wildlife biology majors and minors

Last Updated on December 14, 2022

Wildlife biology majors and minors have a diverse array of career options. Many become field biologists, others management specialists, educators or administrators.

You may find it hard to access the right information on the internet, so we are here to help you in the following article, providing the best and updated information on wildlife biology major colleges, wildlife biology degree requirements. We at infolearners .com have all the information that you need about wildlife biology programs. Read on to learn more.

wildlife biology majors and minors

Let us see what the best wildlife biology programs offer in these top 15 universities or colleges in the US – so you can find the best fit.

1. Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO

Wildlife and conservation biology major program is offered at the Warner College of Natural resources and has the highest ranking at College Raptor site at present. The main features of the program are:

• There are several concentrations offered: wildlife biology, fisheries, aquatic science, and conservation biology.
• The students learn to gather data on terrestrial and aquatic species behavior, distribution, genetics, and physiology.
• Another essential part of the curriculum is learning different approaches for the remediation of the environment.
• The college is involved in preparing public policies on environmental protection.
• For the practical studies, the college invites students to their cooperative fish and wildlife unit, as well as the Larval Fish laboratory.

2. Brigham Young University, Provo, UT

First of all, one should not think that Brigham Young University is a private institution. There are several strict rules and an Honor Code that is usually absent in most public universities. Still, the wildlife & wildlands conservation program is considered one of the best and attracts students despite the presence of a dress code and other regulations concerning behavior.

Besides the necessary coursework covering physics, chemistry, and main Biology disciplines, there are courses on:

• Rangeland biodiversity and management.
• Wildlife law.
• Restoration.
• Conflict resolution.
• Geographic Information System (GIS).

There are several important features the students should be aware of:

• Religious courses are a required part of the curriculum.
• There are so-called “Arts” and “Letters” required courses that cover literature, history, and American Heritage.
• The students can participate in field labs and research projects.
• The degree allows the students to work in natural resources management – both in private and state companies.
• It is also possible to work at the zoos and natural reserves with this degree.

3. Texas State University, San Marcos, TX

The Wildlife Biology Bachelors degree from Texas State University offers general training in wildlife biology with a focus in wildlife management (including management of recreational wildlife areas). Here are the main highlights:

• The program prepares the future graduates for work in wildlife reserves and recreational parks.
• Future graduates would also be able to work as teachers, museum curators, and researchers.
• The degree offers a comprehensive curriculum that covers most Animal and Plant Science disciplines, as well as conservation, wildlife management, and recreation management.
• The University also has a Student Chapter of Wildlife Society, which accepts undergraduate students.
• The department has extensive teaching staff, as well as several field sites and additional facilities, such as:
  • The Meadows Centre for Water and Environment (Spring Lake).
  • Edwards Aquifer Research and Data Center.

4. SUNY college of environmental science and forestry, Syracuse, NY

The SUNY College of forestry and environmental science was ranked second place at the list of the best “green colleges“.

In particular, their wildlife science program gives the students sufficient knowledge to achieve a delicate balance between the needs of the environment and the needs of the human population.Suggested Reading: 15 Current Environmental Issues In US

The main features of the degree are:

• The focus of the program is on the applied ecology.
• The students would be able to specialize in specific taxonomic groups of animals and plants.
• There are in-depth courses on scientific communication, ecological monitoring, and biodiversity, as well as GIS.
• It is possible to choose courses on environmental law and management.
• The field stations include Adirondacks Ecological Centre, Heiberg Forest, and Cranberry Lake Biological Station.
• The college offers and encourages internships or volunteering at various agencies and conservation organizations.
• The college is affiliated with Syracuse University.

5. The University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY

The Wildlife and Fisheries Biology and Management program is focused on wildlife and fishery resources management, with an emphasis on ecology and evolution.

• The program combines basic core subjects (General Biology, Genetics, Physics, and Chemistry) with intensive training in fisheries/wildlife management.
• Their degree includes optional specialized courses in management, wildlife law, science journalism, renewable resources.
• During the Junior and Senior years, the students would be able to choose a specialization in either aquatic or terrestrial species.
• The facilities include:
  • University of Wyoming National Park research center.
  • Jenkins Microscopy facility.
• The degree is compatible with professional requirements for the American Fisheries Society and the American Wildlife Society.

6. Lees MacRae college, Banner Elk, NC

The Lees MacRae College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. The institution is located in the Southern Appalachian Mountains is ideally situated for studying Biology. There are reserves and forests within reach. Besides the standard curriculum, there are other attractive options offered in this program:

• Courses in Wildlife rehabilitation and veterinary science are available at the college.
• There are various long-term research projects the students can participate in.
• The college is affiliated with the Elk Valley Preserve and Field Station where students can gain experience in caring for wildlife, as well as studying vertebrate and invertebrate terrestrial and aquatic species.
• The teaching staff includes three professors with a Ph.D. in ecology, as well as a professor in wildlife veterinary science.
• During the senior year, students are required to conduct their own research project.

