COLLEGE of AGRICULTURE and HOME ECONOMICS
FISHERY and WILDLIFE SCIENCES
Professor Raul Valdez, department head
Professors Andersen,Caccamise,Valdez; Associate Professor Caldwell, Cowley, Desmond, Roemer; Assistant Professors Bender, Boeing,
(575) 646-1544; FWCE@nmsu.edu
DEGREE: Bachelor of Science in Agriculture
MAJOR: Wildlife Science
- OPTION: Wildlife Management Practice
- OPTION: Preparation for Graduate Studies
- OPTION: Natural Resource Management
DEGREE: Bachelor of Science in Conservation Ecology
MAJOR: Conservation Ecology
MINOR: Conservation Ecology
DEGREE: Bachelor of Science in Agriculture
The department prepares you for careers in a variety of natural resource fields related to management of wild animal populations and the natural systems they share.
Within the wildlife science major you are offered three options. The first is Wildlife Management Practice. Course work in this option provides training in the basic sciences but concentrates on applied skills in wildlife and fisheries management. If you complete this option, you will be ready for entry-level positions with government agencies and private enterprises specializing in natural resource management. The option in Natural Resource Management is broad in scope while providing a strong background in the fundamental sciences. It includes sound training in the theory and practice of traditional management as well as a solid grounding in supporting disciplines like economics, geography, and geology. It is intended for students with broader interests than traditional wildlife science. The third option, Preparation for Graduate Studies in Wildlife Science, offers a broad foundation in basic sciences. It is intended for students wishing to pursue advanced degrees in wildlife science or related disciplines in the natural sciences. This option prepares you for careers in higher education, research, and administration.
If you wish to become a certified fishery biologist, you should include the following courses in your curriculum: WLSC 458, WLSC 465, WLSC 482, and WLSC 432. Requirements for becoming a certified wildlife biologist are met by all options.
To graduate with a major in Wildlife Science, an overall grade point average of 2.00 is required in courses taken in the major field and in all courses taken at NMSU.
The department offers a minor in Wildlife Science for students majoring in other disciplines. The minor includes a minimum of 19 credits, with 13 credits in required courses and 6 in wildlife electives.
Core Requirements (total credits: 89-97)
| BIOL 111G and 111L, Natural History of Life and Laboratory | 4 |
| BIOL 301, Principles of Ecology | 3 |
| BIOL 305, Principles of Genetics | 3 |
| BIOL 312, Identification and Classification of Western Plants, | 3 |
| or RGSC 307, Rangeland Grasses, and RGSC 316, Rangeland Plants | 5 |
| BIOL 313, Structure and Function of Plants | 3 |
| BIOL 322, Zoology | 3 |
| CHEM 111, General Chemistry I | 4 |
| CHEM 112, General Chemistry II | 4 |
| COMM 265G, Principles of Human Communication; or COMM 253G, Public Speaking; or AXED 201G, Effective Leadership and Communication in Agricultural Organizations | 3 |
| C S: Any level computer science course 100 or above including, C S 110G, Computer Literacy, or AG E 250G, Life with Microcomputers | 3 |
| ECON 251G, Principles of Macroeconomics, or ECON 252G, Principles of Microeconomics | 3 |
| ENGL 111G, Rhetoric and Composition | 4 |
| ENGL 311G, Advanced Composition | 3 |
| ENGL 318G, Advanced Technical and Professional Communication | 3 |
| E ST 311G, Statistical Applications | 3 |
| MATH 121, Intermediate Algebra, and 142G, Calculus for Biological and Management Sciences; or MATH 191, Calculus and Analytical Geometry I, and MATH 192, Calculus and Analytical Geometry II | 6 |
| PHYS: Any physiology course from among the following: ANSC 370, BIOL 311, BIOL 314, BIOL 377, BIOL 381, BIOL 442, BIOL 474, WLSC 432 | |
