BS in Wildlife and Wildlands Conservation

This degree program qualifies students for federal job series employment in wildlife biology, range
conservation, fisheries, ecology, biology, zoology, and botany. It also prepares for graduate programs
in renewable natural resources and for eventual professional affiliations with state wildlife agencies
and a number of federal agencies, including the U.S. Forest Service, Natural Resource Conservation
Service, Bureau of Land Management, Fish and Wildlife Service, and Park Service. Graduates are well
prepared to deal with complex issues involving wildlife and wildlands management and the overall
conservation of natural resources.

Program Requirements

1. Complete the following:

BIO 220A : Biological Diversity: Animals. (4:3:3)
WHEN:: Fall
PREREQUISI PDBIO 120
TE:
DESCRIPTIO Comparative organization and evolutionary significance of morphological,
N: physiological, reproductive, and ecological differences in invertebrates and
vertebrates. Laboratory included.
BIO 447 : Mammalogy. (3:2:3)
WHEN : Fall
PREREQUISI BIO 220A
TE:
DESCRIPTIO Mammalian diversity, evolution, distribution, and natural history. Two
N: three-day field trips required.
NDFS 330 : Comparative Animal Nutrition. (3:3:0)
WHEN : Winter
DESCRIPTIO Comparative digestion, absorption, and utilization of nutrients and
N: nutritional applications of domestic, pet, and wildlife species.
PDBIO 120 : Science of Biology. (2:2:1)
OFFERED: Honors also
WHEN: Fall; Winter; Spring
DESCRIPTIO General biology course designed for biological science majors, emphasizing
N: the scientific method, cell theory, biochemical unity, the central dogma,
bioenergetics, reproduction, and evolutionary theory.
PWS 100 : Living with Plants. (3:3:0)
WHEN: Fall; Winter
DESCRIPTIO Physiological, morphological, and ecological characteristics of plants used
N: for food, fiber, and aesthetic enhancement.
PWS 115 : Introduction to Wildlife and Wildlands Conservation. (1:1:0)
WHEN: Fall
DESCRIPTIO Assisting students in choosing individual professions
N: and curricula.
PWS 215 : Principles of Range Management. (3:3:0)
WHEN: Winter
DESCRIPTIO Overview of rangeland resources and management principles, including
N: rangeland classification, multiple use management, natural resource
policy, and grazing management.
PWS 225 : Principles of Wildlife and Fisheries Management. (3:3:0)
WHEN: Winter
RECOMMEND PWS 115.
ED:
DESCRIPTION: Basic principles of fish and wildlife management, their habitats, and their
human users. Ecological concepts, population dynamics, nutrition,
behavior, population assessment, management strategies, habitat
sampling and management.
PWS 275 : (PWS - Bio) Genetics and Reproduction. (3:3:0)
WHEN: Winter
PREREQUISI Any general biology
TE: course.
DESCRIPTIO Principles of
N: inheritance.
PWS 282 : Introduction to Soil Science. (3:3:0)
WHEN : Fall; Winter
PREREQUISI PWS 283 or concurrent enrollment.
TE:
DESCRIPTIO Physical, chemical and microbiological properties of soils that affect plant
N: growth in natural, agricultural, and urban environments.
PWS 283 : Introduction to Soil Science Laboratory. (1:0:3)
WHEN: Fall; Winter
PREREQUISI PWS 282 or concurrent enrollment.
TE:
DESCRIPTIO Laboratory techniques in determining soil physical, chemical, and
N: fertility properties.
PWS 330 : Rangeland Plant Identification and Ecology. (3:2:3)
WHEN: Winter
DESCRIPTIO Identification, characteristics, phenology, distribution, site adaptation,
N: forage value, and response to management of significant range and
pasture plants.
PWS 350 : Rangeland Ecology. (3:2:3)
WHEN: Fall
PREREQUISI BIO 100; or PDBIO 120
TE:
DESCRIPTIO Distribution and abundance of organisms and their interactions with the
N: physical and biotic components of the earth emphasizing rangeland
ecosystems.
PWS 355 : Rangeland Vegetation Measurements and Analysis. (3:2:3)
WHEN: Fall
DESCRIPTIO Field methodologies for vegetation inventories and analysis (density,
N: biomass, cover, frequency, utilization, etc.) in wildland settings.
PWS 375 : Environmental Policies and Laws. (2:2:0)
WHEN: Winter
DESCRIPTIO Environmental laws (Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act, etc.) and the
N: regulations (National Environmental Policy Act, Nutrient Management Plan,
etc.) established in the USA to improve environmental quality.
PWS 416 : Rangeland Vegetation Improvement. (3:2:3)
WHEN: Fall
RECOMMEND PWS 330, 350.
ED:
DESCRIPTION: Habitat improvement for domestic and wild animals. Plant control by
mechanical equipment, herbicides, and prescribed fire. Restoration of
disturbed lands.
NOTE: Field trips required.
 PWS 417 : Rangeland Planning and GIS. (3:2:3)
WHEN: Winter
RECOMMEND PWS 215, 225, 350.
ED:
DESCRIPTION: Development of a multiple-use natural resource plan for watershed
forestry, recreation, wildlife, and livestock. Policies that govern planning
and conflict resolution.
PWS 446 : (PWS-Bio) Ornithology. (3:2:3)
WHEN: Winter
PREREQUISI BIO 220A
TE:
DESCRIPTIO Avian systematics, evolution, distribution, and
N: natural history.
NOTE: One three-day field trip required.
PWS 492 : Wildlife and Wildlands Conservation Senior Seminar. (1:1:0)
WHEN: Winter
DESCRIPTIO Capstone course bringing together portfolios, student experiences, exams,
N: and exercises necessary for completing and assessing wildlife and
wildlands program learning outcomes.

