Conservation Biology, BA

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Wisconsin Madison

Program Overview

The Conservation Biology, BA at the University of Wisconsin–Madison provides broad training in biology, ecology, natural history, whole-organism biology, ecological interactions, and field biology, with considerable flexibility to shape the degree around individual interests. It suits students who want to apply science to real conservation challenges and can lead toward careers in wildlife and land management, ecological research, environmental education, government, nonprofit conservation, or further graduate study.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students establish their scientific and academic foundation through courses such as CHEM 103 – General Chemistry I, quantitative and language requirements, and introductory coursework preparing them for biological study. The four-year plan also allows students to begin building their broader humanities, social-science, and communication knowledge alongside their science preparation.

Year 2: Students move into core biological study with ZOOLOGY/BIOLOGY 101 & 102 – Animal Biology and Animal Biology Laboratory and BOTANY/BIOLOGY 130 – General Botany, developing knowledge of organisms and biological systems. STAT 301 – Introduction to Statistical Methods or related statistics options introduce quantitative approaches that can support ecological and conservation analysis.

Year 3: The curriculum becomes more focused on conservation through BOTANY/ENVIR ST/F&W ECOL/ZOOLOGY 516 – Conservation Biology, alongside Ecology and Evolution and Species & Field Biology coursework. Students can select from areas such as BOTANY/ZOOLOGY 460 – General Ecology, F&W ECOL 395 – Data and GIS Tools for Ecology, or F&W ECOL 561 – Wildlife Management Techniques, allowing them to develop practical expertise around their interests.

Year 4: Students deepen their specialization through advanced Ecology and Evolution, Species & Field Biology, and major electives while completing the remaining degree requirements. The program encourages students to combine advanced coursework with internships, research, field courses, study abroad, or other experiential opportunities, helping connect classroom learning with real conservation work.

Focus Areas: Ecology and evolution, conservation biology, species and field biology, natural history, wildlife management, ecological restoration, environmental policy, GIS and ecological data, biodiversity, and environmental conservation.

Learning Outcomes: Students learn to explain the ecological and evolutionary foundations of conservation biology, understand and apply the scientific process, recognize species and their conservation needs, assess threats to species and ecosystems, connect biological and social sciences, and communicate conservation ideas and programs effectively.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation): The University of Wisconsin–Madison does not state a separate professional accreditation specifically for the Conservation Biology BA on its official program page. The degree instead provides broad preparation for conservation research, environmental education, land restoration, park management, endangered-species recovery, government agencies, private conservation organizations, and graduate study.

Reputation (Employability Rankings): UW–Madison's official Conservation Biology materials highlight the major's long history, tracing its origins to the 1940s under Aldo Leopold and Norman Fassett, and report alumni working in conservation organizations, government agencies, research, environmental education, and related biological fields. The official program sources reviewed do not state a current QS, Guardian, or other specific employability ranking for this BA, so no ranking is claimed here.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The Conservation Biology BA at the University of Wisconsin–Madison gives students direct opportunities to apply biological and ecological knowledge through field courses, research, internships, jobs, study abroad, and other conservation-focused experiences. The major specifically encourages students to gain practical field experience, while courses can involve laboratory and field-based work; students can also pursue undergraduate research through faculty labs, WISCIENCE, Undergraduate Research Scholars, and Research Experiences for Undergraduates.

