Faculty
  • Professor Hurley (Coordinator); Associate Professors Clark, Finney, Joseph, Straub; Assistant Professors Berry, Bove, Leslie.

  • Biodiversity & Wildlife Conservation (BDWC) is an interdisciplinary minor designed for students interested in protecting and enhancing natural systems and the diverse flora and fauna these systems support. The minor program allows students to explore aspects of biodiversity and wildlife conservation related to biology (foundational, organismal, and community aspects), dimensions of environmental science (longer-term change and planetary forces), and environmental studies (focusing on the relationship of human interactions and decision-making that affect extinction and protection efforts). Co-curricular and experiential learning are incorporated into the minor so that students have the opportunity to practice and reflect on applied skills. A minor in the BDWC consists of 28 credits. Required courses include:

    • Foundation (all required): ENVS-100, ENVS-120, and BIO-101Q
    • Organismal (select 1): ENVS/BIO-325, 334, 360, 365, 375, 442W, or BIO-359
    • Ecological Systems and Change (select 2): ENVS/BIO-310, 320, 330, 336, 415W, 419W, 455W; ENVS/GEOS-240Q, ENVS-370, 454W
    • Human Systems/Decision-Making (select 1): ENVS/SOC-288, ENVS-332, 338, 364, 366, or 428.

    Taking ENVS/BIO-455 within the minor is highly recommended for those students who would like to continue on in the field of wildlife conservation. Other recommended courses include: ENVS/SOC-220, ENVS-244, ENVS/HIST-254, ENVS/PHIL-248, and STAT-141Q and 142Q; in addition to those courses not already selected from within the minor categories.

    Students who plan to continue on within the field of Biodiversity & Wildlife Conservation after graduation are advised to talk with the BDWC coordinator to determine the specific courses, and/or additional courses, that may be recommended for continuing on in a particular aspect of this field. BDWC minors are also recommended to seek out and complete an XLP that provides additional experience and exposure to some aspect of biodiversity & wildlife conservation.

    For majors in the field of Environment and Sustainability (ENVS) or BIO who wish to concentrate in BDWC, no more than 12 credits can be counted toward both their BDWC minor and their major.

    Special topics and other new courses may count towards the Biodiversity & Wildlife Conservation minor with permission of the BDWC coordinator. Similarly, internships or courses taken during a study abroad or off campus program may also count towards the BDWC minor with approval from the BDWC minor coordinator.