BS Conservation Biology

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Wisconsin Madison

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Science in Conservation Biology at the University of Wisconsin–Madison provides broad, science-based training in biological, ecological, and related disciplines, with flexibility for students to tailor their studies to their interests. It is suited to students passionate about conservation and natural resources, covering natural history, whole-organism biology, ecological interactions, field biology, evolution, species conservation, and the relationship between biological and social sciences.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students establish a strong foundation in biological and scientific concepts through ZOOLOGY/BIOLOGY 101 & 102 – Animal Biology and Animal Biology Laboratory and BOTANY/BIOLOGY 130 – General Botany, supported by CHEM 103 – General Chemistry I and statistics. This first year develops fundamental knowledge of animals, plants, chemistry, quantitative methods, and the natural sciences that underpin later conservation study.

Year 2: Students broaden their understanding of conservation science through STAT 301/371/240 – Introduction to Statistical Methods, Introductory Applied Statistics for the Life Sciences, or Data Science Modeling I, together with Physical Environment coursework and a social-science elective. Courses such as Introduction to the Earth System, Environmental Geology, or Survey of Oceanography help students understand the physical environments in which ecological systems develop.

Year 3: The curriculum becomes more specialized through Ecology and Evolution and Species & Field Biology, allowing students to examine ecological relationships, evolutionary processes, species identification, and conservation needs. Students can choose from subjects such as BOTANY/ZOOLOGY 460 – General Ecology, GEOSCI 110 – Evolution and Extinction, ENVIR ST/F&W ECOL/ZOOLOGY 360 – Extinction of Species, and a wide range of species- and field-biology courses.

Year 4: Students deepen their conservation expertise through further Ecology and Evolution and Species & Field Biology study and complete BOTANY/ENVIR ST/F&W ECOL/ZOOLOGY 516 – Conservation Biology, the program's dedicated conservation biology course. Advanced electives can include F&W ECOL 561 – Wildlife Management Techniques, F&W ECOL 395 – Data and GIS Tools for Ecology, F&W ECOL/LAND ARC/ZOOLOGY 565 – Principles of Landscape Ecology, or GENETICS 527 – Developmental Genetics for Conservation and Regeneration, allowing students to build a pathway around their conservation interests.

Focus Areas: Ecology and evolution, conservation biology, species and field biology, natural history, whole-organism biology, ecological interactions, wildlife management, landscape ecology, environmental conservation, biodiversity, and biological and social dimensions of conservation.

Learning Outcomes: Students learn to explain ecology and evolution as foundations of conservation biology, apply ecological principles to conservation threats, recognize species and their conservation needs, understand the scientific process, connect biological sciences with social sciences and humanities, and communicate conservation ideas and programs effectively.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation): The University of Wisconsin–Madison's official program information does not state a separate professional accreditation for the Conservation Biology BS. The program is designed to prepare students for areas including environmental education, land restoration, park management, endangered-species research and recovery, private conservation organizations, government agencies, and graduate study in conservation biology.

Reputation (Employability Rankings): The official UW–Madison program information describes Conservation Biology as a long-established major that has prepared students for conservation-related careers since its development in the 1940s, but the official program page does not state a specific current QS, Guardian, or program-level employability ranking.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The Conservation Biology BS at the University of Wisconsin–Madison takes learning beyond the classroom through field biology, research, internships, study abroad, and hands-on ecological projects. Students can work with faculty on research, participate in field-based courses, and use Wisconsin’s natural areas and research stations to develop practical skills in species identification, ecological assessment, conservation research, and habitat management. The major also encourages students to build internships, volunteer work, research, and other experiential opportunities into their four-year plan.

Hands-on opportunities and resources include:

