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Biology, BS - Area 7: Conservation Enforcement
Wildlife Biology - Conservation Enforcement BS
Why Choose UCM for Your Bachelor of Science in Biology - Conservation Enforcement Degree?
Help protect rare and endangered plants, animals and fish, as well as the environment. A Bachelor of Science in Biology - Conservation Enforcement from the University of Central Missouri will prepare you for a career in managing, conserving and preserving wildlife and their habitats.
UCM鈥檚 BS in Biology - Conservation Enforcement program combines elements from criminal justice and fish and wildlife degrees. You鈥檒l learn to identify and classify plants and animals while gaining a solid foundation in investigative methods, relevant legislation and court procedures to uphold protection laws.
Request Information About UCM's BS in Biology - Conservation Enforcement
UCM's BS in Biology - Conservation Enforcement at a Glance
Degree Type: Bachelor of Science | Credit Hours: 120 Hours
Degree Can be Taken: Warrensburg
- Interdisciplinary program allows you to learn from experts in both the Biology Department and Criminal Justice Department
- Access to 300+ acre, on-campus Pertle Springs Nature Preserve and extensive Natural History Collections
- Internship opportunities with the Missouri Department of Conservation and more
ContactDr. Aaron Geheber |
What Will You Learn in UCM鈥檚 Biology BS - Conservation Enforcement Program?
UCM is one of only a handful of universities that offer a full range of specialty courses in the major areas of biology. Our undergraduate program focuses on the legal duties of conservation enforcement jobs taught by UCM鈥檚 well-respected Criminal Justice program faculty.
Through this interdisciplinary degree program, you鈥檒l develop thorough knowledge in biology; gain experience with technical writing, public relations and public speaking; and study relevant legislation, investigative methods and court procedures.
Core Coursework Includes:
- Wildlife Management
- Wildlife Diseases
- Wildlife Policy and Law
- Criminal Law and Procedure
- Excellence in Biology
Elective Topics:
- Ichthyology
- Plant or Animal Ecology
- Ornithology
- Herpetology
- Entomology
- Limnology
Unique Learning Opportunities in UCM鈥檚 BS in Biology - Conservation Enforcement Program
- Career-Building Internships: Internships for UCM students in our wildlife conservation enforcement degree program provide valuable work experience. Students have interned with state agencies, including the Missouri Department of Conservation and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.
- Lone Buffalo Internship: UCM has partnered with the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC), Missouri Prairie Foundation and the Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation to provide an in MDC鈥檚 Lone Buffalo District in Johnson, Pettis and Benton counties. This 12- to 14-week summer internship is ideal for students studying natural resource management.
- Research Labs and Fieldwork: Apply your biology studies at our 300-acre, on-campus Pertle Springs Nature Preserve and our 3,000-square-foot animal and aquatic research center. You鈥檒l get real-world experience using scientific analysis tools such as high-tech drones, research boats and GPS mapping to protect wildlife and their habitats.
- Innovative Facilities and Equipment: Benefit from hands-on access to equipment typically reserved for graduate research at larger universities, including a bioreactor, PCR systems, a fully equipped histology set, a necropsy lab for animal study, rare entomology and historic ichthyology collections, a campus arboretum and an aquatic transport tank.
- Student and Professional Activities: Connect with federal and state agency officials through UCM鈥檚 campus chapters of The Wildlife Society and the American Fisheries Society.
Fast Facts About UCM鈥檚 Biology BS - Conservation Enforcement Program
- Program Differentiator: UCM鈥檚 Wildlife Conservation Enforcement degree is one of only a few BS programs in biology conservation enforcement available in Missouri.
- Interdisciplinary Faculty: Learn from Biology faculty and Criminal Justice program faculty, supported by active professional networks including the Missouri Department of Conservation, USDA, US Fish and Wildlife Service and Missouri Department of Natural Resources.
- Field Resources: UCM features the 300-acre Pertle Springs Nature Preserve and a 3,000-square-foot animal and aquatic research center on campus.
