Campuses:
Twin Cities campus
This is archival data. This system was retired as of August 21, 2023 and the information on this page has not been updated since then. For current information, visit catalogs.umn.edu.
|
Twin Cities Campus
Conservation Sciences Ph.D.Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology
College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences
Link to a list of faculty for this program.
Contact Information
Department of Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology, 135 B Skok Hall, 2003 Upper Buford Circle, St. Paul, MN 55108 (612-624-7751)
Email:
conssci@umn.edu
Website: http://www.conssci.umn.edu
Along with the program-specific requirements listed below, please read the
General Information section of
this
website for requirements that apply to all major fields.
The conservation sciences (CS) program has two complementary objectives leading to a unique multidisciplinary program. The first is to provide students with sound graduate training in the biological sciences relevant to the global conservation of plants, animals, and ecosystems. The second objective promotes the study of social, political, and economic sciences that relate to recognition and solution of conservation problems. Students may select one of three tracks, conservation science track or fisheries and aquatic biology track or wildlife ecology and management track. Students may also pursue a joint degree in law and conservation sciences through the joint law degree program. The overall goal of the program is to prepare students to develop solutions or approaches to address problems that are scientifically and environmentally sound and likely to be acted upon or implemented within their social and political context.
Program Delivery
Prerequisites for Admission
The preferred undergraduate GPA for admittance to the program
is 3.50.
Other requirements to be completed before admission:
A BS/BA degree in biology or a closely related field is preferred. Applicants with a baccalaureate degree in another field are accepted, but these individuals may be required to take selected courses in biology. In general, PhD applicants holding a baccalaureate degree are first expected to complete a master's degree.
Special Application Requirements:
A statement of career goals and three letters of recommendation evaluating the applicant's potential for graduate study are required. Three letters of recommendation are required. Scores less than five years old from the General Test of the GRE are required. TOEFL is required for applicants who speak English as a second language. Applicants to the joint law degree program must also apply to the Law School. Application deadline is January 1. Typically, students are admitted only for fall semester.
Applicants must submit their test score(s) from the following:
International applicants must submit score(s) from one of the following tests:
The preferred English language test is Test of English as Foreign Language.
Key to test
abbreviations
(GRE, TOEFL, IELTS, MELAB).
For an online application or for more information about graduate education admissions, see the
General Information section of this
website.
Program Requirements
12
credits are required in the major.
12 credits are required outside the major. 24 thesis credits are required.
This program may be completed with a minor.
Use of 4xxx courses toward program requirements is permitted under certain conditions with adviser approval.
A minimum GPA of 3.00
is required for students to remain in good standing.
At least 1 semesters must be completed
before filing a Degree Program Form.
PhD students complete 48 credits, 24 credits in courses and 24 thesis credits. Students are expected to show competency in both the biological and social sciences. With their advisory committee, students develop a program that emphasizes the ecological and social aspects of conservation. Dissertation research may require proficiency in supporting areas (e.g., statistics, computing, communications).
Seminar Requirement
PhD students are required to take 3 semesters of conservation biology seminar, CBIO 8001. FAB track PhD students may substitute 1-2 semesters of FW 8200 to meet 3 semester conservation biology seminar requirement.
Take 3 or more credit(s) from the following:
·
CONS 8001 - Conservation Biology Seminar
(1.0 cr)
·
FW 8200 - Seminar
(1.0-4.0 cr)
Statistics Requirement
PhD students should take one statistics course (minimum of 3 semester credits) from the following list, or choose from 5- or 8-xxx level courses in other departments in consultation with the advisor and/or SAC.
Take 3 or more credit(s) from the following:
·
BIOL 5272 - Applied Biostatistics
(4.0 cr)
·
EPSY 8251 - Statistical Methods in Education I
(3.0 cr)
·
EPSY 8252 - Statistical Methods in Education II
(3.0 cr)
·
FW 8051 - Statistical Modeling of Ecological Data using R and WinBugs/JAGS
(4.0 cr)
·
PSY 8960 - Graduate Seminar in Psychology
(1.0-4.0 cr)
·
PUBH 6810 - Survey Research Methods
(3.0 cr)
·
PUBH 7430 - Statistical Methods for Correlated Data
(3.0 cr)
·
STAT 5021 - Statistical Analysis
(4.0 cr)
·
STAT 5302 - Applied Regression Analysis
(4.0 cr)
·
STAT 5303 - Designing Experiments
(4.0 cr)
·
STAT 5421 - Analysis of Categorical Data
(3.0 cr)
·
STAT 5601 - Nonparametric Methods
(3.0 cr)
Thesis
All PhD students are required to take 24 thesis semester credits
CONS 8888 - Thesis Credit: Doctoral
(1.0-24.0 cr)
Joint- or Dual-degree Coursework:
Joint degree in conservation sciences and law
Students may take a total of 12 credits in common
among the academic programs.