2. Complete 15 elective credit hours from the following course list. With the help of your advisor,
select courses to qualify for 2–3 federal job series (wildlife biologist, ecologist, range
conservationist, GIS specialist, soil conservationist, botanist, fisheries biologist):
BIO 220B : Biological Diversity: Plants. (4:3:3)
WHEN: Fall
PREREQUISI PDBIO 120
TE:
DESCRIPTIO Comparative organization and evolutionary significance of morphological,
N: physiological, reproductive, and ecological differences in fungi, algae, and
principal groups of land plants. Laboratory included.
BIO 270 : Animal Restraint. (1:0:2)
WHEN: Winter
DESCRIPTIO Restraint and first aid techniques for pet, laboratory, domestic,
N: and wild animals.
BIO 352 : Introduction to Marine Biology. (3:3:0)
WHEN: Winter
PREREQUISI BIO 220A
TE:
DESCRIPTIO Marine life, the sea as an environment, and
N: research methods.
BIO 380 : Comparative Animal Physiology and Anatomy. (4:3:3)
WHEN: Fall
PREREQUISI Bio 220A or instructor's consent.
TE:
DESCRIPTIO Structure and function of animal organ systems; structural and
N: physiological responses to demands of and changes in environment;
evolutionary constraints on anatomy and physiology.
BIO 420 : Evolutionary Biology. (2:2:0)
WHEN: Fall; Winter; Spring
PREREQUISITE MMBIO 240; PWS 340
:
RECOMMEND Concurrent enrollment in Bio 421.
ED:
DESCRIPTION: Intensive examination of evolution as the conceptual
cornerstone of biology.
BIO 430 : Plant Classification. (3:2:3)
WHEN: Winter
PREREQUISI Bio 220B or instructor's consent.
TE:
DESCRIPTIO General principles of taxonomy and classification, emphasizing family
N: identification and use of keys to the temperate flora.
BIO 441 : Entomology. (3:2:3)
WHEN: Fall
PREREQUISI Bio 220A or equivalent.
TE:
DESCRIPTIO External morphology, natural history, evolution, distribution, and
N: phylogeny of insects. Insect collection required.
BIO 442 : Advanced Invertebrate Zoology. (5:6:0)
WHEN: Fall Even Yrs.
PREREQUISI BIO 220A
TE:
DESCRIPTIO Functional morphology, cladistics, ecology, behavior, and
N: interrelationships of invertebrates.
BIO 443 : Ichthyology. (3:2:3)
WHEN: Winter Even Yrs.
PREREQUISI BIO 220A
TE:
DESCRIPTIO Fish systematics, evolution, morphology, distribution, and
N: natural history.
BIO 445 : Herpetology. (4:3:2)
WHEN: Winter Even Yrs.
PREREQUISI BIO 220A
TE:
DESCRIPTIO Reptile and amphibian evolution, systematics, morphology, distribution,
N: and natural history. Lab emphasizes taxonomy, classification, and
distribution of western U.S. species.
BIO 450 : Conservation Biology. (3:3:0)
WHEN: Fall
PREREQUISI BIO 220A, 350, 220, 350
TE:
DESCRIPTIO Scientific principles of conservation: applying population genetics, and
N: phylogenetic and ecological theory to preservation of biological diversity;
developing sustainable ecological systems compatible with human
resource use.
BIO 452 : Marine Ecology. (3:2:3)
WHEN: ; Spring
PREREQUISI BIO 352; Instructor's consent.
TE:
DESCRIPTIO Principles of marine ecology of planktonic, sublittoral, rocky shore, sandy
N: shore, and mudflat communities. Extensive field trips.
BIO 453 : Development of Marine Animals. (3:0:6)
WHEN: ; Spring
PREREQUISI BIO 352; Instructor's consent.
TE:
DESCRIPTIO Culturing, studying, and reporting on the development of eggs, embryos,
N: and larvae of marine animals.
BIO 525 : Animal Disease, Biosecurity, and Zoonoses. (3:3.0:0)
WHEN: Winter
PREREQUISI Bio 380 or instructor's consent.
