Program Coordinator Scott Moss
There is a growing need for training in restorative ecology in natural areas, wetlands and urban environments. Students in this program will learn to repair damaged land, enhance habitat improve ecosystem services, and to manage these systems for conservation and sustainability.
Combining restorative ecology skills development with general education courses gives students a firm foundation in basic academic skills as well as skills that are critical to work in conservation and the emerging field of restoration ecology.
Students will learn basic ecological inventory and assessment, how to manage and restore natural areas, and design, establish, and manage native plant and animal communities. Additionally, students will acquire skills and techniques in managing wetlands, creating green spaces, and working in the urban interface by establishing and cultivating urban gardens, using green roofs and walls, rain gardens, and bioswales.
The curriculum places emphasis on development of a common set of skills centered on environmentally, economically, and socially sustainable practices, as well as the acquisition of critical thinking, communication, and problem solving skills.
Program Learning Objectives
Develop plans for restoring ecosystems from design through long-term maintenance programs
Identify common native plant communities, their conservation concerns, and methods of stewardship required to keep them functional
Prepare for and earn key professional certifications recognized by industry employers including prescribed fire, herbicide application, chainsaw safety, and OSHA 10 safety, and career specific first aid
Demonstrate an ability to apply common horticultural techniques in the growth and propagation of plants for restoration, landscaping, and research
Describe the broader science and application of environmental science and sustainable practice to a career in conservation, restoration ecology, horticulture, or related fields
Restoration Ecology - ECOL.AAS
Associate in Applied Science Degree
First Semester
BIOL 138 - Field Biology 4 credit hours
ECOL 101 - Plant Growth & Development 3 credit hours
ENGL 131 - First-Year English I 3 credit hours
or
ENGL 137 - Technical Writing 3 credit hours
MATH 122 - Technology-Integrated Math 4 credit hours
SOCI 134 - Intro To Environmental Sociology 3 credit hours
Total: 17 Credit Hours
Second Semester
ECOL 102 - Plant Reproduction 3 credit hours
ECOL 132 - Intro to Restoration Ecology 3 credit hours
BIOL 145 - Natural Resources & Environmental Science 3 credit hours
SPCH 131 - Public Speaking 3 credit hours
or
SPCH 145 - Public And Private Communication 3 credit hours
Total: 12 Credit Hours
Third Semester
ECOL 131 - Introductory Soils 4 credit hours
ECOL 134 - Native Plants in the Landscape 3 credit hours
ECOL 150 - GIS/GPS Mapping For Industry 3 credit hours
Approved Electives 5 - 8 credit hours
Total: 15-18 Credit Hours
Fourth Semester
ECOL 238 - Field Practicum 2 credit hours
ECOL 271 - Internship 1-4 credit hours (minimum of 2 credit hours required)
or
COOP 131 - Cooperative Education Experience I 1-4 credit hours (minimum of 2 credit hours required)
Approved Electives (see list) 12 - 14 credit hours
Total: 16-20 Credit Hours
Approved Restoration Ecology Electives List
ADCG 133 - Introduction To Architecture 3 credit hours
ADCG 134 - Architectural Graphics 3 credit hours
ADCG 150 - Sustainable Principles 3 credit hours
BIOL 134 - General Botany 4 credit hours
BIOL 139 - Applied Entomology 4 credit hours
BIOL 165 - Ecological Principles 3 credit hours
BUSN 215 - Business Software Applications 3 credit hours
BUSN 231 - Planning For Small Business 3 credit hours
CHEM 130 - Fund Of Gen, Organic & Biochemistry 4 credit hours
ECON 152 - Principles Of Microeconomics 3 credit hours
LAND 130 - Intro To Landscape Architecture 2 credit hours
MGMT 239 - Management For Small Business 3 credit hours
STWR 100 - Introduction to Storm Water 3 credit hours
STWR 200 - Advanced Storm Water 3 credit hours
Total credit hours required for the A.A.S. in Restoration Ecology: 60
Restoration Ecology - ECOL.CP
Certificate of Proficiency
Requirements:
BIOL 138 - Field Biology 4 credit hours
BIOL 145 - Natural Resources & Environmental Science 3 credit hours
ECOL 101 - Plant Growth & Development 3 credit hours
ECOL 102 - Plant Reproduction 3 credit hours
ECOL 131 - Introductory Soils 4 credit hours
ECOL 132 - Intro to Restoration Ecology 3 credit hours
ECOL 238 - Field Practicum 2 credit hours
ECOL 271 - Internship 1-4 credit hours (minimum of 2 credit hours required)
Approved Electives 6 - 10 credit hours
Total: 30 Credit Hours
Approved Restoration Ecology Electives
Conservation Specialty
BIOL 139 - Applied Entomology 4 credit hours
BIOL 165 - Ecological Principles 3 credit hours
ENGL 137 - Technical Writing 3 credit hours
Entrepreneur Specialty
ACCT 130 - Accounting For Small Business 3 credit hours
or
BUSN 231 - Planning For Small Business 3 credit hours
ECOL 150 - GIS/GPS Mapping For Industry 3 credit hours
Soil and Water Conservation Specialty
ECOL 150 - GIS/GPS Mapping For Industry 3 credit hours
STWR 100 - Introduction to Storm Water 3 credit hours
Sustainable Landscaping Specialty
ADCG 150 - Sustainable Principles 3 credit hours
ECOL 134 - Native Plants in the Landscape 3 credit hours
LAND 130 - Intro To Landscape Architecture 2 credit hours
Total credit hours required for the Certificate of Proficiency in Restoration Ecology: 30
Field Technician - ECOL/FLDTCH.CC
Certificate of Completion
Requirements:
BIOL 134 - General Botany 4 credit hours
or
BIOL 139 - Applied Entomology 4 credit hours
or
CHEM 130 - Fund Of Gen, Organic & Biochemistry 4 credit hours
BIOL 138 - Field Biology 4 credit hours
BIOL 145 - Natural Resources & Environmental Science 3 credit hours
or
PHSC 135 - Environmental Geography 3 credit hours
ECOL 238 - Field Practicum 2 credit hours
Approved Restoration Ecology Elective (see list) 3 credit hours
Total: 16 credit hours
Total credit hours required for the Certificate of Completion in Field Technician: 16
Green Roof Specialist - ECOL/GRNRF.CC
Certificate of Completion
Requirements:
ADCG 133 - Introduction To Architecture 3 credit hours
ECOL 134 - Native Plants in the Landscape 3 credit hours
LAND 130 - Intro To Landscape Architecture 2 credit hours
STWR 100 - Introduction to Storm Water 3 credit hours
Total: 11 credit hours
Total credit hours required for the Certificate of Completion in Green Roof Specialist: 11
Storm Water Management - ECOL/STWR.CC
Certificate of Completion
Requirements:
STWR 100 - Introduction to Storm Water 3 credit hours
STWR 200 - Advanced Storm Water 3 credit hours
Total: 6 credit hours
Total credit hours for the Certificate of Completion in Storm Water Management: 6
Sustainable Urban Horticulture - ECOL/SUST.CC
Certificate of Completion
Requirements:
ECOL 101 - Plant Growth & Development 3 credit hours
ECOL 102 - Plant Reproduction 3 credit hours
ECOL 131 - Introductory Soils 4 credit hours
ECOL 134 - Native Plants in the Landscape 3 credit hours
Total: 13 credit hours