University Catalog 2024-2025

Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology (BS): Conservation Biology Concentration

Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Biology (FWCB) major prepares students to manage and conserve populations of fish and wildlife in their natural habitats. This STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) major gives students the skills they need to observe, research, monitor and assess the impact of environmental change, human behavior and public policy on wild populations of animals. Using a combination of lab work, technology and field study, students develop conservation strategies that ensure the long-term health of fish and wildlife populations.

After sophomore year, students spend six weeks in summer field courses. During the “summer camp” experience, students learn hands-on fish and wildlife management techniques in locations across the state. From plant and animal identification and bird mist netting to camera-trapping and radio telemetry, students gain experiences that prepare them for careers after graduation. FWCB students have the option to substitute the summer field course with approved internships or study abroad courses.

The Conservation Biology concentration allows flexibility for students to pursue elements of conservation that align with their specific career goals. The degree requirements include 9 credits of technical electives that compliment the major such as courses in environmental policy, entomology, science communication, or environmental education.

Contact

Dr. Nicole Mihnovets
anmihnov@ncsu.edu
FWCB Undergraduate Coordinator

Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources
Box 8008
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, North Carolina 27695-8008

Plan Requirements

Plan of Study Grid
First YearHours
ENV 100 Student Success in Environmental First Year 1
ENV 101 Exploring the Environment 2
MA 131 Calculus for Life and Management Sciences A 3
BIO 181 Introductory Biology: Ecology, Evolution, and Biodiversity 4
BIO 183 Introductory Biology: Cellular and Molecular Biology 4
CH 101 Chemistry - A Molecular Science 3
CH 102 General Chemistry Laboratory 1
COM 110 Public Speaking 3
ENG 101 Academic Writing and Research 1 4
 Hours25
Second Year
FOR 172 Forest System Mapping and Mensuration I 2
FW 221 Conservation of Natural Resources 3
PY 131 Conceptual Physics 4
Choose one of the following Economics electives: 3
Introduction to Agricultural & Resource Economics
Introduction to Agricultural & Resource Economics
Principles of Microeconomics
Fundamentals of Economics
Choose one of the following Ecology electives: 4
Ecology
Forest Ecology
Ecology
Plant Elective 3
Quantitative Elective 3
Physical Science Elective 3
 Hours25
Summer
FW 311 Piedmont Wildlife Ecology and Management 3
FW 312 Fisheries Techniques and Management 1
FW 313 Mountain Wildlife Ecology and Management 1
FW 314 Coastal Ecology and Management 1
 Hours6
Third Year
GIS 280 Introduction to GIS 3
FW 333 Conservation Biology in Practice 3
FW 353 Wildlife Management 3
FW 373 Vertebrate Natural History 3
ST 311 Introduction to Statistics 3
Select one of the following Organic Chemistry courses: 4
Introductory Organic Chemistry
and Organic Chemistry I Lab
Organic Chemistry I
and Organic Chemistry I Lab
GN 301
Genetics in Human Affairs
or Principles of Genetics
3
FW 411 Human Dimensions of Wildlife and Fisheries 3
ENG 333 Communication for Science and Research 3
 Hours28
Fourth Year
FW 415 Professional Development in Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology 1
FW 453
Principles of Wildlife Science
or Introduction to Fisheries Science
3
ENT 201 Insects and People 3
Policy Elective 3
Conservation Biology Elective 3
Fisheries & Wildlife Elective 3
Technical Electives 9
 Hours25
 Total Hours109
1

A grade of C- or better is required.

GEP Courses
GEP Humanities6
GEP Health and Exercise Studies2
GEP US Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion3
GEP Global Knowledge (Verify Requirement)
World Language Proficiency (Verify Requirement)
Total Hours11

Acad Writing Research

Acad Writing Research
ENG 101Academic Writing and Research4
FLE 101Academic Writing and Research4
Transfer Sequence
ENG 202Disciplinary Perspectives in Writing3
ENG 1GEP3

Plant Electives

FOR 3394
PB 220Local Flora3
PB 250Plant Biology4
PB 403Systematic Botany4
PB 503Systematic Botany4

Quantitative Electives

CSC 2003
MA 231Calculus for Life and Management Sciences B3
MA 241Calculus II4
NR 300Natural Resource Measurements4
ST 312Introduction to Statistics II3

Physical Science Electives

CH 201Chemistry - A Quantitative Science3
CH 202Quantitative Chemistry Laboratory1
CH 223Organic Chemistry II3
MEA 100Earth System Science: Exploring the Connections4
MEA 130Introduction to Weather and Climate3
MEA 200Introduction to Oceanography3
MEA 210Oceanography Lab1
MEA 220Marine Biology3
MEA 250Introduction to Coastal Environments3
MEA 323Geochemistry of Natural Waters3
PY 212College Physics II4

