2002-2003 Edition
Texas A&M University Undergraduate CatalogTexas A&M University Undergraduate Catalog
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College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
College of Architecture
Lowry Mays College and Graduate School of Business
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College of Science
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Texas A&M University at Galveston
Graduate Studies
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Appendices
Section ContentsPrevious Page
 

 

Curricula in Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences

The Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences uses the latest in the ecological and management disciplines to provide the most diverse and progressive education available in the conservation of the earth's biodiversity. Students in this department are interested in making contributions to solving problems associated with the extinction of species, wildlife recreational uses, food production from aquaculture, environmental education, and urban wildlife and fisheries recreational activities. The conservation and management of wildlife and fisheries resources require resolution of increasingly complex issues that extend far beyond the bounds of classical biology. Contemporary wildlife and fisheries professionals must be well-versed in the physical and life sciences, mathematics, and the humanities. Today's professionals must have a problem-solving orientation that accommodates animals and their habitats within a larger ecological and socio-economic system. In addition, modern students must be familiar with molecular genetics and the principles of conservation biology. Curricula in wildlife and fisheries sciences are designed to provide both the traditional and contemporary dimensions of academic instruction necessary to transform motivated and intellectually capable students into competent professionals.

Curriculum options in vertebrate zoology, wildlife ecology, conservation biology, fisheries ecology, aquaculture, urban wildlife and fisheries, museum science, and teaching lead to the Bachelor of Science degree. At the end of the sophomore year, and after consultation with his or her advisor, each student will choose a course of study from among the options within the department's Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences curricula. The chosen option is enhanced by a common departmental "core" of courses necessary for a sound education in the wildlife and fisheries conservation professions. Each option will identify a specialized course of study, including elective courses.

Graduates are well equipped for post-baccalaureate study in many life science fields (graduate school programs and human and veterinary medicine) or for direct entry into professions such as wildlife management, fisheries management, environmental impact assessment, aquaculture, natural history museum education, zoological park collection management, public school teaching and urban wildlife management. Employers of recent graduates include state and federal resource agencies, scientific foundations, ranches, hunting and fishing clubs, fish farms, environmental consulting firms, museums and secondary schools.

University Core Curriculum
Required Course
(Th-Pr)
Credit
AGEC 350 Environmental and Natural Resource Economics
(3-0)
3
BIOL 113/123 Introductory Biology and Laboratory
(3-3)
4
BIOL 114/124 Introductory Biology and Laboratory
(3-3)
4
COMM 203 Public Speaking
(3-0)
3
ENGL 104 Composition and Rhetoric
(3-0)
3
MATH 131 Mathematical Concepts--Calculus
(3-0)
3
PHIL 240 Introduction to Logic
(3-0)
3
POLS 206 American National Government
(3-0)
3
POLS 207 State and Local Government
(3-0)
3
* KINE 198 Health and Fitness Activity
(0-2)
1
* KINE 199 Required Physical Activity
(0-2)
1
American and Texas history electives 1
6
Humanities elective 1, 2, 3
3
Visual and performing arts elective 1, 3
3
 
43

NOTES:
1. To be selected from the University Core Curriculum.

2. It is recommended that a 3-hour ethics course be included in the humanities electives.

3. The University Core Curriculum includes a requirement for 6 hours of international and cultural diversity courses. Click here for a list of acceptable courses. A course satisfying another Core category, a college/department requirement or used as a free elective can be used to satisfy these requirements.

* Click here for more information.

Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences
Core Courses 1
Required Course
(Th-Pr)
Credit
AGLS 101 Modern Agricultural Systems and Renewable Natural Resources
(1-0)
1
CHEM 101 Fundamentals of Chemistry I
(3-3)
4
CHEM 102 Fundamentals of Chemistry II
(3-3)
4
CHEM 222 Elements of Organic and Biological Chemistry 2
(3-0
3
CHEM 242 Elementary Organic Chemistry Laboratory 2
(0-3)
1
ENGL 210 Scientific and Technical Writing
     or ENGL 301 Technical Writing
(3-0)
3
GENE 301 Genetics
(3-3)
4
PHYS 201 College Physics
(3-3)
4
RENR 205 Fundamentals of Ecology
(3-0)
3
RENR 215 Fundamentals of Ecology--Laboratory
(0-3)
1
STAT 302 Statistical Methods
(3-0)
3
WFSC 101 Introduction to Wildlife and Fisheries
(1-0)
1
WFSC 201 Wildlife Conservation and Management
(3-0)
3
WFSC 302 Natural History of the Vertebrates 3
(2-2)
3
WFSC 416 Adaptational Biology
(3-3)
4
Computing elective
3
 
