Marlyse Duguid
Thomas J. Siccama Senior Lecturer in Field Ecology; Research Scientist; Director of Research, Yale…
Ecosystem Management and Conservation Specialization
This specialization gives students the knowledge and skills to become thoughtful stewards of the environment, to ensure that human and nonhuman species can coexist across landscapes.
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Note that a capstone course used to fulfill the MEM capstone requirement cannot also be used toward fulfilling an MEM Specialization requirement; a capstone course taken once cannot be used to fulfill multiple requirements. Learn more about YSE capstone courses by visiting the MEM Capstone page.
Ecosystem Management and Conservation
Core
Two courses required.Course 1
Choose one of the following 2 courses. The Goal of Core I is a strong foundation in natural science theory in relation to conservation and land stewardshipCourse 2
Choose one of the following 2 courses. The Goal of Core II is a strong theoretical foundation in sociology and environmental anthropology as it relates to conservation and land stewardship.Elective
Four required courses. Students must take at least one course from each of the following four bins:Social Science Principles
The Goal of the Social Science elective is to apply social science principals to applied conservation topics or issues. It is typical to take these courses after fulfilling your Core 2 requirement. Substitutions are allowed with specialization coordinator permission.Course NameFall 2026Spring 2027Fall 2027Spring 2028ENV 573
Urban Ecology for Local and Regional Decision MakingENV 685
Engaging Landholders and Communities in Conserving and Restoring Tropical Forest LandscapesENV 740
Understanding Environmental Philanthropy: Funding, Financing, and Grant WritingNatural Science Principles
The Goal of the Natural Science elective is to natural science principals to applied conservation problems and topics. It is typical to take these courses after fulfilling your Core 1 requirement. Substitutions are allowed with specialization coordinator permission.Course NameFall 2026Spring 2027Fall 2027Spring 2028ENV 659
The Practice of Silviculture: Principles in Applied Forest Ecology (Friday field trips)Quantitative Analysis
The Goal of this elective is to give you exposure and applied skills to applications and methods used by conservation professionals and scientists. Understanding the analysis and interpretation of quantitative data is a crucial skill for solving environmental problems. Substitutions are allowed with specialization coordinator permission.Course NameFall 2026Spring 2027Fall 2027Spring 2028ENV 730
Environmental Data Science in R: Introduction to Data Integration and Machine LearningENV 757
Data Exploration and AnalysisENV 758
Multivariate Data Analysis in the Environmental SciencesEnvironmental Policy and Economics
The Goal of this elective is to apply the social science principals of political science and economics to applied conservation topics or issues. Substitutions are allowed with specialization coordinator permission.Course NameFall 2026Spring 2027Fall 2027Spring 2028ENV 760
Conservation in Practice: An International PerspectiveAdditional Electives
In addition to the two required courses and the four electives, students may select additional electives to complete the requirements for the MEM degree. Additional electives that may support students’ focus area in the Ecosystem Management & Conservation Specialization are listed below.
Course NameFall 2026Spring 2027Fall 2027Spring 2028ENV 686
Synthesizing Science for Policy and PracticeENV 767
Tools for Conservation Project Design & Management
Learning Community
There is a corresponding “Learning Community” for each specialization, where anyone interested in the topic can find related news, spotlights, colleagues, and events.
Faculty Coordinator
Staff Manager
Michelle Downey
Program Director, Ucross High Plains Stewardship Initiative; Program Director, Partnership in Forestry…