To become a conservation biologist, one must complete at least six years of education after high school, including a four-year bachelor’s degree in biology or environmental science, and gain practical experience through internships. Many employers also require a two-year master’s degree and a four- to five-year doctoral program for university research positions.
Conservation biologists are scientists who study ways to preserve animals and plants, as well as water and land systems. These individuals must be analytical and willing to travel to do fieldwork. An individual who would like to become a conservation biologist needs to complete at least six years of education after high school and gain practical experience in the field.
If you want to become a conservation biologist, you must first complete a four-year bachelor’s degree program in biology or environmental science. Schools determine your availability for college-level training by confirming that you have a high school diploma or equivalent certification and reviewing your course transcript. They also study their newly standardized test scores. You need to complete application requests from your potential educational institutions before starting training to become a conservation biologist.
A wide variety of science courses are required to enter this industry. For example, you might study ecology, which deals with how organisms relate to each other and their surrounding environment. A botany course additionally covers how plants interact and thrive under various conditions, and genetics training addresses heredity in organisms. These classes provide a solid foundation for you to understand the structure of plants and animals and ways to protect endangered organisms, which is necessary if you want to become a conservation biologist.
Completing an internship not only exposes you to real-world scenarios in the field, but also gives you the chance to select an area of expertise in which to work as well. For example, if you want to become a conservation biologist, you might choose to focus on preserving forests, soil, or specific types of wildlife. Your college’s career services department will be able to provide you with the names of local businesses that will give you the opportunity to train there, such as logging companies or other organizations in the private and government sectors that focus on conservation efforts.
Many employers require professionals in this career field to have a two-year master’s degree. Applying for this type of degree program includes submitting proof of earning a related bachelor’s degree, completing the school’s application form, and submitting a degree transcript. Some colleges also require applicants to take and pass graduate school entrance tests. Upon completing the master’s program, you should be prepared to complete an extensive research project on an aspect of the field before becoming a conservation biologist. A master’s program will also prepare you for a four- to five-year doctoral program, which makes you eligible for university research positions in the industry.
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