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The University of Central Missouri is on the forefront of protecting animals and plants from extinction, over-population, disease and other threats to environmental health. As an undergraduate student in UCM’s Bachelor of Science in Biology, with an emphasis on Wildlife and Natural Resource Conservation, you’ll be well-prepared for graduate studies and to work in an array of wildlife conservation degree jobs.

Wildlife majors learn — and work — indoors and outdoors

Biology faculty at the University of Central Missouri teach field-based skills in monitoring and managing wildlife populations and their environments. They use an active learning format that emphasizes teamwork, communication, research and hands-on field studies and analysis. At UCM, you’ll experience a rarity among colleges with fish and wildlife majors — our on-campus Pertle Springs Nature Preserve, a 300-acre outdoor classroom. Here, you’ll apply current techniques used by field biologists, such as experimental and computational methods, sampling and biological research to explore the real world of animals and plants.

A UCM Wildlife and Natural Resource Conservation degree offers exciting opportunities to fuel your career pathway with passion.

What you will study

The University of Central Missouri’s Wildlife and Natural Resource Conservation degree program will help you master the field-based skills conservation biologists rely on to monitor and manage wildlife populations and their environments. The Wildlife program coursework focuses on native Missouri animals and plants and the methods used to monitor and conserve vital natural and wildlife resources.

Hands-on learning is at our core

UCM Biology majors in the Wildlife program conduct critical research and participate in co-curricular research opportunities early in their college experience. Regular outdoor labs at the UCM Pertle Springs Nature Preserve and at off-campus locations give you the first-hand training that agencies look for when hiring graduates of colleges with fish and wildlife degrees.

Active learning experiences are the core of the UCM Biology program curriculum for Wildlife and Natural Resource Conservation. You gain skills and knowledge needed for wildlife conservation degree jobs through courses such as:

Wildlife Management

Wildlife Diseases

Field Techniques in Biology

Coursework for UCM’s Conservation degree program also includes several elective classes in particular areas of interest and specialization in biology. In the Wildlife program, you can study dendrology, ichthyology, ornithology, herpetology, limnology and geographic information systems, among others.

What can you do with a bachelor’s degree in Wildlife and Natural Resource Conservation from UCM?

Many of our program graduates work for government agencies based in our state and beyond. Others who intern with the Missouri Department of Conservation, the USGS, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources and other agencies receive offers for wildlife conservation degree jobs following graduation.

Conservation degrees open diverse career pathways

Knowledge, skills and experience gained from UCM’s Wildlife program can lead to:

Obtaining a wildlife biologist job

Teaching at high schools or at colleges with fish and wildlife conservation majors

Conducting research

Continuing your studies to earn a master’s or doctoral degree

Working in a private land management role

Explore the interactive tool below to learn more about career pathways and potential salaries with a Wildlife and Natural Resource Conservation degree from the University of Central Missouri.