in using this resource can scan the QR code posted on the entrance and check in with the reception desk. Those with questions, or those needing additional support, please email [email protected].
Course Field Trips
Field experience is a critical component of an undergraduate degree in ECCB. ECCB offers several courses with labs and field trips that give students the necessary hands-on learning experience in the field. A few example course field trips may be found below.
| Course Number | Course Title | Typical Locations | Activities |
|---|---|---|---|
| ECCB 203 | Forest Trees of North America | Castle Rock Park, College Station, TX | Observation of trees |
| ECCB 215 | Fundamentals of Ecology–Laboratory | Lick Creek Park, College Station, TX | Field sampling /observations of plants and animals |
| ECCB 301 | Diversity and Evolution of Plants | Madisonville, TX | Conduct botanical surveys and collect research-grade plant specimens. |
| ECCB 311 | Ichthyology | San Jacinto River, Conroe/Brazos River, Navasota River, | Ichthyological sampling (seine nets, dip nets, backpack electro shocker) |
| ECCB 314 | Down River: Biology of Gulf Coast fishes | Guadalupe River, from headwaters to delta | Ichthyological sampling (seine nets, dip nets, backpack electro shocker) |
| ECCB 316 | Field Herpetology | Port O’Connor, TX | Teach techniques to find and capture reptiles and amphibians in their natural habitat. |
| ECCB 319 | Principles of Forestry | Cook’s Branch Conservancy, Montgomery, TX | Observation of the demonstration plots of forest managed with prescribed fire |
| ECCB 324 | Forest Measurements | Forests in Huntsville, TX | Forest measurements |
| ECCB 325 | Field Studies in Forest Ecosystems | Davy Crocket National Forest, Kennard, TX, Fairchild State Forest, Jacksonville, Forests in Huntsville, TX | Forest inventory and analysis Observation of forests in private and public lands |
| ECCB 402 | Ornithology | Ecology and Natural Resources Teaching Area, College Station, TX | Field identification techniques, building skills used in ornithological careers, including point-count surveying and list keeping. |
| ECCB 405 | Forest Resource Assessment and Management | Forests in Huntsville, TX | Visit 3 forest tracts to develop forest management plans |
| ECCB 417 | Prescribed Fire | Wildland-Urban Interface, College Station, TX | Participate in field-based activity in Texas grassland ecosystems and wildfire risk. |
| ECCB 420 | Ecological Restoration of Wetland and Riparian Systems | Discovery Center in San Marcos, TX Padre Island National Seashore | Visit San Marcos to see how the city manages and restores their parks and wetlands. |
| ECCB 460 | Nature, Values, and Protected Areas | Padre Island National Seashore | Meeting with park staff and learning about management and conservation issues. |
Down River: Biology of Gulf Coast Fishes
ECCB 314/614
Every summer, ECCB Associate Professor and Curator of Fishes, Dr. Kevin W. Conway, and TAMU-CC Associate Professor of Marine Biology, Dr. David Portnoy, take students on a journey down the Guadalupe River so that they can learn how to collect fishes scientifically, as part of ECCB 314/614 “Down River”: Biology of Gulf Coast Fishes. During this unique course, students from both TAMU and TAMU-CC spend seven days sampling along the length of the Guadalupe River, from crystal-clear spring-fed headwaters in the TX Hill Country, down to the murky bayous that lead directly into San Antonio Bay along the TX gulf coast. This course provides both undergraduate and graduate students with a unique opportunity to participate in ichthyological sampling through hands-on experiences in the field and also museum curation of specimens at the ECCB Biodiversity Research Teaching Collections (BRTC).