Biology Department

Graduate Programs

2008-2009 Assistantships

Graduate assistantships are available in our three project areas:

• sustainable energy production from prairie biomass
• urban stormwater management
• and natural areas management

For more information, contact Laura Jackson, Program Adviser at 319-273-2705 or email laura.l.jackson@uni.edu

Professional Science Masters in Ecosystem Management

Many jobs in conservation biology are as much about people as they are about science. The PSM in Ecosystem Management combines professional skills in communication, organization and management with modern ecological techniques. The degree is suitable for students who wish to pursue a professional career in natural areas management, environmental consulting, working lands conservation, land use planning, and related fields.

Major Elements

• 30 credit, 1-year intensive program
• training in the basics of management, finance and accounting for science professionals
• each student, working with a team, completes a year-long project for a client
• culminates in a 4-credit, supervised internship for potential employer
• biological survey, mapping, monitoring (terrestrial and aquatic, plant and animal, water quality)
• GIS, GPS, and use of aerial photos and soil maps
• restoration and management plans; project management
• methods of prescribed fire, brush and invasive species control
• native plant materials selection, propagation, and establishment
• environmental regulatory frameworks
• team problem solving, communication with stakeholders and clients
• conservation planning techniques used by government, non-profit and industry; report preparation and production
• effective grant writing, participation in public meeting

Admission Requirements

Admission is restricted to students with a G.P.A. of 3.0 or higher and a B.A. or B.S. in Biology, Ecology, or related field. Majors in Agriculture, Geography and other related applied disciplines must take the General Biology sequence (840:051 Organismal Diversity, 840:052, Cell Structure and Function, 840:140 Genetics, and 840:159 Ecological and Evolutionary Theory) or equivalents to be considered. To be admitted students must also have had Plant Systematics (840:166g) and either Ecology (840:168) plus Ecology Lab (840:169) or Applied Ecology and Conservation (840:103), or equivalent. The Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is not required.

Curriculum

Required:		22 hours
840:260	Advanced Ecology (Spring)	3 hours
840:280	Advanced Analytical Techniques (Fall)	3 hours
820:209	Business Management for Science Professionals (Spring)	3 hours
820:215	Team Problem Solving (Spring)	3 hours
820:289	Professional Science Master's Seminar (Fall & Spring)	2 hours
820:295	Professional Science Master's Internship (Summer)	4 hours
820:180g	Restoration Ecology (Fall)	4 hours
Electives:		8 hours
First Tier*
840:105g	Wildlife Ecology and Management	4 hours
840:154g	Aquatic Ecology	3 hours
840:157g	Biostatistics or	3 hours
800:121g	Applied Stat Methods for Res.	3 hours
840:167g	Conservation Biology	3 hours
840:178g	Fire Management in Ecosystems	3 hours
Second Tier
840:155g	Ecotoxicology	4 hours
840:162g	Ornithology	4 hours
840:164g	Mammalogy	4 hours
800:166g	Plant Systematics	4 hours
870:141g	Geomorphology	3 hours
970:126g	Geography of Soils	3 hours
920:123g	Environmental Economics	3 hours
970:129g	Rivers	3 hours
970:163g	Aerial Photo Interpretation	3 hours
970:165g	Thematic Cartography	3 hours
970:168g	Regional Analysis and Planning	3 hours
970:174g	Geographic Information Systems II	3 hours
970:175g	Global Positioning Systems	3 hours
Total:		30 hours

*Students must complete at least one course in the First Tier.

Internships and Employment

Government Agencies

Federal:

Natural Resources Conservation Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service, Army Crops of Engineers

State:

Department of Natural Resources, Department of Transportation

County and City:

County Conservation Boards, County/City Parks and Recreation, Nature Center Directors, City Departments of Engineering and Developmental Services

Industry

• Native Seed companies
• Environment Consulting firms (restoration planning, conservation development)
• Ecological Restoration companies (design, planning, implementation, monitoring)
• Privately owned nature centers

Non-Government Organizations involved in land stewardship and conservation

• The Nature Conservancy (international)
• International Crane Foundation
• Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation and other Regional Land Trusts
• Ducks Unlimited
• Pheasants Forever
• National Audubon Society
• Resource Conservation and Developmental Organizations
• Soil and Water Conservation Commission

top -- webmaster@bio.uni.edu --      May 30, 2008