This minor is designed for undergraduate students who wish to augment their primary academic program with conservation studies taught in an experiential manner. There are three semester-long options by which students can complete the minor including topics such as: "Conservation, Biodiversity and Society", "Wildlife Ecology and Conservation", or "Endangered Species Conservation." These semesters are grounded in natural science and offer a collection of interdisciplinary courses that combine public policy, sociology, conflict resolution, and global awareness with hands-on experience. Students are in residence at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute in Front Royal, Virginia, and are taught by Mason faculty, Smithsonian scientists and practitioners.
The minor is available only to students who enroll in any of the Smithsonian Mason Semesters, semester-long residential programs held at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute in Front Royal, VA. The semesters are offered jointly by the College of Humanities and Social Sciences and the College of Science under the auspices of the Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation.
This is a Green Leaf program.
Admissions
The minor is available only to students who enroll in either of the Smithsonian Mason Semesters, semester-long residential programs held at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute in Front Royal, VA.
Policies
Eight credits of coursework must be unique to the minor and students pursuing this minor must complete one of the options with a minimum grade of 2.00 in each course. For policies governing all minors, see AP.5.3.4 Minors.
Minor Requirements
Total credits: 16
This is a Green Leaf program.
Students should be aware of the specific policies associated with this program, located on the Admissions & Policies tab.
Conservation, Biodiversity and Society Option
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CONS 320 | Conservation in Practice | 3 |
| CONS 401 | Conservation Theory | 3 |
| CONS 402 | Applied Conservation | 4 |
| CONS 410 | Human Dimensions in Conservation (Mason Core) | 3 |
| CONS 490 | RS: Integrated Conservation Strategies (Mason Core) | 3 |
| Total Credits | 16 | |
Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Option (fall semester only)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CONS 400 | Conservation Seminar | 2 |
| CONS 404 | Biodiversity Monitoring | 4 |
| CONS 405 | Landscape and Macrosystems Ecology | 4 |
| CONS 496 | Research in Conservation (Mason Core) | 6 |
| Total Credits | 16 | |
Endangered Species and Conservation Option (spring semester only)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CONS 400 | Conservation Seminar | 2 |
| CONS 406 | Small Population Management | 4 |
| CONS 491 | RS: Conservation Management Planning (Mason Core) | 4 |
| CONS 496 | Research in Conservation (Mason Core) | 6 |
| Total Credits | 16 | |