Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences - BS, Fisheries, Aquaculture and Aquatic Sciences Track
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.
Wildlife Ecology and Conservation; Fisheries, Aquaculture and Aquatic Sciences; and Vertebrate Zoology curriculum options lead to the Bachelor of Science degree. Each student will choose a course of study from among the options within the department’s curricula after consultation with the academic advisor. The chosen option is enhanced by a common departmental “core” of courses necessary for a sound education in the wildlife and fisheries conservation professions.
Students are encouraged to develop an emphasis area within their degree option. To build this emphasis area, students will choose directed electives, from related disciplines, in consultation with their academic advisor and faculty members.
This option (previously known as the Aquatic Ecology and Conservation) is designed for students interested in the research and management of fish, other freshwater and marine organisms, and the ecosystems that sustain them as well as controlled production of organisms in aquatic systems. Careers are available in state and federal resource agencies; fisheries management companies; nongovernmental conservation organizations; environmental consulting firms; and private consultation. In addition careers may be available in supporting areas such as quality control, supply, marketing, distribution, finance, consultation as well as domestic and foreign resource development. This degree option can also prepare students for grad school. This option meets American Fisheries Society requirements for certification as an Associate Fisheries Professional.