If Earth’s fast depleting natural reserves are a colossal concern for you, then a degree in conservation biology can help you make that important difference. Conservation biology has emerged as a fairly exciting ontogeny of biological sciences, chiefly aimed at protecting and restoring biodiversity. This mission-oriented multidisciplinary subject has initiated a new understanding and novel approach towards contemporary ecological concerns and opened gateways of opportunities for young enthusiasts. If you are looking for meaningful work together with a fulfilling career, then a degree in conservation biology can land you an exciting job option. Here is a brief overview on conservation biology. Read on to know more.
Career In Conservation Biology
Course Details
Eligibility
The interdisciplinary domain of conservation biology offers undergraduate, bachelors, masters and doctoral degree programs for candidates with strong expertise in science and mathematics. Those with supplemental expertise in chemistry, biology, geometry and algebra can also apply for these courses. To enroll in a bachelor’s degree program, students must provide official records of their high school grades and ACT or SAT ‘Reasoning Test’ scores. Students applying for a master’s degree program must have a bachelor’s degree in biological or ecological science and should submit their GRE test scores to qualify. Applicants going for Ph.D. programs should major in statistics, the natural sciences or mathematics.
Details Of The Course Curriculum
The extensive multidisciplinary branch of conservation biology involves an exhaustive study of social sciences, ecosystem science, statistics, environmental design, public policy, business and law. The coursework is configured to address the contemporary ecological concerns and work out sustainable strategies for ecosystem management. The course curriculum is aimed at providing students with hands-on learning experience through extensive field excursions, internships, seminars, practical applications and so on. The course curriculum for conservation biology basically involves:
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Environmental statistics
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Geology
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Aquatic ecology
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Animal biology
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Technical documentation
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Data reporting and analysis
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Biological sciences
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Ecology
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Organic chemistry
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Evolutionary science
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Soil analysis
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Fundamentals of geology
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Habitat management and conservation
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Wildlife management
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Animal-environment interaction
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Conservation biology
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Environmental analysis strategies
Specialization
Aspiring candidates looking to further their career in conservation biology can opt for specialized degrees to give an edge to their calling. Since conservation biology is spread across a vast field of biodiversity and the ecosystem, one can choose to specialize in many areas, some of which are:
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Physical Sciences
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Forestry and Wild Lands Management
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Environmental Sciences
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Natural Resource Economics
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Natural Resources Conservation
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Wetlands and Marine Resource Management
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Land Use Planning and Development
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Forest Resources Management
Skills Required
Conservation biology is a fairly contemporary discipline that is gradually catching up with environment enthusiasts. Apart from having broad interdisciplinary knowledge on various environmental issues, one needs to have personal abilities, dedication, critical thinking skills, strong communication skills, leadership traits, analytical skills and strong ethics. One should be skillful enough to analyze the causes of biodegradation, should be technically sound and must be able to communicate scientific information to the public.
Career Prospects
Interminable degradation of biodiversity and the colossal contemporary concern over its ensuing impacts on our natural environment has doubled the career opportunities for aspiring biologists and ecologists. A master’s degree or a doctorate degree in conservation biology can land you a lucrative job in the government sector as a fish and wildlife biologist, environmental manager, remote-sensing specialist or wetlands ecologist. Career options are equally big in private sectors with occupational options ranging from fisheries biologist to environmental biologist and more. Graduates and doctorate holders can also choose to work for non-profit sectors as ecologists, urban foresters and habitat-restoration specialists. They can even opt for academic professions of a teacher, professor and researcher.
Some Of The Best Institutes Offering This Course Globally
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Sardar Patel Institute of Public Administration, Ahmedabad
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Wildlife Institue Of India, Uttarakhand
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Bharathiar University, Coimbatore
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Sterling College, Craftsbury Common
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SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse, New York
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Prescott College, Prescott, Arizona
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Thiel College, Greenville, Pennsylvania
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University Of Wisconsin - Madison, Madison
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Saint Anselm College, Manchester
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University Of Idaho, Moscow
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Utah State University, Logan
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Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona
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Boston University, Boston
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Arkansas State University, Russelville
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University Of New Orleans, New Orleans
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Cedar Crest College, Allentown
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Philadelphia University, Philadelphia
