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Fish and Wildlife Sciences

Fishery Resources (B.S.Fish.Res.)

Ecology and Conservation Biology (B.S.Ecol.Cons.Biol.)

Wildlife Resources (B.S.Wildl.Res.)

Aquaculture Minor

Fishery Resources Minor

Wildlife Resources Minor

Fish and Wildlife Sciences Graduate Degree Programs

Kerry Paul Reese, Dept. Head (104 CNR Bldg. 83844-1136; phone 208/885-6434; fish_wildlife@uidaho.edu). Faculty: Cort L. Anderson, Kenneth D. Cain, Brian C. Dennis, Christopher C. Caudill, Courtney J. Conway, Alexander K. Fremier, Brian P. Kennedy, Christine M. Moffitt, Michael C. Quist, Janet L. Rachlow, Kerry P. Reese, David A. Roon, Dennis L. Scarnecchia, Kerri T. Vierling, Lisette P. Waits, Frank M. Wilhelm.

Fish and wildlife sciences deals with the application of principles of biology and ecology to the understanding of how fish and wildlife populations interact with each other and with their environment, which includes humans. There are four areas of emphasis within the department: aquaculture, fisheries, wildlife, and conservation genetics. Persons interested in aquaculture or fisheries can design their major within the B.S. in Fishery Resources and those interested in wildlife, within the B.S. in Wildlife Resources. Conservation genetics courses may be incorporated into either degree.

Fishery biologists and scientists conduct research or apply management principles to aquatic ecosystems. They may become involved with biological monitoring, environmental impact assessment, maintenance of endangered fish, hatchery operation, commercial fish farming, control and prevention of fish diseases, and management of stream or lake ecosystems.

Wildlife biologists, or managers, attempt to maintain adequate populations of game and nongame wildlife species. This involves studying wildlife and its habitat so that management programs can be biologically based. The job often involves coordinating wildlife management programs with other natural resource activities such as forest management, range management, and land use planning.

Both professions offer opportunities in law enforcement, communications, and public relations. A common saying, and one with a great deal of truth, is that fish or wildlife management is largely people management.

Bachelor of Science degrees are offered in fishery resources and wildlife resources. In the fishery resources degree, students may design a program that emphasizes fisheries ecology, aquatic ecology, aquaculture, or fisheries management. In the wildlife resources degree, the program emphasizes the principles of wildlife ecology, population dynamics, and management. Elective courses in all programs provide an opportunity to gain additional knowledge in a special area of interest or to broaden into other fields. To ensure that the student gains practical experience, one season of approved work experience before graduation is required. For information on the Ecology and Conservation Biology program, see the section on "Natural Resources."

Fish and wildlife graduates find employment with numerous federal and state agencies, educational institutions, and in the private sector. These include the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Bureau of Land Management, the U.S. Forest Service, the National Marine Fisheries Service, the Army Corps of Engineers, state fish and game or conservation departments, tribal agencies, and private organizations such as power companies, commercial fish growers, consulting agencies, and non-profit organizations. Recent surveys have shown that fish and wildlife baccalaureate graduates of UI obtain employment at a rate considerably above the national average.

The graduate program is offered to meet the needs of students who are interested in either specialized or generalized advanced study. Because specific requirements for each degree are determined by the student's supervisory committee, individual study plans allow for differences in preparation while providing all students with a comparable background by the time the graduate program is completed.

In addition to the admission requirements of the College of Graduate Studies, the prospective student should have maintained a cumulative grade-point average of at least 3.00 (on a 4.00 scale) during the undergraduate program. Acceptance of students who do not have this minimum grade-point average or other stated requirements is possible, subject to recommendation by the department head and approval of the College of Graduate Studies. The decision will be based on an analysis of the applicant's situation. The Graduate Record Examination is required for admission. At least one summer's experience with a natural resource agency is strongly recommended.

The graduate program in fishery resources is oriented toward the applied and basic aspects of fishery management, aquatic ecology, and fish health management. The fishery management area includes population analysis, management systems, and environmental stresses; the aquatic ecology area includes limnology and habitat management; and the fish health management area includes finfish culture (coldwater and warmwater), fish disease diagnostics and epidemiology, and fish physiology. The Idaho Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit and the Aquaculture Research Institute also provide important opportunities for graduate studies in fishery resources and aquaculture.

Students planning to begin graduate studies in fishery resources should have a broad background in the life sciences with specific emphasis on courses in the fishery sciences. They should also have a background in quantitative data processing and communication, both oral and written.

Admission to the graduate program in wildlife resources requires an undergraduate degree with a major in wildlife resources or a closely related field emphasizing the principles of wildlife ecology, population dynamics, and management. Students with differing backgrounds are also admitted if they have substantial preparation in the biological and physical sciences. Candidates must fulfill entrance requirements of the Graduate College and of the Department of Fish and Wildlife Sciences.

Graduate work in wildlife resources offers students the opportunity to do research in one of several areas including wildlife behavior, predator ecology, population dynamics, habitat relationships, and conservation biology, as well as big game, nongame, upland game, and waterfowl management. Students are encouraged to select topics that will benefit some portion of the wildlife program at the state or national level. Graduate projects in wildlife resources may be developed in cooperation with the Idaho Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, an active participant in the department and research program of the college.

In addition to the requirements listed above, graduate admission is based on the compatibility of the student's research interests with the areas of concentration in the department and the availability of research faculty.

The research mission of the department is attainment of new knowledge and the understanding of natural resources, their interrelationships and uses. The objectives of the research program are to attain knowledge of the environment and to develop management alternatives that will assist in the conservation of resources while meeting society's needs. The dissemination of this knowledge through publications, continuing education, and other channels of communication is an essential departmental function.

For additional information, please call the department at (208) 885-6434 or visit the web at www.cnrhome.uidaho.edu/fishwild.

Courses

See the course description section for courses in Fishery Resources (Fish) and Wildlife Resources (WLF).