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BFS Educational Opportunities 

College Students
 

     Career Potential
     Field Practicum
     Facilities
     Student Involvement
     Advanced Research Areas

Career Potential

Career potential in the environmental area is good and continually improving. Graduates in the ecological sciences with hands on experience are at a greater advantage when pursuing careers in a number of settings: state, local and national government agencies, consulting firms, non-profit advocacy organizations, private industry and teaching.  A recent publication, "The 100 Best Jobs for the 1990s and Beyond" states:

Prospects are good for environmental and natural resources careers. Public concern about hazardous wastes, water pollution, recycling, global warming, acid rain, tropical deforestation, and endangered wildlife have spurred 16 federal environmental protection acts and several dozen land protection laws, all increasing ‘green’ job opportunities.

More Information on career opportunities is available from:

• the American Society of Limnology and Oceanography;
• the North American Lake Management Society;
• the New York State Federation of Lakes Association;
• the Environment Career Opportunities site.

Field Practicum

It is a common practice for students majoring in foreign studies, whether language, art, or political and economic systems, to travel because on-site experiences enhance their familiarity with the subject.  Young scientists, however, have been rarely offered similar experiences with living biotic communities.  Experts agree that hands-on field research is the most effective technique for attracting talented students to careers in science. They further state that too few such experiences are available.  SUNY College at Oneonta’s Biological Field Station has been providing on-site study opportunities for over one quarter of a century.

Facilities

The Biological Field Station serves as a focus for research activities in both aquatic and terrestrial habitats. It offers the following modern research facilities in addition to traditional classroom resources:

•      A central multipurpose laboratory;
•      Two analytical laboratories;
•      An environmental microbiology laboratory;
•      A large aquarium room;
•      A library and office complex with graphics facility;
•      A SCUBA locker;
•      Collections of flora and fauna;
•      Specimen prep lab;
•      Six power research boats, including a specially fitted 45-foot pontoon barge and numerous row boats

We conduct both applied and basic research.  The latter addresses a diversity of ecological topics, both aquatic and terrestrial.  These range from biological diversity to nutrient runoff and bio-control.  Our applied research focuses on limnology as it relates to lake management.  With some study sites in limited access areas, some projects spanning decades can be conducted.  BFS studies help develop public policy to provide solutions for environmental problems.

Student Involvement

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Advanced Research Areas

Research is conducted at all sites used for Field Trips as well as several sites reserved solely for research:

• Greenwoods Conservancy;
• Maumee Swamp.