2022-2023 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
    Mar 28, 2024  
2022-2023 Undergraduate Catalog [Archived Catalog]


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Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences (B.S.)

Location(s): Brookings Main Campus



Program Coordinator/Contact

Bruce Eichhorst, Instructor
Department of Natural Resource Management
Edgar S. McFadden Biostress Laboratory, Room 139D
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:

  • Understand ecological and environmental principles required for management of natural resources for multiple-uses, including (but not limited to) wildlife habitat, water management, ecosystems 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, attitudes, behaviors, norms) influence natural resource management.
  • Lead and work with others as appropriate to successfully manage natural resources.
  • Apply natural resource field and lab techniques and contemporary technologies to management of natural resources.
  • Analyze and critically evaluate data and other information.
  • Communicate (both written and orally) with both scientific and non-scientific audiences.
  • Display professional and ethical behavior consistent with that expected in a natural resource management field.

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.

Requirements for Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences Major: 120 Credits


Bachelor of Science

College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences Requirements


Bachelor of Science Requirements: 11

Students who wish to complete a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences must complete a minimum of 11 credits from the approved list of Group 1  courses. Some departments require specific courses from the list, whereas others leave the selection entirely to the student and the advisor.

System General Education Requirements and/or major coursework may satisfy some or all of the above requirements.  Please review major requirements and the Group 1 list to determine if additional courses are required.

Major Requirements


Advanced Group Electives


Select 3 of the following courses. Credits: 9-10

Electives


Taken as needed to complete any additional degree requirements.

Total Required Credits: 120


Summary of Program Requirements


Bachelor of Science

System General Education Requirements 32 Credit Hours
College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences Requirements* 11 Credit Hours
Major Requirements 66-73 Credit Hours
Electives** 10-17 Credit Hours

*System General Education Requirements, Major Requirements, and Supporting Coursework may satisfy some or all of the above requirements.  
**Taken as needed to complete any additional degree requirements.

Academic Advising Guide Sheet


The goal of the academic advising guide sheets and sample plans of study is to promote undergraduate student success by guiding all students to timely completion of an undergraduate degree. Students are not limited to the course sequence provided for their academic program. Instead, the sample plan of study is one possible path to completing your degree and is meant to be used as a guide for planning purposes in consultation with an academic advisor. The plans also help students prepare for meetings with their academic advisor and track their progress in their selected academic program.