45
 
Option requirements
47

NOTES:
1. Students currently enrolled at Texas A&M who wish to transfer to a Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences major must have achieved a grade of C or higher in introductory biology and mathematics courses required in the University Core Curriculum (see above). Enrollment in Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences (WFSC) option courses will be restricted to students who have achieved a grade of C or higher in prerequisite courses.

2. Students in the Vertebrate Zoology option should take CHEM 227 (Organic Chemistry I) and 237 (Organic Chemistry Laboratory) in lieu of CHEM 222 and 242.

3. Students in the Vertebrate Zoology option should take ZOOL 318 (Chordate Anatomy) in lieu of WFSC 302.

Wildlife/Fisheries Management Option

This option is for students interested in research and management of both aquatic and terrestrial habitats. Courses taken meet course certification requirements of both the American Fisheries Society and The Wildlife Society. The ability to be certified is becoming increasingly important for employment. Job opportunities are available with state and federal agencies; private land management individuals and companies; state, national and international organizations; environmental consulting firms; and as private consultants.

Option Course
(Th-Pr)
Credit
BOTN 301 Taxonomy of Flowering Plants
(3-3)
4
FRSC 203 Dendrology
(2-2)
3
WFSC 303 Fish and Wildlife Laws and Administration 1
(3-0)
3
WFSC 311 Ichthyology
(2-3)
3
WFSC 406 Conservation Biology and Wildlife Habitat Management
(3-0)
3
WFSC 408 Techniques of Wildlife Management
(2-3)
3
WFSC 410 Principles of Fisheries Management
(3-3)
4
WFSC 414 Limnology
(3-3)
4
Field Experience 4
3
Fisheries sciences elective 3
3
Free electives
8
Vertebrate systematics electives 2
6
 
47

NOTES:
1. Students also may choose from RENR 375 Conservation of Natural Resources or FRSC 406 Forest Policy.

2. Select from WFSC 315 Herpetology, WFSC 401 General Mammalogy or WFSC 402 General Ornithology.

3. Select one course from WFSC 335 Natural History of the Invertebrates, WFSC 417 Biology of Fishes, WFSC 423 Aquaculture or WFSC 425 Marine Fisheries.

4. Select from WFSC 300 Field Studies, WFSC 484 Internship or WFSC 485 Directed Studies.

Aquaculture Option

The Aquaculture Option is for students interested in the controlled production of organisms in aquatic systems. Courses in this option are structured to provide the scientific and technological basis of fish farming. Career opportunities are available in various public and private aquaculture facilities. Other opportunities exist in supporting areas such as quality control, supply, marketing, distribution, finance, consultation as well as domestic and foreign resource development. This option meets requirements of the American Fisheries Society for certification as an Associate Fisheries Professional.

Option Course
(Th-Pr)
Credit
PHYS 202 College Physics
(3-3)
4
WFSC 311 Ichthyology
(2-3)
3
WFSC 410 Principles of Fisheries Management
(3-3)
4
WFSC 414 Limnology
(3-3)
4
WFSC 417 Biology of Fishes
(3-3)
4
WFSC 423 Aquaculture
(3-3)
4
WFSC 426 Aquatic Animal Nutrition
(3-0)
3
WFSC 427 Disease Management in Fisheries and Aquaculture
(2-2)
3
Free electives
12
Human dimension electives 1
6
 
47

NOTES:
1. Six hours from the following human dimension courses required for American Fisheries Society Certification: FRSC 302 (Fundamentals of Environmental Decision Making), MGMT 363 (The Management Process), PHIL 483 (Professional Ethics), POLS 356 (Law, Politics and Policy), SOCI 328 (Environmental Sociology), WFSC 303 (Fish and Wildlife Laws and Administration).

