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Twin Cities Campus
Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology B.S.Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology
College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences
The fisheries, wildlife, and conservation biology curriculum gives students a broad science background emphasizing biological and environmental sciences and other coursework needed for careers in fisheries, wildlife, conservation biology, and other natural resource and environmental fields. Graduates are prepared to research, plan, and implement the management, protection, and enhancement of fisheries and aquatic resources, wildlife resources, and biological diversity. Graduates find employment as fisheries and wildlife scientists and managers, naturalists, zoo biologists, environmental biologists, environmental educators, and other natural resource professionals. The program also provides students with the fundamental science background needed to enter a wide variety of graduate programs in biological and natural resource sciences, as well as professional programs in veterinary medicine, environmental law, and environmental education.
Students select an area of specialization, usually by the end of the sophomore year. Areas of specialization include conservation biology, fisheries and aquatic sciences, and wildlife.
Program Delivery
This program is available:
Admission Requirements
For information about University of Minnesota admission requirements, visit the
Office of Admissions
website.
General Requirements
All students in baccalaureate degree programs are required to complete general University and college requirements including writing and liberal education courses. For more information about University-wide requirements, see the
liberal education requirements.
Required courses for the major, minor or certificate in which a student receives a D grade (with or without plus or minus) do not count toward the major, minor or certificate (including transfer courses).
Program Requirements
At least 20 upper-division credits in the major must be taken at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities campus.
Students may fulfill the minimum requirements for admission to the University's College of Veterinary Medicine and other colleges of veterinary medicine by completing a bachelor's degree in fisheries and wildlife within any of the three areas of specialization.
Mathematical Thinking (8 credits)
Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology Courses (13 credits)
The Interdisciplinary Learning requirement is met with FW 2001W.
FW 1001 - Orientation in Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology
(1.0 cr)
FW 2001W - Introduction to Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology
[ENV, WI]
(3.0 cr)
FW 3106 - Vegetation Sampling for Habitat Assessments
(1.0 cr)
FW 3108 - Field Methods in Research and Conservation of Vertebrate Populations
(3.0 cr)
FNRM 3131 - Geographical Information Systems (GIS) for Natural Resources
[TS]
(4.0 cr)
Experiential Learning - Professional Experience
All students must take either CFAN 3096 or CFAN 4096. Students have three options for fulfilling the professional experience required in these courses: an official internship, a supervised research experience of at least 100 hours (e.g. UROP), or a major capstone research project in a study abroad program. Study abroad option must be discussed and approved by the FWCB major coordinator. Research option must be discussed and approved by a FWCB faculty supervisor.
CFAN 3096 - Making the Most of your Professional Experience
(1.0 cr)
or
CFAN 4096 - Reflecting on Your Professional Experience
(1.0 cr)
Restricted Electives
Communications (3-4 credits)
Take exactly 1 course(s) from the following:
·
AECM 2421W - Professional and Oral Communication for Agriculture, Food & the Environment
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
COMM 1101 - Introduction to Public Speaking
[CIV]
(3.0 cr)
·
WRIT 3562W - Technical and Professional Writing
[WI]
(4.0 cr)
Human Dimensions (6-7 credits)
Take exactly 2 course(s) from the following:
·
FW 3925 - Human Dimensions of Fisheries and Wildlife Management
(3.0 cr)
·
ESPM 3011W - Ethics in Natural Resources
[CIV, WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
ESPM 3014 - Tribal and Indigenous Natural Resource Management
(3.0 cr)
·
ESPM 3202W - Environmental Conflict Management, Leadership, and Planning
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
ESPM 3241W - Natural Resource and Environmental Policy
[SOCS, CIV, WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
ESPM 3245 - Sustainable Land Use Planning and Policy
[ENV]
(3.0 cr)
·
ESPM 3261 - Economics and Natural Resources Management
[SOCS, ENV]
(4.0 cr)
·
ESPM 3271 - Environmental Policy, Law, and Human Behavior
[CIV, SOCS]
(3.0 cr)
·
ESPM 3921 - Science and Critical Thinking for Understanding Our World
[CIV]
(3.0 cr)
Animals and Plants (9-12 credits)
Take exactly 3 course(s) from the following:
·
FW 2003 - Introduction to Marine Biology
(3.0 cr)
·
FW 4101 - Herpetology
(4.0 cr)
·
FNRM 1101 - Dendrology: Identifying Forest Trees and Shrubs
(3.0 cr)
·
FW 4136 - Ichthyology
(4.0 cr)
·
ENT 3021 - Insect Biodiversity and Evolution
(4.0 cr)
·
PMB 4321 - Minnesota Flora
(3.0 cr)
·
PMB 4511 - Flowering Plant Diversity
(3.0 cr)
Community and Ecosystem Ecology (3-4 credits)
Take exactly 1 course(s) totaling 3 - 4 credit(s) from the following:
·
EEB 4609W - Ecosystem Ecology
[ENV, WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
ESPM 3575 - Wetlands
(3.0 cr)
·
FNRM 3104 - Forest Ecology
(4.0 cr)
·
FNRM 3203 - Forest Fire and Disturbance Ecology
(3.0 cr)
·
FNRM 3204 - Landscape Ecology and Management
(3.0 cr)
·
ESPM 3108 - Ecology of Managed Systems
[ENV]
(3.0 cr)
·
ESPM 5071 - Ecological Restoration
(4.0 cr)
·
EEB 3603 - Science, Protection, and Management of Aquatic Environments
(3.0 cr)
or
EEB 5601 - Limnology
(3.0 cr)
Advanced Courses in FWCB (9-11 credits)
Select three classes in total, including at least one of the first 3 choices.
