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Raissa Mendonca gets a sample of the water at West Branch State Park as part of a biogeochemistry project at 5X社区. (Photo taken by Jim Maxwell)

Environmental and Conservation Biology - B.S.

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.

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Bachelor鈥檚 Degree in Environmental and Conservation Biology

Expand your expertise in the natural sciences with Kent State鈥檚 Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental and Conservation Biology. Engage in comprehensive coursework that covers a wide range of topics, from ecosystem management to species conservation. Our program is designed to enhance your knowledge and skills, preparing you for careers in environmental protection, conservation biology, and various ecological research fields.

Program Information for Environmental and Conservation Biology - B.S.

Program Description

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.
Admissions for Environmental and Conservation Biology - B.S.

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 .

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 .

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.

Learning Outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate an understanding of fundamental biological principles.
  2. Acquire fundamental skills necessary for laboratory and field investigations.
  3. Demonstrate an understanding of proper experimental design, analysis of biological data and communication of research results.
  4. 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.
Coursework

Program Requirements

Major Requirements

Major Requirements (courses count in major GPA)
BSCI 10110BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY (ELR) (KBS) (KLAB) 4
BSCI 10120BIOLOGICAL FOUNDATIONS (ELR) (KBS) (KLAB) 4
BSCI 30156ELEMENTS OF GENETICS 3
BSCI 30360GENERAL ECOLOGY 4
BSCI 40163EVOLUTION 3
BSCI 40224QUANTITATIVE METHODS IN BIOLOGY 13-4
or ESCI 42035 DATA ANALYSIS IN THE EARTH SCIENCES
or GEOG 39002 STATISTICAL METHODS IN GEOGRAPHY
BSCI 40600WRITING IN THE BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES (WIC) 21
CHEM 10060GENERAL CHEMISTRY I (KBS) 4
CHEM 10061GENERAL CHEMISTRY II (KBS) 4
CHEM 10062GENERAL CHEMISTRY I LABORATORY (KBS) (KLAB) 1
CHEM 10063GENERAL CHEMISTRY II LABORATORY (KBS) (KLAB) 1
ESCI 11040HOW THE EARTH WORKS (KBS) 3
ESCI 11041HOW THE EARTH WORKS LABORATORY (KBS) (KLAB) 1
GEOG 49070GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SCIENCE 4
MATH 12002ANALYTIC GEOMETRY AND CALCULUS I (KMCR) 5
Biology Elective, choose from the following: 31-3
BSCI 30105
CAREER PATHWAYS IN BIOLOGY
BSCI 40192
INTERNSHIP IN BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES (ELR)
BSCI 40196
INDIVIDUAL INVESTIGATION (ELR)
BSCI 40199
SENIOR HONORS THESIS (ELR)
Earth Science Electives, choose from the following:6-8
ESCI 32066
GEOMORPHOLOGY
ESCI 33025
WATER AND THE ENVIRONMENT
ESCI 41077
GEOLOGY OF THE NATIONAL PARKS
ESCI 42065
WATERSHED HYDROLOGY
ESCI 42066
PHYSICAL HYDROGEOLOGY
ESCI 43042
ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY
ESCI 44072
MARINE PROCESSES
ESCI 44074
PALEOCEANOGRAPHY
Any Earth Science (ESCI) Upper-Division course (30000 or 40000 level) with biology advisor approval
Geography Electives, choose from the following:6
GEOG 31062
FUNDAMENTALS OF METEOROLOGY
GEOG 31064
CLIMATE AND THE ENVIRONMENT
GEOG 31070
POPULATION AND THE ENVIRONMENT
GEOG 41066
GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE
GEOG 41073
CONSERVATION OF NATURAL RESOURCES
GEOG 41077
WATER AND SOCIETY
GEOG 41800
GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES
GEOG 46080
URBAN SUSTAINABILITY
GEOG 49078
GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SCIENCE AND ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS
GEOG 49080
ADVANCED GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SCIENCE
GEOG 49230
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 10001FLASHES 101 1
Foreign Language (see Foreign Language College Requirement below)8
6
9
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

Concentration Requirements (courses count in major GPA)
BSCI 40374CONSERVATION BIOLOGY (ELR) 4
CHEM 20481BASIC ORGANIC CHEMISTRY I 4
CHEM 20482BASIC ORGANIC CHEMISTRY II 1-2
or CHEM 30475 ORGANIC CHEMISTRY LABORATORY I (ELR)
Concentration Electives, choose from the following: 115
ANTH 48835
PRIMATE ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION
BSCI 30105
CAREER PATHWAYS IN BIOLOGY
BSCI 40192
INTERNSHIP IN BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES (ELR)
BSCI 40196
INDIVIDUAL INVESTIGATION (ELR)
BSCI 40199
SENIOR HONORS THESIS (ELR)
POL 10300
PUBLIC POLICY
POL 40440
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 Elective1
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

