Students learn how to effectively address global conservation challenges, such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and ecosystem collapse. These challenges are complex and necessitate an interdisciplinary approach, drawing upon fields such as biology, policy, law, anthropology, sociology, conflict resolution, environmental justice, economics and communication.
Catalog Year: 2020-2021
The Bachelor of Science in Integrative Studies brings together research, theory and practice across numerous disciplines. Integrative studies majors select a multidisciplinary concentration or work with student services staff to develop their own concentration, uniquely suited to their academic and career goals. Integrative studies majors explore new topics and experiences while gaining the knowledge and skills needed to enter the workforce. Required coursework is offered in small classes with ample room for discussion, collaborative learning, and experiential learning, including in-community projects, volunteer opportunities, field work, internships and work with faculty on research that directly engages current social and global challenges.
The BS in Integrative Studies with a concentration in Applied Global Conservation is a Green Leaf Program.
The University Catalog is the authoritative source for information on program requirements and courses. The Schedule of Classes is the authoritative source for information on classes scheduled for this semester. See the Schedule for the most up-to-date information and see Patriot web to register for classes. Requirements may be different for earlier catalog years. See the University Catalog archives.
Integrative studies students may fulfill lower level Mason Core requirements through approved integrative studies (INTS) coursework. Students pursuing a BA in integrative studies must complete a minimum of 30 credits of (INTS) coursework, with at least 18 credits at the 300 and 400 levels. These 30 INTS credits fulfill the writing intensive and synthesis Mason Core requirements. In addition, students must complete ENGH 302 Advanced Composition (Mason Core).
Total credits: minimum 120
This is a Green Leaf program.
Students should be aware of the specific policies associated with this program, located on the Admissions & Policies tab.
Integrative studies students complete INTS 391 Understanding Integrative Studies and choose a concentration from the options below. Before registering, students should see an advisor to help plan their degree program to meet Mason requirements. The advisor also can help students choose electives or a minor.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| INTS 391 | Understanding Integrative Studies | 3 |
A concentration is the equivalent of a major in a traditional degree program. Students choose from an established multidisciplinary concentration below or create with faculty an individualized program of study to fit their interests and needs. Concentration coursework combines integrative studies (INTS) classes with coursework from other Mason units (departments, schools, and colleges). While fulfilling the concentration requirements, students are also responsible for completing a minimum of 30 credits of INTS coursework. Any INTS courses required for the concentration will apply. Students must present a minimum GPA of 2.00 in courses applied to the concentration.
Total credits: 40-44
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| INTS 210 | Sustainable World (Mason Core) | 4 |
| INTS 401 | Conservation Biology (Mason Core) | 6 |
| INTS 402 | Plants and People - Sustenance, Ceremony, and Sustainability | 6 |
| or INTS 403 | Conservation Behavior (Mason Core) | |
| Total Credits | 16 | |
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select one course from the following: | 3 | |
| Environment and Culture | ||
| Engaging the World: Anthropological Perspectives (Mason Core) | ||
|
EVPP 337
|
Environmental Policy Making in Developing Countries | |
|
EVPP 436
|
The Human Dimensions of Global Climate Change | |
|
GGS 302
|
Global Environmental Hazards | |
|
GGS 304
|
Population Geography (Mason Core) | |
| Globalization and Social Change (Mason Core) | ||
| Total Credits | 3 | |
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| STAT 250 | Introductory Statistics I (Mason Core) | 3-4 |
| or BIOL 312 | Biostatistics for Bioinformatics | |
| or BIOL 214 | Biostatistics for Biology Majors | |
| Total Credits | 3-4 | |
In addition to the courses below, INTS 375 Special Topics, INTS 395 Field-Based Work, and INTS 398 Field-Based Work may be applied to the concentration when the topic is relevant to conservation studies.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select one course from the following: | 3-6 | |
| Conflict Resolution and Transformation | ||
| The Mysteries of Migration: Consequences for Conservation (Mason Core) | ||
| Environmental Justice (Mason Core) | ||
| The Nonprofit Sector (Mason Core) | ||
Students may complete this requirement through regular coursework or through either option of the Smithsonian-Mason Semester Program.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Regular Coursework | ||
| Three credits from the following: | 3 | |
| International Internship | ||
| Field-Based Work | ||
| Internship | ||
| BIOL 308 | Foundations of Ecology and Evolution | 5 |
| BIOL 300 | BioDiversity | 4 |
| BIOL 377 | Applied Ecology | 3 |
| or EVPP 361 | Introduction to Environmental Policy | |
| Total Credits | 15 | |
Students complete one of the options offered through the Mason Center for Conservation Studies in cooperation with the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute. In this integrated series of courses, taken together in one semester, students live on site at the institute in Front Royal, VA. Students who apply this coursework to the concentration cannot also apply it to the minor in Conservation Studies.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CONS 320 | Conservation in Practice | 3 |
| CONS 401 | Conservation Theory | 3 |
| CONS 402 | Applied Conservation | 4 |
| CONS 410 | Human Dimensions in Conservation (Mason Core) | 3 |
| CONS 490 | RS: Integrated Conservation Strategies (Mason Core) | 3 |
| Total Credits | 16 | |
Offered only in Fall semesters, students complete four required courses:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CONS 400 | Conservation Seminar | 2 |
| CONS 404 | Biodiversity Monitoring | 4 |
| CONS 405 | Landscape and Macrosystems Ecology | 4 |
| CONS 496 | Research in Conservation (Mason Core) | 6 |
| Total Credits | 16 | |
Offerred only in Spring semesters, students complete four required courses:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CONS 400 | Conservation Seminar | 2 |
| CONS 406 | Small Population Management | 4 |
| CONS 491 | RS: Conservation Management Planning (Mason Core) | 4 |
| CONS 496 | Research in Conservation (Mason Core) | 6 |
| Total Credits | 16 | |
Any remaining credits may be completed with electives to bring the degree total to 120