Wildlife and Fisheries Science (W F S)
Associate Director for Academic Programs Coordinator of Undergraduate Programs
Dr. Paul Blankenhorn Jamie Murphy
814-865-6972 814-863-0362
http://www.sfr.cas.psu.edu/
Overview
The mission of the Wildlife and Fisheries Science program is threefold: (1) to provide a challenging and comprehensive curriculum in concepts, principles, and techniques of wildlife and fisheries science and natural resource conservation and management; (2) to educate future wildlife and fisheries professionals; and (3) to increase the awareness of students from all disciplines of the importance of wise stewardship of wildlife, fisheries, and other natural resources.
The major in Wildlife and Fisheries Science is designed for students interested primarily in conservation and management of wildlife and fish species and their habitats. The major provides a broad background in quantification, arts and humanities, physical and biological sciences, and natural resource management. Flexibility in course selection permits students to plan their programs in keeping with their specific interests, goals, and plans for the future. Graduates may pursue graduate-level training in the wildlife and fisheries sciences or careers in management, research, or information and education. The curriculum provides a firm base for graduate study and the opportunity to meet standards established by The Wildlife Society, The American Fisheries Society, and the Federal Office of Personnel Management for employment in wildlife and fisheries biology. If you are interested in pursuing these opportunities it is important that you meet regularly with an adviser to choose appropriate courses.
The Wildlife and Fisheries Science curriculum is designed to be compatible with related majors, such as Forest Science or Biology, so that simultaneous degrees and multiple majors are possible. Wildlife and Fisheries Science and Forest Science are a particularly strong combination for students interested in forest resource management. Students interested in such combined programs should talk with a member of the faculty.
Curriculum
120-122 credits are required for a bachelor of science degree in Wildlife and Fisheries Science.
The bachelor of science program in Wildlife and Fisheries has two options: (1) Wildlife option, 120 credits, and (2) Fisheries option, 122 credits. This specialization is designed to prepare students to enter professional employment or graduate studies.
Career Opportunities
Wildlife and fisheries scientists find employment as wildlife and fisheries technicians, conservation officers, natural resource managers, information and education specialists, research scientists, teachers, and administrators. If your goal is a career in wildlife and fisheries science, you should consider attending graduate school. Surveys show that about one-third of bachelor's degree holders find wildlife and fisheries management, whereas the majority of master's and doctoral degree holders are employed in the field.
Bachelor of science graduates generally find technician-level jobs with state and federal agencies or with private firms. Federal agencies that employ wildlife and fisheries biologists include the Fish and Wildlife Service, Forest Service, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, Army Corps of Engineers, and the Environmental Protection Agency. State agencies include departments of fish and game, forestry, conservation, and environmental resources. Private companies employ wildlife and fisheries biologists to manage land and water resources for wildlife and fisheries or to participate in environmental impact assessments.
Course Scheduling Tips
All Wildlife and Fisheries Science students should change their campus location to University Park by the start of their junior year (fifth semester).
When a required course has both a lecture and practicum portion, such as PHYS 250 and PHYS 250P, students are required to take both portions.
Acceptable selections for Arts, Humanities, Social and Behavioral Sciences, United States and International Cultures, Health Sciences and Physical Education, and First-Year Seminar are listed in the General Education in the Curriculum handbook. United States and international cultures requirements may double-count with a GS, GA, or GH requirement.
Please contact Jamie Murphy with any scheduling questions (814-863-0362).
2006-2007 Student Handbook (PDF)
Recommended Academic Plan
Fisheries option: Penn State Campuses (PDF), University Park (PDF)
Wildlife option: Penn State Campuses (PDF), University Park (PDF)