r/ecology • u/oblivcreate • 7h ago

ecology master's programs with a background in chemistry?

I recently graduated with a b.s. in chemistry. I was never really that into chemistry, but the school I was attending didn't have another option I was interested in, and I couldn't transfer for financial reasons.

I've always had a passion for ecology, and I was wondering if there's a possibility of going into a master's program in ecology with a background in chemistry.

Also, I do still love chemistry, is there a branch of ecology that uses a lot of chemistry?

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u/thaumoctopus_mimicus 7h ago

Chemical ecology! The study of how organisms interact with one another using molecules. Think pheromones and toxins.

There’s also ecotoxicology, the study of contaminant effects on ecosystems.

Also you should definitely try to go into a PhD and not a masters. Masters in this field are relatively uncommon and less likely to be funded. Most people earn their masters as a part of their studies on the way to PhD

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u/sinnayre Spatial Ecology 7h ago

They can try for both. Plenty of R2 schools with no phd program that offer a funded Masters. R2s still need TAs.

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u/petrichormoonglade 7h ago

Absolutely! Look into some chemical ecology labs/publications to get a taste of the what’s out there.

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u/pro_deluxe 6h ago

Any interest in stand isotopes? There are a lot of uses for them in ecology

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u/Beautiful-egg- 3h ago

Another option would be to look into a role as a technician In an ecology lab, or look into masters/Phd program that lets you do lab rotations. As you figure out what you’re interested in, you may find a natural connection between chemistry and ecology for yourself. Maybe it’s the impacts of climate change on chemical cues. Maybe it’s pheromones. Maybe it’s invasive species and the chemicals they secrete

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u/DesignerPangolin 1h ago

Biogeochemistry... the science of how life shuffles around elements and energy on the crust of the earth.