Program Information

What is CONS?

To provide students with the knowledge and problem-solving skills necessary to research and communicate solutions to global environmental issues.
To expand the reach of biodiversity conservation and increasing
sustainability.
To produce leaders and decision-makers in conservation science that
are employed by academia, in government, or non-governmental agencies (NGOs).
To provide a service role to the state of Maryland, the nation, local
communities, and national and international NGOs and government agencies.

Students enroll in one of three degree programs:

Participation in the CONS program includes four main components:

Core courses in ecology, conservation biology, resource economics, public policy, and interdisciplinary problem-solving;
Elective courses from a wide array of disciplines, including BEES, BIOL, GEOG, MEES, PLSC, PUAF, URSP, etc. Students may choose a specialty or "CONSentration" (.doc);
An internship experience for one semester relevant to the student's career interests;
A scholarly paper that uses readily available data to analyze a conservation or development project from the perspective of biological conservation and economic benefits and leads to policy recommendations.

CONS graduates go on to succeed in areas such as academia, governmental agencies and NGOs. Some of these organizations include:

For more information on where our graduates are now please visit the alumni page.

Email: consoffice@umd.edu
Telephone: 301-405-7409
Fax: 301-314-9358

The Office is closed during semester breaks and when the University is closed.