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Wildlife and Fisheries ResourcesMajor

If you’re passionate about the outdoors and the conservation of natural resources and animal habitats, this major is for you.

Overview

What is Wildlife and Fisheries Resources at WVU like?

Description

If you enjoy the outdoors, are comfortable handling animals and are interested in society’s impact on wildlife, fish and their habitats, consider majoring in Wildlife and Fisheries Resources. You’ll learn about everything from the conservation and preservation of animal habitats to wildlife disease, allowing you to identify and solve many possible issues related to wildlife.

Our program prepares you for careers as wildlife and fisheries biologists, toxicologists, fish hatchery personnel, conservation officers and planners, and animal damage control specialists, as well as a wide variety of natural resources communication specialists and managers.

Courses are lab-based with ample opportunity for valuable field experiences. You can choose a concentration in wildlife or fisheries (or both) to meet the requirements for professional certification as either a wildlife biologist (certified through The Wildlife Society) or fisheries biologist (certified through The American Fisheries Society).

Wildlife and Fisheries Resources program highlights:

At a Glance

Next Steps

Interested in this major? Here are some suggested next steps:

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Areas of Emphasis

Tailor this major to your interests by taking courses in one of these areas:

  • Fisheries Science
    Ideal for those interested in water, conservation and environmental sciences.
  • Wildlife Science
    Ideal for students interested in working with DNR in wildlife management or wildlife conservation.

Fast Facts

What makes Wildlife and Fisheries Resources at WVU unique?

Research and Academic Opportunities

A U.S. Geologic Survey Fish and Wildlife Cooperative Research Unit is housed within our program and provides three additional faculty members who conduct extensive research all around the country. 

In addition, the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources provides a liaison biologist who is a direct link to the state's natural resources agency.

All of our faculty are actively engaged in research. You will have the opportunity to study and learn from them through volunteer experiences and summer employment opportunities working on fish and wildlife projects.

Living-Learning Communities (LLCs)

Live, study and pursue outside-the-classroom learning in a residence hall community that shares your interests:

Transfer Articulation Agreements

To simplify the transfer process, we have formal agreements with certain institutions. These agreements outline the courses you should take to prepare for transferring to WVU. Review the full list of transfer articulation agreements to see if your institution is listed.

Student Organizations

Connect with other students who share your academic interests as a member of:

View all of the student organizations you can join.

Professional Organizations

Network with professionals in your field as a student member of:

Careers

How does this degree prepare students for a career?

Our graduates understand the historical importance of wildlife and fisheries management, and the role contemporary agencies play in wildlife and fisheries management in the U.S. You’ll be able to explain and employ commonly used wildlife and fisheries management principles, methods and techniques.

Many of our graduates pursue work with the Department of Natural Resources, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Army Corps of Engineer, and many other government and non-profit organizations.

Possible Careers

Wondering what you can do with a degree from WVU's Wildlife and Fisheries Resources major? Check out these ideas from WVU Career Services and the Occupational Information Network (O*NET). A median salary is the midpoint of what people typically earn—half of those surveyed earned above the median salary, and half earned below.

This page includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license.

Employers

Graduates from this major have gone to work at:

Courses

What are the courses like in Wildlife and Fisheries Resources at WVU?

WMAN 100:
The Tradition of Hunting

Introduction to the cultural and spiritual role of hunting; use of hunting as a wildlife management tool; and its economic value in wildlife conservation programs. Includes discussions on gun control, anti-hunting, and animal rights.

WMAN 150:
Principles of Conservation Ecology

Overview of the science of conservation ecology with emphasis on the concepts of biological diversity, extension, habitat loss and fragmentation, establishment of protected areas, endangered species, and establishment and preservation of new populations.

WMAN 205:
Wildlife-Fisheries Camp

A course in field ecology and wildlife/fisheries sampling techniques. Designed to introduce the beginning wildlife conservation professional to the science of collecting data on wildlife and fish populations in their natural habitats.

WMAN 234:
Forest Wildlife Management

Principles and problems of forest wildlife management with emphasis on habitat management at the stand and landscape levels. Habitat manipulations through use of appropriate silvicultural practices, wildlife enhancement techniques, and regulations are evaluated.

WMAN 313:
Wildlife Ecosystem Ecology

Basic principles of ecosystem, community, and population ecology. Emphasizing structure, function, succession, physiological ecology, population growth and regulation, and systems modeling.

WMAN 330:
Conservation Genetics

Introduction to the principles of modern genetics needed to understand and manage important challenges in conservation of biodiversity including game, non-game, and endangered/threatened species. Also listed as GEN 330.

Cost and Aid

How much does Wildlife and Fisheries Resources at WVU cost? And how can you save?

Tuition and Fees

Estimated rates are available on our tuition website. Anyone who is not a current West Virginia resident, including international students, will be charged non-resident rates.

View Tuition and Fees

Scholarships

Estimate your eligibility for merit scholarships at WVU Morgantown.

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Net Price Calculator

Estimate your cost of attendance and eligibility for financial aid and scholarships at any WVU System campus.

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Ways to Save

Here are a few ways for you to save on the cost of attending WVU in addition to university scholarships.

Extra Merit-based Scholarships

Incoming freshmen to the Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design may qualify for Innovators scholarships based on GPA. No additional application is necessary. These scholarships are in addition to University scholarships.

See if You Qualify

Ohio Tuition Reciprocity

As the result of a special agreement, students from Ohio who are fully admitted to Wildlife and Fisheries Resources can enroll at WVU and pay in-state tuition rates. Students must be admitted to both the University and this major.

Learn More

Transfer Articulation Agreements

To simplify the transfer process, we have formal agreements with certain institutions. These agreements outline the courses you should take to prepare for transferring to WVU.

Review the full list of transfer articulation agreements to see if your institution is listed.

Learn How to Transfer Course Credits

Requirements

What are the requirements to apply for Wildlife and Fisheries Resources at WVU?

To be admitted to WVU's Wildlife and Fisheries Resources major, you must meet WVU's first-time freshman admission requirements for the 2024-25 academic year. Interested in transferring? Review the transfer admission requirements.

Related Majors and Minors

What other options does WVU have?

What minors could I consider?

Related Pathways

What majors share similar career interests with this major at WVU?

Next Steps

I like this major. What are the next steps?

Apply Now

Your first step to becoming a Mountaineer is applying for admission. Our online application makes the process as convenient as possible.

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Request Information

Want to know more about Wildlife and Fisheries Resources at WVU? Fill out the Request Information form to receive more information about the program and life at WVU.

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Visit WVU

It's the next-best thing to being here – you can virtually tour residence halls and the WVU Morgantown Campus.

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