CONSERVATION BIOLOGY

Subject abbreviation: BLCN  

Nickolas M. Waser, Ph.D., Chair

Office, 2202 Batchelor Hall

**

Committee in Charge

Jodie S. Holt, Ph.D.
(Botany and Plant Sciences)

Leonard P. Nunney, Ph.D.
(Biology)

Richard A. Redak, Ph.D.
(Entomology)

William E. Walton, Ph.D.
(Entomology)

Nickolas M. Waser, Ph.D.
(Biology)  

A new undergraduate major in Conservation Biology is now available at UCR. The Bachelor of Science program offers a structured curriculum to prepare students either for entry into public or private sector employment or for graduate study. Continuing UCR freshmen and sophomores, and transfer students may apply for admission to the major. Once admitted, majors are required to choose a mentor who will also serve as their undergraduate advisor. For more information, contact the chair of the program at (909) 787-3583.

CONSERVATION INTERNSHIP PROGRAM

The Conservation Internship Program offers students opportunities to work with government agencies, private firms, and nonprofit organizations involved in conservation affairs. As excursions into professional life, internships provide "hands-on" experience in applying the principles presented in courses. Beyond the highly specialized training associated with on-the-job activities, students participating in the Conservation Internship Program can gain insights into their aptitudes, aspirations, and work habits which enable them to clarify their academic and career objectives. Professional acquaintances established during internships can continue to serve as important contacts for students after the internship is completed.

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS  

UNIVERSITY REQUIREMENTS

General University requirements are Universitywide requirements which all undergraduates must satisfy. See the Undergraduate Studies section for a complete listing.

COLLEGE REQUIREMENTS

Students must fulfill all breadth requirements of the College of Natural and Agricultural Sciences. See Degree Requirements under College of Natural and Agricultural Sciences in the Undergraduate Studies section of this catalog.

Some of the following requirements for the major may also fulfill some of the College's breadth requirements. Consult with a faculty advisor for course planning.

MAJOR REQUIREMENTS

The major requirements for the B.S. degree in Conservation Biology are as follows:

1. Life Sciences core curriculum (67-69 units)

• a) BIOL 005A-BIOL 005B-BIOL 005C
• b) PHYS 002A-PHYS 002B-PHYS 002C, PHYS 02LA-PHYS 02LB-PHYS 02LC
• c) CHEM 001A-CHEM 001B-CHEM 001C
• d) MATH 009A-MATH 009B
• e) CHEM 112A-CHEM 112B-CHEM 112C
• f) BCH 100 or BCH 110A
• g) STAT 100A or STAT 120A

2. Additional lower-division requirements (8 units)

• a) ENSC 006
• b) GEO 002

3. Upper-division requirements (53-60 units)

• a) BIOL 102
• b) ENSC 172
• c) Major Electives: Courses in the disciplines important in Conservation Biology. One course from each of the following areas:
  • (1) Evolution. BIOL 105, BIOL 108
  • (2) Ecology. BIOL 117, BIOL 127, BPSC 146
  • (3) Systematics. ENTM 112, BPSC 144
  • (4) Biodiversity. BIOL 151, BIOL 163, BPSC 130, ENTM 100, ENTM 109, PLPA 134, or other appropriate course that includes a laboratory and is approved by faculty advisor.
  • (5) Abiotic and Landscape Studies. ENSC 100, GEO 160A, GEO 162A, GEO 168A
  • (6) Applications. BPSC 120, ENTM 124, ENTM 129, GEO 167
  • (7) Human Issues. ANTH 110, ANTH 129, ANTH 132, ANTH 134, ECON 143, ECON 145, PHIL 117, SOC 184

• d) Specialization. 12 units of upper-division and/or substantive courses in an area of specialization chosen by the student in consultation with a faculty advisor.
• Only the following 190 series can be included in the specialization. No more than 4 units of BLCN 197/199 may be included and BLCN 190 may be applied when used to study graduate level material.
• e) Conservation Internship Program. BLCN 198-I (Minimum of 2 units).
• f) Conservation Biology Seminars. BLCN 191 must be taken twice (once in both junior and senior years). BLCN 193 must be taken in the senior year.

Sample Program

UPPER-DIVISION COURSES  

BLCN 190.
Special Studies. (1-4)

Individual study, three to twelve hours. Prerequisite(s): consent of instructor and Program Chair. To be taken as a means of meeting special curricular needs. Course content, style, requirements, and grading basis to be selected in consultation with the instructor and Program Chair. Course is repeatable to a maximum of 12 units.

BLCN 191.
Seminar in Conservation Biology. (2)

Seminar, one hour; discussion, one hour. Prerequisite(s): upper-division standing in Conservation Biology or consent of instructor. Students participate in professional development activities, including a workshop on resume preparation and interviewing; discussions with representatives from industry, agencies, and/or graduate programs; and seminars by conservation scientists. Includes reports by seniors on their internships. Graded Satisfactory (S) or No Credit (NC). Course repeatable to a maximum of 4 units.

BLCN 193.
Senior Seminar. (2)

Seminar, one hour; discussion, one hour. Prerequisite(s): senior standing in Conservation Biology or consent of instructor. A synthesis course which integrates previous upper-division course work by investigating current research topics in conservation biology in a seminar and discussion format. Includes presentations by faculty, students, and invited speakers. Graded Satisfactory (S) or No Credit (NC).

BLCN 197.
Research for Undergraduates. (1-2)

Research, three to six hours. Prerequisite(s): sophomore, junior, or senior standing in Conservation Biology; consent of instructor and Program Chair. An introduction to research providing the opportunity, through reading and preliminary laboratory work, to develop a research project suitable for BLCN 199. Graded Satisfactory (S) or No Credit (NC). Course is repeatable to a maximum of 4 units.

BLCN 198-I.
Individual Internship in Conservation Biology. (2-4)

Internship, six to twelve hours; consultation, one hour; outside reading, two to four hours. Prerequisite(s): upper-division standing in Conservation Biology. An off-campus practical experience in the public or private sector related to conservation biology that is conducted under the joint supervision of an off-campus sponsor and a faculty mentor from the Conservation Biology Program. A written report on the internship is required. Graded Satisfactory (S) or No Credit (NC). Course is repeatable to a maximum of 12 units.

BLCN 199.
Senior Research. (1-4)

Laboratory, three to twelve hours. Prerequisite(s): junior or senior standing in Conservation Biology; consent of instructor and Program Chair. BLCN 197 is recommended. Research in conservation biology performed under the supervision of a faculty member in the Conservation Biology Program. A written research report is required. Graded Satisfactory (S) or No Credit (NC). Course is repeatable to a maximum of 12 units.