Degree Overview: Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Degree in Wildlife and Fisheries Conservation
Majors Overview April 4, 2015Get information about a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree program in Wildlife and Fisheries Conservation and its education requirements, coursework, career choices, job and wage outlook, and continuing education choices.
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Degree Programs in Wildlife and Fisheries Conservation
Students enrolled in an undergraduate degree program in wildlife conservation are taught about ways of conserving, protecting, and managing wildlife environments of various types. Interested individuals commonly pursue a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Wildlife and Fisheries Conservation.
Students enrolled in programs for this degree gain a broad overview of the natural sciences, statistics, math and biology. Additionally, courses related to management, administration, and conservation are also covered.
The curriculum in a bachelor’s degree program in wildlife conservation may also cover advanced coursework and seminars about professional ethics, animal population management, resource utilization, international conservation, and policy implementation. Work–study programs and internships with federal, state, and local government agencies and non-profit conservation agencies are also available.
Education Requirements
Admission criteria typically require incoming students to hold a GED certificate or a high school diploma. Students with a solid background in ecology and biology will benefit from enrolling in a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Wildlife and Fisheries Conservation degree program.
Coursework
Coursework in a bachelor’s degree program in wildlife conservation comprises courses relating to both the management and the scientific principles included in the field. Core coursework may include topic areas such as the following:
•Wildlife technical lab
•Wildlife conservation
•Statistics
•Ecosystem management
•Ecology
•Biology
•Environment and society
•Human dimension
•Evolution and division of life
•Marine vertebrates
Career Choices
Armed with a bachelor’s degree in wildlife conservation, a professional can choose from various conservation career options, such as:
•Wildlife inspector
•Wildlife law enforcement officer
•Conservation outreach specialist
•Wildlife administrator
•Public educator
•Wildlife manager
•Wildlife biologist
•Wildlife economist
•Policy analyst
•Wildlife technician
Job and Wage Outlook
Over the 2012 – 2022 decade, five percent job growth rates have been predicted for wildlife biologists and zoologists (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). In May 2012, wildlife biologists and zoologists brought home an average annual wage of $57,710 (BLS).
Continuing Education Choices
Bachelor’s degree program graduates who seek continuing education in the field can pursue master’s degree programs in wildlife conservation. Students enrolled in such graduate programs are often allowed to opt for specialization in a single aspect of wildlife conservation and management, such as ocean management, forest management, or fisheries management.
Students of these two-year graduate-level degree programs are ready for policy-planning and upper-level management positions and can also pursue advanced research opportunities.