2023-2024 Catalog

Wildlife and Fisheries, Bachelor of Science

(95-97 credits in upper division)

Requirements

A student must receive a “C” or better in all required courses while maintaining an overall grade point average of 2.0 to graduate. Students transferring to the B.S. program after completing an Associate of Science degree in resource-related program at another college may substitute equivalent courses within the degree plan. Students must have completed all basic math and science courses. Although students will be introduced to a broad range of techniques and concepts, each student may specialize through his/her choice of electives offered, field problems and internships.

Career Opportunities

Completion of the Bachelor of Science Degree will prepare the student for entry level jobs or graduate school. This degree program provides students with the coursework and skills necessary to work for tribal, federal, and state governments, non-profit organizations, consultants and other employers in natural resource fields. Students following this degree program can meet the federal agency hiring standards for biology, ­ecology, zoology, fish and wildlife job series; as well as the educational requirements for certification by The Wildlife Society and the American Fisheries Society.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the Bachelor of Science ­Degree in Wildlife and Fisheries, a student will, in addition to the goals listed for the Associate of Science, be able to:

  • Demonstrate a broad-based theoretical, technological, and practical knowledge of the biological, ecological, and conservation sciences.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of research methods, data analysis, and techniques applied in wildlife, fish and habitat monitoring and research projects.
  • Explain how laws, policies, and cultural perspectives influence fish, wildlife, and habitat management and conservation.
  • Effectively communicate written, oral, and visual information concerning natural resource issues, cultural information, and scientific data.
  • Use critical thinking skills to analyze and resolve problems related to fish, wildlife, and habitat management, research, and conservation issues.
  • Compare and contrast the economic, political, and cultural systems that influence natural resource management for tribal governments with other agencies and entities.
  • Understand and practice the values of good citizenship, teamwork, and community service in the local community and reservation environment

Curriculum

Fall (Third Year)

WILD301Biology of Fishes

3

WILD302Biology of Fishes Laboratory

2

WILD310Habitat Conservation and Management

5

NATR413Wildland Recreation Management

3

NASD308Ethnobotany

3

OR

FORS146Dendrology

3

Total Credit Hours:16

Winter (Third Year)

ENGL 306 and 306 T recommended
WILD330Mammalogy

4

WILD331Mammalogy Laboratory

1

NATR441Conservation Biology

3

BIOS240Principles and Applications of Genetics

4

ELECTIVEUpper Division Communication from List

3

Total Credit Hours:15

Spring (Third Year)

BIOS130Introduction to Microbiology

4

BIOS131Introduction to Microbiology Lab

1

NATR370Ecological Statistics

3

NATR375Research and Thesis Seminar

1

CHEM270College Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry

5

NATR390Environmental Law

3

Total Credit Hours:17
NATR 375 is designated as a course that emphasizes information literacy.

Fall (Fourth Year)

NATR319Soil Science

3

WILD400Aquatic Invertebrate Ecology

3

WILD 401Aquatic Invertebrate Lab

2

ELECTIVENative American Studies Advanced General Education Elective 3 cr

3

WILD472Advanced Fisheries

3

ELECTIVEWildlife and Fisheries Emphasis

3

Total Credit Hours:17
*NASD 320 Federal Indian Law are recommended for Native American Studies Advanced Elective general education requirement.

Winter (Fourth Year)

NATR460Restoration Ecology

3

NATR440NEPA Process

3

NATR465Senior Research and Thesis Development

2

WILD440Applied Population Ecology

3

ELECTIVEWildlife and Fisheries Emphasis

3

HMNT301Social and Environmental Ethics

3

Total Credit Hours:17

Spring (Fourth Year)

WILD473Field Ornithology

4

MATH342Statistical Methods

3

SVLN450Service to the Environment II

1

NATR495Senior Thesis

3

WILD481Freshwater Ecology

3

WILD470Avian Studies

3

Total Credit Hours:17

Wildlife and Fisheries Emphasis Electives List – Choose from this list or another course approved by your advisor.

FORS100Survey of Forestry

3

FORS102Fire and Human Cultures

3

FORS146Dendrology

3

FORS310Forest Ecology

3

GEOG100Introduction to Geography

5

NATR374GIS III: Advanced Digitizing & Raster Analysis

3

NATR471Remote Sensing & Image Analysis

3

GEOL105Physical Geology and Lab

5

GEOL130Geology of the Flathead Indian Reservation

3

HYDR210Physical Hydrology

3

HYDR370Groundwater

3

HYDR422Water Law

3

HYDR425Watershed Management

3

LFSC320Mammalian Physiology

5

NASD108Tribal Uses of Wild Plants

3

NASD150Hide Tanning

3

NASD210Introduction to Indigenous Science

3

NASD308Ethnobotany

3

NASD323Native American Perspectives In Natural Resource Management

3

NATR172Forest Botany

4

NATR240Weather and Climate

3

NATR280Special Topics in Natural Resources

3

NATR343Data Processing and Visualization in Natural Resources

3

WILD210Wetland and Riparian Habitats

3

WILD471Applied Wildlife Management

3

WILD472Advanced Fisheries

3

*or other emphasis course approved by your advisor

An emphasis elective cannot be included towards more than one degree requirement.

Total Credit Hours: 191-195