Conservation Studies Minor

Wilson College is a member institution of the Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation which is run by George Mason University out of the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI) in Front Royal, Virginia. In this program, students live on the SCBI campus and learn about the theory and application of conservation biology (including the social, political and economic dimensions). Students who satisfactorily complete this program will receive a minor in Conservation Studies upon graduation.

This program is open to all Wilson students who can select from one of three programs depending on their academic background and aspirations:

1: “Conservation, Biodiversity and Society” (16 credits)
Offered every Fall and Spring for undergraduates from any major with an interest in conservation-related disciplines with at least 45 UG semester hours. Previous coursework should include a natural science with a lab and a social science. Prerequisites: BIO-110 and SOC-120.

2: “Wildlife Ecology and Conservation” (15 credits)
Offered every Fall for undergraduates from a major in the sciences with at least one upper-level course in the biological sciences with at least 60 UG semester hours. Prerequisites: BIO-102 and BIO-230 or BIO-314.

3: "Endangered Species Conservation" (15 credits)
Offered every Spring for undergraduates from a major in the sciences with at least one upper-level course in the biological sciences with at least 60 UG semester hours. Prerequisite: BIO-102 and BIO-230 or BIO-314.

Interested students should visit the program’s website: smconservation.gmu.edu/programs/undergraduate-residential-semester-away-programs and contact the biology department for information about the application process.

Students majoring in Biology, Environmental Science, and Animal Studies can fulfill major requirements and/or Wilson College Liberal Studies requirements with Smithsonian-Mason Semester credits subject to College approval.

Students are charged Wilson’s standard tuition, fees, room, and board for the consortium semester and are responsible for any difference in tuition and fees for the semester.