About This Program
The Environmental and Conservation Biology program combines the fundamental science of ecology with applied aspects of conservation and management to prepare you for one of many rewarding careers in environmental science. Enroll now and make a difference for future generations. Read more...
Contact Information
- Edgar Kooijman | [email protected] |
330-672-8568 - Speak with an Advisor
- Chat with an Admissions Counselor
Program Delivery
- Delivery:
- In person
- Location:
- Kent Campus
Examples of Possible Careers and Salaries*
Conservation scientists
- 5.1% faster than the average
- 24,500 number of jobs
- $64,020 potential earnings
Forest and conservation technicians
- 0.6% little or no change
- 21,200 number of jobs
- $38,940 potential earnings
Foresters
- 3.8% about as fast as the average
- 11,600 number of jobs
- $63,980 potential earnings
Forestry and conservation science teachers, postsecondary
- 2.2% slower than the average
- 2,100 number of jobs
- $87,400 potential earnings
* Source of occupation titles and labor data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook. Data comprises projected percent change in employment over the next 10 years; nation-wide employment numbers; and the yearly median wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less.
Admission Requirements
The university affirmatively strives to provide educational opportunities and access to students with varied backgrounds, those with special talents and adult students who graduated from high school three or more years ago.
First-Year Students on the Kent Campus: First-year admission policy on the Kent Campus is selective. Admission decisions are based upon cumulative grade point average, strength of high school college preparatory curriculum and grade trends. Students not admissible to the Kent Campus may be administratively referred to one of the seven regional campuses to begin their college coursework. For more information, visit the admissions website for first-year students.
First-Year Students on the Regional Campuses: First-year admission to Kent State’s campuses at Ashtabula, East Liverpool, Geauga, Salem, Stark, Trumbull and Tuscarawas, as well as the Twinsburg Academic Center, is open to anyone with a high school diploma or its equivalent. For more information on admissions, contact the Regional Campuses admissions offices.
International Students: All international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions) by earning a minimum 525 TOEFL score (71 on the Internet-based version), minimum 75 MELAB score, minimum 6.0 IELTS score or minimum 48 PTE Academic score, or by completing the ELS level 112 Intensive Program. For more information, visit the admissions website for international students.
Transfer Students: Students who have attended any other educational institution after graduating from high school must apply as undergraduate transfer students. For more information, visit the admissions website for transfer students.
Former Students: Former Kent State students or graduates who have not attended another college or university since Kent State may complete the reenrollment or reinstatement form on the University Registrar’s website.
Admission policies for undergraduate students may be found in the University Catalog's Academic Policies.
Some programs may require that students meet certain requirements before progressing through the program. For programs with progression requirements, the information is shown on the program's Coursework tab.
Program Requirements
Major Requirements
Code | Title | Credit Hours |
---|---|---|
Major Requirements (courses count in major GPA) | ||
BSCI 10110 | BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY (ELR) (KBS) (KLAB) | 4 |
BSCI 10120 | BIOLOGICAL FOUNDATIONS (ELR) (KBS) (KLAB) | 4 |
BSCI 30156 | ELEMENTS OF GENETICS | 3 |
BSCI 30360 | GENERAL ECOLOGY | 4 |
BSCI 40163 | EVOLUTION | 3 |
BSCI 40224 | QUANTITATIVE METHODS IN BIOLOGY 1 | 3-4 |
or ESCI 42035 | DATA ANALYSIS IN THE EARTH SCIENCES | |
or GEOG 39002 | STATISTICAL METHODS IN GEOGRAPHY | |
BSCI 40600 | WRITING IN THE BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES (WIC) 2 | 1 |
