Environmental BiologyM I N O R

Environmental biology focuses on the interaction between

human impacts on the environment and biological systems.

An environmental biologist investigates the impacts of

actions, pollutants and conditions on wild communities.

Students read and analyze papers from the primary literature.

They then design, carry out and report on original research

projects, developing skills as practicing scientists. In labs and

discussions, students come to know the discipline by posing

problems that are meaningful to them, solving problems

through observation and experimentation, and presenting

their findings to their classmates and professors.

PRO G R A M H I G H LI G HT S

• The 130-acre Ceresco Prairie Conservancy is a sustainability

partnership between the Department of Natural Resources and

Ripon College to restore this tract of land to its native prairie, oak

savannah and wetlands habitat. Students assist in reseeding the

prairie, harvesting seeds and battling invasive species. It includes

public hiking and mountain bike trails and an environmental

classroom. Students in botany, ecology and animal biology

courses carry on research projects on various plants and animals.

• Research opportunities and internships, in collaboration

with Ripon College professors and major institutions

across the country, in areas such as Eastern bluebird

behavior, zebrafish, plant viruses, genetics and rotifers.

• The Oak Ridge Science Semester enables students to join

ongoing investigations at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory

in Tennessee in research areas as diverse as astrophysics,

cell biology, DNA sequencing, genetic mutagenesis,

parallel computing, robotics, toxicology and more.

FACU LT Y

• BARBARA SISSON, associate professor of biology,

chair of Health Professions Advising Committee

• GEORGE “SKIP” WITTLER, emeritus professor of

biology, director of Ceresco Prairie Conservancy

• MEMUNA KHAN, associate professor of biology,

chair of the Department of Biology

• MARK KAINZ, professor of biology, director of Catalyst curriculum

• ROBERT WALLACE, emeritus professor of biology

• SARAH FROHARDT-LANE, professor of history and

director of the Environmental Studies Program

S TU D E NT H I G H LI G HT

Meghann Morrissey Jarchow

’03 majored in biology at

Ripon College, received a

master’s degree in biology

from Minnesota State

University at Mankato, and

received a Ph.D. in sustainable

agriculture and ecology from

Iowa State University. She

is an associate professor and

chair of the Department of Sustainability and Environment at the

University of South Dakota. Starting with her work at the Ceresco

Prairie Conservancy at Ripon College and continuing with her post-

graduate studies, Jarchow’s training is in environmental conservation.

AREAS OF STUDYRIPON COLLEGE

AREAS OF STUDYE N V I RO N M E NTA L B I O LO GY

SA M PLE 8 -S E M E STE R CL A SS SCH E DU LE

COURSE 4 COURSE 4COURSE 3

FALL SEMESTER SPRING SEMESTER

COURSE 3COURSE 2 COURSE 2COURSE 1

Catalyst110

Your Choice

Your Choice

Catalyst210

Your Choice

Your Choice

Your Choice

Your Choice

Your Choice

Your Choice

Your Choice

Your Choice

Catalyst120

Your Choice

Your Choice

Your Choice

Applied Innovation

Seminar

Catalyst220

Your Choice

Your Choice

Your Choice

Your Choice

Your Choice

Your Choice

Your Choice

FIR

ST

YE

AR

SE

CO

ND

YE

AR

TH

IRD

YE

AR

FO

UR

TH

YE

AR

COURSE 1

Your Choice

Your Choice

Your Choice

Your Choice

Your Choice

C A R E E R PATHWAYS

Environmental biology can become a path to careers in research

and development, health care, the biomedical sciences, organismal/

ecological biology, biotechnology, bioinformatics, conservation,

communication, science education, the legal field, technical and

pharmaceutical sales, and public policy. Alumni of our program

are actively pursuing doctoral degrees in biostatistics, ecological

chemistry and botany, marine biology, microbiology and neuroscience

at major research universities across the country. Others are pursuing

a variety of medical degrees in fields such as veterinary medicine,

pharmacology, genetic counseling and radiation oncology.

CO U RS E R EQ U I R E M E NT S

• REQUIREMENTS FOR A MINOR IN ENVIRONMENTAL

BIOLOGY: ENV 120, BIO 121 and 247, plus 11 additional

credits in biology courses approved by the department.

Courses taken through the SEA or SES programs may be used

to fulfill certain requirements for the major and minor.

This is only a sample for informational purposes. Each student is encouraged to work closely with their academic advisor to tailor a unique schedule that best fits their individualized needs.

ENV120

BIO247

BIOElective

BIOElective

BIOElective

BIO121

Your Choice