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Office of the University Registrar

2008-09 Undergraduate Catalog

Majors

Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
College: Agricultural and Life Sciences
Degree: Bachelor of Science
Hours for the Degree: 120
Specializations: Wildlife Ecology, Wildlife Conservation, Preprofessional,
Biology Education
Minor: Yes
Combined-Degree Program: No
Website: www.wec.ufl.edu/academics/ugrad/

Designed for the student with a keen interest in wildlife ecology and conservation, this major provides training for a variety of wildlife careers, as well as a solid foundation for professional employment or advanced graduate study. The primary focus of our undergraduate teaching is to develop the student's knowledge of the conservation and management of wildlife and their habitats for the greatest aesthetic, ecological, economic and recreational values.

Students must designate a specialization no later than the semester after 60 credit hours are completed and before registration for classes the following semester. Earlier selection of the preprofessional and biology education specializations is recommended. Consult an adviser for guidance. The specialization must be provided to WEC Student Services Office, Newins-Ziegler Hall, Room 115.

The department also co-administers a major in natural resource conservation with the School of Forest Resources and Conservation. Refer to the forestry section in this guide for information.

To graduate with this major, students must complete all university, college and major requirements.

Specialization: Wildlife Ecology
Specialization: Wildlife Conservation
Specialization: Preprofessional
Specialization: Biology Education

Specialization: Wildlife Ecology

Students in this specialization train in the biological, social, physical and management sciences, and excel at both the scientific and human dimensions of managing wildlife and natural resources. With appropriate choice of electives and course options (below), graduates satisfy requirements for certification as an associate wildlife biologist with The Wildlife Society.

Critical Tracking and Recommended Semester Plan

Semester 1

  • 2.0 UF GPA required for semesters 1-5
  • 2.5 GPA on required math and science courses combined semesters 1-5
  • Complete 1 of 6 critical-tracking courses, excluding labs: CHM 2045/2045L,
    ECO 2023 or AEB 3103, MAC 2311, BSC 2010/ 2010L, BSC 2011/2011L,
    STA 2023

Semester 2

  • Complete 1 additional critical-tracking course, excluding labs

Semester 3

  • Complete 2 additional critical-tracking courses, excluding labs

Semester 4

  • Complete 2 additional critical-tracking courses, excluding labs

Semester 5

  • Complete all critical-tracking courses, including labs

To remain on track, students must complete the critical-tracking courses, which appear in bold.