Program Sub-plans
Students are required to complete one of the following sub-plans.
Students may not complete the program with more than one sub-plan.
Conservation Science
Conservation science track is available for MS, PhD, and joint degree students wishing to emphasize this concentration within a conservation sciences. This track name will be indicated on the student's transcript. This track provides structure and oversight for students interested in the interface of population, species, and ecosystem biology with disciplines of social sciences, education, economics.
Conservation Science - Electives
Doctoral students should take a minimum of 14 credits from the following list, or choose 5- or 8-xxx level courses from other departments in consultation with SAC to meet minimum credit requirements.
Take 14 or more credit(s) from the following:
·
APEC 5151 - Applied Microeconomics: Firm and Household
(3.0 cr)
·
APEC 5651 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
·
EEB 4129 - Mammalogy
(4.0 cr)
·
EEB 4134 - Introduction to Ornithology
(4.0 cr)
·
EEB 5042 - Quantitative Genetics
(3.0 cr)
·
EEB 5327 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
·
EEB 5409 - Evolution
(3.0 cr)
·
EEB 5601 - Limnology
(3.0 cr)
·
EEB 5609 - Ecosystem Ecology
(3.0 cr)
·
ENT 4021 - Honey Bees and Insect Societies
(3.0 cr)
·
ENT 5011 - Insect Structure and Function
(4.0 cr)
·
ENT 5041 - Insect Ecology
(3.0 cr)
·
EPSY 5221 - Principles of Educational and Psychological Measurement
(3.0 cr)
·
EPSY 5243 - Principles and Methods of Evaluation
(3.0 cr)
·
FNRM 5104 - Forest Ecology
(4.0 cr)
·
FNRM 5114 - Hydrology and Watershed Management
(3.0 cr)
·
FNRM 5131 - Geographical Information Systems (GIS) for Natural Resources
(4.0 cr)
·
FNRM 5203 - Forest Fire and Disturbance Ecology
(3.0 cr)
·
FNRM 5204 - Landscape Ecology and Management
(3.0 cr)
·
FNRM 5262 - Remote Sensing and Geospatial Analysis of Natural Resources and Environment
(3.0 cr)
·
FW 5003 - Human Dimensions of Biological Conservation
(3.0 cr)
·
FW 5051 - Analysis of Populations
(4.0 cr)
·
FW 5401 - Fish Physiology and Behavior
(3.0 cr)
·
FW 5603W - Habitats and Regulation of Wildlife
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
FW 5625 - Wildlife Handling and Immobilization for Research and Management
(2.0 cr)
·
GEOG 8280 - Biogeography
(3.0 cr)
·
GRAD 8101 - Teaching in Higher Education
(3.0 cr)
·
GRAD 8102 - Practicum for Future Faculty
(3.0 cr)
·
HORT 5071 - Ecological Restoration
(4.0 cr)
·
ISG 5010 - Risk Analysis for Introduced Species and Genotypes
(3.0 cr)
·
ISG 5020 {Inactive}
(1.0 cr)
·
ISG 8001 {Inactive}
(1.0 cr)
·
ISG 8021 - Problem Solving Practicum in Risk Analysis
(3.0 cr)
·
ISG 8031 - Cooperative Learning Practicum
(1.0 cr)
·
LA 5202 - Landscape Analysis Workshop
(1.0 cr)
·
LA 5204 - Metropolitan Landscape Ecology
(3.0 cr)
·
PA 5251 - Strategic Planning and Management
(3.0 cr)
·
PA 5253 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
·
PA 5501 - Theories and Policies of Development
(3.0 cr)
·
PA 5511 - Community Economic Development
(3.0 cr)
·
VMED 5181 - Spatial Analysis in Infectious Disease Epidemiology
(3.0 cr)
Fisheries and Aquatic Biology
Three-quarters of the global ecosystem is water and most is a global commons. Many biologists and economists argue that freshwater is one of the most critical global resources and that the functional integrity and biodiversity within freshwater and marine ecosystems are highly threatened. The fisheries and aquatic biology (FAB) track is available for MS, PhD, and joint degree students wishing to emphasize this concentration within a CS major. The track name will be indicated on the student's transcript and may be useful to the graduate for obtaining jobs with many federal and state agencies where such expertise is specified in job announcements or hiring criteria. The track designation clearly indicates that the student has specialized coursework and research or project experience leading to expertise in fisheries or aquatic biology. Combined with a typical undergraduate degree in biology or natural resource science, careful selection of courses in the graduate program will satisfy the educational requirements for professional certification by the American Fisheries Society.