| WLSC 110, Introduction to Natural Resources Management | 3 |
| WLSC 230, Natural History of the Vertebrates | 4 |
| WLSC 255, Principles of Natural Resource Management | 3 |
| WLSC 355, Techniques of Natural Resource Management | 3 |
| or WLSC 356, Field Techniques of Natural Resource Management | 2 |
| RGSC 452, Rangeland Analysis | 4 |
| WLSC 402, Seminar in Natural Resource Management | 2 |
| WLSC 409, Population Ecology | 3 |
| WLSC 447, Wildlife Law, Policy and Administration | 3 |
| WLSC 445, Systems Ecology in Wildlife Management | 3 |
| Historical Perspectives: one general education course | 3 |
| Human Thought and Behavior: one general education course | 3 |
| Literature or Fine Arts: one general education course | 3 |
| Viewing a Wider World: ECON 337G, Natural Resource Economics or ECON 384G, Water Resource Economics | 3 |
| Viewing a Wider World: The second course requirement satisfied by 9 credits in biology |
OPTION: Wildlife Management Practice (total credits: 23-25)
General Option Requirements (8 credits)
| PHYS 110G, Great Ideas in Physics | 4 |
| SOIL 252 and 252L, Soils and Laboratory, or GEOL 111, Geology | 4 |
| Required Departmental Electives (any combination totaling 9 credits) | |
| WLSC 310, Managing Ecological Systems for Biodiversity | 3 |
| WLSC 360, Introduction to Wildlife Behavior | 3 |
| *WLSC 432, Environmental Biology of Fishes | 4 |
| WLSC 434, Aquatic Contaminants and Toxicology | 4 |
| WLSC 437, Wildlife Damage Control | 3 |
| WLSC 440, Fish and Wildlife Habitat Management | 3 |
| WLSC 448, Problems | 1-3 |
| WLSC 450, Special Topics | 1-4 |
| *WLSC 458 and 458L, Ecology of Inland Waters and Lab | 4 |
| *WLSC 465 Advanced Management of Aquatic Systems | 3 |
| WLSC 466, Advanced Management of Wildlife Mammals | 3 |
| WLSC 488, Communicating Wildlife Resource Conservation in Society | 3 |
Requirements in Biodiversity (any two courses totaling 6-8 credits)
| BIOL 445, Herpetology | 4 |
| BIOL 465, Invertebrate Zoology | 4 |
| WLSC 430, Avian Field Ecology, or BIOL 447, Ornithology | 4 |
| WLSC 431, Forest and Range Mammals | 3 |
| *WLSC 482, Ichthyology | 3 |
Additional Courses
| Electives to bring total to 128 credits and college credits to 35 credits | 6-16 |
*Courses required to become a Certified Fisheries Associate or Professional.
OPTION: Natural Resource Management (total credits: 33-35)
General Requirements (27 credits)
| BIOL 211G and 211L, Cellular and Organismal Biology and Lab | 4 |
| ECON 384, Water Resources Economics | 3 |
| GEOG 381, Cartography and Geographic Information Systems | 3 |
| PHYS 110G, Great Ideas in Physics | 4 |
| RGSC 318, Watershed Management | 3 |
| SOIL 252 and 252L, Soils and Laboratory, or GEOL 111, Geology | 4 |
| WLSC 310, Managing Ecological Systems for Biodiversity, or BIOL 462, Conservation Biology | 3 |
Requirement in Aquatic Systems (one course of at least 3 credits)
| WLSC 432, Environmental Biology of Fishes | 4 |
| WLSC 434, Aquatic Contaminants and Toxicology | 3 |
| WLSC 458 and 458L, Ecology of Inland Waters and Lab | 4 |
| WLSC 465, Advanced Management of Aquatic Systems | 3 |
Requirement in Terrestrial Systems (one course of 3 credits)
| BIOL 470, Plant Community Ecology | 3 |
| BIOL 468, Avian Ecology | 3 |
| RGSC 317, Rangeland Communities | 3 |
| RGSC 325, Rangeland Restoration Ecology | 3 |
| RGSC 440, Rangeland Resource Ecology | 3 |
| WLSC 466, Advanced Wildlife Management of Mammals (prerequisite WLSC 431, Forest and Range Mammals) | 3 |
Requirement in Physical Environments (one course of 3 credits)
| GEOL 318, Geology of New Mexico | 3 |
| GEOG 351, Fundamentals of Biogeography | 3 |
| GEOG 353, Geomorphology (prerequisite GEOL 111G, Survey of Geology) | 3 |
| GEOG 481, Fundamentals of Geographic Information Systems | 3 |
Additional Courses