Recommended semester plan

Semester 1Credits
BSC 2010 and 2010L Integrated Principles of Biology 1 (3) and Laboratory (1) (GE-B)4
WIS 3403C Perspectives in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation3
Composition (GE-C, WR)3
Humanities (GE-H)3
Elective 2
Total 15
Semester 2Credits
BSC 2011 and 2011L Integrated Principles of Biology 2 (3) and Laboratory (1) (GE-B)4
ECO 2023 Principles of Microeconomics (3) or
AEB 3103 Principles of Food and Resource Economics (4) (GE-S)
3-4
Choose one: AML 2070, AML 2410, ENL 2012 or ENL 2022 (all are GE-C, H)3
Social and Behavioral Sciences (GE-S)3
Elective2
Total 15-16
Semester 3Credits
CHM 2045 and 2045L General Chemistry 1 (3) and Laboratory (1) (GE-P)4
STA 2023 Introduction to Statistics 1 (GE-M)3
AEE 3030C Effective Oral Communication3
AEE 3033C Writing in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences3
Elective2
Total 15
Semester 4Credits
MAC 2311 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 1 (GE-M)4
WIS 3402 and 3402L Wildlife of Florida (3) and Laboratory (1)4
SOS 3022 and 3022L Introduction to Soils in the Environment (3) and Laboratory (1) (GE-P)4
Humanities (GE-H) or Social and Behavioral Sciences (GE-S)3
Total 15
SummerCredits
FNR 3131C Dendrology/Forest Plants or
BOT 3151C Local Flora of North Florida
3
Total 3
Semester 5Credits
PCB 3034C Introduction to Ecology (4) or
PCB 4044C General Ecology (4) or
FOR 3153C Forest Ecology (3) or
PCB 3601C Plant Ecology (3)
3-4
BOT 2710C Practical Plant Taxonomy3
STA 3024 Introduction to Statistics 23
WIS 3401 Wildlife Ecology and Management 3
Elective 3
Total 15-16
Semester 6Credits
WIS 3553 Introduction to Conservation Genetics3
WIS 4501 Introduction to Wildlife Population Ecology3
ENY 3005 and 3005L Principles of Entomology (2) and Laboratory (1) or
ZOO 2203C Invertebrate Zoology (4)
3-4
Elective3
Total 12-13
Semester 7Credits
WIS 4554 Conservation Biology3
ZOO 2303C Vertebrate Zoology4
MAC 2312 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 2 (4) (GE-M) or
GIS 3043 Foundations of Geographic Information Systems (4) or
SUR 3393 and 3393L Geographic Information Systems (2) and Laboratory (1) or URP 4273 Survey of Planning Information Systems (3)
4-3
WIS 4523 Human Dimensions of Natural Resource Conservation or
FNR 4070C Environmental Education Program Development or
FOR 4664 Sustainable Ecotourism Development
3
Elective3
Total 16-17
Semester 8Credits
FAS 4305 Introduction to Fishery Science (3) or
ZOO 4472C Avian Biology (4)
3-4
FNR 4660C Natural Resource Policy and Administration or
AEB 4274 Natural Resource and Environmental Policy
3
WIS 4945C Wildlife Techniques or
WIS 4547C Avian Field Techniques
2
Choose two6
WIS 4203C Introduction to Landscape Ecology (3)
WIS 4427C Wildlife Habitat Management (3)
WIS 4601C Quantitative Wildlife Ecology (3)
Total 14-15

Note: Electives are used to complete the balance of 120 credits required for graduation. All electives are free; wildlife ecology students can choose any electives. Suggested electives include any WIS course and approved focus courses for the wildlife conservation specialization. Lists of approved focus courses are available in Newins-Ziegler Hall, Room 115.

Wildlife Society Certification: Nine credits of physical science are required for certification as an associate wildlife biologist through The Wildlife Society. Students who wish to meet the requirements for certification and do not have these credits should choose one of the following physical science courses as an elective.

Approved Physical Science Courses

CHM 2046 and 2046L General Chemistry 2 (3) and Laboratory (1)4
EES 4370 Environmental Meteorology and Oceanography3
GEO 3250 Climatology3
GLY 2030C Environmental and Engineering Geology3
PHY 2004 and 2004L Applied Physics 1 (3) and Laboratory (1)4
PHY 2053 and 2053L Physics 1 (4) and Laboratory (1)5

One course in the biology of birds and mammals is also required by TWS: Students should choose ZOO 4435 Comparative Biology of Birds and Mammals or ZOO 4472C Avian Biology in semester 8.

Details of certification requirements and application materials are available at www.wildlife.org/.

Specialization: Wildlife Conservation

This specialization allows students the flexibility to select a secondary focus comprised of seven courses (21 credit hours) in one of two areas: land management and human dimensions.

All students must file a plan of study as early as possible for the secondary focus in Newins-Ziegler Hall, Room 115. The plan must be approved and signed by the student's adviser and then filed no later than the semester after 60 credit hours are completed and before the student registers for classes the following semester.

Lists of approved courses are available in the WEC student services office. Course substitutions must be approved by an adviser. Some students in this specialization can also satisfy requirements for certification as an associate wildlife biologist by The Wildlife Society. Certification requirements and applications are available at www.wildlife.org/.

Critical Tracking and Recommended Semester Plan

Semester 1

  • 2.0 UF GPA required for semesters 1-5
  • 2.5 GPA on required math and science courses combined semesters 1-5
  • Complete 1 of 6 critical-tracking courses, excluding labs: CHM 2045/2045L,
    ECO 2023 or AEB 3103, MAC 2311, BSC 2010/2010L, BSC 2011/2011L,
    STA 2023

Semester 2

  • Complete 1 additional critical-tracking course, excluding labs

Semester 3

  • Complete 2 additional critical-tracking courses, excluding labs

Semester 4

  • Complete 2 additional critical-tracking courses, excluding labs

Semester 5

  • Complete all critical-tracking courses, including labs

To remain on track, students must complete the appropriate critical-tracking courses, which appear in bold.

