Program Mission

The Conservation Biology (CB) Graduate Program at the University of Minnesota has two complementary missions. The first is to provide students with sound graduate training in the biological sciences relevant to the conservation of plants, animals and ecosystems on a global basis. The second is to expose students to the social, political and economic sciences that relate to both the recognition and solution of conservation problems. The overall aim of this interdisciplinary program is to educate students who will understand the causes of conservation problems and will be well prepared to develop sound solutions or approaches to these problems that are likely to be acted upon or implemented.

The Conservation Biology Program is committed to the following:

 

  1. Recruiting the most highly qualified and motivated graduate students;
  2. Providing a curriculum designed to give students a comprehensive foundation in biological and social aspects of conservation biology;
  3. Providing a forum for new ideas and information in conservation biology through seminars and discussion groups;
  4. Providing a program with strong international emphasis;
  5. Providing a selection of research training opportunities directed by a faculty distinguished in contemporary conservation biology research;
  6. Providing practical training in conservation biology through internships with national and international agencies;
  7. Providing students the opportunity to specialize in such areas as fisheries, aquatic biology, and law.
  8. Facilitating cooperation among university and agency programs and groups relevant to conservation biology (e.g. the Center for International Food and Agricultural Policy; Forestry for Sustainable Development; Center for Natural Resource Policy and Management; Hubert H. Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs; Minnesota Zoo; The Nature Conservancy; Minnesota Department of Natural Resources; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; USGS Biological Resources Division).