Conservation Biology, BS
Program Description
The BS in Conservation Biology prepares students for careers whose goal is to solve a wide range of environmental challenges such as invasive species, altered landscapes, species extinctions, or the restoration of degraded aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Our selection of rigorous field based courses in watersheds, soils, forestry, ecology (general, fish, wildlife or plant), and organisms (mammalogy, ornithology, ichthyology, or entomology) offers a strong set of foundational courses in the natural sciences. Combining this coursework with interdisciplinary courses and GIS technology adds the breadth needed to formulate sustainable solutions to local, regional and global conservation challenges. Electives allow students to tailor the program to their interests and career goals. Students may choose as a capstone experience, a summer semester internship working in a professional capacity in conservation biology or a senior thesis research project. Students will be prepared for careers or for graduate work in conservation biology or a broad range of related areas.
The Human Dimensions Concentration prepares students for careers in global, national and community conservation advocacy programs including environmental outreach and policy development and communication. This multi-disciplinary program combines a strong core in the biological sciences with classes in geographic information science, communications, business and economics, and political science. The program is flexible, allowing students to select classes that best match their educational and career goals. Students conclude their program by completing a conservation related service learning project for a conservation organization, unit of government, or business (e.g., land conservancies, Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, watershed organizations, zoos and aquariums).
Program Learning Outcomes
- Foundation: Students in the Conservation Biology program will thoroughly research and synthesize the primary literature for information relevant to a current scientific investigation or experiential learning project.
- Capstone Project – Capstone project: Students in the Conservation Biology program will design and conduct a scientific investigation or experiential learning project (ELP) using appropriate tools and techniques in order to demonstrate skill in the practice of conservation biology.
- Communication and outreach – Students in the Conservation Biology program will effectively communicate the results or outcomes of their independent project in multiple formats.
- Professionalism – Students in the Conservation Biology program will engage in professional activities related to the study, conservation, or management of natural resources.
- Post-graduation – careers and further education – Graduates of the Conservation Biology program will go on to careers in conservation biology or proceed to graduate school to further their education.
Bachelor of Science Conservation Biology
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Departmental Requirements | ||
| BIOL 131 | General Biology: Cells | 4 |
| BIOL 132 | General Biology: Organisms | 4 |
| NRES 199 | Freshman Seminar | 1 |
| NRES 203 | Fund of Natural Resources | 3 |
| BIOL 220 | Genetics | 4 |
| NRES 230 | Introduction to Soil Science | 4 |
| NRES 250 | Quantitative Biology | 3 |
| BIOL 280 | Biostatistics | 3 |
| NRES 284 | Principles Forest Conservation | 4 |
| NRES 286 | Principles of Watersheds | 3 |
| NRES 287 | Conservation Biology | 3 |
| NRES 299 | Sophomore Seminar | 1 |
| NRES 304 | The Human Environment | 3 |
| BIOL 337 | General Ecology | 3 |
| BIOL 420 | Evolutionary Analysis | 3 |
| NRES 470 | Restoration Ecology | 3 |
| NRES 499 | Senior Capstone | 1 |
| Support Courses | ||
| CHEM 115 | General Chemistry I | 5 |
| CHEM 116 | General Chemistry II | 5 |
| EVRN 131 | Introduction to GIS and GPS | 3 |
| EVRN 225 | Intermediate GIS | 3 |
| EVRN 311 | Environmental Law | 3 |
| MATH 111 | College Algebra | 3 |
| MATH 112 | Calculus Business/Life Science | 4 |
| Global Perspective | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Environmental Economics | ||
| Population and Ecology | ||
| Internatl Environmental Policy | ||
Study Abroad | ||
| Options | ||
| Select one of the following options: | 3-4 | |
| Experiential Learning Project Option | ||
| Plan Experiential Lrn Project | ||
| Experiential Learning Project | ||
| Research Option | ||
| Research Project Design | ||
| Senior Project | ||
| Free Electives to total 124 credits 1 | ||
| Total Hours | 82-83 | |
- 1
At least six elective credits must be from courses at the 300 level or higher.
General Education: All LSSU bachelor’s degree candidates must complete the LSSU General Education Requirements.
A minimum of 124 credits (at the 100 level or higher) must be earned for graduation with a cumulative gpa of 2.00 or higher. A gpa of 2.00 or higher is also required in your Major, as well as in your General Education Requirements.
Bachelor of Science Conservation Biology, Human Dimensions Concentration
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Departmental Requirements | ||
| BIOL 131 | General Biology: Cells | 4 |
| BIOL 132 | General Biology: Organisms | 4 |
| NRES 199 | Freshman Seminar | 1 |
| NRES 203 | Fund of Natural Resources | 3 |
| BIOL 220 | Genetics | 4 |
| NRES 230 | Introduction to Soil Science | 4 |
| NRES 250 | Quantitative Biology | 3 |
| BIOL 280 | Biostatistics | 3 |
| NRES 284 | Principles Forest Conservation | 4 |
| NRES 286 | Principles of Watersheds | 3 |
| NRES 287 | Conservation Biology | 3 |
| NRES 299 | Sophomore Seminar | 1 |
| NRES 304 | The Human Environment | 3 |
| BIOL 337 | General Ecology | 3 |
| BIOL 420 | Evolutionary Analysis | 3 |
| NRES 470 | Restoration Ecology | 3 |
| NRES 499 | Senior Capstone | 1 |
| Support Courses | ||
| CHEM 115 | General Chemistry I | 5 |
| EVRN 131 | Introduction to GIS and GPS | 3 |
| EVRN 225 | Intermediate GIS | 3 |
| EVRN 311 | Environmental Law | 3 |
| MATH 111 | College Algebra | 3 |
| Marketing & Management 1 | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Management Concepts & Apps | ||
| Marketing Principles/ Strategy | ||
| Services Marketing | ||
| Political Science 1 | ||
| POLI 130 | Intro State/Local Government | 3-4 |
| or POLI 201 | Intro to Public Administration | |
| Communication 1 | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3-4 | |
| Understanding Mass Media | ||
| Argumentation & Advocacy | ||
| Public Relations | ||
| Communication in Leadership | ||
| Global Perspective 1 | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Environmental Economics | ||
| Population and Ecology | ||
| Internatl Environmental Policy | ||
Study Abroad | ||
| Options | ||
| Select one of the following options: | 3-4 | |
| Internship Option | ||
| Plan Experiential Lrn Project | ||
| Experiential Learning Project | ||
| Research Option | ||
| Research Project Design | ||
| Senior Project | ||
| Free Electives to total 124 credits | ||
| Total Hours | 82-85 | |
- 1
At least 2 of the designated electives must be 300 or 400 level.
General Education: All LSSU bachelor’s degree candidates must complete the LSSU General Education Requirements.
A minimum of 124 credits (at the 100 level or higher) must be earned for graduation with a cumulative gpa of 2.00 or higher. A gpa of 2.00 or higher is also required in your Major, as well as in your General Education Requirements.