CHEM 10060 | GENERAL CHEMISTRY I (KBS) | 4 |
CHEM 10061 | GENERAL CHEMISTRY II (KBS) | 4 |
CHEM 10062 | GENERAL CHEMISTRY I LABORATORY (KBS) (KLAB) | 1 |
CHEM 10063 | GENERAL CHEMISTRY II LABORATORY (KBS) (KLAB) | 1 |
ESCI 11040 | HOW THE EARTH WORKS (KBS) | 3 |
ESCI 11041 | HOW THE EARTH WORKS LABORATORY (KBS) (KLAB) | 1 |
GEOG 49070 | GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SCIENCE | 4 |
MATH 12002 | ANALYTIC GEOMETRY AND CALCULUS I (KMCR) | 5 |
Biology Elective, choose from the following: 3 | 1-3 | |
CAREER PATHWAYS IN BIOLOGY | ||
INTERNSHIP IN BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES (ELR) | ||
INDIVIDUAL INVESTIGATION (ELR) | ||
SENIOR HONORS THESIS (ELR) | ||
Earth Science Electives, choose from the following: | 6-8 | |
GEOMORPHOLOGY | ||
WATER AND THE ENVIRONMENT | ||
GEOLOGY OF THE NATIONAL PARKS | ||
WATERSHED HYDROLOGY | ||
PHYSICAL HYDROGEOLOGY | ||
ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY | ||
MARINE PROCESSES | ||
PALEOCEANOGRAPHY | ||
Any Earth Science (ESCI) Upper-Division course (30000 or 40000 level) with biology advisor approval | ||
Geography Electives, choose from the following: | 6 | |
FUNDAMENTALS OF METEOROLOGY | ||
CLIMATE AND THE ENVIRONMENT | ||
POPULATION AND THE ENVIRONMENT | ||
GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE | ||
CONSERVATION OF NATURAL RESOURCES | ||
WATER AND SOCIETY | ||
GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES | ||
URBAN SUSTAINABILITY | ||
GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SCIENCE AND ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS | ||
ADVANCED GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SCIENCE | ||
REMOTE SENSING | ||
Any Geography (GEOG) Upper-Division course (30000 or 40000 level) with biology advisor approval | ||
Additional Requirements (courses do not count in major GPA) | ||
UC 10001 | FLASHES 101 | 1 |
Foreign Language (see Foreign Language College Requirement below) | 8 | |
Kent Core Composition | 6 | |
Kent Core Humanities and Fine Arts (minimum one course from each) | 9 | |
Kent Core Social Sciences (must be from two disciplines) | 6 | |
General Electives (total credit hours depends on earning 120 credit hours, including 39 upper-division credit hours) | 7 | |
Concentrations | ||
Choose from the following: | 25 | |
Minimum Total Credit Hours: | 120 |
- 1
BSCI 40224, ESCI 42035 or GEOG 39002 can be taken during either fall or spring semester depending on which course is selected. Please speak with a biology faculty advisor to adjust courses accordingly.
- 2
A minimum C grade must be earned to fulfill the writing-intensive requirement.
- 3
Students should select their electives in consultation with an advisor. A maximum 6 credit hours of any combination of BSCI 30105, BSCI 40192, BSCI 40196 and BSCI 40199 may be applied toward the major (with no more than 4 credit hours S/U graded).
Conservation Biology Concentration Requirements
Code | Title | Credit Hours |
---|---|---|
Concentration Requirements (courses count in major GPA) | ||
BSCI 40374 | CONSERVATION BIOLOGY (ELR) | 4 |
CHEM 20481 | BASIC ORGANIC CHEMISTRY I | 4 |
CHEM 20482 | BASIC ORGANIC CHEMISTRY II | 1-2 |
or CHEM 30475 | ORGANIC CHEMISTRY LABORATORY I (ELR) | |
Concentration Electives, choose from the following: 1 | 15 | |
PRIMATE ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION | ||
CAREER PATHWAYS IN BIOLOGY | ||
INTERNSHIP IN BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES (ELR) | ||
INDIVIDUAL INVESTIGATION (ELR) | ||
SENIOR HONORS THESIS (ELR) | ||
PUBLIC POLICY | ||
U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL POLITICS AND POLICIES | ||
Any Biological Sciences (BSCI) Upper-Division course (30000 or 40000 level) 2 | ||
Additional Requirements (courses do not count in major GPA) | ||
General Elective | 1 | |
Minimum Total Credit Hours: | 25 |
- 1
Students should select their electives in consultation with an advisor. A maximum 6 credit hours of any combination of BSCI 30105, BSCI 40192, BSCI 40196 and BSCI 40199 may be applied toward the major (with no more than 4 credit hours S/U graded).
