Undergraduate Courses

Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences

Undergraduate Courses

3 credits, Fall and Spring semesters. Ecological approach to conservation; humans' past and present impact on world environments; wise use of natural resources, including soil, water, air, forests, rangelands, energy, wildlife, and fisheries.

WL 220 -- Introduction to Wildlife and Fisheries Management 3 credits, Fall semester. An introduction to the basic principles used in the management of wildlife and fish populations, their habitats, and human users. The course is directed toward the presentation of general concepts that are integral to understanding the discipline.

WL 291 Independent Study 1-3 credits, All semesters as arranged. Individualized instruction on specific research problems. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.

WL 363 Ornithology 4 credits, Spring semester. Identification of bird species; life histories, ecology, behavior, evolution, and special structural and physiological adaptations of various groups.

WL 370 Limnology 3 credits, Fall semester (even years). Physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of freshwater ecosystems. Analysis of factors and processes that operate in freshwater systems. Methods of quantifying these factors and processes. Prerequisite: one semester of chemistry.

WL 400 Applied Habitat Management 3 credits, Spring semester (even numbered years). An introduction to major land-use practices, how these practices influence wildlife production, and alterations or manipulations of habitat to achieve wildlife conservation and management goals. Emphasis will be placed on how management of other resources can be integrated with those of wildlife. Prerequisites: WL 220 and WL 230.

WL 411 Principles of Wildlife Management 4 credits, Fall semester. Application of ecological principles of the management of wild birds, mammals, and herps. History and development of wildlife management as a science; characteristics of, and factors affecting wildlife populations; techniques and theories of management; and, wildlife conservation. Prerequisites: WL 363, Zool 355, or consent of instructor.

WL 412 Principles of Fisheries Management 3 credits, Spring semester. Fisheries management as a science with emphasis on freshwater fishes and ecosystems. Emphases include biota, habitat, and human management. Prerequisite: WL 367 or consent of instructor.

3 credits, Fall semester (odd years). Emphasis is placed on nutrient requirements and acquisition, conditions and characteristics of important diseases, and their management implications. Focal areas include the biochemical, physiological, and ecological bases for studying nutrition and disease; nutrition and disease relationships to wildlife and habitat; protein, energy, vitamin, and mineral requirements and their relationships to disease; and strategies for satisfying nutritional requirements. Prerequisite: WL 425-425L, consent of instructor.

WL 430 Human Dimensions in Wildlife and Fisheries 4 credits, Spring semester. Interactions among various stakeholders, resource management agencies, and the wildlife and fisheries resources are studied. Topics such as public attitudes and expectations; agency structure, administration, and policy; tangible and intangible values of fishes, wildlife, and their habitats; the concept of biophelia as motivation for resource use; public relations; the philosophy and ethics of resource use and management; and, wildlife and fisheries law and its enforcement are included.

WL 440 Fisheries and Wildlife Biometrics 2 credits, Spring semester. Analysis and interpretation of fisheries and wildlife data that relate to assessment of research and management activities. Computer software application will be stressed. Prerequisite: STAT 281 or consent of instructor.

ABS 475 Integrated Natural Resource Management 3 credits, Spring semester. A capstone course that requires students to integrate previously- learned natural resource techniques and information into the strategic planning process. Students are divided into small groups for plan development. Various majors are involved to allow for integrated course material. Prerequisite dependent on major.

ABS 482-582 International Experience (3 credits) This will be a team-mentored class. Students will work one on one or in small groups with professors that have knowledge of the global region and culture that will be visited. Students will participate in a one-to-three week travel/study abroad experience to another nation(s) to experience and evaluate diverse food/agricultural systems.

WL 490 Seminar 1 credit, Fall and Spring semesters. Individual reports and group discussions of recent research and management developments in wildlife, fisheries, and related fields; employment opportunities and procedures for employment. Required of majors; each student allowed two credits toward graduation. Taken fall semester of sophomore year and spring semester of senior year.

WL 491 Independent Study 1-3 credits as arranged, all semesters. Individualized instruction on specific research problems. Prerequisite consent of instructor.

WL 492-592 Special Topics in Wildlife and Fisheries 1-3 credits, all semesters. Students may secure small-group instruction in a variety of special topics. Contact department head concerning planned special topics. Prerequisite: graduate or senior undergraduate and consent.

WL 494-496-497 Internship/Field Exp./Coop Ed. 1-12 credits, all semesters. Planned and supervised professional experience related to wildlife and fisheries conservation that takes place outside the formal classroom and is associated with federal, state, or private operations.