The Fisheries and Wildlife major at the University of Georgia is one of the premier programs in the country, equipping students to become fisheries or wildlife biologists. The curriculum is broad-based and field-oriented, including courses in biology, ecology, wildlife science, animal behavior, animal population dynamics, wildlife habitat and management, animal physiology and nutrition, conservation genetics, wildlife diseases and health, and social sciences related to the human dimensions of wildlife. Along with training in data management and analysis, GIS, and emerging technologies, our students develop a broad understanding of wild animal populations. If you want to diagnose, research, and develop real solutions to manage animal populations and prevent wild animal extinctions, this is the major for you.
Students take part in internships and faculty-mentored research and develop management projects or a thesis. Choose from one of three areas of emphasis:
* Wildlife Sciences: Develop a broad understanding of the biology and ecology behind helping wild animals recover and thrive. This includes learning about studying and managing animal environments and working with different groups of people to meet wildlife conservation objectives.
* Aquatic Sciences: Develop a broad understanding of the aquatic environment, the functioning of animals and their populations, and how people use aquatic resources. Learn management and decision-making principles to conserve aquatic species and their environments.
* Wildlife Pre-Vet – Fulfill the requirements for entry into the UGA veterinary school while focusing on the perspective of wild animals and their health with courses focused on animal behavior, wildlife physiology, nutrition, wildlife diseases, and population health management.
Career opportunities: Graduates find leadership positions with conservation, management, or regulatory agencies. Others become researchers within federal, state, or academic organizations; work with public, NGO, or private land and wildlife population management; private environmental consulting; and private game, fisheries, or aquaculture ventures. Students who pursue the pre-veterinary area of emphasis continue to a graduate degree in veterinary medicine or find research-focused work in wildlife population health management and wildlife-human OneHealth issues.
Study Abroad Options: The Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources hosts study abroad programs in South Africa, New Zealand, Australia, Fiji, and Costa Rica focused on general ecology, wildlife ecology and management, animal behavior, and sustaining human societies and natural environments.