Wildlife & Fisheries Conservation & Ecology
Program Overview
Program Overview
The Wildlife & Fisheries Conservation & Ecology program focuses on the science behind the care, management, conservation, and research of wildlife. Students build a foundation by taking general education classes such as biology, math, and environmental science, and then choose an Option and begin taking advanced level coursework.
Major in Wildlife & Fisheries Conservation & Ecology
The major requires students to complete a certain number of credits, including general education coursework, advanced classes required by the chosen Option, and additional elective courses.
Degree Requirements
- Total Credits to Graduate: 128 credits
- General Education Requirements: 75 credits
- Option Requirements: 33-45 credits
- Free Electives: 8-20 credits
- NREM 104: 400 hours of career-related Experience
Options
Wildlife & Fisheries Conservation & Ecology has four emphasis areas to pick from:
- Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
- Wildlife
- Interpretation of Natural Resources
- Pre-Vet and Wildlife Care
Minor in Wildlife & Fisheries Conservation & Ecology
The NREM Department also offers a minor in Wildlife & Fisheries Conservation & Ecology, which requires:
- At least fifteen (15) credits
- Six (6) of the 15 credits must be taken at Iowa State University, at the 3000-level or above
- At least nine (9) of the 15 credits can only be applied towards the minor
- Courses cannot be taken as pass
ot pass
Required Courses
| Course number | Credit | Course title |
|---|---|---|
| NREM 1200 | 3cr | Introduction to Renewable Resources |
| WFCE 3120 (or NREM 311) | 4cr | Ecology (Field Ecology) |
| WFCE 3650 | 4cr | Vertebrate Biology |
Additional Electives
| Course number | Credit | Course title |
|---|---|---|
| WFCE 3210 | 3cr | Fish Biology |
| WFCE 3330 | 2cr | Fisheries Techniques |
| WFCE 3660 | 3cr | Natural History of Iowa Vertebrates |
| WFCE 3710 (or 3720) | 3cr | Ecological Methods (Wildlife Population Methods) |
| WFCE 4010 | 1cr | Intro to Aquatic Animal Health & Medicine |
| WFCE 4150 | 3cr | Ecology of Freshwater Inverteb., Plants & Algae |
| WFCE 4180 | 3cr | Stream Ecology |
| WFCE 4250 | 3cr | Aquatic Insects |
| WFCE 4400 | 3cr | Fishery Management |
| WFCE 4420 | 3cr | Aquaculture |
| WFCE 4510 | 3cr | Wildlife Management |
| WFCE 4540 | 3cr | Principles of Wildlife Diseases |
| WFCE 4550 | 3cr | International Wildlife Issues |
| WFCE 4570 +Lab | 3cr | Herpetology |
| WFCE 4580 +Lab | 3cr | Ornithology |
| WFCE 4590 +Lab | 3cr | Mammalogy |
| WFCE 4710 | 3cr | Introduction to Conservation Biology |
| WFCE 4860 (+Lab) | 3-4cr | Aquatic Ecology |
| WFCE 5160* | 3cr | Avian Ecology |
| WFCE 5180* | 3cr | Stream Ecology |
| WFCE 5200* | 3cr | Fish Ecology |
| WFCE 5510* | 3cr | Behavioral Ecology |
| WFCE 5700* | 3cr | Landscape Ecology |
| WFCE 5890* | 3cr | Population Ecology |
| BIOL 4720 | 3cr | Community Ecology |
| NREM 2700 | 3cr | Fdn. to Natural Resource Policy and History |
| NREM 3050 | 1-3cr | Seminar (repeatable credit) |
| NREM 3150 | 3cr | Genetics for Natural Resource Managers |
| NREM 3300 | 3cr | Principles of Interpretation |
| NREM 3800 | 3cr | Field Ecology Research & Teaching |
| NREM 3850 | 3cr | Natural Resource Policy |
| NREM 4060 | 3cr | Wildlife Camp |
| NREM 4460 | 3cr | Integrating GPS & GIS for Natural Resource Mgt. |
| NREM 4600 | 3cr | Controversies in Natural Resource Management |
| NREM 4900A | 1-4cr | Independent Study in Animal Ecology |
| NREM 4960 | 1-5cr | Travel Course in Animal Ecology |
| NREM 5350* | 3cr | Restoration Ecology |
Declaring a Minor
To declare one of our minors, complete the curriculum change form. For help on how to fill this out, view the instructions page or contact your academic advisor.