Program Overview

Global Biodiversity Conservation and Leadership Graduate Certificate

Overview

The Graduate Certificate in Biodiversity Conservation and Leadership is intended for students who wish to pursue a career in conservation biology or ecology from either a research or practical standpoint. Cooperating institutions include the Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis Zoo, Center for International Studies at UMSL, and the Departments of Economics, History, Political Science, and Social Work.

Requirements

The Graduate Certificate in Global Biodiversity Conservation and Leadership is intended for students who wish to pursue a career in conservation biology or ecology from either a research or practical standpoint. Cooperating institutions include the Missouri Botanical Garden, the Saint Louis Zoo, the Center for International Studies at UMSL, and the Departments of Economics, History, and Political Science, and the Business School.

Admission

Graduate students enrolled in UMSL who intend to receive a Graduate Certificate in Global Biodiversity Conservation and Leadership must complete the Application for Graduate Certificate (G10) once completing the required coursework. Students not enrolled in a course of graduate studies at UMSL who have a baccalaureate degree or are enrolled in graduate work elsewhere must apply for admission to the UMSL Graduate School as graduate certificate-seeking students. The minimum admission requirements include:

• completion of a baccalaureate degree and the prerequisites of the certificate program;
• at least a 3.0 GPA for undergraduate course work or a 3.2 GPA for 12 credit hours of graduate course work. The minimum prerequisites are undergraduate courses in ecology, evolution, and genetics.

Requirements

The certificate is awarded after completion of 18 credit hours of core courses and electives with a minimum of 12 credits at the 5000 or 6000 level. Electives must include a minimum of 3 credits outside biology with a maximum of 7 outside biology. A maximum of 3 credits may be taken at institutions other than UMSL. Students may simultaneously earn a graduate degree and count credits earned in their degree program toward the certificate when appropriate.

Course Requirements

• Required Core Courses:
  • BIOL 6250/POL SCI 6452: Public Policy of Conservation and Sustainable Development (3 credits)
  • BIOL 6299: Internship in Conservation Biology (2-4 credits)
  • BIOL 6222 or BIOL 6270: Advanced Global Climate Change (3 credits)
• Electives (10 credits):
  • Biology:
    • BIOL 4182: Population Biology
    • BIOL 4402: Ornithology
    • BIOL 4403: Ornithology Laboratory
    • BIOL 4422: Entomology
    • BIOL 4423: Entomology Laboratory
    • BIOL 4501:
    • BIOL 5192: Community Ecology
    • BIOL 6182: Advanced Population Biology
    • BIOL 6192:
    • BIOL 6222:
    • BIOL 6270: Advanced Global Climate Change
    • BIOL 6889: Graduate Seminar
  • Economics:
    • ECON 3500:
    • ECON 4160: Geospatial Analysis in the Social Sciences
    • ECON 4170: Fundamentals of Cost-Benefit Analysis
    • ECON 4550: Natural Resource Economics
  • History:
    • HIST 3000: Special Topics in History
  • International Business:
    • INTL BUS 4281:
  • Political Science:
    • POL SCI 3440: Public and Nonprofit Budgeting
    • POL SCI 3480: Environmental Policy
    • POL SCI 3590:
    • POL SCI 3710: Nonprofits, Civil Society and Volunteerism
    • POL SCI 3830: International Political Economy
    • POL SCI 3850: International Organizations and Global Problem-Solving
    • POL SCI 4850: International Law
    • POL SCI 6448: Political Economy and Public Policy
• Total Hours: 18-20 credits

Total Hours

The total hours required for the certificate is 18-20 credits.