B.S. in Wildlife, Sustainability, and Ecosystem Sciences
Program Facts
College: College of Agriculture & Natural Resources
Major: Wildlife, Sustainability, and Ecosystem Sciences
Degree Level: Bachelor's
- On-Campus
Credit Hours: 120
Duration: 4 Years
Tuition & Fees
Estimated costs available via the calculator.
Overview
A traditional program with a hands-on approach, our bachelor’s degree in wildlife, sustainability and ecosystem sciences meets the academic and professional needs of our undergraduate students in an ever-changing natural resources field. We prepare you to confront the environmental challenges of present and future generations by understanding, managing and conserving wildlife and natural resources that humans depend on.
Program Benefits
- Graduates are well-prepared for graduate studies in natural resources and conservation, including Tarleton’s Master of Science in Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences.
- Pre-veterinary students benefit from Tarleton’s agreement with the TAMU College of Veterinary Medicine, which admits up to five qualified Tarleton students each year.
- Depending on your chosen concentration, you can begin your career in areas like wildlife, fisheries, or habitat management, captive animal biology, or horticulture (including plant propagation and landscape design).
- Alumni work in both public and private conservation sectors, including state and federal wildlife departments, conservation agencies, state and national parks, and private lands.
Courses
Starting with fundamental principles of wildlife ecology and management, our program curriculum lays the foundation of knowledge in areas such as morphology, ecology and conservation management. As you progress through the program, you’ll study a wide variety of topics such as fisheries management, wildlife law and policies, pollinator ecology, wildlife diseases, human dimensions, insect identification and conservation using GIS spatial analysis software.
Classes, labs and field experiences connect course topics with current issues in the region. For example, you may explore ecology and management of large mammals in North America; construct small-scale aquaponics systems; study the art and science of composting waste; identify and classify trees, grasses and herbaceous plants; analyze wildlife population growth and its reaction to management system; and examine the ecological role of fire in natural systems.
Offered Concentrations
- Wildlife Ecology & Management
- Fisheries Ecology & Management
- Entomology
- Natural Resource Policy
- Rangeland Ecology and Management
Learning Outcomes
Successfully completing a bachelor’s degree in wildlife, sustainability and ecosystem science, our graduates are prepared for most graduate programs related to natural resources and conservation, including Tarleton’s Master of Science in Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences. For pre-veterinary students, Tarleton has an agreement with the TAMU College of Veterinary Medicine, which admits up to five qualified students from Tarleton each year, in addition to those who get accepted through the standard admissions process.
Career Outcomes
Depending on the concentration you choose, you may also start your career with an entry-level job in wildlife management, fisheries management, habitat management, captive animal biology or horticulture, including plant propagation and landscape design. Our graduates have been successful in both public and private sectors of the conservation and natural resources field, including jobs with state or federal wildlife departments, conservation agencies, state and national parks and private lands.