Description | Skills | Experience | Sample Careers/Work Settings | Salary
Double Majors/Minors | Advanced Degrees | NCSU Orgs | Prof. Orgs | Links | Next Steps

Description of Major

Fisheries and Wildlife address basic and applied questions about fish and wildlife ecology, habitat use, conservation, production, harvest, and interactions with people, on scales ranging from individual organisms to ecosystems. Students develop and employ original approaches in quantitative analysis, experimental design, field studies, modeling and genetic techniques.

There are two concentrations in this major: Fisheries Science and Wildlife Science.

Fisheries Science Concentration: Students learn about the role of fish in aquatic ecosystems, fish biology, fish ecology, fisheries management and conservation. Emphasis on aquatic ecosystems and food webs, life history and ecology of important sport and commercial fishes, population and community dynamics, and theory and practice of fisheries management and conservation.

Wildlife Sciences Concentration: Students are exposed to the historical development of Wildlife Management from anecdotal, observational practices to modern, scientific approaches used around the world. Principles of population analysis, management, protection and conservation of animals, particularly those of conservation, aesthetic, sport or food values in urban, rural and wilderness areas are covered.

STUDY ABROAD OPPORTUNITIES: Students are encouraged to take advantage of study abroad opportunities. The Fisheries and Wildlife program has sponsored summer trips to Namibia and Bostwana, Africa. There are opportunities for student exchanges in Sweden, Norway, and Italy.

The wildlife concentration offers a minor in Italian Studies, which includes two semester in Italy; one in Perugia and one at the University of Rome. Students interested in this minor should declare interest as a freshman.

Courses include:

Conservation of Natural Resources, Wildlife Inventory & Management, Fisheries Techniques & Management, Wildlife Management, Fishery Science, Limnology, Biology of Fisheries

The Undergraduate Catalog shows a listing of Fisheries & Wildlife courses, and the degree audit shows the curriculum course requirements for this major. If you are interested in expanding your career options, consider double-majoring and/or adding a minor.

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Skills You Develop In This Major

• Practical Field Skills
• Critical Thinking
• Work in Team Environment

Gaining Career-Related Experience

You are strongly encouraged to gain career-related experience prior to graduation in the form of an internship, summer job, or co-op. All students in Fisheries & Wildlife are required to attend a 6-week, residential summer camp. The students are provided instruction in ecosystem concepts, structure and function of plant and animal communities, management practices, and practical field skills. Students are also encouraged to seek internships.

Co-op is a program of alternating semesters of work and school. Paid work terms of increasing responsibility enable students to graduate with the minimum equivalent of one year of relevant work experience. Full-time enrollment during the semester prior to the first work term is required. You can begin co-op after completion of at least two semesters (30 credit hours) at NC State (one semester for transfers and graduate students). An NC State transcript must show grades and admission to a degree program. A minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.50 (3.00 for graduate students) is required. The Co-op Office web site lists the Orientation Schedule, which is the first step to program participation.

Internships are typically full-time during the summer or (for some) part-time during the semester. You can start interning or seeking summer jobs related to your field, whenever you are ready. The University Career Center provides services to help you get started.

Participate in ePack, the Career Center's on-line system that connects employees with students through internship postings, on-campus interviews, information sessions, and resume searches. You may activate your ePack account at any time.

Internship Example

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Sample Career Titles and Possible Work Settings

The following lists provide a brief sampling of the kind of jobs and work environments you might find with a degree in this major. These titles and work settings are by no means an exhaustive listing. Because the world of work is always changing, over time job titles and work settings can change. The below listing is provided in hopes of giving you initial insight into a particular career field that would employ the skills and knowledge gained through this major.

Sample Career Titles	Sample Work Settings
Fisheries Biologist	Federal Agency
Wildlife Biologist	State Agency
Research Technician	University
Educator	Nature Museum
Park Ranger	State or Federal Park
Lobbyist	Private Conservation Organization

Careers Needing Advanced Degrees

• Director of Government Agency
• Researcher
• Director of Non-Profit Organization

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Salary

Baccalaureate - $ 33,254 (life sciences)
From National Asso. of Colleges & Employers - July 2009

The salary listed above is an average starting salary based on skills and experiences gained at the Bachelors level. Keep in mind that salary level typically increases with additional experience and/or educational degrees.

Furthermore, you may have the opportunity to mold an entry-level position into your dream job and subsequently increase your salary as you learn more, add responsibilities and gain experience.

NC State Related Organizations & Clubs

Leopold Wildlife Club
Faculty Adviser: Dr. Chris DePerno, 513.7559, phil_doer@ncsu.edu

Student Fishery Society
Faculty Adviser: Dr. Jim Rice, 515.4592, jim_rice@ncsu.edu

Professional Resources (Outside NC State)

These resources include organizations, clubs, and conferences not affiliated with NC State and can be an important part of your career pursuit.

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

Links to Related Resources

• University Career Center
• For more specific information on occupation/job skills, expectations, and salary, go to the Occupational Information Network site and search for a specific job. (hint: for salary info, select a report on one of the jobs and find the wages link at the bottom of the page.)
• The list of available Minors at NC State.
• Experimental Courses Listing (a.k.a. Special Topics)
• Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources
• College of Natural Resources
• Cooperative Education Program
  

Next Steps

Need more information about this major? Contact the expert on this major,
Coordinator of Advising.

Don't want this major? Continue exploring the available majors.
Still unsure of your major and/or not sure what to do next?
You know you want this major. What do you need to do now?

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Last updated: 8th of September, 2009 at 10:03:14 AM

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