The department also co-administers a major in natural resource conservation with the School of Forest Resources and Conservation.
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Wildlife Ecology and Conservation

Students in this specialization train in the biological, social, physical and management sciences, and excel at both the scientific and human dimensions of managing wildlife and natural resources. With appropriate choice of electives and course options (below), graduates satisfy requirements for certification as an associate wildlife biologist with The Wildlife Society.

Students select a focus area comprised of four courses (minimum of 12 credits) in one of the following areas: ecology, management, human dimensions, quantitative science or urban and regional planning (combination degree program only).

All students must file a plan of study for focus area courses with Wildlife Ecology and Conservation (WEC) Student Services before completing 60 credits in the major or before the end of the first term of enrollment for transfer students. The plan must be approved by both the student's faculty advisor and the undergraduate coordinator. Any changes to the plan must be approved by the undergraduate coordinator.

Lists of approved courses are available in the WEC Student Services Office, 102 Newins-Ziegler Hall.

Critical Tracking records each student’s progress in courses that are required for entry to each major. Please note the critical-tracking requirements below on a per-semester basis.

Equivalent critical-tracking courses as determined by the State of Florida Common Course Prerequisites may be used for transfer students.

Semester 1

• Complete 1 of 6 critical-tracking courses, excluding labs: BSC 2010/BSC 2010L, BSC 2011/BSC 2011L, CHM 2045/CHM 2045L, AEB 2014 or AEB 3103 or ECO 2023, MAC 2311, STA 2023
• 2.5 GPA on required math and science courses combined
• 2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 2

• Complete 1 additional critical-tracking course, excluding labs
• 2.5 GPA on required math and science courses combined
• 2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 3

• Complete 2 additional critical-tracking courses, excluding labs
• 2.5 GPA on required math and science courses combined
• 2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 4

• Complete 2 additional critical-tracking courses, including labs
• 2.5 GPA on required math and science courses combined
• 2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 5

• Complete 1 additional critical-tracking course
• 2.5 GPA on required math and science courses combined
• 2.0 upper division GPA required
• 2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 6

• Complete 1 additional critical-tracking course
• 2.0 upper division GPA required
• 2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 7

• Complete 1 additional critical-tracking course
• 2.0 upper division GPA required
• 2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 8

• Complete 1 additional critical-tracking course
• 2.0 upper division GPA required
• 2.0 UF GPA required

To remain on track, students must complete the appropriate critical-tracking courses, which appear in bold. These courses must be completed by the terms as listed above in the Critical Tracking criteria.

This semester plan represents an example progression through the major. Actual courses and course order may be different depending on the student's academic record and scheduling availability of courses. Prerequisites still apply.

Additional electives may be needed to complete the 120 credits required for graduation. Students can choose any courses as electives.

State core courses can be selected to meet the university's requirements for writing, international and diversity focused courses.

The primary focus of the wildlife ecology and conservation major is to develop students' knowledge of the conceptual and applied aspects of scientific, social and ethical thought in wildlife ecology and conservation. Emphasis is placed on the biology, ecology, natural history and behavior of Florida wildlife species and the management of wildlife, their habitats and their population dynamics for the greatest aesthetic, ecological, economic and recreational values. Students will learn to think critically about major problems in the conservation of biological diversity and to apply biological principles to the preservation of this diversity.

Before Graduating Students Must

• Pass the wildlife ecology and conservation competency exam, given as part of WIS 4203C or WIS 4554 .
• Achieve minimum grades of C in AEC 3030C and AEC 3033C. These courses are graded using rubrics developed by a faculty team.
• Complete requirements for the baccalaureate degree, as determined by faculty.

Students in the Major Will Learn to

Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)

Content

1. Acquire knowledge of scientific, social and ethical arenas of wildlife ecology and conservation; acquire skills for critical reasoning in conservation management; acquire knowledge of Florida wildlife species and their biology, ecology, natural history and behavior; describe principles and applications of wildlife management practices, population dynamics and habitat management; and apply biological principles to solve problems in wildlife conservation and preserve biological diversity.

Critical Thinking

2. Apply ecological, mathematical and statistical concepts to interpret, understand and communicate wildlife ecology and conservation data.

Communication

3. Create, interpret and analyze written text, oral messages and multimedia presentations used in agricultural and life sciences.

Curriculum Map

I = Introduced; R = Reinforced; A = Assessed

Assessment Types

• Exams
• Final course grades