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Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences Department Missions and Overview |
MISSIONS
Academic Programs--Educate undergraduate and graduate students about wildlife and fisheries sciences and related natural resource issues to enable them to contribute to the betterment of these natural resources as professionals and interested citizens.
Research--Determine wildlife and fisheries management research needs, primarily in the Northern Great Plains, and address those needs through basic and applied investigations and graduate student mentoring, so as to promote biodiversity and sustainability of natural resources.
Service--Transfer information on the sustainable use of wildlife and fisheries resources to a variety of publics; serve professional, governmental, and citizen organizations that are concerned with these natural resources; and promote faculty development.
OVERVIEW
The Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences offers educational opportunities leading to the B.S., M. S., and Ph.D. degrees. This is the only higher education academic program in wildlife and fisheries in South Dakota. The 11 (8 University and 3 Coop Unit) on-campus Department faculty members are all actively involved in teaching, advising, research, and service. All faculty have Ph.D. degrees. The Department houses the South Dakota Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, the National Wetlands Inventory, and the South Dakota Gap Analysis Project. The Department also has numerous off-campus adjunct faculty representing various universities, agencies, and organizations.
The B.S. degree is a four-year program that encompasses the study of both wildlife and fisheries. The basic curriculum allows undergraduates to meet certification requirements of the American Fisheries Society and The Wildlife Society. In addition, by using the correct required courses undergraduate students can meet the requirements for Associate Ecologist Certification by the Ecological Society of America.
The M.S. and Ph.D. advanced degree programs require more years of study beyond the B.S. In addition, these degrees require original research. Advanced degree work allows students to specialize in specific areas of wildlife or fisheries science and ecology. Academic preparation for all degrees revolves around the three components of a fishery or wildlife system: biota, habitat, and human users. In that vein, the Department has four primary research thrusts: 1) wildlife/fisheries/agriculture interactions; 2) survey and assessment of wildlife and fisheries resources; 3) wetland resources; and 4) biostress interactions.
The program, started in 1939, has a national reputation for excellence. There are many career opportunities available to male and female graduates.
The Department has a rich history in natural resource education, research, and service. There are over 1,350 undergraduate and 400 graduate alumni of the program. Currently, there are approximately 250 undergraduate and 60 graduate students enrolled in the program.
Faculty are active members of a wide variety of natural resource professional organizations. The Department also is a member of the National Association of University Fisheries and Wildlife Programs (NAUFWP). The Department is housed within the Northern Plains Biostress Laboratory at SDSU, which was constructed in 1993.