Degree Offered
- Bachelor of Science
Nature of the Program
The wildlife and fisheries resources curriculum prepares students for professional positions as wildlife and fish biologists, natural resources conservation officers, wildlife and fisheries managers and planners, wildlife or fisheries communication specialists, wildlife and fisheries toxicologists, and environmental consultants. The program is unique in the region as our graduates are fully trained in both the wildlife and fisheries fields. The curriculum provides a solid basic background in biology, ecology, and natural resource management. Students fulfilling this program will select a concentration in wildlife or fisheries (or both) to meet the requirements for professional certification as either a wildlife biologist (certified through The Wildlife Society) or fisheries biologist (certified through The American Fisheries Society). A careful selection of restricted electives enables students to specialize in related natural resource areas and to have the opportunity for widening employment in other environmental fields. Other options can be tailored to your objectives. Students will be able to consult with their advisor in the selection of courses from a group of restricted electives to develop their area of emphasis.
Our major has two summer requirements:
- Summer Camp (3 credits)
- Internship (2 credits)
Students are expected to take Summer Camp after their first year in the program and the last class for one wee after the spring semester ends. Students can do their internship for credit during any summer.
Special Opportunities
Students will have special opportunities to enhance their education in the WVU Wildlife and Fisheries Resources Program. The Program has student chapters of The American Fisheries Society and The Wildlife Society. Student participation in these organizations leads to opportunities for further field experience with state and federal agency biologists, graduate students, and faculty. A USGS Fish and Wildlife Cooperative Research Unit is also housed within our program. This unit provides three additional faculty members conducting extensive research programs all around the country. In addition, the WVDNR provides a liaison biologist to the Unit that provides a direct link from students to the state's natural resources agency. Undergraduates benefit from the personnel at the Unit in several ways: the Unit and liaison provide federal and state contacts for employment opportunities; the Unit research programs may provide summer employment on fish and wildlife projects, and faculty in the Unit also teach in our program.
All of our faculty are involved with graduate training. This active research program provides invaluable classroom experiences as faculty remain up-to-date with all the latest studies and methods in the field. Students also benefit through volunteer experiences and summer employment opportunities for students working on research projects.
In the Wildlife and Fisheries Resources Program, you will be mentored by caring faculty members who understand what it will take to be successful in this field. All students are required to take a Professional Experience course (internship) as part of the curriculum, but we encourage students to get as much additional experience working with professionals throughout their time in the program. The curriculum also includes a capstone class that allows students to showcase their learning through management plans and research projects.
Career opportunities in wildlife and fisheries are expanding. Even so, we encourage our students to consider going for advanced degrees when they finish here. Such qualified seniors find that assistantships are readily available due to the solid course background, training, and experience they received while here at WVU.
Admissions
- First-Time Freshman are admitted directly into wildlife and fisheries resources major.
- Students transferring from another major within WVU are directly admitted to the wildlife and fisheries resources major if they are in good academic standing (2.00 overall GPA).
- Students transferring from another institution are directly admitted to the wildlife and fisheries resources major if they are in good academic standing (2.00 overall GPA).
Admission Requirements 2024-2025
The Admission Requirements above will be the same for the 2024-2025 Academic Year.
Major Code: 0708
Click here to view the Suggested Plan of Study
General Education Foundations
Please use this link to view a list of courses that meet each GEF requirement.
NOTE: Some major requirements will fulfill specific GEF requirements. Please see the curriculum requirements listed below for details on which GEFs you will need to select.
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
General Education Foundations | ||
F1 - Composition & Rhetoric | 3-6 | |
Introduction to Composition and Rhetoric and Composition, Rhetoric, and Research | ||
or ENGL 103 | Accelerated Academic Writing | |
F2A/F2B - Science & Technology | 4-6 | |
F3 - Math & Quantitative Reasoning | 3-4 | |
F4 - Society & Connections | 3 | |
F5 - Human Inquiry & the Past | 3 | |
F6 - The Arts & Creativity | 3 | |
F7 - Global Studies & Diversity | 3 | |
F8 - Focus (may be satisfied by completion of a minor, double major, or dual degree) | 9 | |
Total Hours | 31-37 |
Please note that not all of the GEF courses are offered at all campuses. Students should consult with their advisor or academic department regarding the GEF course offerings available at their campus.
