Current and projected rates of biodiversity loss constitute a major extinction event in the history of life on Earth. This alarming biodiversity loss is particularly serious given the irrefutable evidence of the importance of biodiversity to ecosystem resilience and sustainability, and, therefore, the provision of critical ecosystem services such as oxygen, clean water and sources of food. This field trains professionals in the application of ecological theory and principles to real-world conservation challenges, with an emphasis on multidisciplinary content and non-thesis options that allow more coursework to ensure young professionals are provided with the tools and knowledge they will need for productive careers.
Director of Program: Dr. Nicholas Mandrak
There are three program options (Research, Internship and Part-time) that are designed to allow flexibility for students with different backgrounds. All options draw upon a common pool of core courses.
Conservation and Biodiversity Program Requirments
Internship Option
The Internship option is well-suited to anyone who wishes to move into or remain in a professional position upon program completion. A key element in this program is the internship in private industry, government or a non-governmental organization (NGO)
This program requires the completion of:
- 2 Elective half-courses (1.0 FCEs)
- EES1100H Advanced Seminar in Environmental Science (0.5 FCE)
- EES3000H Applied Conservation Biology (0.5 FCE)
- EES3001H Professional Scientific Literacy (0.5 FCE)
- EES3002H Conservation Policy (0.5 FCE)
- EES3003H Topics in Applied Biodiversity (0.5 FCE)
- EES1116Y Internship (2.0 FCEs)
Students who have not successfully completed an undergraduate course in conservation biology will be required to complete an undergraduate course, BIOC63H3 Conservation Biology (0.5 FCE), as an extra (EXT) course.
Research Paper Option
Each student within this option will choose a Research Supervisor, who in consultation with the Program Director, will select appropriate courses for completion over two terms of instruction. The intensive research necessary for the Research Paper will normally be completed in the final summer semester.
This program requires the completion of:
- 3 Elective half-courses (1.5 FCEs)
- EES1100H Advanced Seminar in Environmental Science (0.5 FCE)
- EES1101Y Research Paper (1.5 FCEs)
- EES3000H Applied Conservation Biology (0.5 FCE)
- EES3001H Professional Scientific Literacy (0.5 FCE)
- EES3002H Conservation Policy (0.5 FCE)
- EES3003H Topics in Applied Biodiversity (0.5 FCE)
Students who have not successfully completed an undergraduate course in conservation biology will be required to complete an undergraduate course, BIOC63H3 Conservation Biology (0.5 FCE), as an extra (EXT) course.
Part Time Studies
(Research Paper or Internship Option)
As potential applicants may wish to upgrade their skills while remaining in full-time employment, a part time program is available. Students in the part-time program will complete the same requirements as full-time students (see above options) but this will be spread out over a longer period of time.
