College of Natural Resources and Environment

Fish and Wildlife Conservation

Fisheries Science

The Fisheries Science program is for students interested in research and management of aquatic animals and ecosystems, including wild fish and shellfish, endangered species, and hatchery-raised fish. Most graduates work for state or federal fisheries agencies, environmental consulting firms, or public utilities. Because the more challenging and rewarding jobs require a master's degree, the program emphasizes preparation for graduate study.

Wildlife Science

The Wildlife Science program is for students interested in research and management of terrestrial animals and ecosystems, including game birds and mammals, non-game animals, and endangered species. Most graduates work for state or federal wildlife agencies, environmental consulting firms, or private land management companies. Because the more challenging and rewarding jobs require a master's degree, the program emphasizes preparation for graduate study.

Undergraduate Courses (FIW)

2114: PRINCIPLES OF FISHERIES AND WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT
Basic principles guiding the management of fish and terrestrial animals in wild habitats.  Management of organisms, habitats, and human users examined in terms of biological, chemical/physical, ecological, and sociological theories and practices.  Worldwide illustration from both recreational and commercial resources. I Pre: BIOL 1006 or BIOL 1106. (3H,3C)

2314: WILDLIFE BIOLOGY
Summary of biological characteristics of wild birds and mammals, especially relating to management by humans. Physiological, functional, structural, and behavioral adaptations of individuals to their environments and foods. Pre: (BIOL 2504 or BIOL 2704), FIW 2114. (3H,3C) II.

2324: WILDLIFE FIELD BIOLOGY
Systematics, identification, and natural history of common native vertebrates and plants.  Exposure to habitats/ecosystems of western Virginia.  Observation, collection, and reporting of field data. Self-scheduled field and media lab activities required. Pre: BIOL 1106. (1H,6L,3C) II.

2974: INDEPENDENT STUDY
Variable credit course.

2984: SPECIAL STUDY
Variable credit course.

3414: DISEASE ECOLOGY&ECOSYSTEM MGT
Principles of disease ecology with practical application of concepts using both human and wildlife disease examples. Importance of emerging infectious disease in conservation planning, public health and wildlife management. Pre: BIOL 1105, BIOL 1106. (3H,3C)

3514: FISHERIES TECHNIQUES
Application of field and laboratory methods in fisheries management and research.  Experience with fisheries equipment and techniques. I Pre: 2114. (1H,6L,3C)

3954: STUDY ABROAD
Variable credit course.

3964: INTERNSHIP THROUGH DIRECTED FIELD STUDY
Variable credit course.

4214: WILDLIFE FIELD TECHNIQUES
Field research methods for wild vertebrates in terrestrial environments.  Application of research methodology including animal capture and marking, determination of sex, age, and condition, radio telemetry and map/compass/GPS orienteering, non-invasive methods of capture, habitat selection, and supervised group research projects. Pre: 4414, STAT 3615. (2H,3L,3C) II.

4314: CONSERVATION OF BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY
Principles and practices of conserving biological diversity. Causes, consequences and rates of extinction.  Application of philosophical, biological, sociological and legal principles to the conservation of genes, plant and animal species and ecosystems. I Pre: 4414, 4434. (3H,3L,4C)

4324 (FOR 4324): GENETICS OF NATURAL AND MANGAGED POPULATIONS
Introductory genetics with an emphasis on evolutionary processes relevant to natural and managed populations of both plant and animal species. Traditional and modern genetics, including quantitative and population genetics, molecular evolution, genomics, and biotechnology. Pre: BIOL 1105, BIOL 1106, (STAT 3005 or STAT 3615 or FOR 3214). (3H,3C)

4414: POPULATION DYNAMICS AND ESTIMATION
Population growth, structure, and regulation of fish and wildlife populations including harvested populations, non-harvested populations, and small or declining populations.  Methods of estimating demographic parameters such as population size, survival, and recruitment. Population viability analysis and genetic considerations in population dynamics. Pre: 2324. (3H,3C) II.

