MASTER OF SCIENCE IN INTEGRATIVE BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY
Master of Science in Integrative Biological Diversity
| Theodora Pinou, CSCU Graduate Coordinator, SB 242 | (203) 837-8793 |
| pinout@wcsu.edu | |
| Lisa Taylor, Department Secretary, SB 220 | (203) 837-8791 |
| taylorl@wcsu.edu | |
| Fax: (203) 837-8769 |
| Participating WCSU Faculty | N. Connally; J. Cordeira; K. Giamanco; M. Monette; T. Philbrick; T. Pinou (Department Chair); R. Prunier; H. Reynolds; E. Wong. |
Program Overview and Mission
The Master of Science (MS) degree in Integrative Biological Diversity blends the biological and environmental sciences with current social issues in order to train students to assess, manage, and think critically about biodiversity issues. The Integrative Biological Diversity degree combines graduate courses with faculty expertise across the Connecticut State Colleges and University (CSCU) System. Students have opportunities to collaborate with partnering organizations to engage in real-world practice. This program is suitable for secondary education teachers, current environmental science professionals, and others who are interested in a graduate-level biology degree that focuses on the ecological, physiological, and natural history of biological organisms.
Learning Goals
The MS in Integrative Biological Diversity develops environmentally-responsible stewards that can apply scientific thinking to conserve biological resources, manage biodiversity, and address the concerns of stakeholders.
Objectives
Students in the MS in Integrative Biological Diversity program will:
- Apply the use of technologies (e.g. molecular methods or use of geographic information systems) to assess biological diversity and/or environmental health.
- examine, quantify and describe organismal diversity across temporal and spatial scales (e.g. using geographic or phylogenetic analysis)
- communicate with stakeholders about critical issues surrounding biodiversity (e.g., climate change, sustainability, emerging infectious diseases).
Learning Outcomes:
The MS in Integrative Biological Diversity will produce professionals who
- can define diversity and explain the interconnections of organisms that are the result of millions of years of coexistence and adaptation,
- are able to measure and monitor biodiversity using fundamental ecological techniques as well as in spatial and temporal dimensions,
- understand the adaptive relationship between form and function and mechanisms that control this relationship, and
- strive to maintain biodiversity through policy, sustainable development, and stewardship.
Admission Requirements
A student wishing to obtain a MS in Integrated Biological Diversity must hold a baccalaureate degree in biology, environmental science, or related program. The program welcomes students from diverse educational backgrounds (including non-science majors) who have experience or have completed previous coursework in biodiversity. The applicant should have an undergraduate cumulative average of at least 3.0 on a GPA scale of 1 – 4 or a recommendation from the graduate program coordinator. Prospective students should submit all undergraduate transcripts and a 500 word essay explaining why they would like to join the program. Students can enroll full-time or part-time, but only full-time students who successfully complete the stewardship seminar are eligible for graduate assistantships and/or grant-funded training fellowships. The deadline to submit an application for Fall admission is March 15.
All materials should be forwarded to the Office of Graduate Admissions, Western Connecticut State university, 181 White Street, Danbury CT 06897 or sent as an attachment to graduateadmissions@wcsu.edu.
To learn more about the program and apply, visit MS Integrative Biological Diversity
Application
To complete an application: Graduate Application
Degree Requirements
MS in Integrative Biological Diversity requires the completion of a total of 30 credits in one of two options.
Option 1: 27 credits of coursework, and 3 credits of stewardship.
Option 2: 21 credits of coursework, 3 credits of stewardship, 6 credits of thesis.
Students also must take courses from a minimum of two CSUS campuses and present at a scientific conference.
Master of Science in Integrative Biological Diversity
| Required courses | 9 SH |
| Hybrid Stewardship Seminar | 1 SH |
| Applied Stewardship | 2 SH |
| Climate Change (SCSU/EVE 559) | 3 SH |
| Technology Course (several options) | 3 SH |
| * | |
| Electives courses | 21 SH |
| Thesis Track | 15 SH |
| Thesis Research (for thesis track only) | 6 SH |
| or | |
| Non-Thesis Track | 21 SH |
| * | |
| Total Credits | 30 SH |
| All students will participate in an annual stewardship conference |
Available WCSU Courses:
A designation of “T” indicates technology course.
| BIO 505 Stewardship Seminar | 1 SH |
| BIO 506 Applied Stewardship | 2 SH |
| BIO 504 Limnology | 3 SH |
| BIO 530 Population Genetics (T) | 3 SH |
| BIO 538 Molecular Mechanisms of Animal Development | 3 SH |
| BIO 539 Molecular Biology of Prokaryotes (T) | 3 SH |
| BIO 540 Aquatic Vascular Plants | 4 SH |
| BIO 543 Stream Ecology | 4 SH |
| BIO 545 Advanced Systematic Biology | 3 SH |
| BIO 551 Soil Ecology | 3 SH |
| BIO 555 Environmental Physiology (T) | 3 SH |
| BIO 556 Herpetology | 4 SH |
| BIO 560 Behavioral Ecology | 3 SH |
| BIO 565 Topics in Animal Behavior | 3 SH |
| BIO 592 Independent Thesis Research | 1-6 SH |
| BIO 598 Faculty-Developed Study | 1-4 SH |
| BIO 599 Student-Developed Study | 1-6 SH |