- 2
Students cannot select Biological Sciences (BSCI) courses that will be used to meet the major or concentration requirements. Students should consult with their advisor to determine the most appropriate courses given their disciplinary interests and career aspirations.
Environmental Policy and Management Concentration Requirements
Code | Title | Credit Hours |
---|---|---|
Concentration Requirements (courses count in major GPA) | ||
BSCI 40375 | ENVIRONMENTAL BIOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT | 4 |
Economics, Policies, Resources Electives, choose from the following: | 6 | |
PRINCIPLES OF MICROECONOMICS (KSS) and ECONOMICS OF THE ENVIRONMENT | ||
PUBLIC POLICY and U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL POLITICS AND POLICIES | ||
PRINCIPLES OF OUTDOOR RECREATION and INTERPRETATION OF NATURAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES | ||
PRINCIPLES OF OUTDOOR RECREATION and ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND CONSERVATION | ||
Concentration Electives, choose from the following: 1 | 15 | |
CAREER PATHWAYS IN BIOLOGY | ||
INTERNSHIP IN BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES (ELR) | ||
INDIVIDUAL INVESTIGATION (ELR) | ||
SENIOR HONORS THESIS (ELR) | ||
BASIC ORGANIC CHEMISTRY I | ||
BASIC ORGANIC CHEMISTRY II | ||
ORGANIC CHEMISTRY LABORATORY I (ELR) | ||
Any Biological Sciences (BSCI) Upper-Division course (30000 or 40000 level) 2 | ||
Minimum Total Credit Hours: | 25 |
- 1
Students should select their electives in consultation with an advisor. A maximum 6 credit hours of any combination of BSCI 30105, BSCI 40192, BSCI 40196 and BSCI 40199 may be applied toward the major (with no more than 4 credit hours S/U graded).
- 2
Students cannot select Biological Sciences (BSCI) courses that will be used to meet the major or concentration requirements. Students should consult with their advisor to determine the most appropriate courses given their disciplinary interests and career aspirations.
Graduation Requirements
Minimum Major GPA | Minimum Overall GPA |
---|---|
2.000 | 2.000 |
The following Biological Sciences (BSCI) courses may NOT be used in the elective category for majors or minors in the Department of Biological Sciences:
Code | Title | Credit Hours |
---|---|---|
BSCI 10001 | HUMAN BIOLOGY (KBS) | 3 |
BSCI 10002 | LIFE ON PLANET EARTH (KBS) | 3 |
BSCI 10003 | LABORATORY EXPERIENCE IN BIOLOGY (KBS) (KLAB) | 1 |
BSCI 10005 | SMALL ANIMAL ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY FOR VETERINARY TECHNICIANS | 4 |
BSCI 11010 | FOUNDATIONAL ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY I (KBS) (KLAB) | 3 |
BSCI 11020 | FOUNDATIONAL ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY II (KBS) (KLAB) | 3 |
BSCI 16001 | HORTICULTURAL BOTANY | 3 |
BSCI 20019 | BIOLOGICAL STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION | 4 |
BSCI 20021 | BASIC MICROBIOLOGY | 3 |
BSCI 20022 | BASIC MICROBIOLOGY LABORATORY | 1 |
BSCI 21010 | ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY I (KBS) (KLAB) | 4 |
BSCI 21020 | ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY II | 4 |
BSCI 26002 | ECOLOGICAL PRINCIPLES OF PEST MANAGEMENT | 3 |
BSCI 26003 | PLANT IDENTIFICATION AND SELECTION I | 3 |
BSCI 26004 | PLANT IDENTIFICATION AND SELECTION II | 3 |
BSCI 30050 | HUMAN GENETICS | 3 |
BSCI 40020 | BIOLOGY OF AGING | 3 |
Foreign Language College Requirement, B.S.
- Students pursuing the Bachelor of Science degree in the College of Arts and Sciences must complete 8 credit hours of foreign language.1
- The following programs are exempt from this requirement: The Bachelor of Science in Cybercriminology and the Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science.2
- Minimum Elementary I and II of the same language
- 1
All students with prior foreign language experience should take the foreign language placement test to determine the appropriate level at which to start. Some students may start beyond the Elementary I level and will complete the requirement with fewer credit hours and courses. This may be accomplished by (1) passing a course beyond Elementary I through Intermediate II level; (2) receiving credit through one of the alternative credit programs offered by Kent State University; or (3) demonstrating language proficiency comparable to Elementary II of a foreign language. When students complete the requirement with fewer than 8 credit hours and two courses, they will complete remaining credit hours with general electives.
- 2
- The Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science exemption exists under another college policy (Three-Plus-One Programs). The Bachelor of Science in Cybercriminology exemption is due to its extensive collaboration with and contribution from the Information Technology program in the College of Applied and Technical Studies, which does not have a foreign language requirement.
Roadmaps
Conservation Biology Concentration
This roadmap is a recommended semester-by-semester plan of study for this major. However, courses designated as critical (!) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation.
Semester One | Credits | ||
---|---|---|---|
! | BSCI 10110 | BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY (ELR) (KBS) (KLAB) | 4 |
! | CHEM 10060 | GENERAL CHEMISTRY I (KBS) | 4 |
! | CHEM 10062 | GENERAL CHEMISTRY I LABORATORY (KBS) (KLAB) | 1 |
UC 10001 | FLASHES 101 | 1 | |
Kent Core Requirement | 3 | ||
Kent Core Requirement | 3 | ||
Credit Hours | 16 | ||
Semester Two | |||
! | BSCI 10120 | BIOLOGICAL FOUNDATIONS (ELR) (KBS) (KLAB) | 4 |
! | CHEM 10061 | GENERAL CHEMISTRY II (KBS) | 4 |
! | CHEM 10063 | GENERAL CHEMISTRY II LABORATORY (KBS) (KLAB) | 1 |
Kent Core Requirement | 3 | ||
General Elective | 2 | ||
Credit Hours | 14 | ||
Semester Three | |||
! | BSCI 30360 | GENERAL ECOLOGY | 4 |
CHEM 20481 | BASIC ORGANIC CHEMISTRY I | 4 | |
CHEM 20482 or CHEM 30475 | BASIC ORGANIC CHEMISTRY II or ORGANIC CHEMISTRY LABORATORY I (ELR) | 0-2 | |
Kent Core Requirement | 3 | ||
Kent Core Requirement | 3 | ||
Credit Hours | 15 | ||
Semester Four | |||
! | BSCI 30156 | ELEMENTS OF GENETICS | 3 |
CHEM 20482 or CHEM 30475 | BASIC ORGANIC CHEMISTRY II or ORGANIC CHEMISTRY LABORATORY I (ELR) | 0-2 | |
GEOG 49070 | GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SCIENCE | 4 | |
! | MATH 12002 | ANALYTIC GEOMETRY AND CALCULUS I (KMCR) | 5 |
Kent Core Requirement | 3 | ||
Credit Hours | 15 | ||
Semester Five | |||
BSCI 40224 | QUANTITATIVE METHODS IN BIOLOGY or DATA ANALYSIS IN THE EARTH SCIENCES or STATISTICAL METHODS IN GEOGRAPHY | 0-4 | |
BSCI 40374 | CONSERVATION BIOLOGY (ELR) | 4 | |
ESCI 11040 | HOW THE EARTH WORKS (KBS) | 3 | |
ESCI 11041 | HOW THE EARTH WORKS LABORATORY (KBS) (KLAB) | 1 | |
Foreign Language | 4 | ||
Credit Hours | 15 | ||
Semester Six | |||
BSCI 40224 | QUANTITATIVE METHODS IN BIOLOGY or DATA ANALYSIS IN THE EARTH SCIENCES or STATISTICAL METHODS IN GEOGRAPHY | 0-4 | |
BSCI 40600 | WRITING IN THE BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES (WIC) | 1 | |
Concentration Elective | 3 | ||
Geography Elective | 3 | ||
Foreign Language | 4 | ||
Kent Core Requirement | 3 | ||
Credit Hours | 14 | ||
Semester Seven | |||
! | BSCI 40163 | EVOLUTION | 3 |
Biology Elective | 1-3 | ||
Concentration Elective | 3 | ||
Earth Science Elective | 3-4 | ||
Geography Elective | 3 | ||
General Elective | 3 | ||
Credit Hours | 16 | ||
Semester Eight | |||
Concentration Electives | 9 | ||
Earth Science Elective | 3-4 | ||
General Elective | 3 | ||
Credit Hours | 15 | ||
Minimum Total Credit Hours: | 120 |
Environmental Policy and Management Concentration
This roadmap is a recommended semester-by-semester plan of study for this major. However, courses designated as critical (!) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation.
Semester One | Credits | ||
---|---|---|---|
! | BSCI 10110 | BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY (ELR) (KBS) (KLAB) | 4 |
! | CHEM 10060 | GENERAL CHEMISTRY I (KBS) | 4 |
! | CHEM 10062 | GENERAL CHEMISTRY I LABORATORY (KBS) (KLAB) | 1 |
UC 10001 | FLASHES 101 | 1 | |
Kent Core Requirement | 3 | ||
Kent Core Requirement | 3 | ||
Credit Hours | 16 | ||
Semester Two | |||
! | BSCI 10120 | BIOLOGICAL FOUNDATIONS (ELR) (KBS) (KLAB) | 4 |
! | CHEM 10061 | GENERAL CHEMISTRY II (KBS) | 4 |
! | CHEM 10063 | GENERAL CHEMISTRY II LABORATORY (KBS) (KLAB) | 1 |
Kent Core Requirement | 3 | ||
Kent Core Requirement | 3 | ||
Credit Hours | 15 | ||
Semester Three | |||
! | BSCI 30360 | GENERAL ECOLOGY | 4 |
! | MATH 12002 | ANALYTIC GEOMETRY AND CALCULUS I (KMCR) | 5 |
Economics, Policies, Resources Elective | 3 | ||
Kent Core Requirement | 3 | ||
Credit Hours | 15 | ||
Semester Four | |||
! | BSCI 30156 | ELEMENTS OF GENETICS | 3 |
BSCI 40375 | ENVIRONMENTAL BIOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT | 4 | |
GEOG 49070 | GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SCIENCE | 4 | |
Economics, Policies, Resources Elective | 3 | ||
General Elective | 2 | ||
Credit Hours | 16 | ||
Semester Five | |||
BSCI 40224 | QUANTITATIVE METHODS IN BIOLOGY or DATA ANALYSIS IN THE EARTH SCIENCES or STATISTICAL METHODS IN GEOGRAPHY | 0-4 | |
ESCI 11040 | HOW THE EARTH WORKS (KBS) | 3 | |
ESCI 11041 | HOW THE EARTH WORKS LABORATORY (KBS) (KLAB) | 1 | |
Foreign Language | 4 | ||
Kent Core Requirement | 3 | ||
Credit Hours | 14 | ||
Semester Six | |||
BSCI 40224 | QUANTITATIVE METHODS IN BIOLOGY or DATA ANALYSIS IN THE EARTH SCIENCES or STATISTICAL METHODS IN GEOGRAPHY | 0-4 | |
BSCI 40600 | WRITING IN THE BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES (WIC) | 1 | |
Biology Elective | 1-3 | ||
Concentration Elective | 3 | ||
Geography Elective | 3 | ||
Foreign Language | 4 | ||
Kent Core Requirement | 3 | ||
Credit Hours | 15 | ||
Semester Seven | |||
! | BSCI 40163 | EVOLUTION | 3 |
Concentration Electives | 6 | ||
Earth Science Elective | 3-4 | ||
Geography Elective | 3 | ||
Credit Hours | 15 | ||
Semester Eight | |||
Concentration Electives | 6 | ||
Earth Science Elective | 3-4 | ||
General Electives | 5 | ||
Credit Hours | 14 | ||
Minimum Total Credit Hours: | 120 |
University Requirements
All students in a bachelor's degree program at Kent State University must complete the following university requirements for graduation.
NOTE: University requirements may be fulfilled in this program by specific course requirements. Please see Program Requirements for details.
Requirement | Credits/Courses |
---|---|
Flashes 101 (UC 10001) | 1 credit hour |
Course is not required for students with 30+ transfer credits (excluding College Credit Plus) or age 21+ at time of admission. | |
Diversity Domestic/Global (DIVD/DIVG) | 2 courses |
Students must successfully complete one domestic and one global course, of which one must be from the Kent Core. | |
Experiential Learning Requirement (ELR) | varies |
Students must successfully complete one course or approved experience. | |
Kent Core (see table below) | 36-37 credit hours |
Writing-Intensive Course (WIC) | 1 course |
Students must earn a minimum C grade in the course. | |
Upper-Division Requirement | 39 credit hours |
Students must successfully complete 39 upper-division (numbered 30000 to 49999) credit hours to graduate. | |
Total Credit Hour Requirement | 120 credit hours |
Kent Core Requirements
Requirement | Credits/Courses |
---|---|
Kent Core Composition (KCMP) | 6 |
Kent Core Mathematics and Critical Reasoning (KMCR) | 3 |
Kent Core Humanities and Fine Arts (KHUM/KFA) (min one course each) | 9 |
Kent Core Social Sciences (KSS) (must be from two disciplines) | 6 |
Kent Core Basic Sciences (KBS/KLAB) (must include one laboratory) | 6-7 |
Kent Core Additional (KADL) | 6 |
Total Credit Hours: | 36-37 |
Program Learning Outcomes
Graduates of this program will be able to:
- Demonstrate an understanding of fundamental biological principles.
- Acquire fundamental skills necessary for laboratory and field investigations.
- Demonstrate an understanding of proper experimental design, analysis of biological data and communication of research results.
- Demonstrate a greater knowledge and appreciation of the role that biology plays in societal issues, such as those related to the environment, biodiversity, ethics, human health and disease.
Full Description
The Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental and Conservation Biology is designed for students interested in a career in the environmental sciences. This program provides an interdisciplinary education in biology and the supporting fields of earth sciences, geography and chemistry. Environmental and conservation biologists work to sustainably manage or restore ecosystems, develop and implement environmental policies, or conduct research on how ecological processes affect biological diversity.
Potential careers for graduates include wildlife ecologists, environmental educators, forest managers, environmental consultants and personnel at public environmental regulatory or land use planning agencies. The Department of Biological Sciences has several mechanisms to help students prepare for their future careers.
The Environmental and Conservation Biology major comprises the following concentrations:
- The Conservation Biology concentration provides a strong background in applied ecology, restoration ecology and habitat management strategies used to sustain biological diversity.
- The Environmental Policy and Management concentration provides opportunities to learn about the development and implementation of habitat management methods and public policies that promote the sustainable use of natural resources and address environmental problems.