About the M.S. in Conservation Ecology Program
The M.S. in Conservation Ecology and Sustainable Development offers students an opportunity to combine interdisciplinary course work in conservation ecology and sustainable development with field experience and thesis research. The program is intended to provide the training necessary to handle the unique, multidisciplinary problems in the area of conservation and sustainable development and to teach students to function independently as both researchers and decision-makers to address environmental issues.
The program consists of a minimum of 30 hours exclusive of thesis hours: 9 hours of interdisciplinary core courses on principles of conservation and sustainable development (ECOL 6080, Principles of Conservation and Sustainable Development I, 4 credits, fall only; ECOL 8710, Environmental Practicum, 4 credits, fall or spring); one 1-hour issues seminar (ECOL 8400, Perspectives on Conservation Ecology and Sustainable Development, 1 credit, fall only); 2 hours of intensive study with the major advisor; electives; and thesis research. Students are encouraged to apply for admission to existing appropriate field courses. A thesis or similar written report from an approved project is required.
It is clear that among the major global problems we face today are the rapid depletion of our natural resources, and the deterioration of biodiversity and remnant’ natural‘ areas in the landscape. The maintenance of our quality of life, or even the maintenance of a decent standard of living, depends on our ability to make the correct decisions on the long- term sustainability of resource use. These decisions must be made within a holistic framework, where considerations of the physical and biological properties of ecosystems are evaluated within the social and economic context of a community. This holistic framework for decision-making is a strength of UGA's Odum School of Ecology. The objectives of this program are: to develop a flexible training program at the master's level which provides interdisciplinary skills in decision-making in the areas of conservation ecology and sustainable development and to perform research which provides hands-on applied field experience for students. In many cases, the masters theses products produced by past CESD alumni have provided specific, services to communities in need. Several past graduates have been successful in developing collaborations with conservation and development agencies in the U.S. and abroad which have led to employment opportunities with these agencies following graduation.
Our alumni have used the CESD Masters Program as a foundation to obtain positions with international organizations (e.g. U.S. AID); U.S. federal agencies (e.g. Environmental Protection Agency, USDA Forest Service); and nongovernmental organizations (e.g. The Nature Conservancy). Many have used the CESD MS Program as a portal to enter Ph.D. programs (or in some cases law school) either at the University of Georgia or at another institution. Please click the following link to look at the profiles of selected alumni: http://www.rivercenter.uga.edu/education/mscesd_alumni.htm.
The Odum School of Ecology provides one of the best places in the country to offer this program. The existing structure of the Ecology program with its ongoing interdisciplinary activities provides the physical and intellectual environment necessary to create a strong program. The Odum School of Ecology has members from 17 campus schools and departments, 4 Odum Schools, Cooperative Extensions, Savannah River Ecology Lab, USDA and Environmental Protection Agency.
Because this is a cross-disciplinary program, several core courses are required in addition to electives in an appropriates area of specialization. The specialization is expected to be in a standard department (e.g. anthropology, forest resources, geography, etc.) and the program content in the area of specialization must be approved by the student's advisory committee. Beyond the required core courses, students are expected to meet language and computer skills requirements as determined by their committee.
Anyone with a bachelor's degree in a natural science or related social science such a anthropology or resource economics is eligible to apply for admission to the degree program. Applicants should have completed a course in Ecology. To be admitted, a student must meet the general University requirements for graduate work and make application to the Director of the Program for Conservation Ecology and Sustainable Development. The graduate student and his/her faculty advisors plan to program of study to fulfill the requirements of the degree program.
Facilities of the Odum School of Ecology in Athens, and at off-campus facilities such as the Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, the Coweeta Hydrologic Laboratory, the University of Georgia Marine Institute at Sapelo Island and other sites in the state (mountains, coastal plains, wetlands, lakes and rivers, coast and sea), provide students unusual opportunities for ecological training. The program has attracted outstanding students and produced exceptionally talented ecological scientists, many of whom are now leaders in the field.
TESTIMONIAL
“Given Eugene Odum's influence throughout my career, beginning during my undergraduate education in Peru, I can hardly imagine a higher honor than having his name on my diploma.”
- Hugo Collantes (M.S. Conservation Ecology, Class of ’07)
CONTACT
Cathy Pringle, Program Chair, CESD MS Program
Conservation Ecology and Sustainable Development (CESD)
Odum School of Ecology
University of Georgia
Athens, GA 30602-2202
(706) 542-2968
cpringle@uga.edu
OR
C. Ronald Carroll, Conservation Certificate Program Coordinator
Conservation Ecology and Sustainable Development
Odum School of Ecology
University of Georgia
Athens, GA 30602-2202
(706) 542-2968
rcarroll@uga.edu
More information
The University of Georgia
Ecology Graduate Program Office
Katherine Adams
Room 19, Odum School of Ecology
Athens, GA 30602-2202
Phone: (706) 542-3404
Fax: (706) 542-4819
e-mail: ktswings@uga.edu
