Conservation Biology Degree

Program Overview

The Natural Resources: Conservation Biology Emphasis program at the University of Arizona equips students with a comprehensive understanding of conservation across various taxa and scientific disciplines. The program emphasizes integrated solutions for managing and protecting natural resources, preparing students for careers in conservation biology, environmental education, and natural resource management. Students gain hands-on experience and develop skills in ecology, genetics, and evolution, as well as social sciences and communication. The program also emphasizes ethical behavior and proficiency in a second language.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

This Natural Resources major at the University of Arizona encourages students to study conservation across various taxa and scientific disciplines like ecology, genetics, and evolution. The program focuses on managing and protecting natural resources through integrated solutions. The emphasis in Conservation Biology aims to provide students with the necessary science and social science skills, alongside real-world experiences to pursue careers in various fields like conservation biology, environmental education, and natural resource management. The program prepares students for pursuing graduate studies in law or policy or working in government agencies and NGOs such as The Nature Conservancy.

Outline:

The Natural Resources: Conservation Biology Emphasis program at the University of Arizona provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the field through a structured curriculum. The program outlines detailed information regarding the course schedule, individual modules, and their descriptions. Here's a summary of the program outline:

First Year:

• Fall Semester: General Chemistry I, First-Year Composition, Exploring Perspectives, Introduction to the General Education Experience, and RNR 200 Conservation of Natural Environments.
• Spring Semester: General Chemistry II, First-Year Composition, General Biology II, Exploring Perspectives, and Foundation Mathematics.

Second Year:

• Fall Semester: Basic Economic Issues, Natural Resources Ecology, Statistics, Field Botany, General Biology I Lab, and General Biology I Lecture.
• Spring Semester: Exploring Perspectives, Exploring Perspectives, Oral or Media Communication, Second Language, and Exploring Perspectives.

Third Year:

• Fall Semester: Natural Resources Management Elective, Environment Elective, Organismal Biology Elective, Technical Skills Elective, Second Language, and General Education Portfolio Exit Course.
• Spring Semester: Ecological Surveys and Sampling, Conservation Biology, Organismal Biology Elective, Technical Electives, and Natural Resources Management Practices.

Fourth Year:

• Fall Semester: Social Dimensions Elective, Technical Electives, Technical Electives, Technical Electives, and Technical Electives.
• Spring Semester: Technical Writing, Genetics, Technical Electives, and Natural Resources Policy and Law.

Sample Courses:

• WFSC 385: Zoo and Aquarium Conservation
• WFSC 430: Conservation Genetics
• RNR 480: Natural Resources Policy and Law

Career Fields:

• Conservation biology
• Environmental education
• Nonprofit
• Public policy
• State and national parks

Assessment:

The program's assessment methods and criteria are not explicitly mentioned in the provided context.

Teaching:

The teaching methods, faculty information, and any unique approaches employed in the program are not explicitly mentioned in the provided context.

Careers:

The program outlines potential career paths, opportunities, and outcomes associated with completing the degree. The extracted information regarding careers is detailed in the "Outline" section above.

Other:

The context mentions the learning outcomes of the program, including understanding ecological principles, natural resource management complexities, land management agency roles, statistical analysis, communication skills, ethical behavior, taxonomic identification, and career development. The program requires students to demonstrate proficiency in a second language at the second-semester skill level. This major is offered by the College of Agriculture, Life & Environmental Sciences at the University of Arizona. The webpage for the program also provides details about the cost, financial aid opportunities, how to apply, and information about transfer pathways.