Policy Electives

ARE 309Environmental Law & Economic Policy3
FOR 472Forest Soils4
NR 460Renewable Natural Resource Management and Policy3
NR 560Renewable Natural Resource Management and Policy3
PS 320U.S. Environmental Law and Politics3
PS 336Global Environmental Politics3

Conservation Biology Electives

AEC 761Conservation and Climate Science3
FW 403Urban Wildlife Management3
FW 460International Wildlife Management and Conservation3
FW 560International Wildlife Management and Conservation3
NR 406Conservation of Biological Diversity3

Fisheries & Wildlife Electives

AEC 420Introduction to Fisheries Science3
AEC 441Biology of Fishes3
AEC 501Avian Ecology4
FW 444Mammalogy3
FW 453Principles of Wildlife Science4
FW 544Mammalogy3
ZO 410Introduction to Animal Behavior3
ZO 5423

Technical Electives

AEC 419Freshwater Ecology4
AEC 519Freshwater Ecology4
ENT 201Insects and People3
ENT 402Forest Entomology3
ENT 425General Entomology3
FOR 252Introduction to Forest Science3
FOR 304Theory of Silviculture4
FOR 402Forest Entomology3
FW 403Urban Wildlife Management3
FW 404Wildlife Habitat Management3
FW 465African Ecology and Conservation4
FW 565African Ecology and Conservation4
SSC 200Soil Science3

Semester Sequence

This is a sample.

Critical Path Courses – Identify using the code (CP) which courses are considered critical path courses which represent specific major requirements that are predictive of student success in a given program/plan. Place the (CP) next to the credit hours for the course.

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Fall SemesterHours
ENV 100
ENV 101
Student Success in Environmental First Year
and Exploring the Environment
3
ENG 101 Academic Writing and Research 1 4
MA 131 Calculus for Life and Management Sciences A 3
BIO 181 Introductory Biology: Ecology, Evolution, and Biodiversity 4
GEP Health and Exercise Studies 1
 Hours15
Spring Semester
CH 101
CH 102
Chemistry - A Molecular Science
and General Chemistry Laboratory
4
BIO 183 Introductory Biology: Cellular and Molecular Biology 4
COM 110
Public Speaking
or Interpersonal Communication
3
GEP Humanities 3
GEP Health and Exercise Studies 1
 Hours15
Second Year
Fall Semester
Plant Elective 3
FW 221 Conservation of Natural Resources (CP) 3
PY 131 Conceptual Physics 4
FOR 172 Forest System Mapping and Mensuration I 2
Physical Science Elective 3
 Hours15
Spring Semester
Economics Elective 3
Ecology Elective (CP) 4
GEP US Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion 3
Quantitative Elective 3
 Hours13
Summer
FW 311 Piedmont Wildlife Ecology and Management 3
FW 312 Fisheries Techniques and Management 1
FW 313 Mountain Wildlife Ecology and Management 1
FW 314 Coastal Ecology and Management 1
 Hours6
Third Year
Fall Semester
GIS 280 Introduction to GIS 3
FW 333 Conservation Biology in Practice (CP) 3
ST 311 Introduction to Statistics 3
FW 353 Wildlife Management 3
GN 301
Genetics in Human Affairs
or Principles of Genetics
3
 Hours15
Spring Semester
GEP Humanities 3
Select one of the following: 4
Organic Chemistry I
and Organic Chemistry I Lab
Introductory Organic Chemistry
and Organic Chemistry I Lab
FW 373 Vertebrate Natural History (CP) 3
FW 411 Human Dimensions of Wildlife and Fisheries (CP) 3
ENG 333 Communication for Science and Research 3
 Hours16
Fourth Year
Fall Semester
Technical Elective 3
Fish & Wildlife Elective 3
Policy Elective 3
ENT 201 Insects and People (GEP Interdisciplinary Perspectives) 3
FW 415 Professional Development in Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology 1
 Hours13
Spring Semester
FW 453
Principles of Wildlife Science (CP)
or Introduction to Fisheries Science
3-4
Conservation Biol Elective 3
Technical Elective 6
 Hours12
 Total Hours120
1

A grade of C- or better is required.

2

Can be met by summer camp (courses listed in adjacent block), a combination of internship and/or study abroad, or other courses that provide hands-on conservation biology experience.

Career Opportunities

Graduates are prepared for graduate school and entry-level professional positions in state and federal government agencies, non-profit organizations and private industry. Upon graduation, students are qualified to seek certification from The Wildlife Society or the American Fisheries Society.

Career Titles

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North Carolina Chapter of the Wildlife Society
North Carolina Chapter of the American Fisheries Society