Curriculum Requirements
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
University Requirements | 10 | |
Wildlife and Fisheries Resources Program Requirements | 37 | |
Wildlife and Fisheries Resources Major Requirements | 73 | |
Total Hours | 120 |
University Requirements
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
General Education Foundations (GEF) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 (31-37 Credits) | ||
Outstanding GEF Requirements 1 and 6 | 9 | |
ANRD 191 | First-Year Seminar | 1 |
Total Hours | 10 |
Wildlife and Fisheries Resources Program Requirements
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
A minimum of C- must be obtained in all Wildlife and Fisheries Resources Program Requirements. | ||
Select one of the following sets: | 8 | |
General Biology 1 and General Biology 1 Laboratory | ||
General Biology 2 and General Biology 2 Laboratory | ||
OR | ||
Principles of Biology and Principles of Biology Laboratory | ||
Introductory Physiology and Introductory Physiology Laboratory | ||
Select one of the following: | 4 | |
Survey of Chemistry 1 and Survey of Chemistry 1 Laboratory | ||
Fundamentals of Chemistry 1 and Fundamentals of Chemistry 1 Laboratory | ||
MATH 124 | Algebra with Applications (GEF 3) | 3 |
STAT 211 | Elementary Statistical Inference | 3 |
WVUE 270 | Effective Public Speaking | 3 |
ESWS 202 | Principles of Soil Science | 3 |
ESWS 202L | Principles of Soil Science Laboratory | 1 |
FNRS 205 | Dendrology | 2 |
FNRS 205L | Dendrology Laboratory | 1 |
Select one of the following: | 3 | |
Introduction to Computing in Natural Resources and Introduction to Computing in Natural Resources Laboratory | ||
Intro to Computer Applications | ||
RESM 440 & 440L | Foundations of Applied Geographic Information Systems and Foundations of Applied Geographic Information Systems Laboratory | 3 |
Policy & Administration--select one of the following: | 3 | |
Agricultural and Natural Resources Law | ||
Agriculture, Environmental and Resource Policy | ||
Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Impact Assessment Laboratory | ||
Human Dimensions Natural Resource Management | ||
Environmental Policy | ||
Land Use Planning Law | ||
Environmental Regulation | ||
Total Hours | 37 |
Wildlife and Fisheries Resources Major Requirements
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
A minimum of C- must be obtained in all Wildlife and Fisheries Resources Major Requirements. | ||
WMAN 100 | The Tradition of Hunting | 3 |
WMAN 150 | Principles of Conservation Ecology | 3 |
WMAN 175 & 175L | Introduction to Wildlife and Fisheries and Introduction to Wildlife and Fisheries Laboratory | 3 |
WMAN 205 | Wildlife Summer Field Camp | 3 |
WMAN 224 & 224L | Vertebrate Natural History and Vertebrate Natural History Laboratory | 3 |
WMAN 300 & 300L | Wildlife and Fisheries Techniques and Wildlife and Fisheries Techniques Laboratory (fulfills Writing and Communication skills requirement) | 4 |
WMAN 313 & 313L | Wildlife Ecosystem Ecology and Wildlife Ecosystem Ecology Laboratory | 4 |
WMAN 330 | Conservation Genetics | 3 |
FNRS 421 | Renewable Resources Policy and Governance | 3 |
Select one of the following: | 3 | |
Mammalogy | ||
Ornithology and Ornithology Laboratory | ||
WMAN 445 & 445L | Introduction to Fisheries Management and Introduction to Fisheries Management Laboratory | 3 |
WMAN 446 & 446L | Freshwater Ecology and Freshwater Ecology Laboratory | 4 |
WMAN 450 & 450L | Advanced Wildlife and Fisheries Management and Advanced Wildlife and Fisheries Management Laboratory (Capstone; fulfills Writing and Communication skills requirement) | 4 |
WMAN 491 | Professional Field Experience | 3 |
Area of Emphasis | 12 | |
Restricted Electives * | 15 | |
Any 100-400 level course in Biology (BIOL), Geology (GEOL), Forestry (FOR), Forest Management (FMAN), Wildlife and Fisheries (WMAN), or Resource Management (RESM) agreed upon between the student and the advisor. | ||
A minimum of three credits must be at the upper-division. | ||
Total Hours | 73 |
- *
Students in the Wildlife Sciences Area of Emphasis must complete WMAN 293 (Wildlife Silviculture) as part of their Restricted Electives.