Conservation Biology and Biodiversity Option

This option is for students interested in biodiversity and its conservation. Courses in this option are selected to provide the student with a broad understanding of issues pertinent to the conservation of natural resources. This option should provide the student with considerable flexibility with respect to career opportunities, including professions in the private and public sectors. This option meets the requirements for Wildlife Biologist certification by The Wildlife Society.

 
Option Course
(Th-Pr)
Credit
FRSC 461 Geographic Information Systems for Resource Management 1
(2-2)
3
GENE 412 Population and Ecological Genetics
(3-0)
3
WFSC 403 Animal Ecology
(2-3)
3
WFSC 406 Conservation Biology and Wildlife Habitat Management
(3-0)
3
Biodiversity electives 2
6
Communication elective 3
3
Earth science elective 4
3-4
Free electives
12-15
Management elective 5
2-3
Policy elective 6
3
Resource planning elective 7
3-4
 
44-50

NOTES:
1. RENR 444 (Remote Sensing in Renewable Natural Resources) may be taken in lieu of FRSC 461.

2. Select from WFSC 311 (Ichthyology), WFSC 315 (Herpetology), WFSC 401 (General Mammalogy), WFSC 402 (General Ornithology).

3. Select from COMM 320 (Organizational Communication), COMM 325 (Persuasion), COMM 330 (Technology and Human Communication), COMM 335 (Intercultural Communication).

4. Select from AGRO 301 (4 credit hours, Soil Science), GEOL 101 (4 credit hours, Principles of Geology), OCNG 251 (3 credit hours, Oceanography)/OCNG 252 (1 credit hour, Oceanography Laboratory), or OCNG 401 (3 credit hours, Introduction to Oceanography).

5. Select from RLEM 301 (Range and Forest Watershed Management), RLEM 320 (Landscape Restoration), and RENR 375 (Conservation of Natural Resources).

6. Select from GEOG 204 (Economic Geography), PHIL 314 (Environmental Ethics), POLS 347 (Politics of Energy and the Environment), and WFSC 303 (Fish and Wildlife Laws and Administration).

7. Select from PLAN 360 (Introduction to the Urban Planning Function), PLAN 365 (Land Use Planning), RENR 410 (Ecosystem Management), RPTS 307 (Methods of Environmental Interpretation), and RPTS 316 (Recreational Management of Wildlands).

Fisheries Ecology and Management Option

This option is for students interested in research and management of fish, other freshwater and marine organisms, and the ecosystems that sustain them. Students in the fisheries option will gain knowledge of ecological principles, current aquatic resource issues, field techniques, methods of data analysis, and management principles and applications. Careers are available in state and federal resource agencies; fisheries management companies; nongovernmental conservation organizations; environmental consulting firms; and private consultation. This option meets American Fisheries Society requirements for certification as an Associate Fisheries Professional.

Option Course
(Th-Pr)
Credit
WFSC 311 Ichthyology
(2-3)
3
WFSC 403 Animal Ecology
(2-3)
3
WFSC 406 Conservation Biology and Wildlife Habitat Management
     or WFSC 422 Ethology
     or BIOL 466 Principles of Evolution
(3-0)
3
WFSC 410 Principles of Fisheries Management
(3-3)
4
WFSC 414 Limnology
(3-3)
4
WFSC 417 Biology of Fishes
(3-3)
4
Aquatic electives 1
6-7
Field experience 2
3
Free electives
10-11
Human dimension electives 3
6
 
46-48

NOTES:
1. Select two courses from BIOL 459 (Aquatic Biology), WFSC 423 (Aquaculture), WFSC 425 (Marine Fisheries), or WFSC 427 (Disease Management in Fisheries and Aquaculture).

2. Select from WFSC 300 (Field Studies), WFSC 484 (Internship), or WFSC 485 (Directed Studies).

3. Six hours from the following human dimension courses required for American Fisheries Society Certification: FRSC 302 (Fundamentals of Environmental Decision Making), MGMT 363 (The Management Process), PHIL 483 (Professional Ethics), POLS 356 (Law, Politics and Policy), SOCI 328 (Environmental Sociology), WFSC 303 (Fish and Wildlife Laws and Administration).

