Wildlife Ecology
The Wildlife Ecology Major provides students with a basic background in the sciences plus additional interdisciplinary courses emphasizing the management aspects of wildlife science. Students completing the major in wildlife are employed by federal and state organization is such as US Fish and Wildlife Service, US Forest Service, Natural Park Service, and Washington Department of Wildlife, as well as nonprofit and private organizations.
The core requirements plus the approved electives in wildlife management may allow majors to meet the U.S. Office of Personnel Management requirements for wildlife biologist, wildlife refuge manager, general biologist, and zoologist. Through judicious use of electives a student can also meet additional civil ervice requirements for fish biologist, range conservationist, and soil scientist. Wildlife students can individualize and often enhance their professional development by minoring in other subjects such as communications, computer science, and other natural resource fields (e.g. forestry).
For Wildlife Society Certification, students should register for 3 additional credits of Communication coursework, and should select at least 3 credits of Physical Science coursework from electives.
Wildlife Ecology Options
Specialize your degree to fit your interests and career goals by choosing one of two options:
- Directed Studies
Working with your faculty advisor, you choose 5 to 7 courses that match your interests and enhance your professional development in wildlife ecology. The following focus areas are offered:- Aquatic Ecology
- Habitat Ecology
- Animal Ecology
- Conservation Biology
- Pre-veterinary Studies
Expert advisors help you fulfill prerequisites and build the skills you need to successfully apply to veterinary school — whether at WSU or elsewhere. Because pre-veterinary requirements include additional science courses, you should begin this option in your freshman year.
Major Core Courses
Generally, you begin taking these courses in your sophomore or junior year:
Course |
Course Title |
Credits |
| Chem 102 | Chemistry Related to Life Sciences | 4 |
| Chem 106 | Principles of Chemistry II | 4 |
| Stat 412 | Biometry | 3 |
| NATRS 431 | Wildlife Nutrition | 3 |
| NATRS 435 | Wildlife Ecology | 4 |
| NATRS 436 | Advanced Wildlife Management | 4 |
| NATRS 441 | Population Ecology and Conservation | 4 |
| NATRS 450 | Conservation Biology | 3 |
| Choose any two of the Animal Systematics Electives: | ||
| Biol 412 | Biology and Management of Fishes | 3 |
| Biol 423 | Ornithology | 4 |
| Biol 428 | Mammalogy | 4 |
| Biol 432 | Biology of Amphibians and Reptiles | 4 |
| NATRS 417 | Special Topics | V |
| Ent 343 | General Entomology | 3 |
| Subtotal: Wildlife Core | 30-33 |
|
Careers in Wildlife Ecology
Wildlife ecology majors can find rewarding employment in a variety of areas:
- Nonprofit and private organizations
- State and federal agencies, such as the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service, and Washington Department of Wildlife - The major helps you meet the U.S. Office of Personnel’s requirements for wildlife biologist, wildlife refuge manager, general biologist, zoologist, fish biologist, range conservationist, and soil scientist
A major in wildlife ecology also can be ideal preparation for graduate programs in environmental science, natural resource science, or veterinary medicine.
Career options are diverse. Examples of careers include range conservationists, wildlife biologists, wildlife ecologists, park managers, information specialists, environmental educators, Peace Corps workers, policy advisors, land restoration specialists, environmental consultants, and environmental lawyers.
Options Available
To learn more about the following options available from the Wildlife Ecology major, select from the following below:
Strengths of the Program
- WSU animal science and veterinary research ranks first in the nation based on the number of scientists worldwide who recognize and cite the University's research in their own scientific papers.
- The wildlife ecology major includes a pre-veterinary track that prepares you for study in professional veterinary medicine programs--including the WSU College of Veterinary Medicine D.V.M. program.
- Benefit from the department’s close relationship with the WSU College of Veterinary Medicine, which has one of the best equipped veterinary teaching hospitals in the world.
- Learn from nationally recognized experts in habitat restoration/management, reproduction, nutrition, and feeding habits of animals ranging from deer and elk to large carnivores.
- Opportunities to participate in research at facilities like the Wild Ungulate Facility, Wildlife Habitat Nutrition Lab, Bear Research Program, and Large Carnivore Conservation Lab.
- Join other science, math, and engineering students in the Gannon-Goldsworthy residence hall—share courses with your neighbors, study together, get free tutoring, and use the hall’s own computer lab.