Conservation Technology, M.S.

Get A Master's In Conservation Technology

The master's program in Conservation Technology is ideal for those wishing to pursue a career in conservation and natural resource management. It is a non-thesis, course-based master's program with a heavy emphasis on basic and applied research. The degree provides a strong foundation in marketable skills. Graduates possess quantitative and technical skills that are in demand from a wide variety of employers, including environmental consulting and insurance companies, non-governmental organizations, and local, state and federal agencies.

By working across fields in genetics, geographic information systems (GIS), and ecological modeling, students develop the expertise they need to create solutions for today’s most challenging conservation issues. Students delve into climate-change analysis, marine ecosystems management, and advanced methods to improve and protect the country’s natural resources.

The degree is designed be completed in one year (two semesters and a summer session) or one-and-a-half years (three semesters). Because it is a course-based, non-thesis, professional degree, students must secure their own sources of funding. They are not eligible for teaching assistantships, nor are they eligible to transfer to research-based graduate programs.

Interdisciplinary Curriculum

Students working towards a master’s in Conservation Technology get a strong foundation in biology, with additional grounding in conservation science and ecological principles. What makes Florida Tech’s program different is its emphasis on technology. Students not only develop expertise in cutting-edge scientific approaches, such as bioinformatics and modeling, but also train for leadership positions in management of natural resources.

The program facilitates students' eligibility for the professional status of Associate Wildlife Biologist (awarded by the Wildlife Society) and Associate Professional Ecologist (awarded by the Ecological Society of America).

World-Class Faculty and Personalized Attention

At Florida Tech, students experience an intimate, focused environment where professors mentor students throughout their program. Class sizes are small, and there is an opportunity to work with faculty on cutting-edge research projects. The diverse campus environment provides students the chance to gain an international perspective on conservation technology and learn how it is handled in countries around the world.

Florida Tech has internationally renowned research faculty who are widely published and sought-after for consulting projects. Students learn from these world-class scientists in an environment that encourages individual thinking and exploration to empower them as future leaders. Graduate students develop a strong work ethic and an academically aggressive attitude toward study, research, and professional development, giving Florida Tech an edge over other master’s programs.

The university has over 60 years of excellence in science and engineering education. The Conservation Technology master’s degree prepares students for a career using the latest body of knowledge in the industry, while providing excellent research facilities for conducting state-of-the-art research.

Conservation Technology at Florida Tech is not just something you study—it’s something you go out into the field and do. Our proximity to the Indian River Lagoon, the Atlantic Ocean, and Florida wetlands provide a wealth of natural laboratories that other universities simply can’t offer. Florida Tech’s location in Central Florida allows students to take part in year-round, one-of-a-kind field studies. In fact, 51% of Brevard County’s land is protected, making it one of the 'greenest' in the United States.

High-Tech Laboratories Filled with Modern Instrumentation

Students have access to the F. W. Olin Life Sciences Building, a 70,000-square-foot teaching and research laboratory that includes  state-of-the-art microscopy equipment. The 29,000-square-foot L3 Harris Center for Science and Engineering serves the research needs in fish biology and climatology.  It includes eight teaching labs, 12 modern research labs and a 2,500-square-foot indoor aquaculture facility with recirculating systems ranging from small glass aquaria to 720-gallon tanks.

Just a few minutes from campus, where Crane Creek meets the Indian River Lagoon near downtown Melbourne, the Ralph S. Evinrude Marine Operations Center houses small outboard-powered craft and medium-sized workboats. These vessels are available to graduate students and faculty for teaching and research use in the freshwater tributaries and the Indian River Lagoon. Coastal and oceanographic research and teaching are conducted through strategic partnerships to use research vessels in Ft. Pierce, Tampa, Savannah, GA and the University of Miami's Rosenstiel School.

Other natural laboratories that provide students with locations for research include forests (with over 700 tagged trees), lakes, and the wetlands across Florida.

Past conservation technology research topics have included coral disease and bleaching, marine mammals, bird population genetics, and the impact of tropical-forest use by indigenous people.

Summer Study Programs

Students can earn credit for participation in summer field courses in Puerto Rico, the Galapagos, the Peruvian Andes and Amazon, and the Pacific Northwest. This complete immersion, from reading about science to experiencing it, gives students a new and life-changing perspective on the impact conservation technologists can have around the world.

Career Outlook

Florida Tech has educated NASA scientists, CEOs of Fortune 500 companies and highly decorated military generals. Graduates with a master's in Conservation Technology from Florida Tech are well prepared for leadership positions. Graduates of our program in Conservation Technology work in commercial enterprises and government agencies, doing scientific research and analysis related to conservation, biology or ecology. Careers are also available at research-based non-governmental organizations, zoos and aquariums, and municipal, county, state, and federal agencies such as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the St. Johns Water Management District.

The Occupational Outlook Handbook, published by the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Standards (BLS), provides information about specific jobs including median annual pay, working conditions and job outlook, among other things.

According to the Labor Bureau, jobs for conservation scientists are projected to grow three percent through 2022, while employment of wildlife biologists is projected to grow five percent. During the same time period, environmental scientists and specialists can expect 15 percent job growth.

Careers in Conservation Technology

According to the Labor Bureau, careers related to conservation and ecology include:

• Conservation Scientist and Forester
• Zoologist and Wildlife Biologist
• Environmental Scientist and Specialist
• Conservation Technician
• Wildlife Biologist
• Agricultural and Food Scientist
• Natural Science Manager
• Postsecondary Teacher