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Home » Academics » Majors and Minors

Biology / Environmental Studies

At Principia, studying biology and environmental studies balances book learning with a lot of time outside in our 2,600-acre laboratory—also known as our campus.

OverviewAfter PrincipiaFaculty

We offer an ecologically based curriculum that exposes students to concepts, methods, and issues in field biology, environmental studies, and natural resource conservation. We focus primarily on ecology, wildlife biology, and field biology. Using our forests, grasslands, wetlands, streams, and rivers, you’ll not only learn fundamental concepts in biology and ecology but also conduct original research and conservation activities, including prairie restoration, Mississippi River research, forest management, and local wildlife studies.

Majors and Minors Offered

BS Biology
The BS in biology emphasizes ecology and ecological research. The added coursework in math and science makes this program especially appropriate for students interested in graduate study or work in the environmental sciences.

BA Environmental Studies
The BA in environmental studies allows students to explore broadly their interest in the environment. Environmental studies students may choose a special concentration in earth science if desired. This major is particularly appropriate for those with career interests in environmental education, environmental law, public policy, natural resource management, or selected fields of graduate study. You may also minor in environmental studies.

Why Study Biology at Principia College?

  • Principia’s biology experience is unique because its primary academic focus is on ecology, wildlife biology, and field biology.
  • During an introductory course block known as “Bioblock,” you’ll build rich foundational knowledge in zoology, botany, ecology, and scientific methods. You’ll take no other courses that term so that you can focus on biology and take extended study trips. Over the course of the term, you'll also form close bonds with your professors and classmates.
  • Our state-of-the-art greenhouse facilities, extensive student-curated zoological and botanical collections (some of the largest in the Midwest), maple syrup production facility, and land stewardship program allow for additional hands-on learning opportunities.
  • Through Principia’s membership in Duke University’s Marine Sciences Education Consortium, you can study marine science at Duke’s Marine Laboratory and participate in its travel programs.
  • We also travel to sites in the U.S. and abroad (primarily Peru and the Caribbean) to conduct field work with local biologists and participate in conservation projects.
  • Students intern at top biological research labs around the country, including Duke's Marine Lab, Mote Marine Lab, the Owl Institute, and Wood’s Hole Oceanographic Institution, and volunteer locally at the Treehouse Wildlife Rescue Center or World Bird Sanctuary.
  • You can engage in original research with faculty mentors.
Scientific Skills

You’ll develop the following scientific skills at every stage of the program through hands-on projects and individualized instructor feedback:

  • field work
  • data collection and analysis
  • scientific writing
  • presentation of scientific findings
Applied Skills

Our graduates are frequently hired not only for their academic knowledge but for these professional skills gained at Principia:

  • GIS
  • radio telemetry and other biotelemetry instruments
  • technical climbing certification
  • chainsaw certification

Note: See the College Catalog for more detailed information about our program and departmental learning outcomes.

Successful graduates of the program are knowledgeable, scientific thinkers prepared for graduate school or a wide variety of positions in the biological sciences or natural resource management.

Our graduates often take entry-level positions in agencies such as these:

  • U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
  • Bureau of Land Management
  • National Marine Fisheries Service 
  • State natural resource departments

They are also employed by private or non-profit environmental education, biological consulting, and environmental research companies. 

Many of our students have gone on to graduate school here:

  • Duke University
  • The University of Missouri
  • Saint Louis University
  • The Monterey Institute
  • Texas A&M
  • Colorado State University
  • University of California, Santa Barbara

From Our Alumni

“I’ve probably written at least six or seven full scientific papers, done at least 15–20 research projects, including two or three that were largely self-designed, and been a teaching assistant twice as well as designed the curriculum for a class. . . . Because of Prin's small size, many of the most important experiences are readily available.”

—A 2012 biology major who presented his capstone project at a national conference

“My favorite part of the major was probably the field trips—identifying fish and mussels in the Mississippi River, canoeing through the cypress swamps of southern Illinois, and surveying forest structure in the Great Smoky Mountains. Being on the ground (or in the water!) made the natural resource issues so real and approachable.”

—A 2010 environmental studies major who completed an MS at University of Michigan's School of Natural Resources & Environment 

Dr. Scott A. Eckert
Professor of Biology
Chair of the Biology and Natural Resources Department
618.374.5277
Faculty Profile
Dr. Greg Bruland
Professor of Biology
618.374.5284
Faculty Profile
Dr. John Lovseth
Assistant Professor of Biology and Natural Resources
618.374.5291
Faculty Profile
Dr. Christine McAllister
Professor of Biology
618.374.5273
Faculty Profile
Overview | After Principia | Faculty

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