Curriculum for a Graduate Certificate in Conservation Biology

Coursework
Students are required to complete some coursework outside their area of major or department. Courses may not count for both minimum degree course credit within their department and conservation biology certificate credit; however, credits used to obtain the certificate would be considered "electives" within their degree with approval from their department. Therefore, the total credit hours required to obtain a graduate degree and a Conservation Biology Certificate need not exceed Graduate School requirements (i.e., 30 hours for M.S./M.A. and 72 hours for Ph.D.). Students are required to take at least one course within three major categories:

• 'Natural Sciences'
• 'Social Sciences'
• 'Techniques'

The number of courses required within in each category will depend upon the home department of the student and background of the student entering the program. A student's major professor and the Conservation Biology Program Certificate Committee will provide advice on the courses that may best serve the student's professional goals and the requirements of the certificate. For example, a Ph.D. student in the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife or the Division of Biological Sciences, traditionally natural science curricula, may be advised to take 1 course in 'natural sciences,' 3 courses in 'social sciences,' and 1 course in 'techniques.' A student in Rural Sociology, traditionally a social science curriculum, may be advised to take 3 courses in 'natural sciences,' 1 course in 'social sciences,' and 1 course in 'techniques.' Note that a M.S./M.A. student may be advised to take 1 course in each area. In addition, students are encouraged but not required to register and/or attend the Conservation Biology Seminar Series. Courses are restricted to '300 level' or above, and must be completed with a final grade of 'B' or above. Course plans should be selected from the approved course list below (note a student can have input in the approved course list by serving on the coursework committee) and course plans must be approved by the Conservation Biology Program Curriculum Committee (see Completing the Certificate section below).

[Approved Course List]