They are failing not because they lack sound biology, but because of people problems. Moermond says the science background alone is not sufficient when championing sustainable development. In addition to core biology, students take required courses in environmental economics and policy, an issues seminar and at least six credits of social science.
Students also complete a research paper based on an internship or field experience.
Their work has ranged from studying habitat restoration or monitoring white-tailed deer populations to studying the role of tourism or weighing jobs against environment issues in rural forest areas. The unique mix has made graduates very attractive in the job market, Moermond says. About one-third of the program's 94 graduates have continued on to Ph.D. programs, but another 44 percent landed jobs in government or organizations such as The Nature Conservancy or the World Wildlife Fund. These organizations have been hard-pressed to find generalists who know both the science and have the management skills to build coalitions and generate public support for conservation issues, Moermond says. The program has a strong international component, with graduates now in leadership roles in Guatemala, Indonesia, Mexico and Vietnam.