Sustainable Development and Conservation Biology
(CONS)
Abstract
The principal objective of the Program is to provide graduate training in Conservation Biology. This emerging field of study is driven by the current and future demise of biodiversity, accelerating global change, environmental decay, and the complex relationship between resolving these concerns and meeting the needs of the human population. More generally, the program's objectives are to: 1) provide broad, multidisciplinary training in the core areas of biological conservation, resource economics, and policy analysis, and 2) explicitly link the conflicting topics of sound conservation of natural resources with sustainable development to meet human needs.
Master's degree holders will be well-prepared to address conservation issues for employers in the private sector and in local, state and national government posts; and to enter University of Maryland Ph.D. programs for further, specialized training.
The Program typically admits 3-4 international students each year; students from 32 countries have attended the program as of 2007.
We offer a dual-degree program (PPCN) with the School of Public Policy, and their Masters of Public Policy with an emphasis on environmental policy.
For more information please see our web site www.umd.edu/CONS.
Admissions Information
Applicants must have an undergraduate degree, and undergraduate training in at least one of the areas of ecology, economics (microeconomics), or policy. Applications require official transcripts, three letters of recommendation, a statement your goals and objectives for pursuing a graduate degree in CONS, a statement of your experiences that have helped prepare you for graduate work in CONS, a resumé or curriculum vitae, and satisfactory results from the Graduate Record Exam (see our web site for information about the scores of students admitted to the program). Foreign applicants must demonstrate proficiency in English by taking the TOEFL or another English-language test.
Application Deadlines
Fall
Spring
Domestic Applicants:
U.S. Citizens and Permanent ResidentsDomestic Applicant Deadlines
Applications must be received by February 15 (January 15 preferred) .
Applications must be received by November 15 .
International Applicants:
Applicants from Outside the U.S. or U.S. Citizens / Permanent Residents with Non-U.S. Credentials
IMPORTANT: International Applicants and U.S. Applicants with Non-U.S. Credentials must follow the domestic deadlines above if they are earlier than the deadlines listed below.
Applicants seeking admission under F (Student) or J (Exchange Visitor) visas
February 1
If Domestic Deadline is after Feb. 1June 1
If Domestic Deadline is after Jun. 1Applicants seeking admission under A, E, G, H, I, and L visas and immigrants
May 1
If Domestic Deadline is after May 1
October 1
If Domestic Deadline is after Jun. 1
U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents with foreign credentials
May 15
If Domestic Deadline is after May 15
October 31
If Domestic Deadline is after Oct.31Application Requirements
- GRE General Test Results
- Three (3) Letters of Recommendation
- Personal Statement that substantively addresses two major themes:
a. The applicant's goals and objectives for pursuing a graduate degree in CONS
b. Experiences that have helped prepare the applicant for graduate work in CONS
- Curriculum Vitae
Degree Requirements
Master of Science (M.S.)
This Master's of Science program was initiated in 1991 to provide new training and educational emphasis in the area of conservation and sustainable development. The program applies an interdisciplinary and experiential approach to the problems of biological conservation in relation to economic development necessary to meet human needs. It includes four components: (1) Core courses in each of: ecology and conservation biology, resource economics, public policy, multi-disciplinary problem solving; (2) Elective courses from a wide array of disciplines; (3) An internship experience for one semester or summer in an agency relevant to the student's career interests; (4) A scholarly paper that uses readily available data to analyze a conservation or development project from the perspective of biological conservation and economic benefits and leads to policy recommendations.
Course requirements for the program total 39 credits. This is intended to be a two-year program.
Facilities and Special Resources
The program was originated and is directed by faculty from the Department of Biology but is campus-wide in scope. Thus, students will have access to a wide range of laboratory and other facilities on campus and to the many special state, federal and international agencies unique to the Washington, D.C. area.
Financial Assistance
Students applying to the Program may be nominated for graduate fellowships or may be supported by teaching or graduate assistantships. Fellowship and assistantship offers are made on the basis of past academic performance, financial need, and potential to contribute to the program.
Contact Information
If you would like additional information on this program, please contact:
Dr. David Inouye, Director
1201 Biology-Psychology Bldg.
Department of Biology
University of Maryland
College Park
MD
20742-4415
Telephone: (301) 405-7409
Fax: (301) 314-9358
consoffice@umd.edu
http://www.umd.edu/CONS