| Electives to bring total to 128 credits and college credits to 35 credits | 0-6 |
OPTION: Preparation for Graduate Studies in Wildlife Science (total credits: 26-28)
Option Requirements (20 credits)
| CHEM 211, Organic Chemistry | 4 |
| BIOL 211G and 211L, Cellular and Organismal Biology and Lab | 4 |
| BCHE 341, Survey of Biochemistry, or SOIL 252 and 252L, Soils and Lab | 4 |
| PHYS 211 and 211L, General Physics I and Lab | 4 |
| PHYS 212 and 212L, General Physics II and Lab | 4 |
Requirements in Biodiversity (any two courses totaling 6 credits)
| BIOL 445, Herpetology | 4 |
| BIOL 465, Invertebrate Zoology | 4 |
| WLSC 430, Avian Field Ecology, or BIOL 447, Ornithology | 4 |
| WLSC 431, Forest and Range Mammals | 3 |
| WLSC 482 Ichthyology | 3 |
Additional Courses
| Electives to bring total to 128 credits and college credits to 35 credits | 3-13 |
MINOR: Wildlife Science (19 credits)
| WLSC 230, Natural History of the Vertebrates | 4 |
| WLSC 255, Principles of Natural Resource Management | 3 |
| WLSC 355, Techniques of Natural Resource Management | 3 |
| WLSC 445, Systems Ecology and Management | 3 |
| Electives in Fishery and Wildlife Science, 3 credits must be upper division | 6 |
DEGREE: Bachelor of Science in Conservation Ecology
MAJOR: Conservation Ecology
MINOR: Conservation Ecology
Codirectors of the Program: Daniel Howard, Ph.D., department head, Biology, Raul Valdez, Ph.D., department head, Fishery and Wildlife Sciences
Program Participants:
Professors Boecklen, Gutschick, Milligan; Associate Professors M. Anderson, Boren, Desmond, Houde, Nishiguchi, G. Smith; Assistant Professors Cowley, Bailey, Boeing, Gustafson, Hanley, Preszler, Roemer, Throop, Wright
New Mexico State University offers an interdisciplinary, undergraduate program in Conservation Ecology. The goal of this program is to train biologists for the current and future challenges that we face in the conservation and wise use of our Earth natural resources. An overriding principle of the program is to provide a solid foundation in basic science coupled with a practical approach towards sustainability and stewardship. The curriculum encompasses several disciplines and includes a wide variety of courses from Biology, Fishery and Wildlife Science, Geography, Government, and Range Science.
The education experience will provide students with an overview of global biodiversity and an understanding of the ecological and evolutionary processes that have created and sustained it. Courses in population and community ecology coupled with population viability analysis and risk assessment will give students the necessary background to understand the theory and development of these fields as well as the tools to tackle real-world problems. Courses in basic genetics, evolution, and conservation genetics will expose students to the importance of conserving genetic variation in order to maintain adaptive potential within populations, thereby sustaining the evolutionary process. Students will also receive background on wildlife law and environmental policy, information vital for assisting governing bodies in making decisions regarding the protection and wise use of our natural resources. Skills obtained in the application of geographic information systems, molecular genetics, and professional communication can also be acquired through various electives. In sum, we seek to provide undergraduate students with an education that will allow them the opportunity to contribute to the conservation of all life on Earth.
The requirements are listed below. In addition each required course must be passed with a grade of C or better.
DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
NOTE: General Education requirements were under revision at the time of publication. Students must check with their academic adviser for current requirements and lists of specific courses that meet these requirements.
