Fish and Wildlife Conservation
Head: Joel Snodgrass
Professors: P. L. Angermeier, K.A. Alexander, C. A. Dolloff, J. D. Fraser, C. A. Haas, E. M. Hallerman, W. Hopkins, M.J. Kelly, B.R. Murphy, D. J. Orth, and D. F. Stauffer
Associate Professors: J. M. Ford, E. Frimpong, Y. Jiao, J. W. Jones, S. Karpanty, and J. A. Parkhurst
Assistant Professors: L. Castello, M. Cherry, and A. Dayer
Adjunct Professors: B. Czech, P. Grobler, M. Joos Vandewalle, D. Hawley, T. J. Newcomb, E. Smith, M. Schwarz, J. Walters, and Y. Palti
Career Advisors: Fisheries Undergraduate - B. R. Murphy (231-6959), Wildlife Undergraduate - C. Haas (231-9269)
Web: www.fishwild.vt.edu
Fish Conservation
The Fish Conservation 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 Conservation
The Wildlife Conservation 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 Course Descriptions (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.
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)
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)
2974: INDEPENDENT STUDY
Variable credit course.
2984: SPECIAL STUDY
Variable credit course.
2994: UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH
Variable credit course.
3414: DISEASE ECOLOGY AND ECOSYSTEM HEALTH
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.
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)
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.
Pre: 4414, 4434.
(3H,3L,4C)
4324 (FREC 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 or FREC 3214).
(3H,3C)
4334: MAMMALOGY
Biology of mammals, including evolution, systematics,
anatomy, physiology, ecology, and conservation challenges.
Laboratory focus on identification, morphology, and
zoogeography.
Pre: BIOL 2704 or BIOL 2704H.
(3H,3L,4C)
4344: HERPETOLOGY
Biology of amphibians and reptiles, including evolution,
systematics, anatomy, physiology, ecology, and conservation
challenges. Laboratory focus on identification, morphology,
and zoogeography.
Pre: BIOL 2704.
(3H,3L,4C)
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)
4424: ICHTHYOLOGY
Morphology and physiology, systematics, zoogeography, and
identification of fishes.
(2H,6L,4C)
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.
(3H,3C)
4454: HUMAN-WILDLIFE CONFLICTS
Current and emerging human-wildlife interactions that lead
to conflict; application of knowledge of animal behavior and
life history, population dynamics, human dimensions, and
ecosystem functions to analyze conflicts and formulate
effective resolution; legal statutes and regulatory
constraints on resolution; reliance on case studies of
existing conflict situations to gain applied experience in
diagnosing and solving human-wildlife conflicts using
Vertebrate Integrated Pest Management protocols. Pre:
Senior Standing.
(3H,3C)
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.
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: 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)
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)
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 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)
4974: INDEPENDENT STUDY
Variable credit course.
4984: SPECIAL STUDY
Variable credit course.
4994: UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH
Variable credit course.