Students in the Conservation Biology Option study conservation across taxa (invertebrates, vertebrates, plants, microbes) and across scientific disciplines (ecology, genetics, evolution), supported by courses in policy, planning, and economics. Graduates of the program will be equipped to pursue careers in education, law, policy, and other non-scientific approaches to conservation,. Most will have the knowledge, skills, and experiences for careers as conservation biologists, conservation planners, ecologists, environmental educators, researchers, or resource managers, and could become qualified for Civil Service positions under the titles Ecologist, Fish and Wildlife Biologists, and Botanist with suitable course selection.All programs in the School of Natural Resources and the Environment tend to emphasize applications of ecological principles for conservation and management of plant, animal, and water resources at local and global scales, and solutions to negative impacts of human activity. Students complete courses that provide a foundation in natural resource science, conservation, and management, and elective courses that allow students to explore areas of interest.

The knowledge gained from a Natural Resources major in the Conservation Biology concentration of organismal biology, chemistry, microbiology, ecology, economics, and policy, forms a strong career foundation. Graduates will be prepared to work as conservation researchers, planners, educators, or managers for nonprofit organizations, government agencies, schools, and recreation services. This concentration is also excellent preparation for law school or graduate studies in biology, environmental science, geography, environmental education, public policy, or landscape architecture.