Ecologist

Ecology is the study of how organisms interact with one another and with their physical environment. This course provides a foundation for the study of natural ecosystems and their interactions with the environment. Graduates can pursue careers in various fields, such as Conservation biology, Wildlife Management, Environmental Consulting, Ecology, Environmental Education and Research, etc. Overall, Ecology is an important and growing field that offers a wide range of opportunities for a fulfilling and rewarding career.

What is Ecology? Ecology is a branch of science which may include the study of populations, communities, ecosystems, and the biosphere as a whole. Ecology has practical applications in areas such as Conservation biology, Natural resource management, and Environmental policy, and it provides insights into how human activities can impact the natural world and how we can mitigate negative impacts while promoting sustainable development. Here we discuss the further Ecology career details...

Types of Courses: Certificate, Diploma and PG Diploma, UG, PG, and Doctorate level.

Courses Availability:
UG: B.Tech in Environmental Science and Engineering

❖ B.Sc(Bachelor of Science) Agricultural Science

❖ B.Sc(Bachelor of Science) Zoology

❖ B.Sc(Bachelor of Science) Botany

❖ B.Sc(Bachelor of Science) Biology

❖ B.Sc(Bachelor of Science) Ecology

❖ B.Sc(Bachelor of Science) Forestry

❖ B.Sc(Bachelor of Science) Microbiology

PG: M.Sc (Master of Science) Environmental Science

❖ M.Sc(Master of Science) Agricultural Science

❖ M.Sc(Master of Science) Zoology

❖ M.Sc(Master of Science) Botany

❖ M.Sc(Master of Science) Biology

❖ M.Sc(Master of Science) Ecology

❖ M.Sc(Master of Science) Forestry

❖ M.Sc(Master of Science) Microbiology.

How to get in that career? Those who want to become an Ecologist should have a strong science background in subjects like Botany, Biology, Zoology/ Forestry, etc, Most of the Ecologist roles require at least a bachelor's degree in science, and after having that master's degree. there are specific job opportunities is there. If anyone wants to teach in colleges or universities as the subject of Ecology, need to have a Ph.D also. Admission to some colleges/ universities is offered directly, or some may go through with entrance examinations like DUET, JNUEE, BHUET, TANCET, etc,

After having a degree in Ecology, Gain some practical experience like doing Internships, volunteer work, and fieldwork. Develop technical skills. Familiarize yourself with some relevant software, techniques, and tools such as Geographic Information Systems(GIS), Statistical analysis, and Environmental monitoring equipment. These skills can be acquired through coursework, internships, or online training.

Look for job openings in Government agencies, non-profit organizations, Research institutions, and Private companies. Remember, the field of ecology is diverse and interdisciplinary, and there are many career paths you can take depending on your interests and skills.

Eligibility Criteria:
Certificate: To pursue a certificate course in ecology, 10+2 from a recognized board is required eligibility. This course duration is 6 months. 

Diploma: Intermediate from a recognized university is required for a diploma in ecology. 

PGD: Need to pass graduation in the field with an aggregation of 45% score. This course duration is 1- 2 years. 

UG: He/ She needs to pass 10+2 from a recognized college/ university with an aggregate of 45% marks. This course duration is 3 years.

PG: Graduation in a relevant stream with aggregate marks of 65% is required. This course duration is 2 years.

Doctorate: Post-Graduation in a relevant stream from a recognised board is required. This course duration is 3- 5 years.

Fee structure: Average of INR. 50,000 to INR. 2 lakhs per entire program (B.Sc. in Ecology).

Skills Required:

❖ Good Communication skills

❖ Creative and Analytical skills

❖ Writing and presentation skills

❖ Technical skills

❖ Learning skills

❖ Decision-making skills

❖ Ability to handle numerical & statistical data

❖ Ecologist skills etc. 

Top Institutions/ colleges:

❖ University of Hyderabad- School of Life Sciences, Hyderabad

❖ Osmania University- Department of Zoology, Hyderabad

❖ Andhra University- Department of Environmental Sciences, Visakhapatnam

❖ Sri Venkateswara University- Department of Zoology, Tirupati

❖ Acharya Nagarjuna University- Department of Environmental Sciences, Guntur

❖ Kakatiya University- Department of Zoology, Warangal

❖ Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University- Department of Environmental Science and Technology, Hyderabad

❖ Indian Institute of Science

❖ University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad

❖ Banaras Hindu University

❖ University of Delhi

❖ Annamalai University

❖ University of Calcutta

❖ North-Eastern Hill University etc.

How is Career? A career in ecology can be rewarding and fulfilling for those who are passionate about the environment. It offers a variety of opportunities to make a positive impact on the environment and promote sustainability. The field is interdisciplinary, and individuals with a background in ecology may work in a wide range of industries. Now opening of more research firms, are expected number of ecologists in the coming years, or else proven that the ecologist jobs is likely to increase. Here are some high-demand jobs, like, Environmental Consultant, Conservation Hydrologist, Forest Carbon Specialist, Laboratory Assistants, Environment Journalists, Researcher, Operation Manager, etc.,

Top sectors:

❖ CSIR

❖ Agricultural Research Universities

❖ Agricultural Departments

❖ Department of Environmental Affairs

❖ Forestry Department

❖ Department of Nature Conservation

❖ National parks

❖ Museums

❖ Universities etc.

Job Role/ Designations with their Salaries:

❖ Junior Ecologist - INR. 8.79 Lakh per annum

❖ Principal Ecologist

❖ Urban Ecologist

❖ Marine Ecologist

❖ Restoration Ecologist

❖ Wildlife Ecologist

❖ Environmental Biologist

❖ Forest Ecologist

❖ Ecology Scientist

❖ Natural Resources Manager

❖ Wildlife Manager and more. 

Top Hiring Companies:

❖ Wildlife Institute of India (WII)

❖ Centre for Ecological Sciences (CES)

❖ Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History (SACON)

❖ Nature Conservation Foundation (NCF)

❖ Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE)

❖ Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE)

❖ Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS)

❖ Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB)

❖ Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad (IIT-H)

❖ National Institute of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj (NIRDPR)

❖ International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT)

❖ Hyderabad Urban Lab (HUL).

Conclusion: Finally, Ecology is an explored career in several fields, like Agriculture, Forestry, Nature Conservation, pollution control, Regional Development, and Environmental Education, etc. Ecologists like scientists with backgrounds in the science stream. Ecologists work both in the field and the laboratory, collecting data from the natural environment and analyzing it through statistical and methodological analysis.