COLLEGE of AGRICULTURAL, CONSUMER and ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
FISH, WILDLIFE and CONSERVATION ECOLOGY
Professor Martha Desmond, interim department head
Professors Andersen, Valdez; Associate Professors Boeing, Caldwell, Cowley, Desmond, Roemer
(575) 646-1544; FWCE@nmsu.edu
http://aces.nmsu.edu/academics/fws/
DEGREE: Bachelor of Science in Agriculture
MAJOR: Wildlife Science
OPTIONS: Wildlife Ecology and Management
Aquatic Ecology and Management
MINOR: Wildlife Science
DEGREE: Bachelor in Conservation Ecology
MAJOR: Conservation Ecology
MINOR: Conservation Ecology
DEGREE: Bachelor of Science in Agriculture
The department of Fish, Wildlife and Conservation Ecology 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 two options. The Wildlife Ecology and Management Option is for students who plan an emphasis on terrestrial organisms and the Aquatic Ecology and Management Option is for students with an emphasis on aquatic systems. 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 20 credits, with 17 credits in required courses and 3 in wildlife electives.
If you wish to become a certified wildlife biologist and eligible for work as a wildlife biologist with the federal government you should have a total of 9 credit hours of Plant Biology and, therefore, must include at least one additional elective in plant biology. If you wish to become a certified fisheries biologist, you should include the following courses in your curriculum: FWCE 432 and FWCE 482. Requirements for becoming a certified wildlife biologist are met by all options.
New Mexico and University Requirements
Area I. Communications (10 credits)
| AXED 201GG or COMM 253G or COMM 265G | 3 |
| ENGL 111G | 4 |
| ENGL 218G or 318G | 3 |
Area II. Mathematics (3 credits)
| MATH 142G or MATH 191G (MATH 121 prerequisite) | 3 |
Area III. Science, with Laboratory (8 credits)
| BIOL 111G/111GL | 4 |
| PHYS 110G or PHYS 211G/212GL | 4 |
Area IV. Social/Behavioral Sciences (6-9 credits)
| ECON 251G or ECON 252G | 3 |
| See Catalog | 3-6 |
Area V. Humanities and Fine Arts (6-9 credits)
| See Catalog | 6-9 |
Viewing a Wider World (6 credits,for a detailed description of these requirement see p. 15).
| Requirements fulfilled for College of Arts and Sciences. | |
| See Catalog | 3 |
Departmental Requirements
Extra-Departmental Core Courses
| A ST 311, Statistical Applications | 3 |
| AG E 111, Freshman Orientation | 1 |
| AGRO 305/BIOL 305, Principles of Genetics | 3 |
| BIOL 111G and 111GL, Natural History of Life (and Laboratory) | 4 |
| BIOL 211G, Cellular and Organismal Biology | 4 |
| BIOL 313, Structure and Function of Plants | 3 |
| BIOL 322, Zoology, | 3 |
| CHEM 111G, General Chemistry I | 4 |
| CHEM 112G, General Chemistry II | 4 |
(Students requiring additional help with chemistry are encouraged to also take CHEM 101 and 102 - General Supplemental Instruction. Students intending to pursue graduate studies should also take CHEM 211)
| GOVT 424, Environmental Policy | 3 |
| RGSC 307/316, Range Plants and Grasses | 5 |
| OR BIOL 312, Plant Taxonomy | 3 |
| SOIL 252, Soils | |
| OR GEOL 111G, Survey of Geology | 4 |
Departmental Core Courses
| FWCE 110, Introduction to Natural Resource Management | 3 |
(Off campus students can take FWCE 110 Distance Education)
| FWCE 255, Principles of Fish and Wildlife Management | 3 |
| FWCE 301, Wildlife Ecology | 3 |
| FWCE 330, Natural History of the Vertebrates | 4 |
| FWCE 393, Professional Experience | 3 |
| FWCE 402, Seminar in Natural Resource Management | 1 |
| FWCE 409, Introduction to Population Ecology | 3 |
| FWCE 462/ BIOL 462, Conservation Biology | 3 |
| FWCE 464, Management of Aquatic and Terrestrial Systems | 4 |
Quantitative Techniques - take one of the 3 classes below
| BIOL 488, Principles of Conservation Genetics | 3 |
| FWCE 455, Environmental Risks and Decisions | 3 |
| FWCE 488, Conservation Genetics | 3 |
STUDENTS MUST DECLARE ONE OF THE TWO FOLLOWING OPTIONS
At least two classes must be a taxonomy class (e.g., Invertebrate Zoology, Entomology, Ichthyology, Herpetology, Avian Ecology or Ornithology, Mammalogy). A maximum of 3 credits of "Problems" can count towards the Option. More credits can be taken towards the degree.
