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 be willing to travel to perform field work. An individual who would like to become a conservation biologist has to complete at least six years of education after high school and acquire practical field experience.
If you wish to become a conservation biologist, you first must complete a four-year bachelor’s degree program in biology or environmental science. Schools determine your readiness for college-level training by confirming that you have a high school diploma or the equivalent certification as well as analyzing your high school course transcript. They also study your scores from recently taken standardized tests. You need to complete your potential educational institutions’ enrollment applications before you can start training to become a conservation biologist.
Taking a wide range of science courses is necessary to enter this industry. For example, you should study ecology, which deals with how organisms relate to one another and to the environment around them. A course in botany additionally covers how plants interact and thrive in various conditions, and genetics training addresses heredity in organisms. These classes provide a strong foundation for you to understand the structure of plants and animals and ways to protect organisms that are endangered, 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 a specialty area in which to work as well. For example, if you want to become a conservation biologist, you can choose to focus on the preservation of forests, soil, or specific types of wildlife. Your college’s career services department might be able to give you the names of local companies that will give you the opportunity to train there, such as logging companies or other organizations in the private and government sectors that concentrate on conservation efforts.
Many employers require professionals in this career area to have a two-year master’s degree. Enrollment in this type of degree program includes submitting proof of having earned a related bachelor’s degree as well as completing the school’s enrollment form and submitting an undergraduate transcript. Some colleges also demand that applicants take and pass graduate school admissions tests. While completing your master’s degree program, you must be prepared to complete an extensive research project on an aspect of the field before you can become a conservation biologist. A master’s degree program also will prepare you for a four- to five-year doctoral degree program, which makes you eligible for university research positions in the industry.