• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
College of Agriculture & Life Sciences
Department of Ecology and Conservation Biology
  • Degrees and Programs
    • Undergraduate Programs
      • B.S. in Ecology and Conservation Biology
        • Ecology and Conservation Biology Track
        • Ecoinformatics Track
        • Forest Resources Track
        • Teaching Track in Ecology and Conservation Biology
        • Vertebrate Zoology Track (Pre-Vet)
      • Ecology and Conservation Biology Minor
      • Secondary Education (SEED) Minor
    • Graduate Degrees
      • M.S. Ecology and Conservation Biology
      • Ph.D. Ecology and Conservation Biology
      • Research Safety and Training
    • ECCB Course Guide
    • Academic Advising
    • Undergraduate Research Opportunities
    • High-Impact Opportunities
      • International Programs
    • Academic Resources
  • Admissions and Aid
    • Student Life
    • Scholarships and Financial Aid
    • Academic Advising
    • Graduate Admissions
  • Research
    • Research Labs
    • Facilities
    • Shared Equipment
  • Get Connected
    • Department Calendar
    • Giving to Ecology and Conservation Biology
  • About
    • Department Directory
    • Department Leadership
    • Department History
    • Climate Committee
      • Meet the Climate Committee
    • News and Media
    • Employment Opportunities
    • Contact Us
  • ECCB Store
Search
A group of students standing in front of really big rocks. Wearring the same black t-shirts and blue caps.

B.S. in Ecology and Conservation Biology

The Department of Ecology and Conservation Biology (ECCB) provides one of the most advanced educational opportunities available to prepare undergraduate students for leadership in the science and stewardship of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

Four tracks are offered (Ecology and Conservation Biology, Ecoinformatics, Forest Resources, and Vertebrate Zoology) to provide flexibility in preparing for a given career path.

Request Information about the Program

Admissions

Students in this major will emphasize acquisition of fundamental ecological knowledge and its application to biodiversity conservation, environmental health, and the management of complex systems, such as interactions involving aspects of ecology from genes to ecosystems, landscapes, hydrology, and climate.

Applications for the B.S. in Ecology and Conservation Biology degree are processed through the main admissions portal at Texas A&M University. Choose your path below to learn more about the admissions process and requirements.

Freshman Admissions
Transferring to the ECCB Program
International Student Admissions
Students Seeking Readmission
Prospective Student Guide (PDF)

Ecology and Conservation Biology Program Details

  • Degree: B.S. Ecology and Conservation Biology
  • Credit Hours: 120 total credit hours
  • View course descriptions in the Undergraduate Catalog

Ecology and Conservation Biology Degree Tracks

Two students programming a drone in a field

Ecoinformatics

The Ecoinformatics track trains students to integrate digital and information technologies with ecological data analysis to detect, evaluate and predict ecological patterns, disturbances and processes.

Ecoinformatics Track Details
Students on a boat on the Amazon river, taking pictures of an animal in a tree as a part of an ECCB education abroad.

Ecology and Conservation Biology

The Ecology and Conservation Biology track teaches students the fundamentals of ecology and evolution and how to understand issues related to conserving, managing and restoring species, habitats, and ecosystems.

Ecology and Conservation Biology Track Details
Two forestry student measure the width of a tree in the forestry lab in Huntsville, Texas.

Forest Resources

The Forest Resources track prepares students for a broad array of career opportunities or graduate studies in forestry, natural resources, conservation and environmental-related fields.

Forest Resources Track Details
Students in ecology taxonomy lab in Biodiversity Research and Teaching Collegections.

Vertebrate Zoology (Pre-Vet)

The Vertebrate Zoology track is for students with a deep interest in vertebrates, their diversity, ecology, and conservation, and satisfies all prerequisite requirements for veterinary school.

Vertebrate Zoology (Pre-Vet) Track Details
Man teaches class as three students work on their ecology projects on trays.

Teaching Track

The Teaching Track in Ecology and Conservation Biology trains future secondary school teachers in the life sciences.

Teaching Track Details

Career Options in Ecology and Conservation Biology

The breadth and depth of training student receives prepares graduates for careers in academia, natural resource agencies, high school teacher, non-governmental organizations involved in conservation, environmental consulting and related professions. The Vertebrate Zoology track also will prepare students for postgraduate training in veterinary programs.

Girl standing in a natural park, by a creek, smiling at the camera.

New Faces, New Ideas

Claire Legaspi, class of 2025, recently published her first research article. As a sophomore pursuing a B.S. in Ecology and Conservation Biology, Claire’s research on living shorelines focuses on making a difference in restoring vital aquatic habitats.

“Even though I’ve only been in ECCB for a few months, I’ve had the opportunity to work with faculty who are experts in a number of fields ranging from broad inclusive topics to fascinating niche focuses. 

These faculty members are not only passionate about their areas of expertise but are also open to new ideas and techniques and encourage students to utilize the latest tools and resources to learn more about these important topics.”

Claire Legaspi ’25
Ecology and Conservation Biology Major

Learn more about Undergraduate Research
Read Claire’s First Publication
Girl standing in a natural park, by a creek, smiling at the camera.

New Faces, New Ideas

Claire Legaspi, class of 2025, recently published her first research article. As a sophomore pursuing a B.S. in Ecology and Conservation Biology, Claire’s research on living shorelines focuses on making a difference in restoring vital aquatic habitats.

“Even though I’ve only been in ECCB for a few months, I’ve had the opportunity to work with faculty who are experts in a number of fields ranging from broad inclusive topics to fascinating niche focuses. 

These faculty members are not only passionate about their areas of expertise but are also open to new ideas and techniques and encourage students to utilize the latest tools and resources to learn more about these important topics.”

Claire Legaspi ’25
Ecology and Conservation Biology Major

Learn more about Undergraduate Research
Read Claire’s First Publication

Ecology and Conservation Biology News

Student wearing a TAMU polo smiling with a blue background.

Passion for conservation drives student’s impactful initiatives in the community

Skyler Nix, a sophomore in the Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Department of Ecology and Conservation Biology, is a passionate advocate for conservation and biodiversity. 

Read Skyer Nix’s story

Have Questions?

For degrees or admissions questions:

Contact an Advisor

For general questions:

Contact the Department
A member of
Texas A&M AgriLife

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service | Texas A&M AgriLife Research | Texas A&M Forest Service | Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Lab | College of Agriculture & Life Sciences

Department Quick Links

  • About
  • AgriLife Intranet
  • Degrees and Programs
  • Employment Opportunities
  • Contact Us
534 John Kimbrough Blvd, TAMU 2258, College Station, TX 77843-2258
(979) 845-6295
Department of Ecology and Conservation Biology

© 2025 Texas A&M University. All rights reserved.

  • Compact with Texans
  • Privacy and Security
  • Accessibility Policy
  • State Link Policy
  • Statewide Search
  • Veterans Benefits
  • Military Families
  • Risk, Fraud & Misconduct Hotline
  • Texas Homeland Security
  • Texas Veterans Portal
  • Equal Opportunity
  • Open Records/Public Information