Graduate Certificate in Tropical Biology and Conservation

The Graduate Certificate in Tropical Biology and Conservation is intended for students who wish to pursue a career in conservation biology or ecology from either a research or practical standpoint. Cooperating institutions include the Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis Zoo, Center for International Studies at UMSL, and the Departments of Economics, History, Political Science, and Social Work.

Admission

Student enrolled in UMSL who intend to receive a Graduate Certificate in Tropical Biology and Conservation must complete an application form available from the Graduate School. Student not enrolled in a course of graduate studies at UMSL must apply simultaneously to the University’s Graduate Admissions office. Students who have a baccalaureate degree or are enrolled in graduate work elsewhere may apply for admission to the certificate program without regular admission to the graduate program. Due to limited space, admission will be on a competitive basis based on student motivation and academic qualifications. The minimum admissions requirements include: (1) at least a 3.0 GPA for undergraduate course work or a 3.2 GPA for 12 credit hours of graduate course work; and (2) current enrollment in the graduate program in biology at UMSL having satisfied the prerequisites of the certificate; or completion of a baccalaureate degree and having satisfied the prerequisites of the certificate program. The minimum prerequisites are undergraduate courses in ecology, evolution and genetics.

Requirements

The certificate is awarded after completion of 18 credit hours of core courses and electives with a minimum of 12 credits at the 5000 or 6000 level. Up to 3 credits may be taken at the 2000 - 3000 level upon permission of the Graduate Committee. Electives must include a minimum of 3 credits outside biology with a maximum of 7 outside biology. A maximum of 3 credits may be taken at institutions other than UMSL. Students may simultaneously earn a graduate degree and count credits earned in their degree program toward the certificate when appropriate.

Required Core Courses

Electives

Biology
BIOL 4182                     Population Biology
BIOL 4402                     Ornithology
BIOL 4422                     Entomology
BIOL 4501                     Flowering Plant Families: Phylogeny And Diversification
BIOL 5123                     Advanced Tropical Resource Ecology Field Studies
BIOL 5192                     Community Ecology
BIOL 6102                     Advanced Topics In Behavioral Ecology
BIOL 6112                     Advanced Evolution Of Animal Sociality
BIOL 6182                     Advanced Population Biology
BIOL 6192                     Applications Of Geographic Information Systems
BIOL 6222                     Advanced Tropical Ecology And Conservation
BIOL 6270                     Advanced Global Climate Change
BIOL 6889                     Graduate Seminar

Economics
ECON 3300                   International Economic Analysis
ECON 4550                   Natural Resource Economics

History
HIST 3000                     Selected Topics In History
HIST 6114                     Readings In Latin American History
HIST 6115                     Historical Thinking in Theory and Practice I

Political Science
POL SCI 3480                Environmental Politics
POL SCI 3595                Studies In Comparative Politics
POL SCI 3830                International Political Economy
POL SCI 3850                International Organizations And Global Problem-Solving
POL SCI 3890                Studies In International Relations
POL SCI 4510                Comparative Public Policy And Administration
POL SCI 4850                International Law
POL SCI 6448                International Law
POL SCI 6480                Proseminar In International Relations

Social Work
SOC WK 4950               Seminar In Social Work Issues