Integrative Conservation Concentration

Addresses global conservation challenges, such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and ecosystem collapse, drawing upon fields such as biology, policy, law, anthropology, sociology, conflict resolution, environmental justice, economics and communication. Students learn to apply their knowledge and effect real-world change through access to the Smithsonian-Mason Semester and international conservation organizations in the Washington, DC area.

Catalog Year: 2023-2024

Banner Code: LA-BS-INTS-INCO

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 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.

Degree Requirements

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.

Students pursuing a BS in Integrative Studies must complete a minimum of 30 credits of (INTS) coursework, with at least 15 credits at the 300 and 400 levels.

Integrative studies students complete INTS 391 Understanding Integrative Studies and INTS 491 Senior Capstone 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.

Required Course

INTS 391 Understanding Integrative Studies 1
INTS 491 Senior Capstone 3
Total Credits 4

Concentration in the Major

A concentration is the equivalent of a major in a traditional degree program. 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.

Concentration in Integrative Conservation (INCO)

Addresses global conservation challenges, such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and ecosystem collapse, drawing upon fields such as biology, policy, law, anthropology, sociology, conflict resolution, environmental justice, economics and communication.  Students learn to apply their knowledge and effect real-world change through access to the Smithsonian-Mason Semester and international conservation organizations in the Washington, DC area.

Core Courses
Conservation Foundations  
CONS 120 Wicked Problems and Grand Challenges 3
INTS 211 Introduction to Conservation Studies (Mason Core) 3
CONS 495 Capstone in Conservation Strategies 4
Analytical Skills and Methods  
CONS 210 Inquiry and Design 3
BIOL 214 Biostatistics for Biology Majors 3
or STAT 250 Introductory Statistics I (Mason Core)
STAT 350 Introductory Statistics II 3
or CONS 360 Qualitative Research and Inquiry
or CONS 460 Statistics and Study Design in Ecology and Conservation
Biology and Ecology  
BIOL 213 Cell Structure and Function 4
BIOL 308 Foundations of Ecology and Evolution 5
BIOL/EVPP 318 Conservation Biology 3-6
or INTS 401 Conservation Biology (Mason Core)
Social Dimensions  
INTS 204 Leadership Theory and Practice 4
EVPP 429 Environmental Science Communication 3
PSYC 410 The Psychology of Environmental Stewardship 3
Total Credits 41-44
Specialized Track

Students must complete one of these five tracks (16-21 credits)

Biodiversity Track
 

Note: Fairfax-based, natural science track
 
Select one course in Biological Processes from the following: 3-4
BioDiversity  
General Genetics  
Animal Physiology  
Reproductive Strategies  
Infectious Diseases Wildlife  
Infectious Diseases of Wildlife
Conservation Medicine  
Conservation Medicine
Evolution  
Introductory Animal Behavior  
Select one Experiential Learning-based course from the following: 6
The Mysteries of Migration: Consequences for Conservation (Mason Core)  
Plants and People - Sustenance, Ceremony, and Sustainability  
Conservation Behavior (Mason Core)  
Select one Organisms course from the following: 4
Invertebrate Zoology  
Introductory Botany  
Plant Diversity and Evolution  
Ornithology  
Mammalogy  
Herpetology  
The Diversity of Fishes  
Select one Ecology and Ecosystems course from the following: 3-4
Plant Ecology  
Freshwater Ecosystems  
Freshwater Ecosystems
Ecological Engineering and Ecosystem Restoration  
Applied Ecology
and Applied Ecology Laboratory
 
Field Biology  
Marine Ecology  
Marine Ecology
Fungi and Ecosystems  
Ecology Field Skills  
Fundamentals of Environmental Geographic Information Systems  
Urban Ecosystems and Processes  

Conservation, Biodiversity and Society Track

Note: SMSC CBS Semester Required
 
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

Endangered Species Conservation Track

Note: SMSC ESC semester required
 
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

Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Track

Note: SMSC WEC semester required
 
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

Collaborative Leadership Track

Note: Fairfax-based, social science track
 
CONF 300 Conflict Resolution Techniques and Practice 3
INTS 311 The Mysteries of Migration: Consequences for Conservation (Mason Core) 6
or INTS 403 Conservation Behavior (Mason Core)
INTS 334 Environmental Justice (Mason Core) 4
Select two courses in Process Design and Leadership from the following: 6-8
Interpersonal Conflict Analysis and Resolution  
Dialogue and Difference  
Negotiation  
Community Engagement and Collaborative Problem Solving  
Justice and Reconciliation  
Global Conflict Analysis and Resolution (Mason Core)  
Mediating Conflict  
Ethics and Leadership  
Leadership in a Changing Environment  
Total Credits 19-21

Additional Electives

Any remaining credits may be completed with electives to bring the degree total to 120