Catalog 2019–2020

M.S. in Tropical Conservation Biology and Environmental Science

This is content from the Catalog 2019–2020 back issue. Please visit the current catalog for current information.

Program Chair: Tracy N. Wiegner, Ph.D.,
Email: wiegner@hawaii.edu

Associate Program Chair: Rebecca “Becky” Ostertag, Ph.D.,
Email: ostertag@hawaii.edu

Program Website: TCBES Program Website

College of Natural and Health Sciences (CNHS)

Program Description

The primary purpose of the Master of Science in Tropical Conservation Biology and Environmental Science is to provide graduate training in conservation biology and environmental science to those with baccalaureate degrees and those currently working in the field. The program will utilize the extraordinary biological, physical, and cultural complexity of the island of Hawaiʻi as a focus of investigation and study. The program will prepare students for technical positions and for entry into Ph.D. programs in related fields.

Mission

  • Foster knowledge of theory and techniques in conservation biology and environmental sciences including basic, applied, and socio-ecological research.
  • Promote scholarly activities in marine and terrestrial environments that will enable participants to pursue careers in research and natural resource management.

Student Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the program will be able to:

  • Perform, interpret, and communicate scientific research in the interdisciplinary field of conservation biology and environmental science;
  • Use advanced technological equipment, perform qualitative and quantitative analysis of complex data.
  • Develop skills and applications in natural resource management and policy.

Admission Requirements

  1. A baccalaureate degree from a regionally-accredited U.S. institution or from a nationally-recognized foreign institution.
  2. A personal statement that states whether student is interested in Thesis Track or Internship Track. If Thesis Track, the applicant must list advisor(s) from the TCBES faculty who agrees to sponsor the application and serve as primary advisor upon acceptance to the program. Internship Track students are not required to get sponsorship from an advisor.
  3. A minimum combined verbal and quantitative score of 290 on the General Graduate Record Exam (GRE).
  4. Three letters of recommendation submitted by references who have observed or supervised the applicant’s performance and are able to comment on the quality of the applicant’s academic achievement, ability to pursue graduate study, and general character.
  5. Grade point average of 3.0 (on a scale where A = 4.0) or the equivalent in the last four semesters of approximately 60 semester credits of undergraduate work and/or in all post-baccalaureate work.
  6. A score of 550 TOEFL (paper based), 213 (computer based) or 79 (internet based), or 6.0 IELTS (for students who have not attended an English language university, or for whom English is not the primary language.

Note: In special circumstances acceptance may be granted at the discretion of the selection committee for those students who meet some, but not all, the above requirements.

Transfer of Credits

Requests for transfer of graduate credits must be made during the first semester in which the student is enrolled in the program. Only credit hours with a grade of B or better from accredited universities are transferable. Transfer credit hours must have been completed within five years preceding the date upon which the advanced degree is to be conferred by UH Hilo. The TCBES program will decide which credits will be transferred.

International Credentials

A statement describing minimum academic qualifications expected of international applicants may be obtained from the Graduate Division. These qualifications must be completed prior to enrollment.

M.S. TCBES Checklist

(Reminder: Priority application deadline is December 1)

  • Completed UH Hilo Graduate application form
  • Personal statement of objectives
  • Application fee
  • Official transcripts from all colleges or universities (must be received directly from the institution, or in a sealed envelope if submitted with your application)
  • General Test, Graduate Record Exam
  • Three Letters of Recommendation received at UH Hilo by December 1
  • Official TOEFL score report, if required
  • Verification of financial status (for international applicants) (see International Graduate Students)

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Do I need to find a faculty sponsor? If you are interested in the Thesis Track then you are required to contact individual faculty members whose research interests are similar to your own and who agree to sponsor your application to the program. It is recommended that you begin faculty contact well before the application deadline. If you are interested in the Internship Track then you are not required to have a sponsor.
  2. How do I find a faculty sponsor? TCBES Faculty information can be found within this page and on the TCBES Website
  3. How long does it take to complete the program? The course work is designed to be completed in 3-4 semesters, with additional time needed for writing the thesis or completing the internship.
  4. What are the entrance requirements? See Checklist and Admission Requirements sections.
  5. Do I have to take the GRE? Yes. Applicants are required to submit General GRE scores to UH Hilo. (UH Hilo code: 4869)
  6. Can I transfer credits? Yes, up to 6 credits, subject to program approval.
  7. When will the program start? Classes for new students begin in the fall of each year.
  8. How much will it cost to live in Hilo? You should budget approximately $30,000.00 per year (residents of Hawaiʻi) and $39,000.00 (non-residents) for tuition, books, housing, food, and personal expenses.
  9. Is financial aid available? Graduate assistantship positions may be available (Contact program chair, Dr. Wiegner: (wiegner@hawaii.edu). You may also contact faculty and participating agencies for financial assistance. Students interested in any type of financial aid must have submitted the FAFSA; students who are may qualify for the $1,000 Graduate Opportunity Grant. Contact the UH Hilo Financial Aid Office (FAO) for more information.
  10. Do I need to write a Master’s Thesis? The Thesis Track requires course work and a thesis of original research. The Internship Track requires course work, an internship, and research papers.

