Certificate Requirements
The graduate certificate in conservation biology can be completed in 8 to 11 months and is awarded after completion of 15 graduate credits, including two core courses (Conservation Biology and Conservation Law and Policy), two elective courses from an approved list, and an individually designed practicum, which may consist of a supervised independent research project or a sponsored internship with a governmental or nonprofit organization.
Applicants should have completed a BA/BS in biology or other natural/environmental science, or equivalent coursework. An undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher is required. GRE scores are not required. Applicants without the required background will be advised to take necessary prerequisite courses. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, and students may begin their studies in any term, including summer. View the information on tuition and fees and financial aid.
Core Courses
Graduate Certificate students must successfully complete two core courses: Conservation Biology (BISC 6597 - 3 credits) and Conservation Law and Policy (BISC 7532 - 3 credits).
Electives
Appropriate electives offered in the recent past include:
- Population Genetics
- Community & Ecosystem Ecology
- Population & Community Ecology
- GIS
- Vector Ecology
- Ecology of Urban and Suburban Landscapes
- Introductory Biostatistics
- Behavioral Ecology, as well as seminars in ecology and evolution
For those students concurrently completing a MSc or PhD in biology, the following ecology core courses cannot be counted as elective courses toward the certificate:
- Population & Community Biology (BIGA 7501)
- Community & Ecosystem Ecology (BISC 7503)
- Ecological Methods (BISC 6535)
- Introductory Biostatistics (BISC 6525)
A minimum GPA of 3.0 must be maintained.