Program Overview

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Master of Conservation and Restoration Science

The Master of Conservation and Restoration Science (MCRS) is designed for professionals or recent graduates who wish to further their education and gain skills that will help them obtain or advance in careers related to environmental management. The MCRS program integrates academic scholarship in ecology and evolutionary biology, training in natural resource management and stewardship, professional development, and community engagement.

Program Objectives

Upon completion of the program, graduates are able to lead and collaborate in the planning, design, implementation, and management of complex, large-scale environmental conservation and restoration activities. MCRS graduates have broad knowledge in applied ecosystem and community ecology, in addition to training in the use of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and informatics.

Admission Requirements

A B.A. or B.S., preferably in Biology, Conservation Biology, Ecology, or Environmental Science, from a fully accredited academic institution, is required for admission. Applicants with undergraduate degrees in areas such as Social Ecology, Public Health, Environmental Engineering, Environmental Policy, or other similar degree titles are considered, but must demonstrate proficiency in the natural sciences and/or practical experience working in the professional field.

• Undergraduate preparation should include a minimum of:
  • One full year of biological sciences
  • One full year of chemistry
  • One semester or quarter of calculus or statistics

Experience from professional activities will be evaluated by faculty and staff in the program, but extended practical experience in ecology, conservation, restoration, or environmental engineering may be an acceptable substitute for one or more of the requirements above.

Selection Criteria

Applicants must demonstrate that they possess academic potential for graduate study and meet the general requirements of the UCI Graduate Division. In addition to the requirements above, selection for admission is based on the following criteria:

1. A minimum overall grade point average of 3.0 in undergraduate academic course work
2. Two confidential letters of recommendation
3. A statement of purpose
4. A personal history statement
5. A resume or curriculum vitae

Curriculum

This two-year program of study consists of a four-part curriculum: a first-year sequence of core topic and professional development courses, a summer research/policy internship, a second-year of elective courses, and a team-based capstone experience.

The MCRS program provides curriculum that includes:

1. Experience in core ecological and evolutionary principles underlying conservation and restoration
2. Interdisciplinary training in the earth and environmental sciences
3. Training in professional skills required for effective practice and success in leadership positions
4. Research experiences in community-engaged research projects
5. Exposure to social, political, and economic principles that guide the application of science to conservation and restoration

Required and Elective Course Work

This program consists of 11 required classes, four required workshops, four electives, a recommended summer internship, and a group capstone project.

• Complete the following:
  • ECO EVO 203B: Graduate Tutorial in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
  • ECO EVO 205: Special Topics in Ecology
  • ECO EVO 264: Conservation Biology
  • ECO EVO 265: Restoration Ecology
  • ECO EVO 236: Human Dimensions in Conservation and Restoration
  • ECO EVO 207: Quantitative Methods in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
  • ECO EVO 270: GIS for Environmental Science
  • ECO EVO 266L: Field Methods in Restoration
  • ECO EVO 268: Technical Writing
  • ECO EVO 267: Science Communication
  • ECO EVO 269: Project Management
• Select four courses from the following:
  • ECO EVO 275: Wildlife Ecology and Sampling
  • ECO EVO 203A: Graduate Tutorial in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
  • BIO SCI E184: Ecology and Diversity of Insects
  • UPPP 224: Environmental Politics and Policy
  • UPPP 244: Land-Use Policy
  • UPPP 252: Issues in Environmental Law and Policy
  • UPPP 207: Land-Use Law
  • UPPP 275: Special Topics in Urban Planning
  • UPPP 221: Public Policy
  • EARTHSS 238: Satellite Remote Sensing for Earth System Science
  • EARTHSS 140: Advanced Geology
  • EARTHSS 154: Ecosystem Services
  • EARTHSS 200: Global Physical Climatology
  • EARTHSS 204: Humans in the Earth System
  • EARTHSS 242: Advanced Atmospheric Chemistry
  • UPPP 235: Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Problem Solving in Planning

Capstone Project for Degree Completion

In lieu of qualifying exams or a thesis requirement, students are required to complete 12 units of capstone course during their second year in the program. The MCRS capstone course involves community-engaged scholarship in collaboration with a local partner/stakeholder to address a current management need and/or solve a real environmental problem. The capstone project requires a written product that demonstrates the student's ability to effectively integrate the skills learned in the MCRS program.