Program Curriculum

Total Credits Required:

  • Thesis Track = 33 credits (8 Core + 16 Electives + 6 Thesis + CBES 677)
  • Internship Track = 36 credits (14 Core + 12 Electives + 10 Internship)

Core Courses (8) credits required for all M.S. TCBES students

  • CBES 600 Conservatn Biol & Environ Sci (3)
  • CBES 601 CBES Field & Laboratory Method (3)
  • CBES 602 Research Seminar in TCBES (1)
  • CBES 603 Natural Resource Mgt Seminar (1)

Core Courses Required for Thesis Track

  • CBES 677 Quantitative Ecology (3)
  • CBES 700 Thesis Research (1–6) (6 Credits Required)

Core Courses Required for Internship Track

  • CBES 645 Soc Sci Rsch Mthds Envir Cons (3)
  • CBES 689 Organiz Mgmt & Logistics (3)
  • CBES 690 Internship (1–6) (10 Credits Required)

Required Elective Courses

Thesis Track: 16 Elective credits of 600-level CBES courses. From these elective courses, you must take the following:

  • Foundations: Choose one course from the following list:
    • CBES 609 Theory/Apps Landscape Ecology (3)
    • CBES 615 Global Environmental Change (3)
    • CBES 633 Biodiversity (3)
    • CBES 635 Physical Environment of Ecosys (3)
    • CBES 655 Ecological Physiology (3)
    • CBES 657 Vegetation of the Hawaiian Isl (3)
    • CBES 658 Insect Systematics and Ecology (3)
    • CBES 660 Molecular Ecology (3)
    • CBES 663 Fisheries Ecology (3)
    • CBES 664 Environmental Microbiology (3)
    • CBES 665 Environmental Toxicology (3)
    • CBES 675 Conservation Genetics (3)
    • CBES 685 Behavioral Ecol & Evol Analyse (3)
  • Methods: Choose one course from the following list
    • CBES 610 Environmental Chem Analysis (3)
    • CBES 620 Rrsch Techniq Molecular C Biol (3)
    • CBES 640 Adv Remote Sensing/Digital Ima (3)
    • CBES 645 Soc Sci Rsch Mthds Envir Cons (3)
    • CBES 670 Geog Info Sys & Visualization (3)
    • CBES 680 Adv Stats Analysis & Rsrch Des (3)
    • CBES 681 Advance Geo-Spatial Techniques (3)
  • Applications: Choose one course from the following list
    • CBES 642 Comm. Science in K-12 Settings (2)
    • CBES 682 Natural Resource Env Econ (3)
    • CBES 689 Organiz Mgmt & Logistics (3)

Internship Track: 12 Elective Credits of 600-level CBES courses. From these elective courses you must take the following:

  • Foundations: Choose one course from the following list
    • CBES 609 Theory/Apps Landscape Ecology (3)
    • CBES 615 Global Environmental Change (3)
    • CBES 633 Biodiversity (3)
    • CBES 635 Physical Environment of Ecosys (3)
    • CBES 655 Ecological Physiology (3)
    • CBES 657 Vegetation of the Hawaiian Isl (3)
    • CBES 658 Insect Systematics and Ecology (3)
    • CBES 660 Molecular Ecology (3)
    • CBES 663 Fisheries Ecology (3)
    • CBES 664 Environmental Microbiology (3)
    • CBES 665 Environmental Toxicology (3)
    • CBES 675 Conservation Genetics (3)
    • CBES 685 Behavioral Ecol & Evol Analyse (3)
  • Methods: Choose one course from the following list
    • CBES 610 Environmental Chem Analysis (3)
    • CBES 620 Rrsch Techniq Molecular C Biol (3)
    • CBES 640 Adv Remote Sensing/Digital Ima (3)
    • CBES 670 Geog Info Sys & Visualization (3)
    • CBES 677 Quantitative Ecology (3)
    • CBES 680 Adv Stats Analysis & Rsrch Des (3)
    • CBES 681 Advance Geo-Spatial Techniques (3)
  • Applications: Choose one course from the following list
    • CBES 642 Comm. Science in K-12 Settings (2)
    • CBES 682 Natural Resource Env Econ (3)

Notes: 1. A maximum of 6 credits of 400-level courses may count towards these elective credits 2. The CBES 690 Internship course is meant to be taken each semester for a total of 10 Credits.

Faculty

Affiliate and Adjunct Faculty

These faculty serve on graduate committees, occasionally teach graduate courses, seminars or workshops, and can co-chair graduate committees with a UH Hilo faculty members. For an updated list, see the TCBES website.