Field Courses & Field Research: Students can build practical species-identification, ecological observation, sampling, and data-analysis skills through courses such as Birds of Southern Wisconsin, Ecology of Fishes Lab, Field Ecology Workshop, and Field Marine Biology. The curriculum also encourages suitable study-abroad and field-based programs.
Research Opportunities: Students can work with faculty researchers, search UW–Madison's research database for mentors, participate in Undergraduate Research Scholars (URS), apply for NSF-funded Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REUs), and take research-focused classes through WISCIENCE.
Hands-on Conservation Projects: UW–Madison provides opportunities connected to real conservation work, including ecological field experiments and restoration activities. The Conservation Biology program highlights student participation in projects such as a wild rice study near Trout Lake Research Station and native-plant seed collection and restoration at the Lakeshore Nature Preserve.
Laboratory Experience: Students can choose laboratory-based biology and ecology courses, including BIOCORE 382 – Evolution, Ecology, and Genetics Laboratory, BIOCORE 384 – Cellular Biology Laboratory, and ZOOLOGY 511 – Ecology of Fishes Lab, where students carry out field sampling, laboratory techniques, data analysis, and scientific communication.
Internships & Work Experience: The program encourages students to incorporate internships, research, volunteer work, study abroad, and conservation-related jobs into their degree plans. UW–Madison's career-development resources identify opportunities with organizations and sites such as the Aldo Leopold Nature Center and Allen Centennial Garden.
Digital & Data Skills: Students can develop quantitative skills through major requirements such as STAT 240 – Data Science Modeling I, STAT 301 – Introduction to Statistical Methods, or STAT 371 – Introductory Applied Statistics for the Life Sciences, giving them a foundation for analyzing biological and ecological data.
Nature-Based Facilities: The program's hands-on environment includes the UW–Madison Arboretum, Lakeshore Nature Preserve, Trout Lake Research Station, and the Botany Greenhouse, providing settings for ecological research, restoration activities, field observation, and plant-based learning.
Research & Academic Support: Students can use WISCIENCE, the Wisconsin Ecology research network, UW–Madison's Research Database, and departmental research opportunities to identify faculty mentors and develop undergraduate research experience.
Facilities & Program Resources: Official UW–Madison Conservation Biology resources and facilities can be explored through the Conservation Biology Student Resources and program pages.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The BA in Conservation Biology provides a strong foundation for careers protecting ecosystems, wildlife, and natural resources, while also preparing students for graduate study. UW–Madison emphasizes opportunities across conservation research, environmental education, land restoration, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and endangered-species recovery.

Typical Job Roles: Wildlife Biologist, Conservation Ecologist, Park Ranger, Environmental Educator.

Career Support & Employment Services:

Career Advising: SuccessWorks provides career exploration, personalized advising, resume support, graduate-school resources, employer events, and access to internships and jobs through Handshake.
Conservation Resources: The Conservation Biology program provides dedicated resources for internships, research, study abroad, volunteering, conservation jobs, and graduate-school opportunities.
Employer Connections: UW–Madison's conservation career resources connect students with opportunities involving organizations such as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Forest Service, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, National Park Service-related programs, Nature Conservancy, Audubon Society, and Conservation International.
Alumni Networking: SuccessWorks provides access to UW–Madison alumni working in environmental planning, conservation, sustainability, resource management, and wildlife careers.

Employment Statistics & Salary:

Overall Career Outcomes: 90% of UW–Madison bachelor's graduates in the 2024–25 First Destination Survey were employed, pursuing continuing education, serving in the military, volunteering, or engaged in entrepreneurship; 93% of job-, service-, or military-seeking graduates accepted a position within six months.
Median Salary: The 2024–25 university-wide First Destination Survey reported a $73,000 median full-time salary for recent graduates. This figure covers UW–Madison graduates overall, not specifically Conservation Biology graduates.
Conservation-Specific Salary Data: UW–Madison's official published Conservation Biology resources do not provide a current salary figure specifically for BA Conservation Biology graduates.

University–Industry & Organization Connections: Conservation Biology alumni have worked in conservation and nonprofit organizations including Conservation International, Audubon Society, and The Nature Conservancy, as well as government and research organizations including the Department of Natural Resources, U.S. Forest Service, Environmental Protection Agency, and Smithsonian Environmental Research Center.

Accreditation Value: UW–Madison's official program information does not identify a separate professional accreditation specifically for the Conservation Biology BA. The degree instead provides broad scientific and conservation preparation that can support professional employment or further specialized study.

Graduation Outcomes: Graduates can enter conservation research and field positions, environmental education, land restoration, park management, endangered-species recovery, private conservation organizations, and government agencies. The program also specifically prepares students for graduate study in areas such as Environmental Conservation, Freshwater & Marine Sciences, and Professional GIS.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the BA, students can progress to master's or PhD programs in Environmental Conservation, Evolutionary Biology, Environmental Policy, Freshwater & Marine Sciences, Professional GIS, and related fields. UW–Madison's Conservation Biology program explicitly identifies graduate school as a progression route, while its career resources also highlight opportunities for advanced study and graduate-school funding.