Conservation Biology (B.S.)
The program requires 120 credits. Students pursuing a B.S. in Conservation Biology must receive a grade of C or better in each of the following four indicator courses to register in upper division courses in NRS/FISH/FOR/REM/WLF: BIOL 114, BIOL 213, FOR 221 or WLF 220, NR 321, and STAT 251.
Students must achieve a C or better to graduate in the following seven core courses: BIOL 421, NR 200, PHIL 452, REM 429, WLF 440, and WLF 448.
Before students are allowed to begin their senior thesis or project (NRS 485 or NRS 497), they must attend two thesis/project sessions and one senior poster presentation.
Required coursework includes the university requirements (see regulation J-3) and:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| BIOL 114 | Organisms and Environments | 4 |
| BIOL 115 | Cells and the Evolution of Life | 3 |
| BIOL 115L | Cells and the Evolution of Life Laboratory | 1 |
| BIOL 213 | Structure and Function Across the Tree of Life | 4 |
| BIOL 310 | Genetics | 3 |
| or GENE 314 | General Genetics | |
| BIOL 421 | Advanced Evolution | 3 |
| COMM 101 | Fundamentals of Oral Communication | 3 |
| ECON 202 | Principles of Microeconomics | 3-4 |
| or ECON 272 | Foundations of Economic Analysis | |
| ENGL 317 | Technical Writing II | 3 |
| or WLF 370 | Management and Communication of Scientific Data | |
| or JAMM 328 | Science Writing | |
| FOR 220 | Forest Biology & Dendrology | 3 |
| or REM 341 | Systematic Botany | |
| FOR 235 | Society and Natural Resources | 3 |
| FOR 375 | Fundamentals of Geomatics | 3 |
| MATH 160 | Survey of Calculus | 4 |
| or MATH 170 | Calculus I | |
| NR 101 | Exploring Natural Resources | 2 |
| NR 200 | Seminar | 1-16 |
| NR 300 | Ecology and Conservation Biology Thesis Seminar | 1 |
| NRS 383 | Natural Resource and Ecosystem Service Economics | 3 |
| PHIL 452 | Environmental Philosophy | 3 |
| REM 429 | Landscape Ecology | 3 |
| STAT 251 | Statistical Methods | 3 |
| WLF 440 | Conservation Biology | 3 |
| WLF 448 | Fish and Wildlife Population Ecology | 4 |
| Select one of the following: | 3-4 | |
| Ecology and Population Biology | ||
| Principles of Ecology | ||
| Ecology | ||
| Select one of the following: | 4 | |
| Introduction to Chemistry and Introduction to Chemistry Laboratory | ||
| General Chemistry I and General Chemistry I Laboratory | ||
| Select one of the following: | 1 | |
| ECB Senior Presentation | ||
| ECB Senior Presentation | ||
| ECB Senior Presentation | ||
| ECB Senior Presentation | ||
| ECB Senior Presentation | ||
| ECB Senior Presentation | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Senior Thesis (Max 6 credits) | ||
| Senior Thesis (Max 6 credits) | ||
| Senior Thesis (Max 3 credits) | ||
| Senior Research and Thesis | ||
| Senior Thesis (Max 6 credits) | ||
| Select one Quantitative Resource Analysis Restricted elective from the following: | 2-4 | |
| Social Data Analysis | ||
| Remote Sensing of the Environment | ||
| Foundations of GIS | ||
| Social Science Methods | ||
| Principles of Vegetation Monitoring and Measurement 1 | ||
| Wildland Habitat Ecology and Assessment 1 | ||
| Survey Sampling Methods | ||
| Statistical Analysis | ||
| Select one Resource Management Restricted elective from the following: | 3-4 | |
| Fisheries Management | ||
| Fire Effects and Management | ||
| Silviculture Principles and Practices | ||
| Watershed Science and Management | ||
| Managing Complex Environmental Systems | ||
| Environmental Project Management and Decision Making | ||
| Wilderness and Protected Area Management | ||
| Plant Community Restoration Methods | ||
| Ecological Restoration | ||
| Integrated Rangeland Management | ||
| Wildlife Management | ||
| Select 6 credits of Ecology Restricted electives from the following: 2 | 6 | |
| Animal Behavior | ||
| Introduction to Forest Insects | ||
| Fish Ecology | ||
| Fish Ecology Field Techniques and Methods | ||
| Limnology | ||
| Riparian and River Ecology | ||
| Ecology & Conservation of Freshwater Invertebrates | ||
| Freshwater Invertebrate Field Methods | ||
| Fire Ecology | ||
| Watershed Science and Management | ||
| Biogeography | ||
| Climate Change Ecology | ||
| Invasive Plant Biology | ||
| Restoration Ecology | ||
| Rangeland Ecology | ||
| Integrated Field Studies in Rangelands | ||
| Ecology of Terrestrial Vertebrates | ||
| Techniques Laboratory | ||
| Select one Organismal Biology Restricted elective from the following: | 3-4 | |
| Mammalogy | ||
| Herpetology | ||
| Ichthyology | ||
| Ornithology | ||
| Select two Social/Political Restricted electives from the following: | 4-6 | |
| Indigenous Ways of Knowing | ||
| Environmental Justice | ||
| Conflict Management | ||
| International Environmental Issues Seminar | ||
| Indigenous Culture and Ecology | ||
| Principles of Sustainability | ||
| Forest Policy and Administration | ||
| Land, Resources, and Environment | ||
| American Environmental History | ||
| International Environmental Governance | ||
| Managing Complex Environmental Systems | ||
| Environmental Communication Skills | ||
| Natural Resource Policy | ||
| Public Involvement in Natural Resource Management | ||
| Politics of the Environment | ||
| Total Hours | 92-115 | |
- 1
Both REM 410 and REM 411 must be completed to satisfy Quantitative Resource Analysis Restricted Elective requirement.
