Sustainable Development and Conservation Biology (CONS)

Graduate Degree Program
College: Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences

This program is not currently accepting applications. Please visit our graduate program listing for information on other programs.

Abstract

The principal objective of the CONS Program is to provide graduate training in Sustainable Development and Conservation Biology. CONS is an interdisciplinary and experiential approach to the problems of biological conservation in relation to economic development necessary to meet human needs.

The primary goals of the CONS program are:

to provide students with the knowledge and problem-solving skills necessary to research and communicate solutions to global environmental issues;
to expand the reach of biodiversity conservation and increasing sustainability;
to produce leaders and decision-makers in conservation science that are employed by academia, in government, or non-governmental agencies (NGOs); and
to provide a service role to the state of Maryland, the nation, local communities, and national and international NGOs and government agencies.

Specifically the program’s objectives are to: provide broad, multidisciplinary training in the core areas of biological conservation, resource economics, and policy analysis; and explicitly link the conflicting topics of sound conservation of natural resources with sustainable development to meet human needs.

CONS graduates are well-prepared to address conservation issues for employers in the private sector and in local, state and national government posts; and to enter Ph.D. programs for further, specialized training.

CONS offers a dual-degree program (PPCN) with the School of Public Policy, wherein students receive both Master of Science and Master of Public Policy degrees. For more information on our degree programs and academic requirements, please see our website at http://cons.umd.edu/cons

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

Karen Lips, Ph.D.
Director of Graduate Studies
Department of Biology
1201 Biology-Psychology Building
4094 Campus Drive
University of Maryland
College Park, MD 20742
Telephone: 301.405.7409
Fax: 301.314.9358
Email: consoffice@umd.edu

Website: http://cons.umd.edu/cons

Keywords: Inter-disciplinary Training in Ecology, Resource Economics, Public Policy issues and Problem Solving related to Conservation of Biodiversity and the Continued Functioning of Natural Systems.

Relationships: Biological Sciences (BISI) Marine, Estuarine, and Environmental Sciences (MEES)

This program is not currently accepting applications.

Sustainable Development and Conservation Biology, Master of Science (M.S.)

The program is housed within the Department of Biology but is campus-wide in scope. We have strong connections with the School of Public Policy because ~30% of CONS students are enrolled in the dual degree PPCN program. We have strong connections with AREC because CONS students take a required course in natural resource economics. All CONS students complete an internship - either in a research lab, with an NGO, or with an agency - either in the DC area or further abroad. All CONS students select a faculty advisor relevant to the topic of their scholarly paper, which results in many interactions with environmental faculty in Anthropology, Entomology, Environmental Science & Technology, Latin American Studies, MEES, Public Policy, Plant Sciences and Landscape Architecture, and other departments.