Dartmouth College

What you'll study

The programme combines core natural science coursework with applied conservation topics and research methods. Typical subjects include ecology and conservation biology, terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, soil science, hydrology, environmental chemistry, and statistics for ecological data. Students also learn spatial analysis through GIS and remote sensing, restoration ecology, natural resource policy and environmental economics.

Coursework is delivered through a mix of classroom lectures, laboratory work and extensive field-based modules. Independent research is central: most students undertake a faculty‑supervised senior thesis or capstone project that may involve seasonal field sampling, long‑term monitoring or data analysis. Electives across Dartmouth's Environmental Studies, Earth Sciences and Biological Sciences departments, and technical courses at the Thayer School of Engineering, let students tailor the programme toward conservation science, resource assessment or applied management.

• Core topics: ecology, conservation biology, hydrology, soil and watershed science
• Methods: field techniques, ecological statistics, GIS and remote sensing
• Applied areas: habitat restoration, resource policy, environmental impact assessment
• Capstone: independent research project or senior thesis with faculty supervision
• Opportunities for off‑campus field courses and seasonal placements in New England and beyond

Entry requirements

Admission to Dartmouth is competitive and based on an overall academic record, personal statement and recommendations. For this natural resources pathway, applicants are expected to demonstrate strong achievement in secondary‑level science and mathematics courses (for example biology, chemistry, physics and calculus or statistics) and preparation in quantitative reasoning.

Successful applicants often show evidence of practical experience such as fieldwork, local conservation volunteering, internships, or independent science projects. Letters of recommendation that speak to academic promise and curiosity in environmental or natural science areas strengthen an application. Dartmouth considers the whole applicant, including extracurricular engagement and the potential for undergraduate research; standardised test submission policies may vary, so check the College's admissions guidance.

Career prospects

Graduates from this pathway move into roles in conservation, natural resource management, and environmental science, or continue their training in graduate school. Typical entry careers include field ecologist, conservation scientist, natural resources manager for state or federal agencies, environmental consultant, GIS analyst, restoration technician, and research assistant positions in universities or conservation NGOs.

Alumni also pursue further study in ecology, forestry, environmental science, law or public policy, and find employment with government agencies (for example wildlife and fisheries services, forestry departments), non‑profit conservation organisations, environmental consulting firms, and private sector sustainability teams. The programme’s research emphasis positions students well for competitive postgraduate fellowships and PhD programmes.

Why study at Dartmouth College

Dartmouth offers a liberal‑arts environment with an unusually strong emphasis on undergraduate research and direct faculty mentoring. Small class sizes and accessible faculty mean students can engage in independent research from early in their degree and secure hands‑on field experience through departmental courses and summer projects.

The College’s location in New Hampshire provides immediate access to diverse temperate ecosystems and the White Mountains for field study, while campus resources — including research labs, computing facilities for GIS, and connections with regional conservation organisations — support practical training. Interdisciplinary collaboration across Environmental Studies, Earth Sciences, Biological Sciences and the Thayer School of Engineering allows students to combine ecological science with quantitative and engineering approaches to resource management. Career services and a broad alumni network help graduates translate their training into professional roles or advanced study.