Suggested Plan of Study
First Year | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours | Summer | Hours |
ANRD 191 | 1 | WMAN 150 (GEF 7) | 3 | WMAN 205 | 3 |
ENGL 101 (GEF 1) | 3 | Select one of the following: | 4 | ||
WMAN 100 (GEF 5) | 3 | ||||
WMAN 175 & 175L (GEF 8) | 3 | ||||
Select one of the following (GEF 2): | 4 | GEF 6 | 3 | ||
Area of Emphasis or Restricted Elective | 3 | ||||
MATH 124 (GEF 3) | 3 | ||||
17 | 13 | 3 | |||
Second Year | |||||
Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours | Summer | Hours |
Select one of the following (GEF 8): | 4 | ENGL 102 (GEF 1) | 3 | WMAN 491 | 2 |
FNRS 240 & 240L | 3 | ||||
WVUE 270 (GEF 4) | 3 | ||||
FNRS 205 | 2 | ESWS 202 | 3 | ||
FNRS 205L | 1 | ESWS 202L | 1 | ||
STAT 211 (GEF 8) | 3 | Area of Emphasis or Restricted Elective | 3 | ||
WMAN 224 & 224L | 3 | ||||
13 | 16 | 2 | |||
Third Year | |||||
Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours | ||
WMAN 300 & 300L | 4 | WMAN 313 & 313L | 4 | ||
FNRS 421 | 3 | WMAN 330 | 3 | ||
WMAN 491 | 1 | Select one of the following: | 3 | ||
Area of Emphasis or Restricted Elective | 3 | ||||
Area of Emphasis or Restricted Elective | 3 | ||||
Area of Emphasis or Restricted Elective | 3 | ||||
14 | 13 | ||||
Fourth Year | |||||
Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours | ||
WMAN 445 & 445L | 3 | WMAN 446 & 446L | 4 | ||
RESM 440 & 440L | 3 | WMAN 450 & 450L | 4 | ||
Policy & Administration Course | 3 | Area of Emphasis or Restricted Elective | 3 | ||
Area of Emphasis or Restricted Elective | 3 | Area of Emphasis or Restricted Elective | 3 | ||
Area of Emphasis or Restricted Elective | 3 | ||||
15 | 14 | ||||
Total credit hours: 120 |
Areas of Emphasis
- Fisheries Sciences
- Wildlife Sciences
Fisheries Sciences Area of Emphasis Requirements
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
*A minimum of C- must be obtained in all courses required for the area of emphasis. | ||
Physical Sciences: select two of the following: | 6 | |
Survey of Chemistry 2 and Survey of Chemistry 2 Laboratory | ||
Fundamentals of Chemistry 2 and Fundamentals of Chemistry 2 Laboratory | ||
Organic Chemistry: Brief Course and Organic Chemistry: Brief Course Laboratory | ||
Organic Chemistry 1 and Organic Chemistry 1 Laboratory | ||
Planet Earth and Planet Earth Laboratory | ||
Physical Oceanography | ||
Geomorphology | ||
Introductory Physics 1 and Introductory Physics 1 Laboratory | ||
Advanced Soil Judging Laboratory | ||
Soil Fertility | ||
Soil Survey and Land Use and Soil Survey and Land Use Laboratory | ||
Soil Genesis and Classification and Soil Genesis and Classification Laboratory | ||
Environmental Soil Management and Environmental Soil Management Laboratory | ||
Reclamation of Disturbed Soils | ||
Fisheries--select one of the following: | 3 | |
Ichthyology and Ichthyology Laboratory | ||
Marine Ecology | ||
Fish Ecology | ||
Quantitative Sciences--select one of the following: | 3 | |
Applied Calculus | ||
Intermediate Statistical Methods | ||
Statistical Methods 1 | ||
Total Hours | 12 |
Wildlife Sciences Area of Emphasis Requirements
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