Concentration Requirements (courses count in major GPA)
BSCI 40375ENVIRONMENTAL BIOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT 4
Economics, Policies, Resources Electives, choose from the following:6
ECON 22060
ECON 32084
PRINCIPLES OF MICROECONOMICS (KSS)
and ECONOMICS OF THE ENVIRONMENT
POL 10300
POL 40440
PUBLIC POLICY
and U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL POLITICS AND POLICIES
RPTM 26081
RPTM 36082
PRINCIPLES OF OUTDOOR RECREATION
and INTERPRETATION OF NATURAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES
RPTM 26081
RPTM 36083
PRINCIPLES OF OUTDOOR RECREATION
and ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND CONSERVATION
Concentration Electives, choose from the following: 115
BSCI 30105
CAREER PATHWAYS IN BIOLOGY
BSCI 40192
INTERNSHIP IN BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES (ELR)
BSCI 40196
INDIVIDUAL INVESTIGATION (ELR)
BSCI 40199
SENIOR HONORS THESIS (ELR)
CHEM 20481
BASIC ORGANIC CHEMISTRY I
CHEM 20482
BASIC ORGANIC CHEMISTRY II
CHEM 30475
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:

BSCI 10001HUMAN BIOLOGY (KBS) 3
BSCI 10002LIFE ON PLANET EARTH (KBS) 3
BSCI 10003LABORATORY EXPERIENCE IN BIOLOGY (KBS) (KLAB) 1
BSCI 10005SMALL ANIMAL ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY FOR VETERINARY TECHNICIANS 4
BSCI 11010FOUNDATIONAL ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY I (KBS) (KLAB) 3
BSCI 11020FOUNDATIONAL ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY II (KBS) (KLAB) 3
BSCI 16001HORTICULTURAL BOTANY 3
BSCI 20019BIOLOGICAL STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION 4
BSCI 20021BASIC MICROBIOLOGY 3
BSCI 20022BASIC MICROBIOLOGY LABORATORY 1
BSCI 21010ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY I (KBS) (KLAB) 4
BSCI 21020ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY II 4
BSCI 26002ECOLOGICAL PRINCIPLES OF PEST MANAGEMENT 3
BSCI 26003PLANT IDENTIFICATION AND SELECTION I 3
BSCI 26004PLANT IDENTIFICATION AND SELECTION II 3
BSCI 30050HUMAN GENETICS 3
BSCI 40020BIOLOGY 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.
  • 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 programs offered by 5X社区; or (3) demonstrating 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.
Roadmap

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.

Plan of Study Grid
Semester OneCredits
!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 Hours16
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 Hours14
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 Hours15
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 Hours15
Semester Five
BSCI 40224
or ESCI 42035
or GEOG 39002
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 Hours15
Semester Six
BSCI 40224
or ESCI 42035
or GEOG 39002
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 Hours14
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 Hours16
Semester Eight
Concentration Electives 9
Earth Science Elective 3-4
General Elective 3
 Credit Hours15
 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.

Plan of Study Grid
Semester OneCredits
!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 Hours16
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 Hours15
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 Hours15
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 Hours16
Semester Five
BSCI 40224
or ESCI 42035
or GEOG 39002
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 Hours14
Semester Six
BSCI 40224
or ESCI 42035
or GEOG 39002
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 Hours15
Semester Seven
!BSCI 40163 EVOLUTION 3
Concentration Electives 6
Earth Science Elective 3-4
Geography Elective 3
 Credit Hours15
Semester Eight
Concentration Electives 6
Earth Science Elective 3-4
General Electives 5
 Credit Hours14
 Minimum Total Credit Hours:120
Program Delivery
  • Delivery:
    • In person
  • Location:
    • Kent Campus

Examples of Possible Careers and Salaries for Environmental and Conservation Biology - B.S.

Graduates of 5X社区's Bachelor of Science in Environmental and Conservation Biology can pursue careers in environmental management, conservation science, and ecological research. They are prepared for roles as environmental consultants, wildlife biologists, and conservationists, where they can work to protect natural resources, manage ecosystems, and contribute to biodiversity conservation efforts.

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

Notice: Career Information Source
* Source of occupation titles and labor data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' . 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.