Bachelor of Science in Conservation Biology
B.S.

Conservation biology is the application of science to conserve the earth's imperiled species and ecosystems. The field is a relatively young one that is growing rapidly in response to the biodiversity crisis, perhaps the most critical environmental issue of our time. Conservation biologists view all of nature's diversity as important and having inherent value. This diversity spans the biological hierarchy and includes variation at the level of genes, populations, communities, ecosystems, and biomes.

A focus on biological diversity and an intrinsic valuation of nature is what distinguishes conservation biology from wildlife management (with its somewhat more utilitarian perspective and a focus on populations of birds and large mammals) and from general environmental biology (with a broad focus on environmental issues). Conservation biologists seek ways to integrate biological perspectives with social, economic, legislative and political ones to achieve conservation goals.

The courses associated with this major reflect the interdisciplinary and holistic nature of conservation biology. After obtaining a foundation in basic science communication, and general education subjects, students learn the evolutionary and ecological forces that have generated the patterns of biodiversity around us, through courses in organismal biology, evolutionary and systematic biology, population biology, ecology and ecosystem science.

An introductory course in conservation biology and one in problem solving in conservation biology familiarize students with the dimensions of the current biodiversity crisis and the management tools available to mitigate for it. These, in combination with a selection of advanced courses in conservation biology, a senior synthesis and an internship or research experience in conservation biology, cover the breadth of biological, social, political, and economic aspects of the biodiversity crisis.

The program prepares students for employment in a variety of government agencies at the municipal level (for example, as land use planners), state level (such as with the New York Department of Environmental Conservation or State Heritage Inventory), federal level (such as with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Geological Survey, U.S. Forest Service, or National Park Service), and occasionally at the international level (such as with the United Nations Environment Programme). Many private conservation agencies such as The Nature Conservancy preferentially hire broadly trained conservation biologists. Ecological consulting firms are an increasingly important source of employment for conservation biologists. Training in conservation biology also provides a strong basis for postgraduate education and rewarding careers in research, teaching and environmental education.

Participating Faculty

• Dr. Guy Baldassarre; gabaldas@syr.edu
  Wetlands, Birds, Waterfowl
• Dr. John Farrell; jmfarrel@syr.edu
  Riverine Fish Ecology, Freshwater Coastal Wetlands, Great Lakes
• Dr. James Gibbs; jpgibbs@syr.edu
  Conservation Biology, Herpetology
• Dr. Charles Hall; chall@esf.edu
  Systems Ecology, GIS
• Dr. Robin Kimmerer; rwkimmer@syr.edu
  Plant Restoration Ecology, Bryology
• Dr. Donald Leopold; dendro@syr.edu
  Wetlands, Restoration Ecology, Rare Species Conservation
• Dr. Karin Limburg; klimburg@esf.edu
  Riverine Fish and Estuarine Ecology
• Dr. Mark Lomolino; island@esf.edu
  Biogeography, Ecology of Isolated Ecosystems
• Dr. Dietland Müller-Schwarze; dmullers@syr.edu
  Vertebrate Behavior and Ecology, Chemical Ecology
• Dr. Roy Norton; ranorton@esf.edu
  Ecology and Evolution, Invertebrates, Arachnids
• Dr. William Porter; wfporter@esf.edu
  Wildlife Conservation, Habitat Management
• Dr. William Powell; wapowell@esf.edu
  Genetic Engineering in Plant Conservation
• Dr. Dudley Raynal; djr@syr.edu
  Plant Ecology, Vascular Flora and Forest Ecosystems
• Dr. Neil Ringler; NeilRingler@esf.edu
  Aquatic and Fisheries Restoration, Fish Ecology and Behavior
• Mr. D. Andrew Saunders; dasaunde@syr.edu
  Science Education and Environmental Interpretation
• Dr. Martin Schlaepfer; mschlaepfer@esf.edu
  Conservation biology, herpetology, evolutionary ecology, behavioral ecology, invasive species
• Dr. Kimberly Schulz; kschulz@syr.edu
  Aquatic Ecology, Plankton
• Dr. William Shields; wms1@syr.edu
  Conservation Theory, Genetics, Behavior in Birds and Mammals, Forensic DNA Analysis
• Dr. Donald Stewart; djstewar@syr.edu
  Tropical Fish Ecology and Systematics, Lake Systems Ecology
• Dr. Stephen Teale; sateale@syr.edu
  Insect Behavior, Pheromones
• Dr. J. Scott Turner; jsturner@syr.edu
  Physiological Ecology
• Dr. H. Brian Underwood; hbunderw@syr.edu
  Wildlife Ecology
• Dr. Alex Weir; Alexw@esf.edu
  Conservation Mycology