Recommended semester plan

Semester 1Credits
BSC 2010 and 2010L Integrated Principlesof Biology 1 (3) and Laboratory (1) (GE-B)4
Composition (GE-C, WR)3
Electives or approved physical science courses5
WIS 3403C Perspectives in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation3
Total 15
Semester 2Credits
BSC 2011 and 2011L Integrated Principles of Biology 2 (3) and Laboratory (1) (GE-B)4
Choose one: AML 2070, AML 2410, ENL 2012 or ENL 2022 (all are GE-C, H)3
Humanities (GE-H)3
Social and Behavioral Sciences (GE-S)3
Elective2
Total 15
Semester 3Credits
ECO 2023 Principles of Microeconomics (3) or
AEB 3103 Principles of Food and Resource Economics (4) (GE-S)
3-4
CHM 2045 and 2045L General Chemistry 1 (3) and Laboratory (1) (GE-P)4
AEE 3030C Effective Oral Communication3
AEE 3033C Writing in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environmental Science3
Elective3
Total 16-17
Semester 4Credits
MAC 2311 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 1 (GE-M)4
STA 2023 Introduction to Statistics 1 (GE-M)3
WIS 3402 and WIS 3402L Wildlife of Florida and Laboratory4
Humanities (GE-H) or Social and Behavioral Sciences (GE-S)3
Total 14
Semester 5Credits
PCB 3034C Introduction to Ecology (4) or
PCB 4044C General Ecology (4) or
FOR 3153C Forest Ecology (3) or
PCB 3601C Plant Ecology (3)
3-4
MAC 2312 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 2 (4) (GE-M) or
GIS 3043 Foundations of Geographic Information Systems (4) or
SUR 3393 and 3393L Geographic Information Systems and Laboratory (3) or
URP 4273 Survey of Planning Information Systems
3-4
STA 3024 Introduction to Statistics 23
WIS 3401 Wildlife Ecology and Management3
Elective3
Total 15-17
Semester 6Credits
WIS 3553 Introduction to Conservation Genetics3
WIS 4501 Introduction to Wildlife Population Ecology3
Two focus courses6
Elective3
Total 15
Semester 7Credits
WIS 4554 Conservation Biology3
WIS 4523 Human Dimensions of Natural Resource Conservation or
FNR 4070C Environmental Education Program Development or
FOR 4664 Sustainable Ecotourism Development
3
Three focus courses 9
Total 15
Semester 8Credits
FNR 4660C Natural Resource Policy and Administration or
AEB 4274 Natural Resource and Environmental Policy
3
Two focus courses6
Choose two6
WIS 4203C Introduction to Landscape Ecology (3)
WIS 4427C Wildlife Habitat Management (3)
WIS 4601C Quantitative Wildlife Ecology (3)
Total 15

Note: Electives are used to complete the balance of 120 credits required for graduation.

Specialization: Preprofessional

This specialization satisfies the coursework requirements for admission to the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program. Students pursuing admission to the College of Veterinary Medicine must take six credits of general education composition, nine credits of humanities and six credits of social and behavioral science.

Some students can also satisfy requirements for certification as an associate wildlife biologist by The Wildlife Society. Certification requirements and application material are available at www.wildlife.org/.

Critical Tracking and Recommended Semester Plan

Semester 1

  • 2.0 UF GPA required for semesters 1-5
  • 2.5 GPA on required math and science courses combined semesters 1-5
  • Complete 2 of 7 critical-tracking courses, excluding labs: CHM 2045/2045L,
    CHM 2046/2046L, ECO 2023 or AEB 3103, MAC 2311, BSC 2010/2010L,
    BSC 2011/2011L, STA 2023

Semester 2

  • Complete 2 additional critical-tracking courses, excluding labs

Semester 3

  • Complete 1 additional critical-tracking course, excluding labs

Semester 4

  • Complete 2 additional critical-tracking courses, excluding labs

Semester 5

  • Complete all critical-tracking courses, including labs

To remain on track, students must complete the appropriate critical-tracking courses, which appear in bold.

