School/College

Eugene P. Odum School of Ecology
Ecology Building
Athens, GA 30602-2202
Phone: 706/542-2968

Academic Department

Odum School of Ecology
Ecology Building
Athens, GA 30602-2202
Phone: 706/542-3404

Contacts

Graduate Coordinator

James E. "Jeb" Byers

706/542-3404

It is clear that among the major global problems we face today are the rapid depletion of our natural areas, the deterioration of biodiversity, and misuse of our biological resources. The maintenance of our quality of life, or even the maintenance of a decent standard of living, depends on our ability to make the correct decisions on the long- term sustainability of resource use. These decisions must be made within a holistic framework, where considerations of the physical and biological properties of ecosystems are evaluated within the social and economic context of a community. This holistic framework for decision-making is a strength of UGA's Odum School of Ecology. The objectives of the program are to develop an intensive training program at the master's level which provides interdisciplinary skills in decision-making in the areas of conservation ecology and sustainable development, to perform research which provides hands-on field experience for students yet provides a service to communities in need, and to develop linkages with conservation and development agencies in the US and abroad to enhance the experience of our graduates.

The Odum School of Ecology provides one of the best places in the country to offer this program. The existing structure of the Ecology program with it ongoing interdisciplinary activities provides the physical and intellectual environment necessary to create a strong program. The Odum School of Ecology has members from 17 campus schools and departments, 4 Institutes, Cooperative Extensions, Savannah River Ecology Lab, USDA, and Environmental Protection Agency.

The program consists of a minimum of 30 hours exclusive of thesis hours: 9 hours of interdisciplinary core courses on principles of conservation and sustainable development (ECOL 6080, Principles of Conservation and Sustainable Development I, 4 credits, fall only; ECOL 8710, Environmental Practicum, 4 credits, fall or spring); one 1-hour issues seminar (ECOL 8400, Perspectives on Conservation Ecology and Sustainable Development, 1 credit, fall only); 2 hours of intensive study with the major advisor; electives; and thesis research. Students are encouraged to apply for admission to existing appropriate field courses. A thesis or similar written report from an approved project is required

Anyone with a bachelor's degree in a natural science or related social science such an anthropology or resource economics is eligible to apply for admission to the degree program. Applicants should have completed a course in Ecology. To be admitted, a student must meet the general University requirements for graduate work and make application to the Director of the Program for Conservation Ecology and Sustainable Development. The graduate student and his/her faculty advisors plan to program of study to fulfill the requirements of the degree program.

The CESD degree is a cross-disciplinary program, several core courses are required in addition to electives in an appropriate area of specialization. The specialization is expected to be in a standard department (e.g. anthropology, forest resources, geography, etc.) and the program content in the area of specialization must be approved by the student's advisory committee. Beyond the required core courses, students are expected to meet language and computer skills requirements as determined by their committee. The Odum School of Ecology faculty offer training in computer-assisted geographic information systems.

Degree

Code

Course Descriptions

MS

167

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