4424: ICHTHYOLOGY
Morphology and physiology, systematics, zoogeography, and identification of fishes. Pre: BIOL 2504 or BIOL 2704. (2H,6L,4C) II.

4434: WILDLIFE HABITAT ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
Relationship of wildlife species to their habitats. Factors influencing distribution and abundance of wildlife populations.  Vegetation succession and structure, habitat classification, modeling wildlife habitat relationships and management of habitats in forests, agricultural lands, rangelands, riparian/wetland and urban areas. Pre: 2114, FOR 3364. (3H,3C) II.

4454: VERTEBRATE PEST MANAGEMENT
Management of vertebrate pest species. Causes and prevention of damage by vertebrate pest species to:  food and fiber plants, animal production, structures, human transportation systems, and health of humans and domestic animals. Senior standing required. (3H,3C) II.

4464: HUMAN DIMENSIONS OF FISHERIES AND WILDLIFE
Values, attitudes, and opinions of people toward fish and wildlife. Social, economic, legal, and political aspects of fisheries and wildlife management.  Roles of professionals and the public in fish and wildlife policy processes. Contemporary fish and wildlife policy issues. Senior standing required. I Pre: 2114. (3H,3C)

4474: WILDLIFE HABITAT EVALUATION
Application of methods for habitat evaluation through a group project to develop a habitat management plan. Students apply methods used to quantify habitat quality and assess impacts of various management actions. Emphasis is on Habitat Suitability Index models and the Habitat Evaluation Procedures approach of the US Fish and Wildlife Service. Pre: 4214, FOR 3365, STAT 3005. Co: 4434. (3L,1C)

4484 (BIOL 4484) (ENT 4484): FRESHWATER BIOMONITORING
Concepts and practices of using macroinvertebrates and fish to monitor the environmental health of freshwater ecosystems. Effects of different types of pollution and environmental stress on assemblages of organisms and underlying ecological principles. Role of biological studies in environmental regulation. Study design, field and laboratory methods, data analysis and interpretation, verbal and written presentation of results. Pre: (BIOL 2804), (BIOL 4354 or BIOL 4004 or ENT 4354 or FIW 4424 or FIW 4614). (3H,3L,4C)

4514: PRINCIPLES OF AQUACULTURE
Requirements of aquatic organisms in captivity.  Husbandry of fish and invertebrates, including nutrition, water quality, and disease control. Design of fish rearing facilities. Two day-long field trips required. Pre: 2114. (2H,3L,3C) II.

4534: ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT OF WETLAND SYSTEMS
Introduction to the variety of wetland systems found in North America, though emphasis will focus on eastern and mid-Atlantic wetland systems. Origin and processes of formation of wetlands, functions and values of wetlands, wetland delineation, wetland classification, regulatory processes affecting wetlands.  Objectives of and management techniques used to protect and/or manipulate wetland systems for wildlife and other human needs. Enrollment restricted to junior, seniors and graduate students. Pre: BIOL 3204. (2H,3L,3C)

4614: FISH ECOLOGY
Interactions of fish with the physical and biological environment.  Adaptations of organisms, populations, and communities.  Impacts of human activities on major aquatic ecosystems and important fishes.  Ecological principles for management of important sport, commercial, and prey fishes. Pre: BIOL 1006. (3H,3C) II.

4624: MARINE ECOLOGY
Marine organism, biological, ecological, chemical and physical processes of marine ecosystems in open sea, coastal and benthic environments, research methods and models in marine ecosystem simulation; fisheries in a dynamic ecosystem: human interference and conservation. Pre: BIOL 2804 or BIOL 2804 or GEOS 3034 or GEOS 3034. (3H,3C)

4714: FISHERIES MANAGEMENT
History, theory, and practice of fisheries management. Emphasis on basic strategies used in effective management and setting management objectives.  Synthesis of fish population dynamics and manipulation, habitat improvement, and human management to achieve objectives. Case studies of major fisheries. Pre: 3514. (3H,3L,4C) II.

4974: INDEPENDENT STUDY
Variable credit course.

4984: SPECIAL STUDY
Variable credit course.

4994: UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH
Variable credit course.

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