Urban Wildlife and Fisheries Option

Most humans share the landscape and exist in daily association with urban wildlife. New employment opportunities for wildlife and fisheries biologists have evolved from the urban human/wildlife association. These opportunities include environmental planners for city, county, or state governance units; wildlife and fisheries biologists with private environmental consulting firms, urban forestry, nature centers, natural history museums or extension programs; or educators in private or public educational programs. This option trains students to establish and maintain diverse, self-sustaining urban fish and wildlife populations at levels in harmony with ecological, social and economic values of the human community and to develop optimal levels of public appreciation and use of urban fish and wildlife and associated habitats.

Option Course
(Th-Pr)
Credit
BOTN 301 Taxonomy of Flowering Plants
(2-3)
4
ENTO 313 Biology of Insects
(2-3)
     or WFSC 335 Natural History of the Invertebrates
(3-3)
3-4
FRSC 203 Dendrology
(2-2)
3
HORT 301 Horticulture Techniques
(3-0)
3
PLAN 360 Introduction to Urban Planning Function
     or PLAN 365 Land Use Planning
(3-0)
3
RPTS 307 Methods of Environmental Interpretation
(2-2)
     or WFSC 420 Ecology for Teachers
(3-0)
3
WFSC 303 Fish and Wildlife Laws and Administration
(3-0)
3
WFSC 315 Herpetology
(2-2)
     or WFSC 311 Ichthyology
(2-3)
3
WFSC 402 General Ornithology
     or WFSC 401 General Mammalogy
(2-3)
3
WFSC 405 Urban Wildlife and Fisheries
(3-0)
3
WFSC 409 Integrating Natural Resources for Classroom Use
(0-3)
1
Communication elective 1
3
Earth science elective 2
3-4
Free electives
7-9
 
45-49

NOTES:
1. Select from COMM 320 (Organizational Communication), COMM 325 (Persuasion), COMM 330 (Technology and Human Communication), COMM 335 (Intercultural Communication).

2. Select from AGRO 301 (4 credit hours, Soil Science), GEOL 101 (4 credit hours, Principles of Geology), OCNG 251 (3 credit hours, Oceanography)/OCNG 252 (1 credit hour, Oceanography Laboratory), or OCNG 401 (3 credit hours, Introduction to Oceanography).

Wildlife Ecology and Management Option

The wildlife ecology option is for students interested in research and management of terrestrial animals and ecosystems, including game, non-game, and endangered species. Courses taken meet course certification requirements of The Wildlife Society. The ability to be certified is becoming increasingly important for employment by private, state, and national organizations. Job opportunities are available with state and federal agencies; private land management individuals and companies; state, national and international organizations; environmental consulting firms; and, as private consultants.

Option Course
(Th-Pr)
Credit
AGRO 301 Soil Science
(3-2)
4
BOTN 301 Taxonomy of Flowering Plants
(2-3)
4
FRSC 203 Dendrology
(2-2)
3
RLEM 314 Principles of Range Management
(2-2)
3
WFSC 303 Fish and Wildlife Laws and Administration
(3-0)
3
WFSC 401 General Mammalogy
(2-3)
3
WFSC 402 General Ornithology
(2-3)
3
WFSC 403 Animal Ecology
(2-3)
3
WFSC 406 Conservation Biology and Wildlife Habitat Management
(3-0)
3
WFSC 408 Techniques of Wildlife Management
(2-3)
3
Field experience 1
3
Free electives
12
 
47

NOTE:
1. Select from WFSC 300 (Field Studies), WFSC 484 (Internship), or WFSC 485 (Directed Studies).

Natural Resource Collections and Museums Option

Humans have a fascination with the world around them and enjoy visitations to centers which bring them closer to their world and to their heritage. Such is the intent of museums, nature centers and zoological gardens. Students in this option are prepared for careers in natural history and science museums, botanical gardens, nature centers, zoological parks, and wild animal breeding institutions. Students will receive instruction in program development and presentation, curation and display of museum collections, and the administration of public science education facilities.