Field Research: Students can participate in ecological field experiments, including research at the University of Wisconsin–Madison Arboretum and studies such as wild-rice research near Trout Lake Research Station.
Field-Based Learning: The program encourages students to take field courses and suitable study-abroad or field-based programs to gain direct experience with organisms, ecosystems, and conservation challenges.
Research Fellowships: The Hilldale Undergraduate/Faculty Research Fellowships support undergraduate research conducted with UW–Madison faculty or academic staff, with approximately 100 awards available each year and a $3,000 student award.
Environmental Research: The Holstrom Environmental Research Fellowship funds undergraduate research with an environmental focus in collaboration with UW–Madison faculty or research/instructional staff.
Ecological Restoration: Students have hands-on opportunities through projects such as native-plant seed collection and restoration work in the Lakeshore Nature Preserve.
Specialized Courses: Students can build practical expertise through courses such as F&W ECOL 395 – Data and GIS Tools for Ecology, F&W ECOL 561 – Wildlife Management Techniques, F&W ECOL 565 – Principles of Landscape Ecology, and MICROBIO 102 – General Microbiology Laboratory.
Independent Research: ZOOLOGY 152 – Independent Research Project provides an additional route for students to gain direct research experience.
Undergraduate Symposium: Students can present research, service-learning, creative work, and community-based projects at the annual UW–Madison Undergraduate Symposium.
Community Projects: Wisconsin Idea Fellowships support undergraduate projects developed with community organizations and UW–Madison faculty or academic staff, giving students experience applying their knowledge to local or global challenges.
Research Support: Students can use Biocommons, the UW–Madison Research Database, Wisconsin Ecology resources, and WISCIENCE research classes to identify research mentors and opportunities.
Botany Greenhouse: The Botany Greenhouse in Birge Hall provides a hands-on learning environment with living plant collections relevant to botanical and conservation study.
Academic Guidance: A dedicated Conservation Biology academic advisor helps students with course selection, degree requirements, progress tracking, and connections to career and campus resources.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The Conservation Biology, BS prepares students for careers in conservation research, environmental education, natural-resource management, land restoration, endangered-species recovery, and government or nonprofit organizations. UW–Madison reports that alumni have worked domestically and internationally across conservation nonprofits, research and field positions, environmental education, government agencies, and other biological fields.

Typical Job Roles: Conservation Scientist, Environmental Consultant, Park Naturalist, Wildlife or Natural Resources Specialist.

Career Services & Employment Support:

SuccessWorks: Provides one-on-one career advising, career events, internship guidance, job-search resources, and connections with alumni and employers to help students move toward employment or graduate school.
Internships & Field Experience: Students are encouraged to gain practical experience through research, internships, jobs, field courses, study abroad, and volunteer activities; eligible internships can also receive academic credit through INTER-LS 260 or directed study.
Career Resources: Students can access Handshake, federal internship and job resources, conservation job boards, and specialist resources covering environmental, wildlife, fisheries, marine, and biological careers.

Employment & Salary Figures:

Employment Statistics: A program-specific employment rate or graduate salary statistic is not stated on the official UW–Madison Conservation Biology program pages reviewed. The university instead provides examples of career sectors and employers where alumni have worked.
Salary Figures: A specific salary figure for Conservation Biology graduates is not stated on the official program sources reviewed.
Career Sectors: Documented pathways include conservation nonprofits, ecological restoration, urban forestry, environmental consulting, environmental education, state and federal agencies, public health, biotechnology, and research.

University–Industry & Agency Connections:

Conservation Employers: UW–Madison identifies organizations and agencies connected with conservation career opportunities, including Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. National Park Service, Environmental Protection Agency, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries, National Ecological Observatory Network, Conservation International, Audubon Society, and The Nature Conservancy.
Field Opportunities: The program also highlights the UW–Madison Arboretum, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Wisconsin Sea Grant, and other regional organizations as sources of volunteer, internship, field, and conservation experience.

Research & Experiential Opportunities:

Hilldale Fellowship: Approximately 100 Hilldale Undergraduate/Faculty Research Fellowships are available each year, with student researchers receiving $3,000 and faculty/staff advisors receiving $1,000 toward research costs.
Environmental Research: The Holstrom Environmental Research Fellowship supports undergraduate research with UW–Madison faculty or academic staff on environmental topics.
Internship Funding: The SuccessWorks Internship Fund provides $2,000–$5,000 awards to help students undertake a first-time internship that is unpaid or offers a limited stipend.

Long-Term Accreditation Value: A separate professional accreditation specifically for the Conservation Biology, BS is not stated on the official UW–Madison program information. The degree instead provides a science-based foundation that the university identifies as preparation for conservation employment and graduate study.

Graduation Outcomes: UW–Madison identifies graduate pathways including master's and PhD programs in Evolutionary Biology, Environmental Conservation, and Policy, alongside careers in conservation, research, environmental education, government, and other biological fields. Individual alumni examples also demonstrate progression into conservation-related careers, including a UW–Madison Conservation Biology graduate who became a Zoo Educator at Henry Vilas Zoo.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the BS, students can continue into graduate study in areas such as Environmental Conservation, Wildlife Ecology, Forestry, Evolutionary Biology, Conservation Biology, or environmental policy. UW–Madison offers relevant graduate pathways including the MS in Environmental Conservation, MS in Wildlife Ecology, and MS in Forestry, while the Conservation Biology major itself specifically identifies master's and PhD study as a progression route.