Core Curriculum (Includes University and College Requirements 67-68 credits)
| CHEM 111/112, General Chemistry I/II | 8 |
| CHEM 211, Organic Chemistry | 4 |
| BCHE 341, Survey of Biochemistry | 3 |
| C S Elective—Any Computer Science course 100 or above, orAXED 250G, Life with Microcomputers | 3 |
| E ST 311G, Statistical Applications | 3 |
| ENGL 111G, Rhetoric and Composition | 4 |
| ENGL 318G, Advanced Technical and Professional Communication or Engl 311G, Advanced Composition | 3 |
| Liberal Studies—Historical Perspectives General Education | 3 |
| Liberal Studies—English Literature and Fine Arts, General Education. | 3 |
| Liberal Studies—one course in a liberal studies discipline not already taken | 3 |
| Social Science—Human Thought and Behavior General Education | 3 |
| Social Science—Social Analysis General Education, COMM 265G Principles of Human Communication | 3 |
| Social Science—ECON 250G, Principles of Macroeconomics | 3 |
| MATH 120, Intermediate Algebra; and MATH 142G, Calculus for Biological and Management Sciences I or MATH 191/192, Calculus and Analytical Geometry I/II | 6 |
| PHYS 211/211L, General Physics I/Laboratory | 4 |
| PHYS 212/212L, General Physics II/Laboratory | 4 |
| Physiology—Any physiology course among the following: 3/4WLSC 432, BIOL 311, 314, 377, 381, 474, 442, ANSC 370 | |
| Viewing a Wider World—ECON 337G, Natural Resource Economics 3(Second VWW course will be satisfied using the 9-hour rule: students with Biology as home department use WLSC courses and students with Wildlife Science as home department use BIOL courses.) |
Major Requirements (43-45 credits)
| WLSC 230, Natural History of the Vertebrates | 4 |
| WLSC 255, Principles of Natural Resource Management | 3 |
| WLSC 402, Seminar in Natural Resource Management | 1 |
| WLSC 447, Wildlife Law, Policy and Administration | 3 |
| BIOL 111G, Natural History of Life | 3 |
| BIOL 111L, Natural History of Life Laboratory | 1 |
| BIOL 211G, Cellular and Organismal Biology | 3 |
| BIOL 211L, Cellular and Organismal Biology Laboratory | 1 |
| WLSC 310, Managing Ecological Systems for Biodiversity orBIOL 462, Conservation Biology | 3 |
| BIOL 301, Principles of Ecology | 3 |
| BIOL 305, Genetics | 3 |
| BIOL 467, Evolution | 3 |
| BIOL 312, Plant Taxonomy, or RGSC 307, Rangeland Grasses, and RGSC 316, Rangeland Plants | 3 |
| BIOL 313, Structure and Function of Plants | 3 |
| BIOL 322, Zoology | 3 |
| WLSC 409, Population Ecology, or BIOL 470, Plant Community Ecology | 3 |
Requirements in Diversity of Life: Any two courses (6-8 credits)
| WLSC 430, Avian Field Ecology(f), or BIOL 447, Ornithology | 4 |
| WLSC 431, Forest and Range Mammals | 3 |
| WLSC 382, Ichthyology | 3 |
| BIOL 433/433L, Insect Biology/Laboratory | 4 |
| BIOL 445, Herpetology | 3 |
| BIOL 465, Invertebrate Zoology | 4 |
Additional courses
| Electives to bring total to 128 credits including 54 upper division credits |
Recommended Electives
| BIOL 468, Avian Ecology | 3 |
| BIOL 488, Principles of Conservation Genetics | 3 |
| BIOL 489, Genetic Aspects of Population Biology | 3 |
| GEOG 381, Cartography | 3 |
| GEOG 481, Fundamentals of Geographic Information Systems | 3 |
| WLSC 445, Systems Ecology in Wildlife Management | 3 |
Other Related Courses
| RGSC 318, Watershed Management | 3 |
| RGSC 325, Rangeland Restoration Management | 3 |
| RGSC 452, Rangeland Analysis | 3 |
| GEOL 111G, Survey of Geology | 4 |
| GEOL 295, Environmental Geology | 3 |
| GEOL 424, Environmental Policy | 3 |
| GOVT 478, U.S.-Mexico Border Politics | 3 |
| HIST 400, Special Topics: Environmental History of the Southwest | 3 |
| HIST 418, From the Wild West to the Atomic Age | 3 |
| HIST 429, Plague, Plunder, and Preservation: American Environmental History | 3 |
| TOX 423, Environmental Toxicology | 3 |
MINOR: Conservation Ecology
A minor in conservation ecology is available for students who choose to major in other areas, but wish to include conservation ecology in their academic training. The minor must include a minimum of 20 credits in the discipline with 9 of these coming from upper -division courses.
Requirements
Core Curriculum (17 credits)
| BIOL 111G, Natural History of Life | 3 |
| BIOL 111L, Natural History of Life, Lab | 1 |
| WLSC 230, Natural History of the Vertebrates | 4 |
| BIOL 301, Ecology | 3 |
| WLSC 447, Wildlife Law, Policy and Administration | 3 |
| BIOL 462, Conservation Biology or WLSC 310, Managing Ecological Systems for Biodiversity | 3 |
Conservation (3 Credits)
| BIOL 488, Principles of Conservation Genetics | 3 |
| BIOL 467, Evolution | 3 |
| WLSC 409, Population Ecology | 3 |
| WLSC 445, Systems Ecology in Wildlife Management | 3 |