Option Course
(Th-Pr)
Credit
BOTN 301 Taxonomy of Flowering Plants
(3-3)
     or ENTO 313 Biology of Insects
(2-3)
3-4
GEOL 101 Principles of Geology
(3-3)
4
MKTG 321 Marketing 1
(3-0)
3
WFSC 421 Museums and Their Functions
(3-0)
     or RPTS 307 Methods of Environmental Interpretation
(2-2)
3
WFSC 422 Ethology
(3-0)
3
WFSC 481 Seminar
(1-0)
1
Field experience 2
6
Free electives
13-15
Systematics electives 3
9-11
 
45-50

NOTES:
1. This course has an economics prerequisite.

2. Select from WFSC 300 (Field Studies), WFSC 484 (Internship), or WFSC 485 (Directed Studies).

3. Select three courses from WFSC 311 (Ichthyology), WFSC 315/316 (Herpetology/Field Herpetology), WFSC 335 (Natural History of Invertebrates), WFSC 401 (General Mammalogy), or WFSC 402 (General Ornithology).

Vertebrate Zoology Option

The vertebrate zoology option provides the rigorous training needed for careers in the various aspects of natural resources related to the fields of ichthyology, herpetology, mammalogy and ornithology, including behavior, ecology, evolution, genetics, molecular biology, physiology and systematics. It is a flexible program which permits the inclusion of courses specifically required by schools of dentistry, law, medicine and veterinary medicine.

Option Course
(Th-Pr)
Credit
BICH 303 Elements of Biological Chemistry
(3-0)
3
BIOL 466 Principles of Evolution
(3-0)
3
CHEM 228 Organic Chemistry II
(3-0)
3
CHEM 238 Organic Chemistry Laboratory
(0-3)
1
PHYS 202 College Physics
(3-3)
4
WFSC 300 Field Studies
3
WFSC 311 Ichthyology
(2-3)
3
WFSC 315 Herpetology
(2-2)
3
WFSC 316 Field Herpetology
(0-3)
1
WFSC 401 General Mammalogy
(2-3)
3
WFSC 402 General Ornithology
(2-3)
3
WFSC 481 Seminar
(1-0)
1
Earth science elective 1
3-4
Free electives 2
12-13
 
46-48

NOTES:
1. Select from AGRO 301 (4 credit hours, Soil Science), GEOL 101 (4 credit hours, Principles of Geology), OCNG 251 (3 credit hours, Oceanography)/OCNG 252 (1 credit hour, Oceanography Laboratory), or OCNG 401 (3 credit hours, Introduction to Oceanography).

2. Courses in plant biology and invertebrate zoology are highly recommended. Consult your advisor.

Biology/Science Composite Teaching Certification Emphasis

The teaching option emphasizes educational perspectives on human's association with wildlife and fisheries resources. Teacher certification may be earned in cooperation with the Department of Teaching, Learning and Culture. Credit hours required: 133

Freshman Year
First Semester

(Th-Pr)

Cr
 
Second Semester

(Th-Pr)

Cr
AGLS 101 Modern Ag. Systems and Renewable Natural Resources

(1-0)

1

 

CHEM 102 Fund. of Chemistry II

(3-3)

4
BOTN 101 Botany

(3-3)

 

 

INST 210 Understanding Special Pop.

(3-0)

3
or

 

 

 

PHIL 240 Introduction to Logic

 

 

BIOL 113 Introductory Biology

(3-0)

 

 

or

 

 

and

 

 

 

PHIL 341 Symbolic Logic

 

 

BIOL 123 Introductory Biology Lab.

(0-3)

4

 

or

 

 

CHEM 101 Fund. of Chemistry I

(3-3)

4

 

PHIL 342 Symbolic Logic II

(3-0)

3
ENGL 104 Comp. and Rhetoric

(3-0)

3

 

TEFB 201 Self-Dir. Exp. with Adolescents

(1-3)

1
MATH 131 Math. Concepts--Calculus

(3-0)

3

 

ZOOL 107 Zoology

(3-3)

4
 

 

15

 

or

 

 

 

 

 

 

BIOL 114 Introductory Biology

(3-0)

 

 

 

 

 

and

 

 

 

 

 

 

BIOL 124 Introductory Biology Lab.

