University General Course Catalog 2024-2025 
    
    Nov 25, 2024  
University General Course Catalog 2024-2025

Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, B.S.


The Wildlife Ecology and Conservation major provides a solid, multidisciplinary foundation for science-based decision making in wildlife ecology and conservation biology. Students acquire a strong background in basic science (e.g., biology, chemistry, and mathematics) as well as courses addressing critical issues in management, restoration and conservation of wildlife and other biological resources. This major is designed for students interested in pursuing careers focused on the ecology and management of wildlife and other biota. Coursework will develop skills needed to evaluate impacts of human activities on natural and managed biological systems. Graduating seniors are prepared for graduate study or may enter the work force directly. Wildlife ecology and conservation biology are growing areas of regional, state, and national priority. Hence, the employment outlook is extremely promising for students interested in working for state and federal agencies, private consulting firms, and non-profit organizations. The curriculum can be designed to assure qualification as a federal wildlife biologist and/or certification by The Wildlife Society. Students interested in qualifying under the federal U.S. Office of Personnel Management Standards should notify their advisor and consult the website at https://www.opm.gov/.

https://www.unr.edu/assessment/plans/agriculture-biotechnology-and-natural-resources

Program Learning Outcomes


Students will be able to:

  • demonstrate effective oral and written communication skills by preparing a written wildlife conservation review and delivering an oral presentation of their work. (C)
  • utilize appropriate quantitative skills for wildlife management by gathering data, conducting data analysis, and using statistical and computer modeling techniques. (QR)
  • assess a problem, gathering and analyzing relevant information associated with that problem, and proposing possible solutions. (CT)

Contact Information


Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Science
217 Fleischmann Agriculture
(775) 784-4020 / (775) 784-4835

For questions about academic advising:
All incoming and current students should contact:
CABNR Advising Center, in FA 236  
(775) 784-1634
cabnrstudentcenter@unr.edu

For questions about upper-division electives and career advising:
All students can contact their faculty mentor:

Erica Bigio ( A - L) - ebigio@unr.edu
Julie Stoughton (M - Z) - jstoughton@unr.edu

Transfer to the University of Nevada, Reno


Use the transfer agreement  and the degree planner (available by clicking Print degree planner icon at the top right of this page) to build your plan for graduation with your advisor. Course substitutions not identified on the transfer agreement require UNR advisor approval.

If a major-to-major transfer agreement is not available for your transfer institution, please check the General Core agreement  if available. If neither is available, access Transferology to assist in your planning.

Graduation Requirements


  • Total Units | 120
  • Cumulative GPA | 2.0
  • University GPA | 2.0
  • Major GPA | 2.0
  • Residency Requirement | 30 Upper-Division Units at UNR
  • Major Residency Requirement | 15 Upper-Division Units in the major at UNR
  • Upper-Division Requirement | 40 Upper-Division Units

I. Core General Education Requirements (27-36 units)


NOTE: Refer to the Core Curriculum chapter of this catalog for information regarding the “Core English and Math Completion Policy  .”

Students in this major must meet all Core Objectives (CO1 through CO14). Courses satisfying Core Objectives are designated (e.g., CO9) in General Catalog curricula and course descriptions.

A. Composition & Communication; Critical Analysis & Use of Information (3-6 units) - CO1, CO3


B. Quantitative Reasoning (4-10 units) - CO2


C. Physical & Natural Phenomena (8 units) - CO4, CO4L


D. Cultures, Societies, & Individuals (3 units) - CO6


Refer to the Core Curriculum chapter for a list of approved CO6 courses .

E. Artistic Composition, Interpretation, & Expression (3 units) - CO7


Refer to the Core Curriculum chapter for a list of approved CO7 courses .

II. Additional Core Requirements (0 units)


Students must take courses that satisfy the following Core Objectives. Some or all of these Core Objectives may be satisfied in the Major Requirements (Section IV).  Refer to the Core Curriculum  chapter in this catalog.

A. Science, Technology & Society - CO9


B. Diversity & Equity - CO10


C. Global Context - CO11


D. Ethics - CO12


E. Capstone Integration & Synthesis - CO13


F. Application - CO14


III. Additional College Requirements (0 units)


IV. Major Requirements (72-77 units)


C. Organisms–Select two from the following list (6-8 units)


D. Plant Biology–Select two from the following list (6-7 units) (NOTE-9 units of plant biology recommended for OPM Series requirements)


E. Technical Electives (12 units)


In consultation with your advisor: Select four courses from technical areas including biology, natural resources and environmental science, chemistry, geology, mathematics, etc. Technical elective classes can include any of the following (with the exception of classes completed for major requirements) or classes from the list below.

BCH 3XX, 4XX

BIOL 3XX, 4XX

CHEM 2XX, 3XX, 4XX

MATH 2XX, 3XX, 4XX

NRES 3XX, 4XX

V. Minor Requirements (0 units)


VI. Electives (7-21 units)


*Students interested in certification by the Wildlife Society should consult with their advisor and take as part of their Technical and General Electives: 6-9 units in courses (in addition to ENG 101 and ENG 102) that are designed to improve communication skills such as English composition, technical writing, journalism, public speaking, or use of mass media (for example, COM 101 ENG 321 ) and courses with an asterisk in the above lists. 

VII. Recommended Schedule


A. First Year


Fall Semester (15 units)


Spring Semester (16 units)


B. Second Year


C. Third Year


Fall Semester (15 units)


Spring Semester (15-17 units)


  • (3 units)
  • Physiology and Behavior Class (3 units - BIOL 316 OR BIOL 481)
  • Plant Biology Class (3-4 units - NRES 406 or 447 OR BCH 410)
  • Organism Class (3-4 units - BIOL 432, 433 or 437)
  • Technical Elective (3 units)

D. Fourth Year


Fall Semester (12-13 units)


Spring Semester (13-14 units)