The UGA Odum School of Ecology has launched a new bachelor’s degree in ecology. The program was approved by the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia at its Aug. 12 meeting.
Designed to meet the needs of students interested in the interface of ecology and society, the Bachelor of Arts degree builds on the strong foundation of the existing Bachelor of Science degree with a more interdisciplinary approach. The new program emphasizes the development of problem-solving and communication skills through experiential learning focused on ecological principles and environmental issues in their social context.
Students in the Bachelor of Arts program will receive a strong foundation in ecological science, taking many of the same core courses as those seeking the Bachelor of Science degree. These include 21 hours of major-level ecology classes and 12 hours of science and math.
An innovative field course then will take the students on a tour of Georgia to gain firsthand experience of the environmental issues facing the state and to meet the stakeholders involved. A practicum course will provide students with the opportunity to gain experience in group problem-solving while putting what they’ve learned into practice.