Program Overview

Introduction to Wildlife Ecology and Conservation

The Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation offers a breadth of graduate programs designed to prepare students for professional employment in conservation of natural resources in a changing world. WEC faculty teach, conduct research, and provide service and extension in various areas, including:

• Avian ecology
• Behavioral ecology
• Community ecology
• Conservation biology
• Conservation education
• Conservation genetics
• Ecosystem management
• Environmental interpretation
• Habitat restoration
• Global change ecology
• Herpetofaunal ecology
• Human dimensions of wildlife management
• International conservation
• Introduced species
• Landscape ecology
• Macroecology
• Mammalian behavior
• Marine mammal ecology
• Plant ecology
• Population biology
• Range ecology
• Systems ecology
• Tropical conservation
• Urban wildlife relations
• Wetlands ecology
• Wildlife diseases
• Wildlife management

Graduate Programs

The Department offers the following graduate programs:

• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
• Master of Science (MS) thesis program in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
• Master of Science, non-thesis (MS) program in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
• Master of Science in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation with a concentration in Wildlife Forensics Science and Conservation

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Program

The PhD program in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation serves graduate students conducting advanced, original studies of fundamental ecological and social sciences, usually with applications to further society’s understanding of wildlife ecology and to improve conservation of wildlife resources.

Master of Science (MS) Thesis Program

The MS thesis program in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation prepares graduate students for entry-level professional positions in areas of wildlife biology and ecology, natural resource management, conservation, and provides a solid scientific foundation for further graduate work leading to the PhD degree.

Master of Science, Non-Thesis (MS) Program

The MS non-thesis program in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation provides advanced training for students in technical and professional aspects of wildlife management, conservation, and public education, emphasizing written and oral communication of scientific information.

Master of Science in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation with a Concentration in Wildlife Forensics Science and Conservation

This program, offered in conjunction with UF's Maples Center for Forensic Science, is a non-thesis, online option that prepares students for real-world situations in wildlife forensics, such as poaching and illegal trade. Courses are taught by faculty members with years of experience in the field, working with law enforcement and wildlife organizations.

Degrees Offered

The Department offers the following degrees with a major in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation:

• Doctor of Philosophy without a concentration
• Doctor of Philosophy with a concentration in:
  • Geographic Information Systems
  • Tropical Conservation and Development
  • Wetland Sciences
• Master of Science without a concentration
• Master of Science with a concentration in:
  • Geographic Information Systems
  • Tropical Conservation and Development
  • Wetland Sciences
  • Wildlife Forensic Sciences and Conservation

Course List

The following courses are offered by the Department:

• ALS 6500: Multivariate Statistics for Agricultural and Life Sciences (3 credits)
• ALS 6501: Data Carpentry for Biologists (3 credits)
• WIS 5496: Research Design in Wildlife Ecology (3 credits)
• WIS 5555C: Conservation Biology (3 credits)
• WIS 5562: Conservation Medicine (3 credits)
• WIS 6050: Pro Communication in Wildlife Forensic Sciences (3 credits)
• WIS 6051: Wildlife Tracks and Sign (3 credits)
• WIS 6052: Bird Language (3 credits)
• WIS 6306: Applied Wildlife Forensic Genetics (3 credits)
• WIS 6307: Integrated Wildlife Forensic Genetics (3 credits)
• WIS 6405: Biodiversity (3 credits)
• WIS 6421: Wildlife Toxicology: The Ecohealth Perspective (3 credits)
• WIS 6425: Carrion Ecology and Evolution (3 credits)
• WIS 6444: Wetland Management (3 credits)
• WIS 6455: Wildlife Population Ecology (3 credits)
• WIS 6466: Wildlife Population Modeling (3 credits)
• WIS 6468: Pattern and Process in Landscape Ecology (3 credits)
• WIS 6505: Quantitative Analysis of Animal Populations (3 credits)
• WIS 6522: Coupled Human and Wildlife Systems (3 credits)
• WIS 6526: Stakeholder Engagement in Natural Resources (3 credits)
• WIS 6544: Administration in Natural Resources (3 credits)
• WIS 6557: International Wildlife Conservation Law, Policy and Ethics (3 credits)
• WIS 6558: Introduction to U.S. Wildlife Law, Policy & Ethics (3 credits)
• WIS 6559: Forensic Science for Conservation Biology (3 credits)
• WIS 6561: Wildlife Crime Scene Processing (3 credits)
• WIS 6563: Wildlife Forensic Pathology (3 credits)
• WIS 6565: Negative and Suboptimal Research Findings in Wildlife Forensics (3 credits)
• WIS 6576: Human and Wildlife Conflict (3 credits)
• WIS 6905: Research Problems in Wildlife and Range Sciences (1-6 credits)
• WIS 6910: Supervised Research (1-5 credits)
• WIS 6933: Seminar (1 credit)
• WIS 6934: Topics in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation (1-4 credits)
• WIS 6940: Supervised Teaching (1-5 credits)
• WIS 6946: Wildlife Forensics Internship (1-6 credits)
• WIS 6971: Research for Master's Thesis (1-15 credits)
• WIS 7979: Advanced Research (1-12 credits)
• WIS 7980: Research for Doctoral Dissertation (1-15 credits)

Student Learning Outcomes

The Department has established the following Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) for its graduate programs:

PhD Program

1. Concepts and Theories of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation: Describe and explain concepts and theories of wildlife ecology and conservation science, and the appropriate methods and techniques in a specialization.
2. Independent/Original Research: Plan, conduct, and analyze independent/original research.
3. Apply Research to Address Problems: Apply quantitative, spatial, or qualitative research approaches to address wildlife ecology and conservation problems.
4. Effective Communication: Communicate proficiently and productively in oral and written form.
5. Professional Behavior: Display ethical behaviors and professional conduct to contribute as responsible professionals in the field of wildlife ecology and conservation.

MS Program

1. Concepts and Theories of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Science: Describe and explain concepts and theories of wildlife ecology and conservation science, and the appropriate methods and techniques in a specialization.
2. Independent/Original Research: Plan, conduct, and analyze independent/original research.
3. Apply Research to Address Problems: Apply quantitative, spatial, or qualitative research approaches to address wildlife ecology and conservation problems.
4. Effective Communication: Communicate proficiently and productively in oral and written form.
5. Professional Behavior: Display ethical behaviors and professional conduct to contribute as responsible professionals in the field of wildlife ecology and conservation.