Fisheries and Wildlife

The world's fish and wildlife resources are ecologically, socially and economically important. Professionals are needed to insure sound stewardship of these resources on both public and private lands. With the ever increasing demand for and impacts on our natural resources, fisheries and wildlife professionals must be knowledgeable and technically competent to solve a wide array of complex management problems.

Background Information

Fish and wildlife biology are scientific disciplines dealing with the ecology, behavior and conservation of wild animals. At North Dakota State University students interested in careers in fisheries and wildlife major in zoology, emphasizing course work and professional development in ecology and natural resource management.

Skills Needed

The field requires a wide breadth of training and skill. An understanding of anatomy, physiology, cellular processes, behavior and ecological and evolutionary principles is essential. Integrating such knowledge with plant biology, soil science, socio-economic factors and human relations is one of the exciting challenges of fish and wildlife biology.

Much of fish and wildlife management is people management. An effective resource manager must understand principles of economics, political science, law and be trained in aspects of psychology, sociology and history. Skillful communication, written and oral, is one of the most important tools a fish and wildlife biologist uses.

The Curriculum

Basic education in English, social sciences, math, chemistry and physics is required, along with a solid background in the biological sciences and specialized courses in ecology, fish and wildlife biology and natural resource management. Suggested courses are listed below.

Field Experience

The Department of Biological Sciences assists students in obtaining recommended field experience such as summer or temporary employment with resource agencies, independent field research or field classes.

Student Organization

The Student Chapter of the Wildlife Society is a student organization which presents speakers to help members learn more about wildlife and wildlife preservation.

Career Opportunities

Most fish and wildlife biologists find employment with federal or state agencies such as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, US Forest Service, US Marine Fisheries Service, National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, and state fish and wildlife departments. Competition for these jobs is intense and most professional-level positions require an advanced degree. Competition for graduate school positions also is keen. Other career opportunities exist with private resource groups (the Nature Conservancy, Audubon Society, Ducks Unlimited) and with private industry (environmental consulting firms, oil, coal, mineral and chemical companies).

Specific job possibilities include: wildlife disease specialist; law enforcement agent; wildlife refuge manager; waterfowl biologist; fisheries biologist; zoology professor; museum curator; naturalist in national, state or municipal parks; hatchery manager; environmental consultant; nature writer/ photographer and lecturer; and limnologist.

Some students combine a fish and wildlife background with education courses to become teachers or environmental educators with parks or nature centers. Students may improve employment chances by combining fish and wildlife majors with such specific skills as journalism, art, soil science or computer and statistical expertise.

No matter what professional route students choose, it must be remembered that a strong commitment to professionalism is a must from early in the undergraduate period. Above all, a love of science and a deep commitment to the natural resource base is essential.

The Program

The Wildlife Society (the scientific and professional organization of wildlife biologists and managers) has developed a minimum set of requirements to be fulfilled to qualify as a certified wildlife biologist. These requirements, along with suggested courses to fulfill them at NDSU, are listed below. Students in fish biology can follow these guidelines, substituting fish and aquatic courses where appropriate. Students should work closely with their academic advisers to develop a program that meets their professional goals.

Contact Information

Dr. Will Bleier, Chair

Department of Biological Sciences
North Dakota State University
Stevens Hall 218
Fargo, ND 58105

Tel: (701) 231-7087
Fax: (701) 231-7149
Email: William.Bleier@ndsu.edu
Web: http://biology.ndsu.nodak.edu

Office of Admission

North Dakota State University
124 Ceres Hall
Fargo, ND 58105

Tel: (701) 231-8643
Fax: (701) 231-8802
Email: NDSU.Admission@ndsu.edu
Web: http://www.ndsu.edu/prospective/students/

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