Applied Marine Conservation

Engage with Marine Ecology and Global Conservation in Iconic Ecosystems

This unique hybrid, field-based certificate offers unparalleled opportunities to engage in applied marine conservation and stewardship across some of the world’s most critical and iconic ocean environments. Students will gain practical experience in social-ecological methods such as coral reef ecology, marine mammal surveying, and aquatic data collection, providing skills for communicating about and protecting marine biodiversity.

Applied Marine Conservation Curriculum and Courses

This flexible, two-course certificate is designed for working professionals and students seeking to enhance their applied skills. The format combines online learning during the summer term with a required 10-day intensive field experience for each course. Note that while the core focus of the certificate is marine, the 10-day field experiences provide a holistic conservation view, including exposure to terrestrial conservation efforts, community-based conservation, country history, and instructor and student-led group discussions.

Students must request placement in two graduate courses from the list to complete the certificate. These courses may count toward a Project Dragonfly master’s degree if the student is admitted, and enrollment depends on space availability with priority given to current master’s students.

• BIO 643 Australia Great Barrier Reef
• BIO 644 Baja Field Methods
• BIO 645 Belize Approaches to Environmental Stewardship
• BIO 681 Galapagos Islands of Change
• BIO 699U Bahamas Conservation Networks