Wildlife Ecology & Management Option (4 classes: 1 management, 2 organismal plus 1 class from the aquatic option)
Category I: Management
| FWCE 359, Advanced Studies in Fishery and Wildlife Sciences (min. GPA 3.0) | 3 |
| FWCE 437, Wildlife Damage Management | 3 |
| FWCE 466, Advanced Management of Mammals | 3 |
| FWCE 536, Advanced Avian Ecology | 3 |
| RGSC 323, Rangeland Restoration Ecology OR RGSC 440, Rangeland Resource Ecology | 3 |
Category 2: Organismal Biology
| EPWS 303, Economic Entomology | 4 |
| EPWS 462, Parasitology | 4 |
| FWCE 360, Introduction to Wildlife Behavior or BIOL 439, Animal Behavior | 3 |
| FWCE 430, Avian Field Ecology or BIOL 447, Ornithology | 4 |
| FWCE 431, Mammalogy | 3 |
| FWCE 432, Environmental Biology of Fishes OR ANSC 370 (4) or BIOL 314 (3) or BIOL 377 or BIOL 381 (3) or BIOL 442 or BIOL 474, Physiology class | 4 |
Category 3: Independent Study
| FWCE 448, Problems* | 1-3 |
| FWCE 450, Special Topics | 1-4 |
* consent of instructor is needed
Aquatic Ecology & Management Option (4 classes: at least 1 from each category, plus 1 class from Wildlife Option)
Category 1: Management
| FWCE 359, Advanced Studies in Fishery and Wildlife Sciences (min. GPA 3.0) | 3 |
| FWCE 459, Aquatic Ecology | 4 |
| RGSC 318, Watershed Management | 3 |
Category 2: Organismal Biology
| BIOL 465, Invertebrate Zoology | 4 |
| EPWS 435, Aquatic and Immature Insects | 4 |
| EPWS 462, Parasitology | 4 |
| FWCE 432, Environmental Biology of Fishes | 4 |
| FWCE 482, Ichthyology OR ANSC 370 (4) or BIOL 314 (3) or BIOL 377 or BIOL 381 (3) or BIOL 442, or BIOL 474, Physiology class | 4 |
Category 3: Independent Study
| FWCE 448, Problems * | 1-3 |
| FWCE 450, Special Topics | 1-4 |
*consent of instructor is needed
ADDITIONAL ELECTIVES
Take additional credits so the total adds up to at least 128 credits including 55 credits 300- and 400-level classes.
Students are encouraged to pursue a minor course of study with a department of their choosing.
Compatible minors include, but are not limited to, accounting, animal science, biology, business administration, chemistry, environmental science, forensic sciences, geography, journalism, management, and range science.
Notes:
- No more than 6 credits of Physical Education classes will count towards your degree.
- Maximum of two grades of 'D' in FWCE classes will count towards a student's degree.
Minor: Wildlife Science
The Department offers a minor in Wildlife Science for students majoring in other disciplines. The minor includes a minimum of 20 credits, with 17 credits required courses and 3 in wildlife electives.
| FWCE 255, Principles of Fish and Wildlife Management | 3 |
| FWCE 301, Wildlife Ecology | 3 |
| FWCE 330, Natural History of Vertebrates | 4 |
| FWCE 462/BIOL 462, Conservation Ecology | 3 |
| FWCE 464, Management of Aquatic and Terrestrial Systems | 4 |
+3 credits of FWCE Elective
DEGREE: Bachelor in Conservation Ecology
MAJOR: Conservation Ecology
MINOR: Conservation Ecology
Codirectors of the Program:
Michele Nishiguchi, Ph.D., department head, Biology
Raul Valdez, Ph.D., department head, Fishery, Wildlife, and Conservation Ecology
Program Participants:
Professors Boecklen, Houde, Milligan, Nishiguchi, G.Smith; Associate Professors M. Anderson, Bailey, Boren, Cowley, Desmond, Gustafson, Hanley, Preszler, Roemer, Wright; Assistant Professors Boeing, Throop.
