Best Colleges for Conservation Biology

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Conservation Biology is the branch of science which deals with the study of the conservation of the nature and its components like ecosystems, and species of flora and fauna. Conservation biologists mainly perform intensive study and research on the habitat of the plants and animals and develop potential solutions for their long-term conservation.

If we want to seek our career in conservation biology, them there are a number of undergraduate and graduate programs we can pursue.

Credit: McAnt, CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

  1. Bachelors and Masters in Molecular and Cellular Biology: It is of high demand and the most paying degree one can earn in conservation biology.
  2. Master of Biological Sciences: It deals with the exploration of nature, diversity, development and behavior of living organisms from plants and animals to microorganisms
  3. Bachelors and Masters in Conservation Biology:
  4. Master of Science (M.S.) in Biology or Botany or Environmental Studies
  5. Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy) in Biology, Botany or Ecology, Evolution, Marine Biology and Environmental Biology
  6. Bachelors and Masters in Sustainable Development

The basic requirement of conservation biologist is at least a bachelor’s degree in ecology, environmental science, natural resource management or agriculture. For conducting research and various teaching positions, one should obtain a Masters’ degree ad successively doctoral degree in conservation biology. Talking specifically on the programs of Bachelors’ degree, Masters’ degree and Doctorate degree in Conservation Biology:

  1. Bachelors’ Degree in Conservation Biology: This course generally lasts for approximately 4 years. Its main components include habitat preservation, climate change, population biology and social aspects of conservation.  The general course work includes comprises of resources management, resource analysis, ecology, and social and political issues. The specific course work consists of botany, environmental philosophy and politics, ornithology and herpetology, wetland ecology, biogeography, and processes and management of the forest ecosystem. The course plan for the four years is as follows:
  2. 1st Year: Basic Concepts of Conservation Biology, Frontiers in Biological Science, Diversity of Life, Ecology and Environmental Science, Diversity of Life, and The cell.
  3. 2nd Year: Genes and Evolution, Biological Enhanced Skills Training, Ecology, and Conservation Biology.

Optional Courses include Marine and Fish Population Ecology, Parasitology, Coastal Biodiversity, Freshwater and Terrestrial Ecology, Field Biology, and littoral and sub-littoral Marine Biology Field Course

  1. 3rd Year: Statistical Analysis of Biological Data, Animal Evolution and Biodiversity, Animal Population Ecology, Society and Environment, Conservation in Practice, and Gateway to Project work and thesis.
  2. 4th Year: Thesis and Project Year, Topics in Conservation Biology, and Wildlife Conservation and Management: Concepts and Practice
  • Masters’ Degree in Conservation Biology: This program enhances the concepts learned during the Bachelors’ degree program. This degree strengthens the student’s capability in in research oriented works. The specific course content may comprise of water pollution, evolution, animal behavior, computer cartography, aquatic ecology and so on.
  • Ph.D. in Conservation Biology: This program involves extensive research and studies than that of the Bachelors’ and Masters’ degrees.  It also involves independent and multidisciplinary research trainings, meant for the study on both social and ecological aspects of conservation. The specific courses may include scientific communications, research communication, advanced microbiology, bird biogeography, problems in biology and so on.

There are variety of career opportunities one can grab after receiving a degree in conservation biology. For every career options, experience with field knowledge, technical skills, communication skills and knowledge of different computer technologies is necessary while seeking a job.

  1. Conservation scientist
  2. Conservation or Wildlife biologist
  3. Biological technician (Field or Lab)
  4. Academic researcher
  5. Conservation officers in Non-profit organization / Non-governmental Organization
  6. Consultant for an environmental firm
  7. Natural resource agency specialist
  8. Environmental educator (Naturalist or school teacher)
  9. Nature guides
  10. Animal Care Specialist
  11. Public Outreach Coordinator
  12. Technical Director
  13. Senior Director of Strategy
  14. Project Manager
  15. National Parks and catchment manager
  16. Scientific education officer
  17. Threatened species manager
  18. Different job positions at Environmental Protection Agencies, Conservation agencies, Department of Agriculture, Department of Land and Water Conservation and Scientific research organizations.

There are a number of best colleges and universities in the United States which are dedicated for producing the best conservation biologists, ecologists, environmental scientists and so on, and have been listed below:

  1. Harvard University
  2. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
  3. Stanford University
  4. University of Cambridge
  5. University of California- Berkeley
  6. University of California- San Francisco
  7. Oxford University
  8. University of California- San Diego
  9. John Hopkins University
  10. University of Toronto
  11. Cornell University
  12. University College London
  13. University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
  14. Columbia University
  15. Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich
  16. University of Copenhagen
  17. University of Washington
  18. University of California- Los Angeles
  19. University of Pennsylvania
  20. Tufts University
  21. Yale University
  22. Stanford University
  23. University of Chicago
  24. Duke University
  25. University of California- Berkeley
  26. Emory University
  27. University of California- Los Angeles
  28. University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
  29. College of William and Mary
  30. Boston University
  31. SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry
  32. Fordham University
  33. University of California- Irvine
  34. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
  35. University of Wisconsin-Madison
  36. Pennsylvania State University
  37. Southern Methodist University
  38. University of Connecticut
  39. University of Maryland-College Park
  40. University of Pittsburgh- Pittsburgh Campus
  41. Texas A& M University- College Station
  42. Baylor University
  43. University of Minnesota- Twin Cities
  44. Miami University- Oxford
  45. Texas Christian University
  46. University of Massachusetts- Amherst
  47. University of Vermont
  48. University of Albama
  49. North Carolina State University at Raleigh
  50. Saint Louis University
  51. University of Kansas
  52. University of Central Florida
  53. University of Arizona
  54. University of Uttah
  55. Howard University
  56. University of Wyoming
  57. Kent State University at Kent
  58. University of Nevado- Reno
  59. Boise State University
  60. Winthrop University
  61. Salisbury University
  62. University of Massachusetts- Dartmouth
  63. University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
  64. Colorado State University- Fort Collins
  65. University of Maine
  66. University of Nevado- Reno

In most of the universities, the basic requirement is one should have a good GRE score and IELTS/ TOEFL score for better scholarship opportunities. Before submitting application in any university, students must check and take care of the fact that the type of course they want to pursue is available in the particular university or not.