This program provides the widest range of employment opportunities in the applied ecological fields of wildlife and rangeland resources management. Prescribed courses meet foundation requirements for a wildlife biologist, range conservationist, botanist, and zoologist, as listed in the Federal Register. Graduating students qualify to work for federal and state wildlife and natural resource agencies. Opportunities exist for those with advanced degrees to work as consultants or to be employed with private companies concerned with natural resource management. To view a current academic MAP for this major, click here.
To view an academic MAP for the Fall 2007 through Summer 2008 academic year, click here. Incoming freshmen and transferring students for Fall 2007 will be held to these academic requirements.
Major requirements depend on the year in which the major was declared. To browse MAPs from previous years, click here. If you have any questions concerning your program's requirements, you may refer to your ABC report or contact the Office of Academic Advisement.
*PLEASE NOTE* - Wildlife and Wildlands Conservation will be moved from the Integrative Biology Department to the Plant and Animal Science Department officially in Fall 2007. Classes listed in the Fall 2007 through Summer 2008 academic MAP reflect this change, with many classes simply changing from InBio classes to PAS classes. If you've previously declared your major and are trying to follow your MAP, you can look for equivalent courses under the PAS prefix. If you have any questions about changes to this major, please contact the Office of Academic Advisement in 379 WIDB.
THE DISCIPLINE
The wildlife and wildlands conservation major provides the widest range of employment opportunities in the applied ecological fields of wildlife and rangeland resources management. Prescribed courses meet foundation requirements for a wildlife biologist, range conservationist, botanist, and zoologist, as listed in the Federal Register. Graduating students qualify to work for federal and state wildlife and natural resource agencies. Opportunities exist for those with advanced degrees to work as consultants or to be employed with private companies concerned with natural resource management.
RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES
Undergraduates can volunteer to participate in various field and laboratory research projects with faculty and graduate students. Students are often hired to help with research projects and may work part time while in school and full time in the summer months.
INTERNSHIPS, CO-OP ED, PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE
Numerous opportunities exist for students to gain experience and establish working relationships with federal and state natural resource agencies as well as private organizations. Many agencies will hire students full time during the summer. Students often find permanent employment and opportunities for graduate research by participating in these programs.
HONORARY SOCIETIES AND CLUBS
Students are encouraged to become associated with the BYU Wildlife and Range Club, which represents the Wildlife Society and the Society for Range Management. The club assists students in attending state and national meetings of these professional societies.
CAREER SELECTIONS
Recreation Officer – Supervisor of parks, sanitary control, public conferences, talks and tours.
Wildlife Biologists – Habitat management and development, operational planning. Public relations. Waterfowl and game refuge development and management. Management of endangered species. Administration. Environmental impact studies.
Wildlife Conservation Officer – Collect biological data on wildlife. Monitor availability and condition of wildlife. Enforce game laws, investigate violations of game laws. Public relations include speaking to school and civic groups about game laws, availability of game, conservation, etc.
Range Conservationist – Managing natural resources of rangelands. Oversight of livestock grazing. Wildlife management. Evaluation of mineral leases. Regulation and evaluation of recreation. Develop cooperative relationships with range users.
Research new methods and techniques. Environmental impact analysis.
Others – Include Botanist, Zoologist.
(See faculty advisor for additional career choices.)
FINANCING
Students in this major may apply for university, college, and departmental scholarships. A limited number of research or teaching assistant positions for undergraduate students also exist.
REQUIREMENTS:
Complete ALL of the following classes:
Biol 120 Science of Biology; 2.0 credits; no pre-reqs; F,W,Sp;
General biology course designed for biological science majors, emphasizing the scientific method, cell theory, biochemical unity, the Central Dogma, bioenergetics, reproduction, and evolutionary theory.
Biol 220 Biodiversity; 2.0 credits; Bio 120 pre-req; F,W,Sp;
Continuation of a general biology course designed for biological science majors. Diversity of life on earth: its origins, global distribution patterns, services and values to humankind, and the challenge of protecting it.
Biol 350 Ecology; 3.0 credits; Biol 220 pre-req; F,W,Sp; (counts toward GE reqs)
Distribution and abundance of organisms and their interactions with the physical and biotic components of the earth.
NDFS 330 Comparative Animal Nutrition; 3.0 credits; no pre-reqs; W only
Comparative digestion, absorption, and utilization of nutrients and nutritional applications of domestic, pet, and wildlife species.
PAS 282 Introduction to Soil Science; 3.0 credits; Concurrent PAS 283-recommend chem and math background; F,W,Sp
Physical, chemical, and microbiological properties of soils that affect plant growth in natural, agricultural, and urban environments.
PAS 283 Introduction to Soil Science Laboratory; 1.0 credit; F, W, Sp; Prerequisite: PAS 282 or concurrent enrollment.
Laboratory techniques in determining soil physical, chemical, and fertility properties.
PAS 440 Plant Phsyiology; 3.0 credits; F, W; Prerequisite: GE Biological Science requirement; college chemistry. Recommended: Chem 281; or 351, 352.
Photosynthesis, respiration, water relations, mineral nutrition, growth of flowering plants.
Complete ALL of the following classes
InBio 341 Animal Diversity; 4.0 credits; F, W; Prerequisite: Biol 220 or instructor's consent.
Comparative organization and evolutionary significance of morphological, physiological, reproductive, and ecological differences in invertebrates and vertebrates. Laboratory included.
