Ecology programs teach people how life forms relate to each other and their environments. Students learn how species interact with their habitats. They learn how species compete for resources and depend on each other for survival.

Have you ever listened to an orchestra? An orchestra is made up of all different kinds of instruments, each with its own unique sound. Yet, when the musicians all play together, they bring harmony and balance to the sound. All of nature is like an orchestra, too - each organism is unique, yet together, there is a natural balance. The study of this balance in nature is called ecology.

In ecology, you study the relationships among organisms. You look at past, present, and future environments. You examine factors such as population size, pollutants, rainfall, temperature, and altitude. You study various environments - oceans, deserts, forests, and grasslands - and the dynamics of each habitat.

You learn about plants, animals, birds, fish, and humans. You also learn about natural predators and how species compete for food, water, and shelter. This program requires a broad background in the life and natural sciences. The study of ecology enables you to contribute to our understanding and preservation of the natural world.

Some community colleges offer a two-year program in this field. With this preparation, you can work as a field crewmember, technical assistant, or lab technician.

About 100 colleges in the U.S. offer a bachelor's degree program. This takes four years of full-time study beyond high school. With this background, you can work as a park naturalist or research assistant.

Senior positions, particularly in research or in environmental consulting, require at least a master's degree. A master's degree may take up to six years beyond high school to complete. A Ph.D. in ecology may take an additional two to three years. About 50 universities offer a graduate program in ecology.

Graduate students usually choose to focus on a specific branch of ecology or ecosystems. Some specializations include:

• Animal Ecology
• Applied Ecology
• Bioinformatics
• Community Ecology
• Ecosystem Ecology
• Organismal Ecology
• Physiological Ecology
• Plant Ecology
• Population Genetics and Ecology