TE:
DESCRIPTIO Animal disease emphasizing prevention, organ systems affected,
N: biosecurity, and zoonotic potential.
BIO 541 : Aquatic Entomology. (4:2:4)
WHEN: Fall Even Yrs.
PREREQUISI Bio 441 or equivalent.
TE:
DESCRIPTIO Morphology, classification, biology, and functional ecology of aquatic
N: insects. Field trips required.
BIO 556 : Limnology. (3:2:4)
WHEN : Fall Even Yrs.
PREREQUISI Bio 350, Chem 106; or equivalents.
TE:
DESCRIPTIO Lakes, reservoirs; their biota and
N: physical/chemical properties.
BIO 557 : Stream and Wetland Ecology. (4:3:4)
WHEN: Fall Odd Yrs.
PREREQUISI Bio 350, Chem 106; or equivalent.
TE:
DESCRIPTIO Stream and wetland ecology; their biota and their
N: physical/chemical properties.
GEOG 211 : Map Use and Interpretation. (4:4:0)
WHEN: Fall; Winter; Spring
DESCRIPTIO Maps as tools for spatial analysis of problems in physical and
N: cultural geography.
GEOG 212 : Introduction to Geographic Information Systems. (3:2:1)
WHEN: Fall; Winter; Spring
DESCRIPTIO Concepts in the use of small- and large-scale digital map data, emphasizing
N: landscape interpretation and feature description.
GEOG 306 : Public Land Conservation. (3:3:0)
WHEN : Fall
PREREQUISI Geog 100, 101; or instructor's consent.
TE:
DESCRIPTIO Environmental and social geography of public lands; analyzing historical,
N: planning, management, and ecological issues.
GEOG 412 : Problem Solving with Geographic Information Systems. (3:3:1)
WHEN: Fall On Demand
PREREQUISI GEOG 100, 212, 222
TE:
DESCRIPTIO Solving practical geographic problems and performing scientific research
N: using raster and vector analysis tools in GIS.
PDBIO 482 : Developmental Biology. (3:3:1)
WHEN: Fall; Winter
PREREQUISITE MMBIO 240, 241; PDBIO 360
:
RECOMMEND PDBio 325.
ED:
DESCRIPTION: Invertebrate and vertebrate developmental biology. Embryonic
gastrulation, neurulation, pattering, etc. Modern approaches and
research strategies. Emphasizes gene function, cell signaling, signal
 transduction during embryogenesis.
PWS 270 : Animal Husbandry. (3:2:3)
WHEN: Winter
DESCRIPTIO Introduction to animal husbandry and management techniques for
N: domestic and wild animals.
PWS 301 : Plant Growth and Reproduction. (3:2:2)
WHEN: Winter
PREREQUISI PWS 100 or equivalent.
TE:
DESCRIPTIO Scientific principles of plant propagation by seeds, cuttings, budding and
N: grafting, and tissue culture.
PWS 303 : Soils Conservation and Resources. (3:3:0)
WHEN: Fall
PREREQUISITE PWS 282; CHEM 105; or PWS 282; CHEM 101; PWS 100 or equivalent;
: Math 110 or equivalent.
RECOMMEND Geol 111.
ED:
DESCRIPTION: Taxonomy of world soils; conservation and management of agricultural,
wildland, wetland, and urban soils.
PWS 325 : Fisheries and Wetlands Management. (3:2:3)
WHEN: Fall Odd Yrs.
RECOMMEND PWS 225 or equivalent.
ED:
DESCRIPTION: Principles of fisheries and wetlands mangement, emphasizing managing
fish populations and their diverse micro- and macro-habitats within the
context of community and ecosystem dynamics. Case studies and
models used to evaluate growth, recruitments, and mortality in age-
structured populations in relationship to the dynamics of watershed and
wetland landscapes.
PWS 357 : Techniques for Wildlife Investigations and Management. (3:2:3)
WHEN: Fall
RECOMMEND PWS 350, 355.
ED:
DESCRIPTION: Investigatiion and management of fish and wildlife populations. Methods
for population assessment, capture, handling, marking, radio-telemetry,
behavioral studies, and human disturbance. Lab is required.
PWS 411 : Watershed Management. (3:3:0)
WHEN: Winter Even Yrs.
PREREQUISI BIO 350
TE:
DESCRIPTIO Processes and management of the hydrologic cycle of forests
N: and rangelands.
PWS 413 : Safety Certifications for Field Biologists. (1:0:3)
WHEN: Winter
DESCRIPTIO Certification modules promoting field safety to prepare students to be
N: leaders in workplace safety. Specific trainings include first aid, CPR, hot
and cold weather exposure, ATV and snowmobile operation, wild animal
safety, and more.
PWS 419 : Forest Management and Ecology. (3:2:3)
WHEN: Fall Even Yrs.
DESCRIPTIO Managing forests, emphasizing ecosystem
N: managment.
NOTE: Field trips required.
 PWS 424 : Wildlife Law Enforcement. (3:3:0)
WHEN: Winter Odd Yrs.
PREREQUISI Bio 100 or equivalent.
TE:
DESCRIPTIO Current and historical principles of federal and state wildlife law
N: enforcement, case development, evidence, evaluation, human rights, and
testimony.
PWS 440 : Plant Physiology. (3:3:0)
WHEN: Winter
PREREQUISITE GE Biological Science requirement; college chemistry
:
RECOMMEND Chem 285; or 351, 352.
ED:
DESCRIPTION: Photosynthesis, respiration, water relations, mineral nutrition, growth of
flowering plants.
PWS 511 : Soil and Plant Water Relations. (3:2:3)
WHEN: Fall Odd Yrs.
PREREQUISITE PWS 100, 282, Chem 105; or equivalents.
:
RECOMMEND PWS 305 or equivalent.
ED:
DESCRIPTION: Integrating biological, physical, and chemical processes of water and
solute movements through the soil-plant atmosphere continuum using a
combination of literature review, lecture, demonstration, and mini-
research projects.
PWS 512 : Rangeland Landscape Ecology and Geographic Information Systems. (3:2:3)
WHEN: Fall Odd Yrs.
RECOMMEND PWS 215, Geog 212.
ED:
DESCRIPTION: Applying landscape ecology theory to evaluate, describe, and predict
spatial patterns and processes within rangeland ecosystems using
geographic information systems (GIS), remote sensing, and global
positioning systems (GPS).
PWS 553 : Restoration Ecology. (3:3:0)
WHEN: Winter Odd Yrs.
PREREQUISI PWS 282, 416; Bio 350; or equivalents.
TE:
DESCRIPTIO Nature of ecosystem disturbance and plant succession; developing science
N: and practice of ecological restoration; case studies of applied restoration.
PWS 554 : Wildlife Behavioral Ecology. (3:3:0)
WHEN: Winter Odd Yrs.
PREREQUISI Bio 100, 350; or equivalents.
TE:
DESCRIPTIO Integrating principles of ethology, sociobiology, and behavioral ecology
N: using examples from wildlife resources; behavioral sampling methods.
NOTE: Field trips required.
Recommended Courses for Preprofessional Track
CHEM 105 : General College Chemistry. (4:5:0)
WHEN: Fall; Winter; Spring; Summer
PREREQUISI Math 110 (or equivalent) or concurrent enrollment.
TE:
DESCRIPTIO Atomic and molecular structure including bonding and periodic properties of the
N: elements; reaction energetics, electrochemistry, acids and bases, inorganic and
organic chemistry.
NOTE: Primarily for students in engineering and biological sciences. Three lectures and
two recitation sections per week.
CHEM 106 : General College Chemistry. (3:4:0)
WHEN: Fall; Winter; Summer
PREREQUISI CHEM 105, 111
TE:
DESCRIPTIO Continuation of Chem 105 but covering most of the topics in a more quantitative
N: way. Detailed treatment of thermodynamics and equilibria.
NOTE: Three lectures and one recitation section per week.

