
Examples of Possible Careers*
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
Contact Information
- Program Coordinator: Edgar Kooijman | ekooijma@kent.edu | 330-672-8568
- Speak with an Advisor
- Chat with an Admissions Counselor
Fully Offered
- Delivery:
- In person
- Location:
- Kent Campus
*Note
Source of occupation titles and labor data is 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.
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 geology, 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.
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 campus 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. Check with a regional campus admissions office to determine application requirements, as they may differ among campuses.
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, minimum 48 PTE score or minimum 100 DET score; or by completing the ESL level 112 Intensive Program. For more information, visit the admissions website for international students.
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.
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.
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 |
---|---|
Destination Kent State: First Year Experience | 1 |
Course is not required for students with 25 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 |
Writing-Intensive Course (WIC) | 1 course |
Students must earn a minimum C grade in the course. | |
Upper-Division Requirement | 39 |
Students must successfully complete 39 upper-division (numbered 30000 to 49999) credit hours to graduate. | |
Total Credit Hour Requirement | 120 |
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 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 40600 | WRITING IN THE BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES (WIC) 1 | 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 |
ESCI 42035 | DATA ANALYSIS IN THE EARTH SCIENCES | 3 |
or GEOG 39002 | STATISTICAL METHODS IN GEOGRAPHY | |
GEOG 49070 | GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SCIENCE | 4 |
MATH 12002 | ANALYTIC GEOMETRY AND CALCULUS I (KMCR) | 5 |
Geography Electives, choose from the following: | 6 | |
FUNDAMENTALS OF METEOROLOGY | ||
PRINCIPLES OF CLIMATOLOGY | ||
GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE | ||
CONSERVATION OF NATURAL RESOURCES | ||
RESOURCE GEOGRAPHY | ||
GEOGRAPHY OF SOILS | ||
ADVANCED GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SCIENCE | ||
REMOTE SENSING | ||
Geography (GEOG) Upper-Division Courses (30000 or 40000 level) with biology advisor approval | ||
Earth Science Electives, choose from the following: | 6-8 | |
GEOMORPHOLOGY | ||
GEOLOGY OF THE NATIONAL PARKS | ||
ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY | ||
ENVIRONMENTAL ISOTOPES | ||
PALEOCEANOGRAPHY | ||
Earth Science (ESCI) Upper-Division Courses (30000 or 40000 level) with biology advisor approval | ||
Additional Requirements (courses do not count in major GPA) | ||
UC 10097 | DESTINATION KENT STATE: FIRST YEAR EXPERIENCE | 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) | 7-8 | |
Concentrations | ||
Choose from the following: | 25-26 | |
Minimum Total Credit Hours: | 120 |
- 1
A minimum C grade must be earned to fulfill the writing-intensive requirement.
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 | 16 | |
PRIMATE ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION | ||
CAREER PATHWAYS IN BIOLOGY | ||
SENIOR HONORS THESIS (ELR) | ||
SENIOR SEMINAR | ||
INTERNSHIP IN BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES (ELR) | ||
INDIVIDUAL INVESTIGATION (ELR) | ||
PUBLIC POLICY | ||
U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL POLITICS AND POLICIES | ||
Biological Sciences (BSCI) Upper-Division Electives (30000 or 40000 level) 2 | ||
Minimum Total Credit Hours: | 25 |
- 1
No more than 4 credit hours of electives may be S/U graded. Minimum 1 credit hour must come from a Biology (BSCI) course option.
- 2
Students cannot select Biology 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 | 16 | |
CAREER PATHWAYS IN BIOLOGY | ||
SENIOR HONORS THESIS (ELR) | ||
SENIOR SEMINAR | ||
INTERNSHIP IN BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES (ELR) | ||
INDIVIDUAL INVESTIGATION (ELR) | ||
BASIC ORGANIC CHEMISTRY I | ||
BASIC ORGANIC CHEMISTRY II | ||
ORGANIC CHEMISTRY LABORATORY I (ELR) | ||
Biological Sciences (BSCI) Upper-Division Courses (30000 or 40000 level) 2 | ||
Minimum Total Credit Hours: | 26 |
- 1
No more than 4 credit hours of electives may be S/U graded. Minimum 1 credit hour must come from a Biology (BSCI) course option.
- 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 | ANATOMY FOR VETERINARY TECHNICIANS | 5 |
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
- 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 fewer 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.
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 10097 | DESTINATION KENT STATE: FIRST YEAR EXPERIENCE | 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 40374 | CONSERVATION BIOLOGY (ELR) | 4 | |
ESCI 11040 | HOW THE EARTH WORKS (KBS) | 3 | |
ESCI 11041 | HOW THE EARTH WORKS LABORATORY (KBS) (KLAB) | 1 | |
GEOG 39002 or ESCI 42035 | STATISTICAL METHODS IN GEOGRAPHY or DATA ANALYSIS IN THE EARTH SCIENCES | 3 | |
Foreign Language | 4 | ||
Credit Hours | 15 | ||
Semester Six | |||
BSCI 40600 | WRITING IN THE BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES (WIC) | 1 | |
Geography Elective | 3 | ||
Concentration Elective | 3 | ||
Foreign Language | 4 | ||
Kent Core Requirement | 3 | ||
Credit Hours | 14 | ||
Semester Seven | |||
! | BSCI 40163 | EVOLUTION | 3 |
Earth Science Elective | 3-4 | ||
Geography Elective | 3 | ||
Concentration Electives | 4 | ||
General Elective | 3 | ||
Credit Hours | 16 | ||
Semester Eight | |||
Earth Science Elective | 3-4 | ||
Concentration Electives | 9 | ||
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 10097 | DESTINATION KENT STATE: FIRST YEAR EXPERIENCE | 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 | |||
ESCI 11040 | HOW THE EARTH WORKS (KBS) | 3 | |
ESCI 11041 | HOW THE EARTH WORKS LABORATORY (KBS) (KLAB) | 1 | |
GEOG 39002 or ESCI 42035 | STATISTICAL METHODS IN GEOGRAPHY or DATA ANALYSIS IN THE EARTH SCIENCES | 3 | |
Foreign Language | 4 | ||
Kent Core Requirement | 3 | ||
Credit Hours | 14 | ||
Semester Six | |||
BSCI 40600 | WRITING IN THE BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES (WIC) | 1 | |
Concentration Electives | 4 | ||
Geography Elective | 3 | ||
Foreign Language | 4 | ||
Kent Core Requirement | 3 | ||
Credit Hours | 15 | ||
Semester Seven | |||
! | BSCI 40163 | EVOLUTION | 3 |
Concentration Electives | 6 | ||
Geography Elective | 3 | ||
Geology Elective | 3-4 | ||
Credit Hours | 15 | ||
Semester Eight | |||
Concentration Electives | 6 | ||
Geology Elective | 3-4 | ||
General Electives | 5 | ||
Credit Hours | 14 | ||
Minimum Total Credit Hours: | 120 |