Program Description
The Conservation Ecology concentration of the Bachelor of Science in Environmental Studies degree program explores fields of ecology and evolutionary biology with a focus on the presentation and management of natural resources and biodiversity. Students learn about the impact of humans on biodiversity as well as aspects of international law and policy as they affect our resources. The program builds skills and knowledge needed to effectively handle problems in the area of conservation and sustainable development. Students are able to add additional courses in botany or zoology that are content-specific, and they can opt to participate in a field experience or an internship to help strengthen their program of study.
Delivery Mode
Traditional (on campus)
Curriculum
The following eight-semester schedule of courses provides a recommended framework for completing this program of study in four years.
| Course | Credits |
| Freshman Year | |
| First Semester | 14 |
| BIO 120 General Zoology | 4 |
| ENG 101 English Composition I | 3 |
| UNI 100 First-Year Seminar | 1 |
| General Education Courses | 6 |
| Second Semester | 17 |
| BIO 125 General Botany | 4 |
| ENG 102 English Composition II | 3 |
| MAT 181 College Algebra OR MAT 273 Applied Calculus OR MAT 281 Calculus I | 3 |
| General Education Courses | 6 or 7 |
| Sophomore Year | |
| Third Semester | 16 |
| BIO 215 Cellular and Molecular Biology | 4 |
| CHE 101 General Chemistry I | 4 |
| PHY 121 General Physics I | 4 |
| Free Elective | 4 |
| Fourth Semester | 15 |
| BIO 218 Genetics | 4 |
| BIO 248 General Ecology | 4 |
| CHE 102 General Chemistry II | 4 |
| MAT 215 Statistics | 3 |
| Junior Year | |
| Fifth Semester | 14 |
| BIO 478 Evolution | 3 |
| ENS 475 OR BIO 442 OR Related Elective | 4 |
| ENS 495 Design and Analysis | 4 |
| General Education Course | 3 |
| Sixth Semester | 14 |
| BIO 414 AND/OR BIO/ENS Related Elective | 3 or 4 |
| ENS 399 Conservation Biology | 3 |
| Free Elective | 3 or 4 |
| General Education Course | 3 |
| Senior Year | |
| Seventh Semester | 15 |
| BIO 305/ENS 492/BIO 441 | 4 |
| BIO/ENS Related Elective | 3 or 4 |
| Free Elective | 3 or 4 |
| General Education Course | 3 |
| Eighth Semester | 15 |
| BIO 305/ENS 492/BIO 441 | 4 |
| ENS 435 Nat. Res. Law and Policy | 3 |
| Free Electives | 7 or 8 |
| Total | 120 |
Program Requirements
Required Major Courses (60 credits)
- BIO 120 General Zoology (4 credits)
- BIO 125 General Botany (4 credits)
- BIO 215 Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Biology (4 credits)
- BIO 218 Genetics (4 credits)
- BIO 248 General Ecology (4 credits)
- BIO 478 Evolution (3 credits)
- ENS 399 Conservation Biology (3 credits)
- ENS 435 Natural Res. Law and Policy (3 credits)
- ENS 495 Design and Analysis (4 credits)
- PHY 121 General Physics I (4 credits)
- Pick two of the following:
- BIO 414 Plant Ecology (4 credits)
- BIO 442 Forest Ecology and Dendrology (4 credits)
- ENS 475 Wetlands Ecology (4 credits)
Related Electives
- Pick two of the following: BIO 305, ENS 492, BIO 441 (8 credits)
- Choose from any 300- or 400-level BIO/ENS with approval of major adviser or department chair (7 credits)