Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences (B.S.)

Program Coordinator/Contact

Michael L. Brown, Professor
Department of Natural Resource Management
Edgar S. McFadden Biostress Laboratory, Room 142D
605-688-6121

Program Information

Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences major requirements prepare undergraduate students for careers in wildlife and fisheries conservation and management. Coursework is directed at organisms, natural populations and communities, their habitats and human users. Imbedded in these courses are additional skills that further enable students to be competitive in the natural resources disciplines. These skills include communications, teamwork, leadership, ethics, statistics, technology, global competence, critical thinking, and problem solving. Most employment is with state and federal natural resource agencies. Each state has natural resource agencies that hire students with wildlife and fisheries sciences degrees and multiple federal agencies hire graduates from the program. In addition, employment opportunities exist with local and tribal governments, non-governmental organizations, and private industry. Many undergraduates continue their education by seeking advanced degrees.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences major, students will:

• demonstrate understanding of natural population dynamics, and ecological and environmental principles required for management of natural resources for multiple-uses, including (but not limited to) wildlife habitat, water management, ecosystem services, recreation and livestock production;
• describe how natural resource management fits into the context of society and how societal factors (e.g., economics, policy, laws, regulations, attitude, behaviors, norms) influence natural resource management;
• demonstrate the ability to lead and work with others as appropriate to successfully manage natural resources;
• demonstrate appropriate use of natural resource field and lab techniques as well as contemporary technologies;
• demonstrate the ability to appropriately analyze and critically evaluate data and other information;
• demonstrate the ability to effectively communicate (both written and orally) with both scientific and non-scientific audiences; and
• demonstrate an understanding of the professional and ethical responsibility that is imperative of a natural resource manager.

Accreditation, Certification, and Licensure

Academic requirements for Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences are based on certification programs of the American Fisheries Society and The Wildlife Society.

Course Delivery Format

The Wildlife and Fisheries program is on campus and engages students in experiential learning in lecture, laboratory, and field based settings.