- Rare Facilities: The UCM School of Biological and Clinical Sciences is home to a necropsy lab for animal study and research, rare entomology collections and historic ichthyology collections.
Financial Aid and Scholarships for UCM鈥檚 BS in Biology - Conservation Enforcement Students
As a UCM student, you鈥檒l have a financial aid advisor as part of your six-person student support team to help you find the best way to finance your college education.
UCM offers competitive tuition options alongside federal aid, grants, work-study programs and an optional payment plan. In addition to general university scholarships and awards, numerous scholarships are available specifically for Biology majors, including undergraduate students earning Wildlife Conservation Enforcement degrees:
- Carlos Kays Biology and Earth Science Scholarship
- Dr. Sam P. Hewitt Memorial Scholarship
- Julie A. Harpster Memorial Scholarship
- Dr. John Beishe Biology Scholarship
Explore additional scholarship opportunities using the and discuss options with your financial aid advisor.
Your next steps:
鈶� Request information about the Conservation Enforcement program at 91导航.
鈶� Schedule a visit or
鈶�&苍产蝉辫;Apply to UCM.
Career Opportunities and Outcomes for UCM鈥檚 BS in Biology - Conservation Enforcement Graduates
UCM鈥檚 Biology bachelor鈥檚 degree in Conservation Enforcement prepares you for jobs with private, public and government agencies. Graduates work at the Missouri Department of Conservation, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and other agencies seeking graduates with fish and wildlife degrees.
The knowledge, skills and hands-on experience you gain from UCM鈥檚 Conservation Enforcement degree program can lead to career paths such as:
- Training federal, state, tribal and foreign law enforcement officers to uphold state and federal wildlife protection laws
- Conducting research and using forensic science to analyze evidence to help solve environmental and wildlife crimes
- Protecting wildlife, migratory birds and fish from poaching, illegal trafficking and environmental hazards
- Continuing your studies to earn a master鈥檚 or doctoral degree
Apply to UCM's Biology BS - Conservation Enforcement program
The UCM Career and Life Design Center
The UCM Career and Life Design Center is here for undergraduate students, graduate students and alumni from all majors, identities and interests. We are a hub for career exploration and career readiness. We offer resources and support for:
- exploring career options
- life design (explore and build career and life journeys, designing next steps)
- job and internship searching
- document reviews (resumes, cover letters, personal statements, etc.)
- interviews (coaching and mock interviewing)
- Professional Clothing Studio
- preparation for graduate school (application materials, exploring programs)
- and more!
Take your degree further.
Enhance your Wildlife Conservation Enforcement degree with a master鈥檚 degree at 91导航. By further specializing your education, you may increase your earning potential in conservation enforcement jobs:
Make yourself more marketable.
Further specialize in the legal or technology aspects of your Wildlife Conservation Enforcement degree by adding a minor:
Explore programs related to conservation enforcement.
If you鈥檙e interested in a career that鈥檚 more focused on one aspect of conservation enforcement 鈥� criminal justice or wildlife biology 鈥� you may want to consider these undergraduate programs at 91导航:
- Occupational Safety, BS - Environmental Management
- Agricultural Science, BS - Animal Science
- Biology, BS - Wildlife and Natural Resource Conservation
- Biology, BS - Integrative Biology (Plant or Animal Emphasis)
- Criminal Justice and Criminology, BS
Frequently Asked Questions
You鈥檒l study plant and animal identification, ecology, wildlife diseases, policy and management. You鈥檒l also gain foundational training in criminal law, evidence rules, investigative procedures and technical writing through UCM鈥檚 Criminal Justice faculty.
Graduates can pursue careers with agencies like the Missouri Department of Conservation, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, working in wildlife protection, forensic science research, law enforcement training or graduate study.
Yes. You鈥檒l participate in outdoor labs at the 300-acre Pertle Springs Nature Preserve, conduct research in a 3,000-square-foot aquatic center, use high-tech drones and GPS tools, and access specialized equipment like a necropsy lab.
