The Conservation Biology Ph.D. program provides an interface between traditional biological sciences and the areas of economics, law, urban and rural planning, politics, communication, philosophy, and environmental engineering. The purpose of this training is to produce scientists who are not only capable of doing independent research but who can work within the broader area of environmental politics, law, and economics to communicate issues of conservation biology to policy makers, the general public, and industry. Students will choose one of two specializations: Applied Conservation Biology or Ecology and Organismal Biology. The Applied Conservation Biology Track is intended to provide the academic background necessary to begin work in industry, nongovernmental organizations, or government in a leadership role in the application of cutting-edge principles to problem solving in conservation biology. The Ecology and Organismal Biology Track embraces both applied and basic research concerning ecological questions to address current concerns in the area of conservation biology. Students taking either track would be prepared to pursue an academic career.