InBio 430 Plant Classification; 3.0 credits; W, Sp; Prerequisite: Biol 220 or instructor's consent.
General principles of taxonomy and classification, emphasizing family identification and use of keys to the temperate flora.
InBio 447 Mammalogy; 3.0 credits; F; Prerequisite: InBio 341.
Mammalian diversity, evolution, distribution, and natural history. Two three-day field trips required.
InBio 450 Conservation Biology; 3.0 credits; F; Prerequisite: Biol 220, 350.
Scientific principles of conservation: applying population genetics and phylogenetic and ecological theory to preservation of biological diversity; developing sustainable ecological systems compatible with human resource use.
PAS 115 Introduction to Wildlife and Wildlands Conservation; 1.0 credits; F only; no pre-reqs
Assisting students in choosing individual professions and curricula.
PAS 215 Principles of Range Management; 3.0 credits; W only;
Overview of rangeland resources and management principles, including rangeland classification, multiple use management, natural resource policy, and grazing management.
PAS 225 Principles of Wildlife Ecology and Mgt.; 3.0 credits; F only; Prerequisite: Biol 100.
Skillfully applying knowledge and ethics to preserving, enhancing, and regulating wildlife populations and habitats.
PAS 330 Wildland Plant Identification & Ecology; 3.0 credits; W only; no pre-reqs
dentification, characteristics, phenology, distribution, site adaptation, forage value, and response to management of significant range and pasture plants.
PAS 355 Wildland Vegetation Measurements and Analysis; 3.0 credits; F even yr; Recommended: Stat 221, Engl 316.
Field methodologies for vegetation inventories and analysis (density, biomass, cover, frequency, utilization, etc.) in wildland settings.
PAS 357 Wildlife Methods; 3.0 credits; W odd yr.; Recommended: Biol 350, PAS 355.
Measurement techniques for inventorying wildlife species and their habitats.
PAS 411 Watershed Management; 3.0 credit; F even year; Biol 350 pre-req
Processes and management of the hydrologic cycle on forests and rangelands. Field trips required.
PAS 416 Wildland Vegetation Improvement; 3.0 credit; F odd years; Biol 350, PAS 311
Habitat improvement for domestic and wild animals. Plant control by mechanical equipment, herbicides, and prescribed fire. Restoration of disturbed lands. Field trips required.
PAS 417 Natural Resource Planning and Conflict Resolution; 3.0 credit; F odd yr. Prerequisite: PAS 215, 225, Biol 350
Development of a multiple-use natural resource plan for watershed, forestry, recreation, wildlife, and livestock. Policies that govern planning and conflict resolution.
PAS 419
Managing forests, emphasizing ecosystem management. Field trips required.
PAS 424 Wildlife Law Enforcement; 3.0 credit; W; Biol 100 or equivalent
Current and historical principles of federal and state wildlife law enforcement, case development, evidence, evaluation, human rights, and testimony.
PAS 446 Ornithology; 3.0 credit; W; Biol 340
Avian systematics, evolution, distribution, and natural history. Two three-day field trips required.
Recommended Courses for Graduate School
Biol 240 Molecular Biology; 3.0 credit; F,W,Sp; Biol 120, Chem 105
Fundamentals of protein and nucleic acid structure and their function in the context of the classical experiments that have informed our current models of biology at the molecular level.
Biol 340 Genetics; 2.0 credit; F,W,Sp; Biol 220
Genetic mechanisms, their fundamental nature, interactions, and applications to human affairs. Genetics in quantitative terms. Extensive practice in problem solving.
Chem 105
Atomic and molecular structure including bonding and periodic properties of the elements; reaction energectics, electrochemistry, acids and bases, inorganic and organic chemistry. Primarily for students in engineering and biological sciences. Three lectures and two recitation sections per week.
Chem 106
Continuation of Chem 105 but covering most of the topics in a more quantitative way. Detailed treatment of thermodynamics and equilibria. Three lectures and one recitation section per week.
Either:
Chem 152 Introductory Organic Chemistry. (2:2:0) F, W Prerequisite: Chem 101 or adequate high school preparation in chemistry.
Principles of structure and reactivity, properties and reactions of compound classes, syntheses.
Chem 351 Organic Chemistry. (3:3:1) F, W, Sp Prerequisite: Chem 105, 111, or equivalent.
Chemical bonds and molecular structure, conformation and configuration, functional classes, reactions and mechanisms, syntheses. Primarily for majors in chemistry, chemical engineering, and the biological sciences.
AND THESE TWO OR EQUIVALENTS:
Phscs 105 Introductory Applied Physics; (3:3:0) F, W, Sp Prerequisite: high school algebra and trigonometry. Recommended: concurrent enrollment in Phscs 107.
Applied physics course not requiring calculus. Topics include mechanics, heat, wave motion, sound.
Phscs 106 Introductory Applied Physics. (3:3:0) F, W, Su Prerequisite: Phscs 105 or equivalent. Recommended: concurrent enrollment in Phscs 108.
Continuation of Phscs 105. Topics include electricity and magnetism, atomic and nuclear physics, and optics.
Recommended Courses for Preprofessional Track:
Chem 105, 106, 107, 351, 352, 353
Phscs 105, 106, 107, 108
PDBio 305, or 362 or InBio 380
GIS Application
Students interested in GIS applications should consider a minor in geographic information systems (20-23 hours). See the Geography Departement for details.