Focus: Ecology and Physiology

How do plants work?  How do plants interact with each other and other organisms? 

Photo used by permission of Roger del Moral,

The study of ecology generally involves studies in the field.  Doing work outdoors helps develop a sense of natural history of organisms and habitats. Washington and the Pacific Northwest offer ample field sitesfor addressing important questions in ecology.  Courses are offered in Biology, Forestry, Oceanography, and other units.

Physiology describes how organisms function.  Plants are amazing in that they use light energy to convert simple nutrients, CO2, water and a few salts into food for themselves and the rest of us.  They are rooted in place, so have developed exquisite sensitivities to light, temperature, and other organisms.  Plants also have ways of communicating within their bodies via hormones and electrical signals, and with each other and other organisms.  Courses are offered in Biology and Forestry.

Students who study Ecology and Physiology often choose career or graduate study in fields like biofuels development, environmental reclamation, ocean systems (i.e. redtide), wetland restoration, re-forestation, new plant development, or neurobiology.