Wildlife Biology

Wildlife biology examines the biology, ecology, and behaviour of vertebrate animals — especially mammals, birds and fishes. In this specialization, you’ll learn about the proper management and conservation of wildlife species and their habitats, and come to understand how wildlife species are essential within their ecosystems to society more broadly.

Many of the courses in this specialization are ‘hands-on’ and will bring you into field settings to study wildlife in their natural environments. You’ll be introduced to the latest techniques and findings in wildlife research, and will explore how these can be applied to real-world problems in conserving wildlife and minimizing human-wildlife conflicts.

Macdonald Campus is an ideal location to study wildlife biology. You’ll be surrounded by the St. Lawrence River, the primary drainage of the Great Lakes and numerous other freshwater systems in Mid to eastern Canada, where aquatic species of all kinds can be studied. Our campus has excellent sites for dynamic learning experiences, including the Lyman Museum, Canada’s largest arboretum (Morgan Arboretum), a full-scale bird observatory (McGill Bird Observatory), the Ecomuseum Zoo and field courses to Africa, Barbados, Panama and the desert.

This specialization must be taken along with a major in the BSc(AgEnvSc). The recommended major is Environmental Biology.

Accepted international credentials

Applicants are reviewed on their high school transcript with particular emphasis on yearly averages and results in prerequisite subjects (prerequisite subjects must have been completed during the last two years of high school).

Bologna-signatory countries

The Wildlife Biology program offers a useful the combination of hands-on experience and theoretical knowledge. You can work in fields like conservation, research and consulting or pursue further studies in graduate school or a professional program like Veterinary Medicine.

You can become a professional:

• Wildlife Biologist
• Conservation Biologist
• Government Research Scientist (e.g. Canadian Wildlife Service, Parks Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Provincial Environment/Natural Resource Departments)
• Environmental Consultant
• Wildlife Veterinarian
• Wildlife Educator