Fisheries and Wildlife Science (Aquatic Ecology and Management) - Bachelor of Science in Fish, Wildlife and Conservation Ecology

The Department of Fish, Wildlife and Conservation Ecology prepares you for careers in a variety of natural resource fields related to the management of wild animal populations and the natural systems they share.

To graduate, an overall grade point average of 2.0 is required in courses taken in the major field and in all courses taken at NMSU. In addition, each required course must be passed with a grade of C- or better. The department offers a minor in Fish, Wildlife and Conservation Ecology for students majoring in other disciplines. The minor includes a minimum of 18 credit hours.

The Aquatic Ecology and Management Concentration is for students who want to focus on fish and aquatic systems.

Students must complete all University degree requirements, which include: General Education requirements, Viewing a Wider World requirements, and elective credits to total at least 120 credits with 48 credits in courses numbered 300 or above. Developmental coursework will not count towards the degree requirements and/or elective credits, but may be needed in order to take the necessary English and Mathematics coursework.

Prefix Title Credits
General Education
Area I: Communications
English Composition - Level 1
ENGL 1110GComposition I4
English Composition - Level 2
ENGL 2210GProfessional and Technical Communication Honors3
Oral Communication
Select one from the following:3
Effective Leadership and Communication in Agriculture3
Introduction to Communication3
Public Speaking3
Area II: Mathematics
MATH 1430GApplications of Calculus I 13-4
or MATH 1511G Calculus and Analytic Geometry I
Area III/IV: Laboratory Sciences and Social/Behavioral Sciences 11
Macroeconomic Principles3
Principles of Microeconomics
Principles of Biology: Biodiversity, Ecology, and Evolution
and Principles of Biology: Biodiversity, Ecology, and Evolution Laboratory
4
Select one from the following:
Survey of Physics with Lab4
Algebra-Based Physics I
and Algebra-Based Physics I Lab
4
Area V: Humanities 23
Area VI: Creative and Fine Arts 23
General Education Elective
BIOL 2110G
BIOL 2110L
Principles of Biology: Cellular and Molecular Biology
and Principles of Biology: Cellular and Molecular Biology Laboratory
4
Viewing a Wider World 33
The second VWW requirment (3 credits) may be filled with the 9-credit hour rule. Please see your advisor for more information.
Departmental/College Requirements
Departmental Core Courses (29 credits)
FWCE 1110GIntroduction to Natural Resources Management 44
or FWCE 1120 Contemporary Issues in Wildlife and Natural Resources Management
FWCE 2110Principles of Fish and Wildlife Management3
FWCE 301Wildlife Ecology3
FWCE 330Natural History of the Vertebrates4
FWCE 391Internship1
FWCE 393Professional Experience and Communication3
FWCE 402Seminar in Natural Resource Management1
FWCE 409Introduction to Population Ecology3
FWCE 457Ecological Biometry3
FWCE 464Management of Aquatic and Terrestrial Ecosystems3
Departmental Botany Requirements (9 credits)
BIOL 312Plant Taxonomy3
or RGSC 316 Rangeland Plants
BIOL 313Structure and Function of Plants3
Select one from the following:3
Plant Physiology3
Rangeland Restoration Ecology3
Grass Taxonomy and Identification3
Rangeland Resource Ecology3
Departmental Physiology Requirements (3-4 credits)
Select 3-4 credits from the following:3-4
Anatomy and Physiology of Farm Animals4
Plant Physiology3
Animal Physiology3
Environmental Biology of Fishes4
Concentration Coursework
Techniques
FWCE 357Fisheries Management and Analysis4
Management
Choose one from the following:3-4
Aquatic Contaminants and Toxicology4
Aquatic Ecology4
Watershed Management3
Organismal Biology
Choose one from the following: 53-4
Parasitology3
Herpetology4
Ichthyology4
Wildlife Ecology and Management Electives 63-4
Non-Departmental Requirements (in addition to Gen.Ed/VWW) 7
AGRO 305Principles of Genetics3
or BIOL 305 Principles of Genetics
A ST 311Statistical Applications3
BIOL 322Zoology3
CHEM 1215GGeneral Chemistry I Lecture and Laboratory for STEM Majors4
CHEM 1225GGeneral Chemistry II Lecture and Laboratory for STEM Majors4
Select one from the following:4
Physical Geology4
Introduction to Soil Science
and Introduction to Soil Science Laboratory
4
Second Language: (not required)
Electives, to bring the total credits to 120 84-9
Total Credits120
1

MATH 1430G Applications of Calculus I or MATH 1511G Calculus and Analytic Geometry I is required for the degree but students may need to take any prerequisites needed to enter MATH 1430G or MATH 1511G first.  