Recommended semester plan

Semester 1Credits
BSC 2010 and 2010L Integrated Principles of Biology 1 (3) and Laboratory (1) (GE-B)4
CHM 2045 and 2045L General Chemistry 1 (3) and Laboratory (1) (GE-P)4
Composition (GE-C, WR)3
WIS 3403C Perspectives in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation3
Total 14
Semester 2Credits
BSC 2011 and 2011L Integrated Principles of Biology 2 (3) and Laboratory (1) (GE-B)4
CHM 2046 and 2046L General Chemistry 2 (3) and Laboratory (1) (GE-P)4
Choose one: AML 2070, AML 2410, ENL 2012 or ENL 2022 (all are GE-C, H)3
Humanities (GE-H)3
Elective2
Total 16
Semester 3Credits
MAC 2311 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 1 (GE-M)4
Humanities (GE-H) or Social and Behavioral Sciences (GE-S)3
AEE 3033C Research and Business Writing in Agricultural and Life Sciences 3
CHM 2210 Organic Chemistry 13
Elective3
Total 16
Semester 4Credits
ECO 2023 Principles of Microeconomics (3) or
AEB 3103 Principles of Food and Resource Economics (4) (GE-S)
3-4
STA 2023 Introduction to Statistics 1 (GE-M)3
CHM 2211 and 2211L Organic Chemistry 2 (3) and Laboratory (2)5
WIS 3402 and 3402L Wildlife of Florida and Laboratory4
Total 15-16
Semester 5Credits
PHY 2053 and 2053L Physics 1 (4) and Laboratory (1)5
PCB 3034C Introduction to Ecology (4) or
PCB 4044C General Ecology (4) or
FOR 3153C Forest Ecology (3) or
PCB 3601C Plant Ecology (3)
3-4
WIS 3401 Wildlife Ecology and Management3
Elective3
Total 14-15
Semester 6Credits
PHY 2054 and 2054L Physics 2 (4) and Laboratory (1)5
PCB 3063 Genetics (4) or
AGR 3303 Genetics (3)
3-4
WIS 4501 Introduction to Wildlife Population Ecology3
Elective3
Total 14-15
Semester 7Credits
ANS 3440 Principles of Animal Nutrition4
BCH 3025 Fundamentals of Biochemistry (4) or
BCH 4024 Introduction to Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (4) or
CHM 3218 Organic Chemistry/Biochemistry 2 (4)
4
WIS 4554 Conservation Biology3
WIS 4523 Human Dimensions of Natural Resource Conservation or
FNR 4070C Environmental Education Program Development or
FOR 4664 Sustainable Ecotourism Development
3
Elective3
Total 17
Semester 8Credits
MCB 3020 and 3020L Basic Biology of Microorganisms (3) and Laboratory (2)5
ANS 3006C Introduction to Animal Science4
AEE 3030C Effective Oral Communication3
WIS 4203C Introduction to Landscape Ecology or
WIS 4427C Wildlife Habitat Management or
WIS 4601C Quantitative Wildlife Ecology
3
Total 15

Note: Electives are used to complete the balance of 120 credits required for graduation.

All electives are free; wildlife conservation students can choose any electives. Suggested electives include any WIS course and approved focus courses for the wildlife conservation specialization.

Specialization: Biology Education

Students in this specialization complete the requirements for a B.S. in wildlife ecology and conservation and a minor in secondary education. Combining the B.S. from this program with a Master of Education (refer to the Graduate Catalog) completes coursework requirements for biological science teaching certification at the secondary-school level in the state of Florida.

