Fisheries & Wildlife Science Degrees
Fisheries Curriculum: by semester | detailed view
Wildlife Curriculum: by semester | detailed view
FER Home : Undergraduates : Fisheries & Wildlife Science
Fisheries and wildlife science involves monitoring the impact of environmental changes on fish or wildlife populations, managing conservation programs and shaping effective policies in these areas.
Are you interested in the health and management of fish or wildlife populations? Does the effect of human behavior and environmental policies on these species interest you? Are you seeking a career where you can work independently out in the field, performing a variety of different tasks? Do you enjoy the outdoors? Do you like to fish and hunt? If so, Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences may be right for you.
The Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences Program culminates in the Bachelor of Science degree with a concentration in either Fisheries or Wildlife. The program provides a grounding in all relevant sciences while emphasizing ecological principles and their application to research problems and natural resource management needs as they affect fish or wildlife populations. Our mission is to prepare undergraduate students for careers or advanced studies in fisheries and wildlife sciences, foster an appreciation of these resources and advance scientifically-based conservation, management and use of fish, wildlife and associated resources.
The program makes a concerted effort to provide a balanced approach to the study of wildlife, fisheries and aquaculture. Students observe and analyze systems at the population, community and ecosystem levels through participation in FER’s many teaching, research and extension activities. Because our faculty and staff are constantly seeking to identify and resolve important questions ranging from fundamental scientific inquiry to applied management problems through these activities, undergraduates have frequent opportunities to observe real-world problem-solving. Additional hands-on opportunities in the local Raleigh, NC community allow students to examine the application of concepts and techniques firsthand.
Throughout the undergraduate years, faculty and staff provide an intimate level of support for students in the Fisheries and Wildlife Program, guiding them toward the appropriate courses, encouraging participation in student clubs ad industry organizations and helping them make industry connections that could lead to full-time employment one day.
Curriculum
FER administers the Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences Program and cooperates with the Department of Zoology as well as faculty members from Agricultural & Resource Economics, Biological & Agricultural Engineering, Entomology, Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Statistics and the College of Veterinary Medicine. Courses offered are drawn from these areas and also include relevant courses in basic science, environmental sciences and natural resource management. Depending on whether you choose a Fisheries Sciences or Wildlife Sciences degree, you will also receive specialized instruction in your concentration area. Because of the hands-on nature of these fields, courses are usually taught as a combination of classroom lecture/discussion, outdoor instruction/discussion, outdoor practical exercises, tours, field trips, guest speakers and self-study.
View the Eight Semester Display of courses you will take for a Bachelor of Science in Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences: Fisheries Concentration or the Wildlife Concentration.
View Degree Audit Information (links to course descriptions) for the Fisheries Concentration or the Wildlife Concentration.
View the Program Educational Objectives for Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences.
Fieldwork
A unique aspect of the Fisheries and Wildlife Science Program is the annual 6-week summer camp experience taught at Hill Forest in Bahama, NC approximately one hour from the NC State campus. This experience is a full-time summer school residential program that lasts six weeks and offers a period of intense study and practical application in fisheries and wildlife sciences. The objectives of the summer camp program are to:
- Provide instruction in ecosystem concepts, structure and function of plant and animal communities, management practices and practical field skills.
- Expand practical knowledge in a variety of subjects related to the curriculum, enhancing each student’s ability to understand and apply subjects covered in our advanced professional courses.
- Enhance each student's professional ability to work in teams and to assume positions of leadership.
- Introduce students to a variety of realistic work environments and practices, enabling them to better evaluate fisheries or wildlife management as a career.
Aquaculture and Fisheries Scholars Program
The Aquaculture and Fisheries Scholars Program offers early acceptance to veterinary college to top NC State University undergraduate fisheries majors interested in fish health careers. Read more about this program.
Study Abroad
Please visit our Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences Study Abroad section for more information on how you can earn credit hours exploring fisheries and wildlife topics internationally.
Career Opportunities
Graduates of the Fisheries & Wildlife Science Program leave NC State well prepared for graduate school or for entry-level professional positions analyzing and managing fish or wildlife populations for universities, private industry or state and federal agencies. They will also leave prepared to obtain their certification from The Wildlife Society or the American Fisheries Society.
Because the Fisheries and Wildlife Program provides so many opportunities for interaction with industry professionals during the undergraduate years, most students find that they graduate well-connected when it comes to obtaining permanent employment. In addition, job placement services and alumni tracking activities further ensure that graduates are able to pursue a variety of job opportunities.
View the Fisheries & Wildlife Sciences Overview Flyer.