*A minimum of C- must be obtained in all courses required for the area of emphasis. | ||
Physical Sciences: select one of the following: | 3 | |
Survey of Chemistry 2 and Survey of Chemistry 2 Laboratory | ||
Fundamentals of Chemistry 2 and Fundamentals of Chemistry 2 Laboratory | ||
Organic Chemistry: Brief Course and Organic Chemistry: Brief Course Laboratory | ||
Organic Chemistry 1 and Organic Chemistry 1 Laboratory | ||
Planet Earth and Planet Earth Laboratory | ||
Physical Oceanography | ||
Geomorphology | ||
Introductory Physics 1 and Introductory Physics 1 Laboratory | ||
Advanced Soil Judging Laboratory | ||
Soil Fertility | ||
Soil Survey and Land Use and Soil Survey and Land Use Laboratory | ||
Soil Genesis and Classification and Soil Genesis and Classification Laboratory | ||
Environmental Soil Management and Environmental Soil Management Laboratory | ||
Reclamation of Disturbed Soils | ||
Botany--select one of the following: | 3 | |
Plant Physiology and Plant Physiology Laboratory | ||
Flora of West Virginia Laboratory | ||
Plant Ecology and Plant Ecology Laboratory | ||
Plant Geography | ||
Plant Systematics and Plant Systematics Laboratory | ||
Ichthyology and Ichthyology Laboratory | ||
Vegetation of West Virginia | ||
Principles of Plant Science and Principles of Plant Science Laboratory | ||
Forestry | 3 | |
Elements of Silviculture | ||
Wildlife Biology--select from WMAN 425, WMAN 426, or BIOL 433 if not used above, or one of the following: | 3 | |
Big Game Ecology and Management | ||
Waterfowl Ecology | ||
Total Hours | 12 |
Major Learning Outcomes
Wildlife and Fisheries Resources
Upon the successful completion of a Wildlife and Fisheries Resources degree students will be able to:
- Comprehend the historical importance of wildlife and fisheries management, and the role contemporary agencies play in wildlife and fisheries management in the United States.
- Demonstrate expertise on the life-history characteristics of game and non-game wildlife and fishes.
- Identify and classify using common and Latin names West Virginia trees, plants, reptiles, mammals and fishes by sight and birds and amphibians by sight and sound.
- Explain and employ commonly used wildlife and fisheries management principles, methods, and techniques.
- Define, explain, and apply knowledge regarding biological and chemical processes, population ecology and population dynamics, community and ecosystem ecology, aquatic ecology (lakes, streams, and rivers), terrestrial ecology (forests andgrasslands) and wetland ecology in relation to wildlife and fisheries management and research applications.
- Demonstrate laboratory, computer and quantitative skills relevant to wildlife and fisheries science.
- Critically evaluate peer-reviewed literature and apply research findings to the conservation and management of wildlife and fisheries resources.
- Conduct a research project or compose a management plan focused on wildlife or fisheries that includes project design, collecting, analyzing and interpreting data, and reporting results as a research paper or management plan in appropriate scientific style, and presenting the project to their peers.