Critical Tracking and Recommended Semester Plan

Semester 1

  • 2.0 UF GPA required for semesters 1-5
  • 2.5 GPA on required math and science courses combined semesters 1-5
  • Complete 2 of 6 critical-tracking courses, excluding labs: CHM 2045/2045L,
    ECO 2023 or AEB 3103, MAC 2311, BSC 2010/2010L, BSC 2011/2011L, STA 2023

Semester 2

  • Complete 2 additional critical-tracking courses, excluding labs

Semester 3

  • Complete 1 additional critical-tracking course, excluding labs

Semester 4

  • Complete 1 additional critical-tracking course, excluding labs

Semester 5

  • Complete all critical-tracking courses, including labs

To remain on track, students must complete the appropriate critical-tracking courses, which appear in bold.

Recommended semester plan

Semester 1Credits
BSC 2010 and 2010L Integrated Principles of Biology 1 (3) and Laboratory (1) (GE-B)4
MAC 2311 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 1 (GE-M)4
Composition (GE-C, WR)3
WIS 3403C Perspectives in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation3
Total 14
Semester 2Credits
BSC 2011 and 2011L Integrated Principles of Biology 2 (3) and Laboratory (1) (GE-B)4
STA 2023 Introduction to Statistics 1 (GE-M)3
Choose one: AML 2070, AML 2410, ENL 2012 or ENL 2022 (all are GE-C, H)3
Humanities (GE-H)3
Social and Behavioral Sciences (GE-S)3
Total 16
Semester 3Credits
CHM 2045 and 2045L General Chemistry 1 (3) and Laboratory (1) (GE-P)4
Social and Behavioral Sciences (GE-S) or Humanities (GE-H)3
PHY 2004 and 2004L Applied Physics 1 (3) and Laboratory (1) (GE-P)4
AEE 3033C Research and Business Writing in Agricultural and Life Sciences3
Elective1
Total 15
Semester 4Credits
ECO 2023 Principles of Microeconomics (3) or
AEB 3103 Principles of Food and Resource Economics (4) (GE-S)
3-4
WIS 3402 and 3402L Wildlife of Florida and Laboratory4
CHM 2046 and 2046L General Chemistry 2 (3) and Laboratory (1) (GE-P)4
PHY 2005 and 2005L Applied Physics 2 (3) and Laboratory (1) (GE-P)4
Total 15-16
Semester 5Credits
PCB 3034C Introduction to Ecology (4) or
PCB 4044C General Ecology (4) or
FOR 3153C Forest Ecology (3) or
PCB 3601C Plant Ecology (3)
3-4
EDF 3214 Learning and Cognition in Education2
CHM 2200 and 2200L Basic Organic Chemistry (3) and Laboratory (1) or
BCH 3025 Fundamentals of Biochemistry
4
WIS 3401 Wildlife Ecology and Management 3
Elective2
Total 14-15
Semester 6Credits
WIS 3553 Introduction to Conservation Genetics (3) or
PCB 3063 Genetics (4) or
AGR 3303 Genetics (3)
3-4
BOT 2011C Plant Diversity (4) or
BOT 3151C Local Flora of North Florida (3)
3-4
EEX 3012 Introduction to Special Education 3
EDF 3135 The Adolescent3
ZOO 2203C Invertebrate Zoology (4) or
ENY 3005 and 3005L Principles of Entomology (2) and Laboratory (1)
3-4
Total 15-18
Semester 7Credits
WIS 4554 Conservation Biology3
PCB 4723C Physiology and Molecular Biology of Animals (5) or
APK 2100C Applied Human Anatomy with Laboratory (4) or
APK 2105C Applied Human Physiology with Laboratory (4)
4-5
ZOO 2303C Vertebrate Zoology4
EDF 3609 Sociological and Historical Foundations of Education3
AEE 3030C Effective Oral Communication3
Total 17-18
Semester 8Credits
MCB 3020 and 3020L Basic Biology of Microorganisms (3) and Laboratory (2)5
EME 4406 Integrating Technology in the Early Childhood Curriculum3
Approved elective3
One WIS 3000+ level course3
Total 14

Note: Electives are used to complete the balance of 120 credits required for graduation.