students in bio lab

Fisheries and Wildlife Biology (B.S.)

Transform your love of the outdoors into a rewarding career with wildlife biology.

Study our region's wide prairies or examine animal migration patterns as part of an integrated approach to fisheries and wildlife biology. With extensive fieldwork and vertebrate and invertebrate museums on campus, you'll be sure to find your niche in the Fisheries and Wildlife Biology program at UND.

Program Snapshot
Program type:
Major
Format:
On-campus
Est. time to complete:
4 years
Credit hours:
120

Why Study Fisheries and Wildlife Biology at UND?

For stewards of the outdoors, the Fisheries & Wildlife major at UND helps prepare you for positions in state, federal, and private fisheries and wildlife organizations. Within this degree, you can specialize in either the fisheries or wildlife areas.

Whichever track you choose, you'll have the opportunity to immerse yourself in hands-on research, independent studies, internships and other experiential learning opportunities — and prepare for a rewarding career in the industry.

With extensive opportunities on campus and outside of Grand Forks to study wildlife and their habitats/ecosystems, you'll have many chances to get a first-hand look at the career you want.

Learning to Lead

Students gain experience in the field when working with Ducks Unlimited to study nesting behavior.

Program Highlights

  • Shape your coursework to specialize in either the fisheries or wildlife areas.

  • Engage in independent studies under direct faculty supervision.

  • Work in state-of-the-art facilities including three greenhouses, animal rooms for terrestrial and aquatic organisms, tissue culture facilities, a biology core molecular facility and four field stations.

  • All students receive real-life experiences through course-related field experiences and internships at agencies and organizations.

Outcomes

 
61K
Average annual salary for zoologists and wildlife biologists*
8%
Anticipated job growth for zoologists and wildlife biologists*

 

*U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

With a degree in Fisheries and Wildlife, you'll be able to 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

When You Major in Fisheries & Wildlife Biology

A Fisheries & Wildlilfe Biology degree gives you the strategic skills you need, including:

  • Biology
  • Ecology
  • Collections
  • Environmental Compliance
  • Environmental Science
  • Data Collection

UND Fisheries & Wildlife Biology Alumni

Fisheries & Wildlife Biology alumni have gone on to a variety of successful careers with:

  • Idaho Chapter of The Wildlife Society
  • Cabela's, Inc.
  • Ducks Unlimited, Inc.
  • Envoy Air, Inc.
  • Excel Engineering, Inc.

Courses You Could Take

 

BIOL 315. Genetics. 3 Credits.

An introduction to genetics, with emphasis on classical genetic analysis and the biochemistry of gene transmission, expression and regulation. Prerequisites: BIOL 150, BIOL 150L, BIOL 151, and BIOL 151L or an equivalent approved by the department. F.

BIOL 333. Population Biology. 3 Credits.

Principles of population genetics, population ecology, and evolution in plants and animals. Prerequisites: BIOL 150, BIOL 150L, BIOL 151, BIOL 151L, and MATH 93 or higher. S.

BIOL 439. Conservation Biology. 3 Credits.

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. F, odd years.

BIOL 432. Techniques in Wildlife Population Assessment. 4 Credits.

Techniques in Wildlife Population Assessment is a course designed to teach wildlife biology students the techniques used to assess wildlife populations for conservation and management. Students learn the appropriate situations to use the techniques, how to properly conduct the procedures, how to collect data from the use of these techniques, and how to report the findings to a variety of audiences. The structure of the course is designed to teach students proper research methodology so that they not only know how and when to use the techniques, but also how they can apply their findings to make appropriate management recommendations for wildlife conservation and management under a variety of settings or conditions. Prerequisites: BIOL 150, BIOL 150L, BIOL 151, and BIOL 151L. F, even years.

  

Explore More Options

Looking to add a double major, pursue graduate work or connect with the department?

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