Students in the track must be advised or co-advised by a faculty member affiliated with the track. Request for admission to the track may be made during the application process or any time after the student is admitted to the CS graduate program. Students in the track must meet all requirements for the PhD in CS.
Students who designate this track will be expected to work closely with their Student Advisory Committee (SAC) to develop an appropriate course of study. The track coordinator will review each student's academic program to examine how track expectations are met and forward it with a recommendation to the director of graduate studies for approval.
Fisheries and Aquatic Biology - Required Courses
In addition to course requirements for the conservation sciences major, PhD students in fisheries and aquatic biology track are required to take minimum of 8 semester credits from following list. Other advanced courses or colloquia on fisheries or aquatic biology that are not listed here may also satisfy needs of students in the track. Please check with FAB track coordinator to add other courses.
Take 8 or more credit(s) from the following:
·
EEB 5601 - Limnology
(3.0 cr)
·
EEB 5605 {Inactive}
(2.0 cr)
·
EEB 8601 - Introduction to Stream Restoration
(3.0 cr)
·
EEB 8602 - Stream Restoration Practice
(2.0 cr)
·
ENT 4361 - Aquatic Insects
(3.0 cr)
·
FNRM 5114 - Hydrology and Watershed Management
(3.0 cr)
·
FNRM 5153 - Forest Hydrology & Watershed Biogeochemistry
(3.0 cr)
·
FW 4401 - Fish Physiology and Behavior
(3.0 cr)
·
FW 5003 - Human Dimensions of Biological Conservation
(3.0 cr)
·
FW 5051 - Analysis of Populations
(4.0 cr)
·
FW 5136 - Ichthyology
(4.0 cr)
·
FW 5601 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
·
FW 8459 - Stream and River Ecology
(3.0 cr)
·
FW 8465 - Fish Habitats and Restoration
(3.0 cr)
Fisheries and Aquatic Biology - Electives
PhD students should take a minimum of 6 semester credits either from the following list, or choose 5- or 8-xxxx courses from other departments in consultation with the advisor and/or SAC.
Take 6 or more credit(s) from the following:
·
APEC 5151 - Applied Microeconomics: Firm and Household
(3.0 cr)
·
APEC 5651 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
·
EEB 5042 - Quantitative Genetics
(3.0 cr)
·
EEB 5327 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
·
EEB 5409 - Evolution
(3.0 cr)
·
EEB 5601 - Limnology
(3.0 cr)
·
EEB 5609 - Ecosystem Ecology
(3.0 cr)
·
ENT 5011 - Insect Structure and Function
(4.0 cr)
·
ENT 5041 - Insect Ecology
(3.0 cr)
·
EPSY 5221 - Principles of Educational and Psychological Measurement
(3.0 cr)
·
EPSY 5243 - Principles and Methods of Evaluation
(3.0 cr)
·
FNRM 5114 - Hydrology and Watershed Management
(3.0 cr)
·
FNRM 5131 - Geographical Information Systems (GIS) for Natural Resources
(4.0 cr)
·
FNRM 5203 - Forest Fire and Disturbance Ecology
(3.0 cr)
·
FNRM 5204 - Landscape Ecology and Management
(3.0 cr)
·
FNRM 5262 - Remote Sensing and Geospatial Analysis of Natural Resources and Environment
(3.0 cr)
·
FW 5003 - Human Dimensions of Biological Conservation
(3.0 cr)
·
FW 5051 - Analysis of Populations
(4.0 cr)
·
FW 5401 - Fish Physiology and Behavior
(3.0 cr)
·
FW 5603W - Habitats and Regulation of Wildlife
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
FW 5625 - Wildlife Handling and Immobilization for Research and Management
(2.0 cr)
·
GEOG 8280 - Biogeography
(3.0 cr)
·
GRAD 8101 - Teaching in Higher Education
(3.0 cr)
·
GRAD 8102 - Practicum for Future Faculty
(3.0 cr)
·
HORT 5071 - Ecological Restoration
(4.0 cr)
·
ISG 5010 - Risk Analysis for Introduced Species and Genotypes
(3.0 cr)
·
ISG 5020 {Inactive}
(1.0 cr)
·
ISG 8001 {Inactive}
(1.0 cr)
·
ISG 8021 - Problem Solving Practicum in Risk Analysis
(3.0 cr)
·
ISG 8031 - Cooperative Learning Practicum
(1.0 cr)
·
LA 5202 - Landscape Analysis Workshop
(1.0 cr)
·
LA 5204 - Metropolitan Landscape Ecology
(3.0 cr)
·
PA 5251 - Strategic Planning and Management
(3.0 cr)
·
PA 5253 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
·
PA 5501 - Theories and Policies of Development
(3.0 cr)
·
PA 5511 - Community Economic Development
(3.0 cr)
·
VMED 5181 - Spatial Analysis in Infectious Disease Epidemiology
(3.0 cr)
Wildlife Ecology and Management
The Wildlife Ecology and Management track is available for students wishing to emphasize this concentration within the conservation sciences degree. The track provides structure and oversight for students interested in the interface of population, species, and ecosystem biology with the disciplines of social sciences, education, and economics. The track name will be posted to the transcript, and may be useful to the graduate for obtaining jobs with many federal and state agencies where such expertise is specified in job announcements or hiring criteria. The track designation clearly indicates that the student has specialized coursework and research or project experience leading to expertise in wildlife ecology and management.