CHEM 107 : General College Chemistry Laboratory. (1:0:3)

WHEN: Fall; Winter; Spring; Summer
PREREQUISI Chem 106 or Chem 112 or concurrent enrollment.
TE:
DESCRIPTIO Chemical properties, chemical reactions, collection and interpretation of data,
N: preparation of reports.
NOTE: Required for most students needing one year of general chemistry.

CHEM 351 : Organic Chemistry. (3:3:1)

WHEN: Fall; Winter; Spring
PREREQUISI CHEM 105, 111
TE:
DESCRIPTIO Chemical bonds and molecular structure, conformation and configuration,
N: functional classes, reactions and mechanisms, syntheses.
NOTE: Primarily for majors in chemical engineering and the biological sciences.

CHEM 352 : Organic Chemistry. (3:3:1)

WHEN: Fall; Winter; Spring;
Summer
PREREQUISI CHEM 351
TE:
DESCRIPTIO Continuation of Chem
N: 351.

CHEM 353 : Organic Chemistry Laboratory--Nonmajors. (1-2:0:6)

WHEN: Fall; Winter; Spring; Summer
PREREQUISI Chem 352 or concurrent enrollment (preferred).
TE:
DESCRIPTIO Physical and chemical properties, isolation and purification,
N: characterization, syntheses.
NOTE: For predentistry, premedicine, and other majors who do not intend to
take Chem 455.

PHSCS 105 : Introductory Applied Physics. (3:3:0)

WHEN: Fall; Winter; Spring
PREREQUISITE High school algebra and trigonometry.
:
RECOMMEND Concurrent enrollment in Phscs 107.
ED:
DESCRIPTION: Applied physics course not requiring calculus. Topics include mechanics, heat,
wave motion, sound.

PHSCS 106 : Introductory Applied Physics. (3:3:0)

WHEN: Fall; Winter; Summer
PREREQUISITE Phscs 105 or equivalent.
:
RECOMMEND Concurrent enrollment in Phscs 108.
ED:
DESCRIPTION: Continuation of Phscs 105. Topics include electricity and magnetism, atomic and
nuclear physics, and optics.

PHSCS 107 : Introductory Applied Physics Laboratory. (1:0:3)

WHEN : Fall; Winter; Spring
PREREQUISI Phscs 105 or concurrent
TE: enrollment.

PHSCS 108 : Introductory Applied Physics Laboratory. (1:0:3)

WHEN: Fall; Winter; Summer
PREREQUISI Phscs 106 or concurrent
TE: enrollment

PDBIO 305 : Human Physiology (with lab). (4:4:2)

WHEN: Fall; Winter; Spring
PREREQUISITE Chem 101 or equivalent.
:
RECOMMEND A general biology course.
ED:
DESCRIPTION: Function of body organ systems.
NOTE: Not acceptable for physiology and developmental biology, biophysics, or
neuroscience majors. Designed for students with basic chemistry / no molecular
biology. Students with chemistry/molecular biology should take PDBio 362.

Or
PDBIO 362 : Advanced Physiology. (3:3:1)
WHEN: Fall; Winter; Spring
PREREQUISI MMBIO 240; PHSCS 106; or MMBIO 240; PHSCS 220
TE:
DESCRIPTIO Integrated approach to organ system and cellular physiology. Problem
N: solving/calculations.
NOTE: Requires background in chemistry and molecular biology. Students without
this background should take PDBio 305.

Or
BIO 380 : Comparative Animal Physiology and Anatomy. (4:3:3)
WHEN: Fall
PREREQUISI Bio 220A or instructor's consent.
TE:
DESCRIPTIO Structure and function of animal organ systems; structural and
N: physiological responses to demands of and changes in
environment; evolutionary constraints on anatomy and physiology.