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 Earths 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, Fish, Wildlife and Conservation Ecology, 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
New Mexico and University Requirements
Area I. Communications (10 credits)
| COMM 265G | 3 |
| ENGL 111G | 4 |
| ENGL 311 or 318G | 3 |
Area II. Mathematics (3 credits)
| MATH 121 and MATH 142G or MATH 191/192 | 3 |
Area III. Science, with Laboratory (8 credits)
| BIOL 111G/111GL | 4 |
| PHYS 211G/211GL | 4 |
Area IV. Social/Behavioral Sciences (6-9 credits)
| ECON 251G | 3 |
| See Catalog | 3-6 |
Area V. Humanities and Fine Arts (6-9 credits)
| See Catalog | 6-9 |
NOTE: Areas IV and V are linked; you must take a total of 15 credits between the two areas, for example, either 9 credits in Area IV and 6 credits in Area V or vice versa.
Viewing a Wider World (6 credits, for a detailed description of these requirement see p. 15).
Requirements fulfilled for College of Arts and Sciences and College of Business.
Core Curriculum
| A ST 311, Statistical Applications | 3 |
| BCHE 341, Survey of Biochemistry | 3 |
| CHEM 111G, General Chemistry I | 4 |
| CHEM 112G, General Chemistry II | 4 |
| CHEM 211, Organic Chemistry | 4 |
| C S Elective - Any Computer Science course 100 or above, or AXED 250G, Life with Microcomputers | 3 |
| PHYS 212/212L, General Physics II/Laboratory | 4 |
| Physiology—Any physiology course among the following: | 3/4 |
| FWCE 432, BIOL 311, 314, 377, 381, 474, 442, ANSC | 370 |
| ECON 337V, Natural Resource Economics | 3 |
Major Requirements (43-45 credits)
| BIOL 111G, Natural History of Life | 3 |
| BIOL 111GL, Natural History of Life Laboratory | 1 |
| BIOL 211G, Cellular and Organismal Biology | 3 |
| BIOL 211GL, Cellular and Organismal Biology Laboratory | 1 |
| BIOL 301, Principles of Ecology or FWCE 301, Wildlife Ecology | 3 |
| BIOL 305 or AGRO 305, Principles of 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 |
| FWCE 255, Principles of Fish and Wildlife Management | 3 |
| FWCE 330, Natural History of the Vertebrates | 4 |
| FWCE 402, Seminar in Natural Resource Management | 1 |
| FWCE 409, Introduction to Population Ecology, or BIOL 470, Developmental Biology | 3 |
| FWCE 462 or BIOL 462, Conservation Biology | 3 |
Requirements in Diversity of Life: Any two courses (6-8 credits)
| BIOL 433/433L, Insect Biology/Laboratory | 4 |
| BIOL 445, Herpetology | 3 |
| BIOL 465, Invertebrate Zoology | 4 |
| FWCE 430, Avian Field Ecology, or BIOL 447, Ornithology | 4 |
| FWCE 431, Mammalogy | 3 |
| FWCE 482, Ichthyology | 3 |
Additional courses
Electives to bring total to 128 credits including 54 upper division credits
Recommended Electives
| BIOL 488, Principals of Conservation Genetics or FWCE 488, Conservation Genetics | 3 |
| BIOL 489, Genetic Aspects of Population Biology | 3 |
| FWCE 464, Management of Aquatic and Terrestrial Systems | 3 |
| GEOL 381, Cartography and Geographic Information Systems | 3 |
| GEOG 481, Fundamentals of Geographic Information Systems | 3 |
Other Related Courses
| GEOL 111G, Survey of Geology | 4 |
| GEOL 295, Environmental Geology | 3 |
| GEOL 424, Soil Chemistry | 3 |
| GOVT 378, U.S.-Mexico Border Politics | 3 |
| HIST 400, Special Topics | 3 |
| HIST 429, Plague, Plunder, and Preservation: American Environmental | 3 |
| RGSC 318, Watershed Management | 3 |
| RGSC 325, Rangeland Restoration Ecology | 3 |
| RGSC 452, Rangeland Analysis | 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 111GL, Natural History of Life, Lab | 1 |
| FWCE 301, Wildlife Ecology or BIOL 301, Principles of Ecology | 3 |
| FWCE 462 or BIOL 462, Conservation Biology | 3 |
| FWCE 330, Natural History of the Vertebrates | 4 |
Conservation (3 Credits)
| BIOL 467, Evolution | 3 |
| BIOL 488, Principles of Conservation Genetics | 3 |
| FWCE 409, Introduction to Population Ecology | 3 |
| FWCE 464, Management of Aquatic and Terrestrial Systems | 3 |