Students in the track must be advised or co-advised by a faculty member affiliated with the track. Requests for admission to the track may be made during the application process or at any time after the student is admitted to conservation sciences. Students in the track must meet all MS degree requirements. Students who designate this track will be expected to work closely with their Student Advisory Committee (SAC) to develop an appropriate course of study. The track coordinator will review each student's academic program to examine how track expectations are met and forward it with a recommendation to the director of graduate studies for approval.
Wildlife Ecology & Management - Electives
Doctoral students should take a minimum of 14 credits from the following list, or choose 5- or 8-xxx level courses from other departments in consultation with SAC to meet minimum credit requirements.
Take 14 or more credit(s) from the following:
·
APEC 5151 - Applied Microeconomics: Firm and Household
(3.0 cr)
·
APEC 5651 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
·
EEB 4129 - Mammalogy
(4.0 cr)
·
EEB 4134 - Introduction to Ornithology
(4.0 cr)
·
EEB 5042 - Quantitative Genetics
(3.0 cr)
·
EEB 5327 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
·
EEB 5409 - Evolution
(3.0 cr)
·
EEB 5601 - Limnology
(3.0 cr)
·
EEB 5609 - Ecosystem Ecology
(3.0 cr)
·
ENT 4021 - Honey Bees and Insect Societies
(3.0 cr)
·
ENT 5011 - Insect Structure and Function
(4.0 cr)
·
ENT 5041 - Insect Ecology
(3.0 cr)
·
EPSY 5221 - Principles of Educational and Psychological Measurement
(3.0 cr)
·
EPSY 5243 - Principles and Methods of Evaluation
(3.0 cr)
·
FNRM 5104 - Forest Ecology
(4.0 cr)
·
FNRM 5114 - Hydrology and Watershed Management
(3.0 cr)
·
FNRM 5131 - Geographical Information Systems (GIS) for Natural Resources
(4.0 cr)
·
FNRM 5203 - Forest Fire and Disturbance Ecology
(3.0 cr)
·
FNRM 5204 - Landscape Ecology and Management
(3.0 cr)
·
FNRM 5262 - Remote Sensing and Geospatial Analysis of Natural Resources and Environment
(3.0 cr)
·
FW 5003 - Human Dimensions of Biological Conservation
(3.0 cr)
·
FW 5051 - Analysis of Populations
(4.0 cr)
·
FW 5401 - Fish Physiology and Behavior
(3.0 cr)
·
FW 5603W - Habitats and Regulation of Wildlife
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
FW 5625 - Wildlife Handling and Immobilization for Research and Management
(2.0 cr)
·
GEOG 8280 - Biogeography
(3.0 cr)
·
GRAD 8101 - Teaching in Higher Education
(3.0 cr)
·
GRAD 8102 - Practicum for Future Faculty
(3.0 cr)
·
HORT 5071 - Ecological Restoration
(4.0 cr)
·
ISG 5010 - Risk Analysis for Introduced Species and Genotypes
(3.0 cr)
·
ISG 5020 {Inactive}
(1.0 cr)
·
ISG 8001 {Inactive}
(1.0 cr)
·
ISG 8021 - Problem Solving Practicum in Risk Analysis
(3.0 cr)
·
ISG 8031 - Cooperative Learning Practicum
(1.0 cr)
·
LA 5202 - Landscape Analysis Workshop
(1.0 cr)
·
LA 5204 - Metropolitan Landscape Ecology
(3.0 cr)
·
PA 5251 - Strategic Planning and Management
(3.0 cr)
·
PA 5253 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
·
PA 5501 - Theories and Policies of Development
(3.0 cr)
·
PA 5511 - Community Economic Development
(3.0 cr)
·
VMED 5181 - Spatial Analysis in Infectious Disease Epidemiology
(3.0 cr)
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
