A minimum of 30 graduate credits is required for the master's degree, at least 18 of which must be in biology. Students entering the program with a degree in biology may pursue the policy and planning areas more heavily, while other majors may pursue biology more heavily.
Program of Study (30 credits minimum)
A. Geography and Planning (10 credits, required courses):
B. Policy and Planning Skills (6-8 credits, minimum):
C. Tool-Based Course (emphasizes quantitative analytical methods; 3 credits minimum):
D. Support Courses:
E. Thesis:
F. Satisfactory completion of the core and final examinations in Biodiversity, Conservation, and Policy
Admissions for M.S. Degree in Biodiversity, Conservation, and Policy
Applicants must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited University or College with a minimum 3.0 GPA. For students pursuing emphasis in biology, suggested background course work includes genetics, evolution, and ecology, plus at least two courses in physical sciences (Physics, Chemistry, Earth or Atmospheric Sciences). The Graduate Admissions Committee may recommend that deficiencies be filled from undergraduate courses (without graduate credit), after acceptance. Students applying for admission to the M.S. in Biodiversity, Conservation, and Policy are required to submit a University at Albany standard application, 3 letters of recommendation, undergraduate transcripts, and scores from the Graduate Record Exam General Test.
Core and Final Examinations in Biodiversity, Conservation and Policy
Core examination in Biodiversity, Conservation, and Policy will follow the same guidelines as those listed under the program leading to a Master of Science Degree. The final examination will be an oral public defense of the thesis. There are three options for completing the thesis: 1) internship leading to a research project; 2) problem solving with previously collected data; and 3) original field and laboratory research.