(0-3)

4
 

 

 

 

* KINE 198 Health and Fitness Activity

(0-2)

1
 

 

 

 

 

 

16
 
Summer Semester
(Th-Pr)
Cr
WFSC 409 Integrating Natural Resources for Classroom Use
(0-3)
1
WFSC 420 Ecology for Teachers
(3-0)
3
RENR 201 Computer Application in Ag.
(2-2)
3
 
7
 
Sophomore Year
BOTN 301 Taxonomy of Flowering Plants

(3-3)

 

 

ENGL 301 Technical Writing

(3-0)

3
or

 

 

 

GENE 301 Genetics

(3-3)

 

BOTN 304 Comparative Biology of Plants

(3-3)

 

 

or

 

 

or

 

 

 

GENE 320 Biomedical Genetics

(3-0)

3-4
BOTN 328 Plants and People

(2-3)

3-4

 

WFSC 201 Wildlife Conservation and Mgmt.

(3-0)

3
POLS 206 American Natl. Govt.

(3-0)

3

 

Social and behavioral sciences elective 1

 

3
TEFB 322 Teaching and Schooling in Modern Society

(2-3)

2

 

Visual and performing arts elective 2

 

3
WFSC 335 Natural History of the Invertebrates

(3-3)

4

 

 

 

15-16
* KINE 199 Required Physical Activity

(0-2)

1

 

 

 

 
 

 

13-14

 

 

 

 

 
Summer Semester
(Th-Pr)
Cr
POLS 207 State and Local Govt.
(3-0)
3
 
3
 
Junior Year
**GEOL 101 Principles of Geology

(3-3)

4

 

ANTH 225 Physical Anthropology

(3-3)

 

PHYS 201 College Physics

(3-3)

4

 

or

 

 

TEFB 323 Teaching Skills I

(2-3)

3

 

ZOOL 225 Physical Anthropology

(3-3)

 

American history elective 3

 

3

 

or

 

 

Free electives

 

2-5

 

BIOL 466 Principles of Evolution

(3-0)

3-4
 

 

16-19

 

PHYS 202 College Physics

(3-3)

4
 

 

 

 

**PHYS 306 Basic Astronomy

(3-0)

 

 

 

 

 

and

 

 

 

 

 

 

**PHYS 307 Observational Astronomy

(0-3)

 

 

 

 

 

or

 

 

 

 

 

 

**ATMO 201 Atmospheric Science

(3-0)

 

 

 

 

 

and

 

 

 

 

 

 

**ATMO 202 Atmospheric Science Lab

(0-2)

4
 

 

 

 

TEFB 324 Teaching Skills II

(2-3)

3
 

 

 

 

Humanities elective 4

 

3
 

 

 

 

 

 

17-18
 
Senior Year
COMM 203 Public Speaking

(3-0)

3

 

TEFB 429 Supervised Student Teaching

(0-40)

9
MICR 206 Introductory Microbiology

(3-4)

4

 

WFSC 484 Internship

 

3
TEFB 406 Science in the Middle and Secondary School

(2-6)

3

 

 

 

12
WFSC 302 Natural History of the Vertebrates

(2-2)

3

 

 

 

 
American history elective 3

 

3

 

 

 

 

 

 

16

 

 

 

 

NOTES:
1. Three hours of multicultural course work is required for Teacher Education. Students may use SOCI 317, 323, 403 or 419 to fulfill both a University Core Curriculum social and behavioral sciences elective and the education multicultural requirement. The University Core Curriculum includes a requirement for 6 hours of international and cultural diversity courses. Click here for a list of acceptable courses. A course satisfying another Core category, a college/department requirement, or as a free elective can be used to satisfy these requirements.

2. To be chosen from those English literature courses listed under humanities in the approved University Core Curriculum list of courses.

3. Any American history course (3 hours may be Texas history).

4. Three hours of multicultural course work is required for Teacher Education. Students may use ENGL 338 to fulfill both a University Core Curriculum humanities elective and the education multicultural requirement. The University Core Curriculum includes a requirement for 6 hours of international and cultural diversity courses. Refer to for a list of acceptable courses. A course satisfying another Core category, a college/department requirement, or as a free elective can be used to satisfy these requirements.

* Click here for more information.

** Students seeking certification in only biology without the science composite, or in biology along with a second teaching field, should see their advisor concerning these requirements.