Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences

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Degrees Offered:

• Ph.D. Biological Sciences
  • Fisheries Science specialization
  • Wildlife Science specialization
• M.S. Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences
  • Fisheries specialization
  • Wildlife specialization

Department Head: Professor Charles G. Scalet
Graduate Coordinator: Professor Charles G.Scalet

For additional information contact:
Mailing address: SDSU Box 2140B                                 Phone: 605/688-6121
Northern Plains Biostress Laboratory — SNP 138         Fax: 605/688-4515
WWW: http://wfs.sdstate.edu
E-mail: charles.scalet@sdstate.edu

Graduate Faculty

Charles R. Berry,Professor, Ph.D., Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1976 Fish Physiology

Michael L. Brown, Professor, Ph.D., Texas A & M University, 1993 Fish Culture, Fisheries Management

Steven R. Chipps, Associate Professor, Ph.D., University of Idaho, 1997 Aquatic Ecology

Lester D. Flake, Distinguished Professor Emeritus, Ph.D., Washington State University, 1971 Wildlife Ecology

Leigh H. Fredrickson, Adjunct Professor, Ph.D., Iowa State University, 1967 Waterfowl and Wetland Ecology and Management

Kenneth F. Higgins, Professor Emeritus, Ph.D., North Dakota State University, 1981 Wildlife Management

Daniel E. Hubbard, Professor, Ph.D., South Dakota State University, 1988 Wetland Ecology

Jonathan A. Jenks, Distinguished Professor, Ph.D., Oklahoma State University, 1991 Population Dynamics, Wildlife Ecology

Kent C. Jensen, Associate Professor, Ph.D., Texas A&M University, 1990 Ornithology, Wildlife Ecology

Charles G. Scalet, Professor, Ph.D., University of Oklahoma, 1971 Fisheries Biology

David W. Willis, Distinguished Professor, Ph.D., Colorado State University, 1980 Fisheries Management

Michael C. Wimberly, Associate Professor, Ph.D., Oregon State University, 1999 Forest Ecology

Philosophy Statement for Master of Science Degree in Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences

This degree is intended to educate students for management-level positions with state and federal agencies, private companies, and for the pursuit of higher academic degrees.

It is our goal to build on the foundation that students obtained during their undergraduate education, primarily directing them into some more specific area of wildlife or fisheries. By using specifically identified coursework areas and mentoring we will strive to assist students in developing their intellectual capabilities in working with natural resources and people. In addition, each student must propose and conduct an original scientific investigation.

An M.S. degree involves a fulltime commitment normallyrequiring two to three years to  complete.

Philosophy Statement for the Ph.D. Degree in Biological Sciences
(Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences)

This degree is intended to educate students for upperlevel management, research, and administrative positions with state and federal agencies, and private companies. It is also intended to prepare students in the teaching, research, and service component responsibilities needed for faculty positions with universities and colleges.

By building on the educational foundation that these students obtained from bachelor’s and master’s degree work, we will endeavor to raise them to a higher intellectual plateau. While coursework is involved, this is primarily a research and mentoring educational experience.

This degree requires original thought and research contributions, synthesis and development of information, and contributions to the world and its resources. Through mentoring and other educational experiences we desire to bring spirit, enthusiasm, imagination, and optimism to these students. They must develop independence, mature judgement, and a tolerance of differences among people, but an intolerance to inferior products and nonprofessional attitudes. We will strive to help these students become both operationally and conceptually creative.

A Ph.D. degree involves a full-time commitment normally requiring three to five years of effort beyond the M.S. degree.

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