- 2
Courses to total 120 credits for this degree
| Fall Term 1 | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| BIOL 114 | Organisms and Environments | 4 |
| ENGL 101 | Writing and Rhetoric I | 3 |
| MATH 143 | Precalculus I: Algebra | 3 |
| NR 101 | Exploring Natural Resources | 2 |
| Elective Course | 1 | |
| Hours | 13 | |
| Spring Term 1 | ||
| COMM 101 | Fundamentals of Oral Communication | 3 |
| ENGL 102 | Writing and Rhetoric II | 3 |
| NR 200 | Seminar | 1 |
| MATH 160 OR MATH 170 | 4 | |
| (CHEM 101 AND CHEM 101L) OR (CHEM 111 AND CHEM 111L) | 4 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Fall Term 2 | ||
| BIOL 115 | Cells and the Evolution of Life | 3 |
| BIOL 115L | Cells and the Evolution of Life Laboratory | 1 |
| FOR 235 | Society and Natural Resources | 3 |
| STAT 251 | Statistical Methods | 3 |
| Humanistic and Artistic Ways of Knowing Course | 3 | |
| ECON 202 OR ECON 272 | 3 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Spring Term 2 | ||
| BIOL 213 | Structure and Function Across the Tree of Life | 4 |
| FOR 375 | Fundamentals of Geomatics | 3 |
| NR 300 | Ecology and Conservation Biology Thesis Seminar | 1 |
| BIOL 314 OR FOR 221 OR NR 321 OR WLF 220 | 3 | |
| BIOL 310 OR GENE 314 | 3 | |
| Hours | 14 | |
| Fall Term 3 | ||
| PHIL 452 | Environmental Philosophy | 3 |
| WLF 440 | Conservation Biology | 3 |
| ENGL 317 OR WLF 370 | 3 | |
| FOR 220 OR REM 341 | 3 | |
| FOR 472 OR GEOG 385 OR NRS 310 OR REM 410 OR REM 411 OR STAT 422 OR STAT 431 | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring Term 3 | ||
| BIOL 421 | Advanced Evolution | 3 |
| NRS 383 | Natural Resource and Ecosystem Service Economics | 3 |
| WLF 448 | Fish and Wildlife Population Ecology | 4 |
| BIOL 478 OR ENT 469 OR FISH 314 OR FISH 315 OR FISH 415 OR FISH 430 OR FIRE 326 OR FOR 330 OR FOR 468 OR GEOG 410 OR PLSC 410 OR REM 440 OR REM 459 OR REM 460 OR WLF 314 OR WLF 315 | 3 | |
| COMM 410 OR ENVS 225 OR FOR 484 OR GEOG 420 OR HIST 424 OR NRS 311 OR NRS 386 OR NRS 387 OR NRS 462 OR POLS 364 | 3 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Fall Term 4 | ||
| American Diversity Course | 3 | |
| International Course | 3 | |
| FISH 497 OR FOR 497 OR NR 497 OR REM 497 OR WLF 497 | 3 | |
| FISH 418 OR FOR 424 OR FOR 462 OR NRS 386 OR NRS 490 OR REM 456 OR WLF 492 | 3 | |
| BIOL 483 OR BIOL 489 OR FISH 481 OR WLF 482 | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring Term 4 | ||
| REM 429 | Landscape Ecology | 3 |
| Humanistic and Artistic Ways of Knowing Course | 3 | |
| Elective Course | 3 | |
| FISH 473 OR FOR 473 OR NRS 473 OR REM 473 OR WLF 473 | 1 | |
| BIOL 478 OR ENT 469 OR FISH 314 OR FISH 315 OR FISH 415 OR FISH 430 OR FIRE 326 OR FOR 330 OR FOR 468 OR GEOG 410 OR PLSC 410 OR REM 440 OR REM 459 OR REM 460 OR WLF 314 OR WLF 315 | 3 | |
| COMM 410 OR ENVS 225 OR FOR 484 OR GEOG 420 OR HIST 424 OR NRS 311 OR NRS 386 OR NRS 387 OR NRS 462 OR POLS 364 | 3 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
The degree map is a guide for the timely completion of your curricular requirements. Your academic advisor or department may be contacted for assistance in interpreting this map. This map is not reflective of your academic history or transcript and it is not official notification of completion of degree or certificate requirements. Please contact the Registrar's Office regarding your official degree/certificate completion status.
Conservation Biology
1. Articulate disciplinary identity.
Students will convey an accurate and nuanced understanding of the unique history and character of the discipline of Conservation Biology and its distinctiveness from related disciplines, as well as their own personal rationale for matriculating within the discipline.
2. Understand principles and theories.
a. Students will accurately articulate key principles concerning the ecology of species, populations, communities, ecosystems, and landscapes.
b. Students will demonstrate an understanding of the interconnection between ecological systems and basic aspects of human ecology (as defined by economics, social sciences, and other related fields).
3. Locate, organize, analyze, and critically evaluate information.
a. Students will demonstrate the ability to locate pertinent ecological, social, economic and political information.
b. Students will organize, analyze, and critically evaluate information using professional, discipline-appropriate standards
4. Effectively communicate ideas and technical knowledge.
Students will effectively utilize diverse forms of communication (written oral, and visual) to convey information to scientific and nonscientific audiences in formal and professional formats.
5. Work collaboratively.
Students will practice effective team management and participatory skills (in disciplinary and interdisciplinary team settings) to evaluate complex situations and formulate solutions to basic problems
6. Practice ethical behavior.
Students will adhere to professional standards of ethics when using or synthesizing knowledge, doing research, employing field practices, engaging in conservation management, and when working with stakeholders.