7. Frostburg State University, Frostburg, MD

Frostburg State University is the only institution that offers a 4-year program in wildlife Biology in Maryland.

• The program allows students to obtain several optional specializations, such as game management, management of fisheries and wildlife research and conservation.
• The students have an opportunity to perform field studies in the Allegheny Mountains.
• In the course of the study, it would be possible to participate in cave and stream surveys to evaluate the population dynamics of endangered species.
• The university also offers internships in wildlife parks and state services.
• It is possible to add minors in ethnobotany, animal behavior, sustainability, geography, or sustainability.
• There is a local fish museum where the students can get some practical experience and theoretical knowledge.
• There are also multiple labs (genetics and microbiology) that students can use for research and studies.
• The program allows passing certification for the Wildlife Society and Fisheries Society.

wildlife biology degree requirements

How Do I Become a Wildlife Biologist?

Becoming a wildlife biologist isn’t as easy as many other professions. You’ll need a lot of education and experience in just the right areas in order to succeed.

A lot of your success will depend on your area of expertise and connections. For example, you might have worked as a wildlife technician doing surveys on rusty blackbirds. There are many other people who have experience working with birds, but if a position somewhere just happens to open up for people with rusty blackbird experience, you’ll have an easy “in” for the job. If not, you may need to continue your job search.

Earning a Wildlife Biology Degree

If you want to become a wildlife biologist, you’ll need to get at least a bachelor of science degree, ideally in wildlife biology, wildlife conservation, wildlife management, or a related life sciences degree. These programs are offered only at certain colleges and universities across the country.

As an undergraduate, you’ll study subjects like animal anatomy and physiology, statistics, writing, mathematics, and wildlife management. If you choose to pursue a master’s degree or higher, you’ll conduct your own thesis research under the direction of a professor, and you’ll be expected to publish the results in a peer-reviewed scientific journal.

Most people foot the bill for their undergraduate degrees. You can pay for this out of pocket, with scholarships, or with student loans. Try to avoid taking out any student loans if you can, because the payments you’ll need to make once you graduate may be more than you can afford based on your salary.

Once you get to a master’s degree or higher, though, it’s common to get a tuition waiver and a basic living stipend as a teaching assistant or research assistant. This way, you don’t have to pay for your graduate degree.

Wildlife Biology Not For You? See Related Careers

• How to Become an Oceanographer
• How to Become a Vet Tech
• How to Become a Park Ranger

Wildlife Biology Internships

Paid and unpaid internships are an important part of gaining enough experience to become a competitive applicant. Many nonprofits and government agencies offer internships.

Another popular option is volunteer work. Most people who go on to become a wildlife biologist have at least some volunteer work under their belts, whether it’s a weekend doing browse surveys for state biologists or even a year helping with research projects in Africa.

Careers for Wildlife Biology Majors

Working just to have the title of “wildlife biologist” on your business card is tough. Luckily, you’re not limited to just this narrow career path if you study wildlife biology. There are many career options available to you if you choose wildlife biology as your major, including:

Wildlife Biology Jobs

Wildlife Biologist

Study the relationships between wild animals and their environment.

Wildlife Manager

Help set harvest guidelines for state natural resource agencies.

Wildlife Law Enforcement Officer

Enforce existing wildlife laws, often working with hunters and fisherman.

Park Ranger

Protect and supervise wild areas and the recreational visitors who wander into them.

Wildlife Technician

Collect data for wildlife research projects, usually under the direction of a wildlife biologist.

Science Communicator

Teach the general public about science issues, including wildlife.

In addition, the skills you’ll learn while studying wildlife biology are highly transferable and can open the doors for many careers, even outside of the life sciences. As a wildlife biology major, you’ll learn how to interpret data and scientific studies, interact with the public, work independently, think critically, research, and write coherently — all of which are highly valued skills by any employer.

Is a Career in Wildlife Biology for Me?

Becoming a wildlife biologist is tough. You’ll need to be willing to make sacrifices, whether it be living away from your family for months at a time, dealing with rejection, or watching your peers advance their careers more quickly.

That said, if you’re willing to deal with these issues and the natural world is important to you, a career in wildlife biology can be one of the most rewarding there is. You might be able to say that you helped an endangered species survive, that you sparked an interest in wildlife among children, or that you helped balance the natural world with that of the human world — all while having a blast.

wildlife biology major colleges

6. University of Maine (Orono, ME)
   Founded in 1935, the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Conservation Biology at the University of Maine lets learning be driven by students’ research interests. Thanks to partnerships within the College of Natural Sciences, students can study everything from natural resource management to aquatic wildlife.

Students can practice their trade in the school’s abundant natural resource areas. The university owns and protects nearly 15,000 acres of woodland, complete with hiking and biking trails, as well as cross-country skiing opportunities.

The nearby Sunkhaze Meadows National Wildlife Refuge gives students access to deer, moose, bears, beavers, bobcats, and other species. In addition to the Maine coastline, the school’s campus is near the Acadia National Park.

As these examples demonstrate, U Maine’s program encourages students to blur the lines between recreation and work. They believe that caring for the environment should be fulfilling and fun.

5. Brigham Young University (Provo, UT)
   Brigham Young University
   Mark A. Philbrick (Brigham Young University), ESC Eyring Science Center, CC BY-SA 3.0
   Utah may not strike some as the ideal place to study wildlife biology, but they haven’t looked at the offerings by Brigham Young University’s program.

Thanks to the school’s newly built Life Sciences Building, students can study in state-of-the-art facilities and work with new vehicles. These resources help students reach isolated areas and to examine their findings in a controlled environment.

These resources are all part of the school’s commitment to training students for careers in natural resource management. With core coursework focused on ecology and biology principles and numerous elective opportunities, students can let their interests drive their education.

For those whose interests take them beyond the U.S., BYU has multiple study abroad opportunities. Students can bring their interest in nature across the globe, to Western Europe, Africa, Australia, and more.

4. Texas State University (San Marcos, TX)
   Texas State University
   TxStateFAN, Aleck Library, CC BY-SA 3.0
   Texas State University knows that the actions of humans impact the natural world. With that in mind, their wildlife undergraduate and graduate programs seek to help people find new ways of enjoying the outdoors while also protecting the populations already there.

The school’s classes involve many of the recreational activities enjoyed by lovers of the outdoors, including fishing, birdwatching, and picnicking. But it combines them with lessons that emphasize the realities of ecological life. These courses teach students about natural history and wildlife management.

This practical approach does not distract from but actually supports the department’s research agenda. TSU features numerous programs designed to help students in their research and bring them aboard long-term faculty projects.

But the best sign of the school’s commitment to caring for the environment might be its active Student Chapter of the Wildlife Society. The passion for enjoying and protecting the outdoors drives every aspect of the department.

3. Utah State University (Logan, UT)
   Utah State University
   TaffyPuller1832, Utah State University, marked as public domain
   Although another Utah-based institution already appeared on this list, only Utah State University features a College committed to studying natural resources. Furthermore, UST’s unique wildlife biology program gives students resources to study the management of human-wildlife conflict.

At the center of the program are the school’s several research institutes.

The interdisciplinary Center for Integrated BioSystems takes a progressive approach to agricultural and life sciences.

The Center has won recognition from Popular Science magazine as one of the 30 Awesome College Labs, thanks to breakthroughs such as cloning the first hybrid animal.

The administrative Ecology Center coordinates research and ecology science by encouraging networking and collaboration across departments and schools.

The Utah Agricultural Experiment Station gives researchers in all of the nation’s land-grant universities space to meet and study.

With all of these supports, it’s easy to see why UST stands out on this list.

2. University of Vermont (Burlington, VT)
   University of Vermont
   Jonathan Leo Connor (Gopats92), Billings Library UVM, CC BY-SA 3.0
   As part of the Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources, the wildlife and fisheries program at the University of Vermont is committed to the study of ecological diversity.

To that end, the program features a curriculum focused on the biology, ecology, management and conservation of animal populations. Students learn about the natural history and conservation needs of everything from hunted and endangered species to overpopulated species.

By attending the University of Vermont, students in the wildlife and fisheries program have access to the state’s many natural resources. Mountains, fields, lakes, and fields are all within driving distance from the main campus. The school regularly offers intensive field study courses, allowing students to get their hands dirty and learn.

Furthermore, partnerships with schools abroad allow students to study other regions, including Florida and South Texas, and Costa Rica.

No matter where their career takes them, a degree from U Vermont prepares the wildlife conservationists of the future.

1. Colorado State University (Fort Collins, CO)
   Colorado State University
   Spilly816, Spruce Hall, CC BY-SA 3.0
   At first glance, Colorado State University features many of the same things found in other schools on this list.

Yes, they have access to all forms of wildlife, especially those in mountain regions. They have compelling research projects. And the school’s partnerships with institutions across the globe allow students to examine all the wildlife the world has to offer.

But what makes CSU really stand out is the quality of its faculty.

Professor Lise Aubry is a leader in studying the effects of climate change and habitat fragmentation on the ecology and microevolution of wild species.

Professor Joel Berger, the Barbara Cox Anthony University Chair of Wildlife Conservation, also serves as a Senior Scientist with the Wildlife Conservation Society. He has performed long-term fieldwork in remote regions of the world, looking at some of the most challenging animals to study.

Like most of Colorado, Fort Collins is home to sweeping mountainscapes, idyllic natural scenery, and even the Horsetooth Reservoir, making it an ideal location for the aspiring wildlife biologist.