Take exactly 3 course(s) from the following:
·
FW 4102 - Principles of Conservation Biology
[ENV]
(3.0 cr)
·
FW 4103 - Principles of Wildlife Management
(3.0 cr)
·
FW 4107 - Principles of Fisheries Science and Management
(3.0 cr)
·
FW 4401 - Fish Physiology and Behavior
(3.0 cr)
·
FW 5051 - Analysis of Populations
(4.0 cr)
·
FW 5603W - Habitats and Regulation of Wildlife
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
FW 5459 - Stream and River Ecology
(3.0 cr)
·
ESPM 3015 - Invasive Plants and Animals: Ecology and Management
(3.0 cr)
·
ESPM 3251 - Natural Resources in Sustainable International Development
[GP]
(3.0 cr)
·
ESPM 4061W - Water Quality and Natural Resources
[ENV, WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
FNRM 3411 - Managing Forest Ecosystems: Silviculture
(3.0 cr)
·
FNRM 4232W - Managing Recreational Lands
[WI]
(4.0 cr)
Upper Division Writing Intensive within the Major
Students are required to take one upper division writing intensive course within the major. If that requirement has not been satisfied within the core major requirements, students must choose one course from the following list. Some of these courses may also fulfill other major requirements.
Take 0 - 1 course(s) from the following:
·
EEB 3408W - Ecology
[WI]
(4.0 cr)
·
EEB 4609W - Ecosystem Ecology
[ENV, WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
ESPM 3011W - Ethics in Natural Resources
[CIV, WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
ESPM 3202W - Environmental Conflict Management, Leadership, and Planning
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
ESPM 3241W - Natural Resource and Environmental Policy
[SOCS, CIV, WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
ESPM 4061W - Water Quality and Natural Resources
[ENV, WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
FW 5603W - Habitats and Regulation of Wildlife
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
WRIT 3562W - Technical and Professional Writing
[WI]
(4.0 cr)
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Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Math 1271/Math 1281/Math 1371/ |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | AnSc 3011/ESPM 3012/Stat 3011/ |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Chem 1061/Chem 1071H/Chem 1081 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 1.0 [max 1.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Chem 1065/Chem 1075H |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Biol 1009/Biol 1009H |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Biol 2005/Biol 2012/Biol 3012 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Spring Even Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Biol 4003/GCD 3022 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Biol 3407//Biol 3807/EEB 3407 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Summer |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Biol 3407//Biol 3807/EEB 3407 |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 1.0 [max 1.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 1.0 [max 1.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 1.0 [max 2.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 1.0 [max 2.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Comm 1101/Comm 1101H/PSTL 1461 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Writ 3562V/Writ 3562W |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | ESPM 3014/ESPM 5014 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | ESPM 3202WESPM /5202 |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | ESPM 3241W/ESPM 5241 |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | ESPM 3245/ESPM 5245 |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | ESPM 3261/ESPM 5261 |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Spring Odd Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Ent 3021/Ent 5021 |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Fall Even Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Spring Odd Year |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Summer |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 4.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | ESPM 3575/ESPM 5575 |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | FNRM 3104/FNRM 5104 |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | FNRM 3203/FNRM 5203 |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | FNRM 3204/FNRM 5204 |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | ESPM 3108/ESPM 5108 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | ESPM 5071/Hort 5071 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Prerequisites: | introductory biology course |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Spring Even Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | EEB/FW 5051 |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Fall Even Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | ESPM 3015/ESPM 5015 |
Typically offered: | Fall Odd Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | ESPM 3251/ESPM 5251/LAS 3251 |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | FNRM 3411/FNRM 5411 |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | FNRM 4232W/FNRM 5232 |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Biol 3407//Biol 3807/EEB 3407 |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | ESPM 3202WESPM /5202 |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | ESPM 3241W/ESPM 5241 |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Writ 3562V/Writ 3562W |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |