Wildlife and Conservation Biology B.S.
Curriculum
The major in wildlife and conservation biology, offered through the Department of Natural Resources Science (NRS), prepares students for professional careers in the public and private sectors of wildlife biology. In addition, the major provides a solid background for graduate study. Wildlife biologists are professionals concerned with the scientific management of the earth’s wildlife species and their habitats. They work in the areas of preservation, conservation, and management of wildlife species. Wildlife majors meet the educational requirements for state and federal employment in the wildlife profession, and can apply to become Certified Wildlife Biologists (CWBs) who are recognized by The Wildlife Society.
Requirements for the major
Professional courses (19 credits) including natural resource conservation, a seminar in natural resources, introductory ecology, resource economics, introductory soil science, and conservation biology.
Basic science requirements (23 credits) include introductory biological sciences (8 credits); introductory and organic chemistry (8 credits); introductory calculus (3 credits); and introductory statistics (4 credits).
Required concentration courses (23-25 credits) include principles of wildlife ecology and management (3 credits); wildlife field techniques (3 credits); field botany and taxonomy (4 credits); wetland wildlife or non-game and endangered species management (4 credits); and 9-11 additional credits from an approved list of concentration courses that may include either field ornithology, mammalogy, vertebrate biology, herpetology, animal behavior or wildlife biometrics.
Supporting electives (24-26 credits) must be selected from the approved list or from concentration electives or from other 300- or 400- level natural resources science courses.
Up to 12 credits of experiential learning courses may be taken toward satisfying concentration (letter grade courses only) and supporting elective requirements (letter or S/U courses). Concentration and supporting elective courses must total at least 49 credits. At least 12 credits of natural resources science courses must be completed in concentration and at least 6 more in supporting electives. A total of 120 credits is required for graduation.
Students may complete specific course work to apply to become a certified wildlife biologist that includes the following supporting electives: three credits in botany; six credits in zoology; six credits in resources policy; and six credits in communications.
Transferring from University College for Academic Success
In order to transfer from to the College of the Environment and Life Sciences as a Wildlife and Conservation Biology major (or be coded as such in the College of the Environment and Life Sciences), a student must have earned 30 credits including BIO 101, 103, 102, 104 with grades of C or better; NRS 100, 223 with a grade of C or better.