Conservation Studies Minor (COS)

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Banner Code: CNST

Web: smconservation.gmu.edu

This minor is designed for undergraduate students who wish to augment their main academic program with conservation studies taught in an experiential manner. There are two options by which students can complete the minor: the semester whose focus is on “Conservation, Biodiversity and Society” or the semester that focuses on “Wildlife Ecology and Conservation”. Both semesters are grounded in natural science, and offer a collection of five 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 either 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 .

For policies governing all minors, see the Undergraduate Policies section of this catalog.

This has been designated a Green Leaf program. For further information, please visit Green Leaf Programs and Courses .

Minor Requirements

Students pursuing this minor must complete either of the options described below with a minimum grade of 2.00 in each course. Eight credits of course work must be unique to the minor.

Conservation, Biodiversity and Society option (16 credits)

Students complete five required courses.

CONS 320 - Conservation in Practice Credits: 3
CONS 401 - Conservation Theory Credits: 3
CONS 402 - Applied Conservation Credits: 4
CONS 410 - Human Dimensions in Conservation Credits: 3
CONS 490 - RS: Integrated Conservation Strategies Credits: 3

Wildlife Ecology and Conservation option (16 credits)

Students complete five required courses.

CONS 320 - Conservation in Practice Credits: 3
CONS 403 - Ecology and Conservation Theory Credits: 3
CONS 404 - Monitoring and Assessment of Biodiversity Credits: 4
CONS 411 - Science Communication for Conservation Credits: 3
CONS 491 - RS: Comprehensive Conservation Planning Credits: 3

Total: 16 credits

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Conservation Studies Minor (COS)

Minor Requirements

Conservation, Biodiversity and Society option (16 credits)

Wildlife Ecology and Conservation option (16 credits)

Total: 16 credits