Graduate Certificate in Conservation Biology
The Department of Biology offers a Graduate Certificate in Conservation Biology. This Certificate integrates specialized graduate coursework with the culminating experience the student completes as part of a Masters degree, to prepare students for careers in conservation biology with federal, state, tribal, and local agencies and non-profit organizations. This Certificate provides a value-added component to a graduate degree at Miami University, specifically an M.S. in Biology, a M.A. or M.S. in Botany; Ph.D. in Biology, Botany or Ecology, Evolution, & Environmental Biology; or M.En. in environmental science. By choosing the appropriate coursework, a student can earn the Conservation Certificate simultaneously with earning a graduate degree.
Students completing this Certificate will be expected to achieve the following three learning outcomes:
- be able to explain foundational knowledge, concepts and theories in ecology and apply them to conservation issues.
- be able to use geographic information systems to analyze and interpret spatial patterns.
- be able to evaluate and propose cross-disciplinary solutions to conservation issues.
In order to complete a Masters degree, each student will also complete a culminating experience, such as a thesis or internship. Students pursuing this Certificate will be mentored to develop an experience that involves a conservation or land management agency. Students will also be mentored on appropriate additional coursework for the Masters degree.