Wildlife Ecology and Management, Undergraduate Certificate

Overview

In addition to University Requirements:

• Complete individual plan requirements.

Please note that students may be able to use some courses to meet more than one requirement. Contact your advisor for details.

Minimum Units for Completion	19 - 25
Major GPA	2.0

Purpose Statement 

Wildlife management is concerned with sustaining wildlife populations and their habitats through science-based management and conservation. It is grounded in an understanding of the biology of wild animals and ecosystem ecology, including the habitat requirements, movements, behavior, and dynamics of wildlife populations. Students explore the taxonomy, ecology, evolution and natural history of wildlife, learning tools and techniques to study their habitat and ecosystem processes. By examining how impacts of land use and environmental management decisions affect wildlife ecosystems, students can identify approaches to influence how natural resources are used and protected. Wildlife managers typically are employed by government agencies such as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service or the Arizona Game and Fish Department, but also may be employed by other organizations such as environmental non-profits (e.g., The Nature Conservancy) and consulting firms. 

The Undergraduate Certificate in Wildlife Ecology and Management is designed to provide students with a strong foundation in both science and management that will make them competitive for jobs with organizations involved in wildlife management and conservation. It also provides strong preparation for pursuing a graduate degree in wildlife science. The certificate will be especially useful for students pursuing Bachelor’s degrees in biology, environmental science, or forestry.  


Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this certificate, students will be able to demonstrate:

• Describe the key biological and ecological principles underlying the conservation and management of wildlife species and their habitat.
• Describe the biology of one or more major groups of wildlife species (e.g., mammals, birds, fish).
• Select and apply techniques commonly used to manage and restore wildlife populations.
• Evaluate and apply scientific knowledge and research findings in the conservation and management of wildlife.
• Participate constructively in thoughtful discussions with peers, scientists, wildlife professionals, representatives of various wildlife-related interest groups, and members of the general public about a broad spectrum of wildlife- and biodiversity-related issues