Program Overview

Wildlife Biology Degree

The University of North Dakota offers a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Fisheries and Wildlife Biology. This program allows students to transform their love of the outdoors into a rewarding career in wildlife biology.

Program Details

• Program type: Major
• Format: On Campus
• Estimated time to complete: 4 years
• Credit hours: 120

Why Earn a Wildlife Biology Degree?

The University of North Dakota's Fisheries and Wildlife Biology degree prepares students for jobs in state, federal, and private fisheries and wildlife organizations. Students can specialize in either the fisheries or wildlife areas and immerse themselves in hands-on research, independent studies, internships, and other experiential learning opportunities.

Facilities and Resources

• Four field stations to study wildlife and fish in their natural habitats
• Two greenhouses
• Animal rooms for terrestrial and aquatic organisms
• Vertebrate and invertebrate museums
• A biology core molecular facility

UND's Wildlife Biology Degree Program

• Students can shape their coursework to specialize in either the fisheries or wildlife areas and get certified in UAS and GIS.
• Engage in independent studies under direct faculty supervision.
• All students receive real-life experiences through course-related field experiences and internships at agencies and organizations.
• Academic advisors help students plan their major, and personalized software keeps them on track to graduate in four years.
• Students receive help perfecting their resume, practicing interviewing, and learning effective job-hunting strategies.
• Free academic support is available, including individual tutoring sessions, specialized writing, and math support programs.

What Can You Do with a Degree in Wildlife Biology?

With a degree in Fisheries and Wildlife Biology, students can pursue a wide range of rewarding careers, including:

• Conservationist
• Environmental scientist or consultant
• Extension agent
• Fisheries and wildlife manager
• Marine biologist
• Ecologist
• Natural resource manager
• Park ranger
• Wildlife biologist

Median Annual Salary

The median annual salary for zoologists and wildlife biologists is $73,000, according to the 2024 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Fisheries and Wildlife Degree Skills

The University of North Dakota's Fisheries and Wildlife Biology degree program gives students the strategic skills they need, including:

• Wildlife tracking and surveys
• Statistical analyses
• Animal and plant identification

Jobs with a Wildlife Biology Degree

Fisheries and Wildlife Biology alumni have gone on to successful careers with organizations such as:

• North Dakota Game and Fish
• Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
• Ducks Unlimited
• National Parks Service
• U.S. Department of Agriculture

Fisheries and Wildlife Degree Courses

Some of the courses offered in the program include:

• Genetics (BIOL 315)
• Population Biology (BIOL 333)
• Conservation Biology (BIOL 439)
• Techniques in Wildlife Population Assessment (BIOL 432)
• Fisheries Management (BIOL 442)
• Human Dimensions of Wildlife and Fisheries Management (BIOL 430)

Course Descriptions

• Genetics: An introduction to genetics, with emphasis on classical genetic analysis and the biochemistry of gene transmission, expression, and regulation.
• Population Biology: Principles of population genetics, population ecology, and evolution in plants and animals.
• Conservation Biology: A course that integrates information from the disciplines of ecology, genetics, biogeography, economics, environmental policy, and ethics towards understanding how to maintain and restore biological diversity.
• Techniques in Wildlife Population Assessment: Techniques used to assess wildlife populations for conservation and management, including research methodology and application of findings to make management recommendations.
• Fisheries Management: Study of the physiology of organs and organ systems in vertebrates.
• Human Dimensions of Wildlife and Fisheries Management: Interactions among humans and fisheries and wildlife resources, with a focus on principles important for understanding and addressing wildlife management.