麻豆原创

Students enrolled in the major study the natural sciences and principles of managing wildlife populations and their habitats. This major fulfills the educational requirements for certification as an Associate Wildlife Biologist by The Wildlife Society and provides an excellent foundation for graduate school. Graduates find employment with state or federal agencies (such as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Park Service, or Forest Service, or Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management); and with organizations like the Audubon Society and the National Wildlife Federation.

The major in wildlife and conservation biology, offered through the Department of Natural Resources Science (NRS), prepares students for professional careers in the public and private sectors of wildlife biology. In addition, the major provides a solid background for graduate study. Wildlife biologists are professionals concerned with the scientific management of the earth鈥檚 wildlife species and their habitats. They work in the areas of preservation, conservation, and management of wildlife species. Wildlife majors meet the educational requirements for state and federal employment in the wildlife profession, and can apply to become Certified Wildlife Biologists (CWBs) who are recognized by The Wildlife Society.

The major requires professional courses (19 credits) including introductory ecology (BIO 262; 4 credits), introduction to resource economics (EEC 105; 3 credits), natural resource conservation (NRS 100; 3 credits), a seminar in natural resources (NRS 200; 1 credit), introductory soil science (NRS 212; 4 credits), and conservation biology (NRS 223; 4 credits). Basic science requirements (22-23 credits) include eight credits of biological sciences (BIO 101/103 & BIO 102/104); four credits of introductory or general chemistry (CHM 103/105 or CHM 101/102) and four credits of organic chemistry (CHM 124/126); three credits applied calculus (MTH 131); and three to four credits of statistics (STA 308 or 409). At least 22 credits of required concentration courses must be taken, including principles of wildlife ecology and management (NRS 305; 3 credits); wildlife field techniques (NRS 309; 3 credits); field botany and taxonomy (NRS/BIO 323; 4 credits); wetland wildlife (NRS 406; 4 credits) or endangered species conservation (NRS 407; 3 credits); and 9-11 additional credits from an approved list of concentration courses that are recommended to include either field ornithology (NRS 304, 3 credits); mammalogy (NRS 324; 4 credits); vertebrate biology (BIO 366; 3 credits); herpetology (NRS 417; 4 credits); animal behavior (BIO 467; 3 credits); or wildlife biometrics (NRS 402; 3 credits). At least 24 credits of supporting electives must be selected from the approved list or from concentration electives or from other 300 or 400 level natural resources science courses. Students may complete specific course work to apply to become a certified wildlife biologist that includes the following supporting electives: three credits in botany; six credits in zoology; six credits in resources policy; and six credits in communications. Up to 12 credits of experiential learning courses may be taken. A maximum of 10 credits of experiential learning courses may be taken toward satisfying concentration credit (letter grade courses only) and up to 12 credits of experiential learning courses may be used as supporting electives (letter grade or S/U courses). At least 12 credits of natural resources science courses must be completed in concentration and at least 6 more in supporting electives. A total of 120 credits is required for graduation.