Frequently Asked Questions

WHO DO I SEE FOR QUESTIONS ABOUT THE ECOSYSTEM SCIENCE AND POLICY (ECS) PROGRAM?

Either the undergraduate director, Ms. Gina Maranto, in Ungar 230 J, or the undergraduate assistant director, Dr. Terri Hood, in Ungar 230 A, will be happy to answer any questions you might have about the ECS program, and can guide you as you consider whether to declare ECS as a major or minor.  They can be reached by phone at 305.284.8519 or 305.284.8385, respectively, or by email at: g.maranto@miami.edu or t.hood@miami.edu.

HOW DO I DECLARE A MAJOR IN ECS?

Please go to the Center for Freshman Advising in the Ashe annex (across the breezeway from the main Ashe Building entrance) or to Student Academic Services in room 200 of the Ashe Building to obtain a declaration of major form.  You will need to obtain signatures from the director or assistant director of ECS in Ungar 230 A or Ungar 230 J, and then return the form to Ashe 200 for processing.  The major will then show up on your Academic Credit Evaluation form (also known as your “ACE”, which you can access through the Student tab in MyUM).

HOW DO I DECLARE MY SECOND MAJOR?

You will also need to obtain signatures from the department or program in which you are declaring your second major.  (It is not necessary to declare a second major immediately, but you must do so by the beginning of your junior year.)  If your second major is in the College of Arts & Sciences, you will use the same form as for the ECS major, which can be obtained from Freshman Advising in the Ashe annex or Student Academic Services in Ashe 200.  If your second major is in a school other than Arts & Sciences, please see the advising office in your respective school for information.

HOW DO I DECLARE A MINOR IN ECS?

If your primary major is in the College of Arts & Sciences, please go to the Arts & Sciences Advising office in Room 200 Ashe. You will fill out a form so that the minor will appear on your ACE.  If your primary major is in another school, please see the advising office in your respective school.

IF I MAJOR IN ECS, DO I HAVE TO HAVE A MINOR?

No.  All other students in the College of Arts & Sciences are required to have a major and a minor; ECS students are required to have a second major, but are exempted from the requirement to have a minor.  However, there is nothing preventing you from having one or more minors if you choose.

HOW DO I APPLY TO GET CREDIT FOR A COURSE TAKEN AT ANOTHER UNIVERSITY?

Go to the Center for Student Academic Services in Ashe 200 and pick up a Transfer Equivalency Evaluation form.  If you have already taken the course at the other institution, you will need to have either a syllabus from the course or a description of the course from that institution’s bulletin or online system.  If you have more than one course, you will need to take the Transfer Equivalency form, with the supporting materials, to the office of each respective department.  For example, if you took a genetics course, you will need to go the Biology office; if you took a calculus course, the Mathematics office.  Generally, you will be asked to leave the form and materials until the department’s undergraduate advisor can evaluate the course to see whether it will count as the equivalent of a UM course.  Once the form is signed, you can take it to the next department.  When you’ve obtained all necessary signatures, return the form to Ashe 200 and it will be processed and will appear on your ACE.

If you have not yet taken the course, be sure to carry out this process before you register at the other institution to ensure that the course will count.  If you take the course without having it evaluated, there is a risk that it will not earn UM credit.

CAN I STUDY ABROAD IF I AM AN ECS MAJOR?
We encourage ECS majors to study abroad for a semester or summer. From Australia to Israel, students may choose from a wide variety of opportunities.  See International Education & Exchange Programs for more information.