College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

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.