Major Advising Page: Conservation Biology
Students majoring in Conservation Biology are highly encouraged to complement their coursework with out-of-classroom experiences such as study abroad. Studying abroad exposes students to a wide array of opportunities that will strengthen their understanding of conservation issues throughout the world. In addition, the international experience gained from studying abroad is highly attractive to potential graduate programs and employers.
Fortunately, the flexibility of the conservation biology major makes study abroad a feasible and appealing option for students. Conservation biology students can take advantage of this opportunity during nearly any semester if they plan well and early. The information included below is intended to help students make study abroad a reality as they meet with advisors and plan their experience.
Course considerations
As part of the conservation biology degree requirements, majors must complete two courses in ecology & evolution, 12 credits in species and field, and a social science course in the major. Typically, conservation biology students need 3-6 elective credits in the major to complete conservation biology’s 50-credit requirement. There are study abroad programs that offer courses that equate to requirements in these areas. Conservation biology and IAP advisors can help identify programs that offer the equivalent course requirements, as well as address questions about course equivalencies.
Some programs have classes already equated to UW–Madison courses that fulfill requirements. These equivalencies can be found on each program’s academic page. Programs may not have all courses pre-equated simply because no student has taken them in the past.
How do you know if a course will likely count as a course for the major?
Once you have identified possible programs and courses of interest, work with your study abroad advisor to gather syllabi if possible. Then, meet with your conservation biology advisor to determine if and how the course will count towards your major or degree requirements. You will work with IAP to complete the approval process.
Map your experience as a
conservation biology student
You can study abroad at any point during your time at UW–Madison, but most students choose to study abroad during their junior or senior year. This decision ultimately hinges upon your unique preferences and circumstances. To gain background information about study abroad and the various programs available, attend the Study Abroad Fair on campus, visit the Program Search database on the International Academic Programs (IAP) website, and/or schedule a meeting with a study abroad advisor. Once you have identified some potential programs, meet with the conservation biology advisor for consultation and planning, including help determining the ideal time to go. The earlier students begin this process and start planning in earnest, the better, as this will open up more possibilities.
Current and potential conservation biology students should be aware of course requirements and expectations when planning for study abroad. In particular, students are strongly encouraged to complete foundational coursework in math and chemistry, and the intro biology sequence during their first and second years.
Freshman year
During freshman year, many conservation biology students take general education requirements, including intro math and chemistry courses. Some students may study abroad during winter or spring break, especially if they are a part of a First Year Interest Group (FIG) that has a study abroad component.
Sophomore year
Most conservation biology students take the introductory biology sequence during their sophomore year. If you have completed your foundational coursework early, you might consider studying abroad during the spring, summer, or during one of the breaks. Sophomore year is a good time to research programs and discuss options with your advisor.
Junior year
Junior year is typically when conservation biology students go abroad, as they have likely completed foundational coursework in biology, chemistry, and math, as well as many L&S general education and breadth requirements. Students often look at options to fulfill major requirements at this point.
Senior year
Senior year is also an option for conservation biology students to study abroad. However, if you are considering applying to a veterinary school, law school, or graduate school for immediate acceptance after graduation, you should take that into consideration when planning a possible study abroad.
Ask questions
- What classes must I complete for my degree (breadth/depth, major requirements, etc.)?
- Do I need to be on UW–Madison’s campus for any courses in my major?
- How many electives do I have outside of my major?
- When would be the best time to go abroad, given my goals and remaining course requirements?
- Which programs fit my personal interests and academic requirements?
- How and when do I select courses for my program?
- When will I know course equivalents for my program?
- What is the class structure for field-based programs abroad?
- What is the application and notification timeline for programs and scholarships?
- Can you give me a sense of who my fellow program participants will be?
- What skills do careers related to my major require, and how might participating in a particular program help me gain those skills?
- When would be the best time to participate in a program based on my career goals?
- How will participating in a study abroad, study away, or international internship make me stand out?
- Why do I want to study abroad?
- How long do I want to study abroad for — a few weeks, a semester, a year?
- How does studying abroad fit into my academic, personal, and/or professional goals?
- How will studying abroad enhance my academic and global perspectives?
- How much can I afford to spend?
- Do I intend to pursue any post-undergraduate education right away or take time off?
Discover programs that are right for you
The following are programs that may be of interest to you! Durations and courses vary and may count toward electives or degree requirements. If you do not have specific requirements, there’s more flexibility in program type and location.
In this section
These opportunities are not an exhaustive list of all programs.
Semester and academic year programs
Australia
- James Cook University
- Macquarie University
- SFS Rainforest Studies (semester or summer)
Bhutan
SFS Himalayan Studies (semester or summer)
Cambodia
SFS Environmental Justice and Mekong Ecologies (semester or summer)
Chile
SFS Climate Studies (semester or summer)
Costa Rica
SFS Ecological Resilience Studies (semester or summer)
Croatia
SFS Conservation of Marine Megafauna (semester or summer)
Denmark
DIS – Study Abroad in Scandinavia (semester or summer)
Ecuador
Ceiba Tropical Conservation Semester: Galapagos, Andes and Amazon (spring semester)
Kenya
SFS Endangered Species Conservation (semester or summer)
New Zealand
Panama
SFS Tropical Island Biodiversity & Conservation Studies (semester or summer)
South Africa
Sweden
DIS -Study Abroad in Scandinavia (semester or summer)
Tanzania
SFS Wildlife Management & Wildlife Research (semester or summer)
Turks & Caicos
SFS Marine Resource Studies (semester or summer)
USA
Wild Rockies Field Institute (semester or summer)
Short-term programs
Australia
SFS Rainforest Studies (semester or summer)
Belize
Ceiba Marine Biology of Coral Reefs (summer)
Bhutan
SFS Himalayan Studies (semester or summer)
Cambodia
SFS Environmental Justice and Mekong Ecologies (semester or summer)
Chile
SFS Climate Studies (semester or summer)
Costa Rica
- SFS Ecological Resilience Studies (semester or summer)
- UW Banking Animal Biodiversity (spring break)
Croatia
SFS Conservation of Marine Megafauna (semester or summer)
Denmark
DIS – Study Abroad in Scandinavia (semester or summer)
Kenya
SFS Endangered Species Conservation (semester or summer)
Panama
SFS Tropical Island Biodiversity & Conservation Studies (semester or summer)
South Africa
Sweden
DIS -Study Abroad in Scandinavia (semester or summer)
Tanzania
SFS Wildlife Management & Wildlife Research (semester or summer)
Turks & Caicos
SFS Marine Resource Studies (semester or summer)
USA
- Wild Rockies Field Institute (semester or summer)
- UW Marine Biology in the Florida Keys (winter intersession)
International Internships
International internships allow you to apply your academic skills to the real world and gain valuable professional experience abroad while earning UW–Madison course credit.
As you consider your academic and professional goals for studying abroad, explore the different internship options, including UW Signature internships, internship-focused programs, part-time internships, or applying for credit for an external internship.
Check with your academic advisor to see if earning credit for your internship abroad can fulfill a major or certificate requirement.
Internships that might be of interest to you include:
- Costa Rica: AIFS Internships in San Jose
- Indonesia: Green Moluccas Environmental Outreach Internships
Hear from students in your major
Explore student blogs and reflections to see how your peers have connected international experiences to their studies. Discover real stories about the skills, challenges, and professional insights gained through our programs.
Photo credit: Mesa Rasmussen (Ecuador)
Want more information?
Dive deeper into how courses and credits work on our programs, or connect with an advisor to find the best fit for your goals.
Last updated: