Fish & Wildlife Science Concentration
The Fish & Wildlife Science Concentration within the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences at Alabama A&M University focuses on the conservation, management, and stewardship of fish, wildlife, and their habitats. Students learn how to study and manage fish and wildlife populations, assess habitat conditions, collect and analyze biological data, and develop strategies to conserve natural resources for the benefit of both people and future generations.
This concentration prepares students for meaningful careers in wildlife and fisheries management, conservation, environmental consulting, natural resource management, and related fields, as well as for graduate study in wildlife biology, fisheries science, ecology, conservation biology, and other natural resource disciplines. Graduates may pursue careers as Wildlife Biologists, Fisheries Biologists, Wildlife Managers, Conservation Scientists, Environmental Consultants, Natural Resource Specialists, and Wildlife Educators. Career opportunities span federal and state agencies—including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Forest Service, and Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources—as well as environmental and energy consulting firms, timber industries, nonprofit conservation organizations, research institutions, and zoological facilities.
Students benefit from hands-on classroom and field experiences, field trips, practical exercises, and original research projects that mirror the work of professional fish and wildlife scientists. Through collecting and analyzing data and communicating findings through professional-style laboratory reports and presentations, students develop the technical and analytical skills needed to address real-world conservation challenges. Career pathways may include wildlife education and outreach, population management, endangered species conservation and restoration, nuisance wildlife management, habitat enhancement, wildlife law enforcement, fisheries management, and animal care. These experiences prepare graduates to protect biodiversity, conserve natural resources, and promote healthy and sustainable fish and wildlife populations and ecosystems.
FWS courses
Minimum GPA 2.0. Minimum Grade of C. NRE Course Prereqs require a Minimum Grade of C.
- NRE 388 - Principles of Fisheries Science
3 credit hours. Hands-on introduction to fisheries science. Overview of the nature of fisheries, brief introduction to the physiological ecology of aquatic organisms, methods in the capture and identification of local fishes, introduction to trophic interactions, bioassessment, and habitat and water quality assessment.
Prerequisite: None
Back to Top - NRE 389 - Fisheries Management and Aquaculture
3 credit hours. Hands-on introduction to the practice of fisheries management and aquaculture. Overview of common and experimental aquaculture methods. Examination of basic fisheries management techniques and experience in fisheries assessment.
Prerequisite: None
Back to Top - NRE 286 - Wildlife Biology and Identification
3 credit hours. Identification, distribution, life history, and behavior of North American amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals. Emphasis on ecological and zoological aspects of special relevance to management. A laboratory and field course in species identification, techniques of age and sex determination, and behavior analysis.
Prerequisite: None
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NRE 386 - Principles of Wildlife Management
3 credit hours. An introduction to the life history requirements, behavioral adaptations, habitat selection, population dynamics, community relationships, and management strategies of terrestrial vertebrates in North America. History of wildlife management, current wildlife policies, and survey of wildlife field techniques are also included.
Prerequisite: BIO 101 or BIO 103
Back to Top - NRE 488 - Wildlife Techniques
3 credit hours. Field and lab procedures for determining sex and age, capture and marking, physiological indices, harvest surveys, population estimation procedures, and habitat evaluation. Includes mapping with geographic information systems, orienteering and field safety. Introduce students to a broad range of methods and equipment used by wildlife professionals to gather information on wild animals and their habitat. In addition, this course will emphasize the characteristics of a particular technique that might make it superior to others in practical situations.
Prerequisite: None
Back to Top - PLUS
Plus 6 credits of FREE electives for a total of 21 credits total.
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