2

See General Education section of the catalog for a full list of courses.

3

See Viewing a Wider World section of the catalog for a full list of courses.

Three credits can be taken inside the College of ACES, but three credits must also be taken outside the College of ACES or 9 credits can be taken within a single department (e.g. Biology) that is outside the College of Aces.

4

Off campus students can take FWCE 1120 Contemporary Issues in Wildlife and Natural Resources Management Distance Education.

5

At least one course chosen must be a vertebrate taxonomy course with FWCE prefix, i.e., one of FWCE 467 Herpetology or FWCE 482 Ichthyology.

6

Wildlife Concentration Electives (any course for 3-4 credits from the Techniques, Management or Organismal Biology areas):

Techniques

Management

Organismal Biology

7

Students intending to pursue graduate studies should also take CHEM 2115 Survey of Organic Chemistry and Laboratory.

8

Elective credit may vary based on General Education course selection, prerequisites, dual credit, AP credit, double majors, and/or minor coursework. The amount indicated in the requirements list is the amount needed to bring the total to 120 credits and may appear in variable form based on the degree. However students may end up needing to complete more or less on a case-by-case basis and students should discuss elective requirements with their advisor.

Additional Electives

Take additional credits so the total adds up to at least 120 credits including 55 credits 300- and 400-level classes.

Students are encouraged to pursue a minor course of study with a department of their choosing.

Compatible minors include, but are not limited to:

  • animal science,
  • biology,
  • chemistry,
  • environmental science,
  • forensic sciences,
  • geography,
  • journalism,
  • management,
  • and range science.

Notes:

  1. No more than 6 credits of Physical Education classes will count towards your degree.
  2. Maximum of two grades of ‘D’ in FWCE classes will count towards a student’s degree.

A Suggested Plan of Study for Students

This roadmap assumes student  placement in MATH 1430G Applications of Calculus I and ENGL 1110G Composition I. The contents and order of this roadmap may vary depending on initial student placement in mathematics and English. It is only a suggested plan of study for students and is not intended as a contract. Course availability may vary from fall to spring semester and may be subject to modification or change.

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Semester 1Credits
MATH 1430G Applications of Calculus I 1 3
ENGL 1110G Composition I 1 4
FWCE 1110G Introduction to Natural Resources Management 4
ACES 1120 Freshman Orientation 1
Area V: Humanities Course 2 3
 Credits15
Semester 2
BIOL 2610G
BIOL 2610L
Principles of Biology: Biodiversity, Ecology, and Evolution
and Principles of Biology: Biodiversity, Ecology, and Evolution Laboratory 1
4
FWCE 2110 Principles of Fish and Wildlife Management 3
Choose from one of the following: 3
Effective Leadership and Communication in Agriculture
Introduction to Communication
Area VI: Creative and Fine Arts 2 3
Choose from one of the following: 3
Macroeconomic Principles
Principles of Microeconomics
 Credits16
Second Year
Semester 1
CHEM 1215G General Chemistry I Lecture and Laboratory for STEM Majors 1 4
CHEM 1121 General Supplemental Instruction I 1
FWCE 301 Wildlife Ecology 3
PHYS 1115G Survey of Physics with Lab 4
Elective Course 3
 Credits15
Semester 2
CHEM 1225G General Chemistry II Lecture and Laboratory for STEM Majors 1 4
CHEM 1122 General Supplemental Instruction II 1
BIOL 2110G
BIOL 2110L
Principles of Biology: Cellular and Molecular Biology
and Principles of Biology: Cellular and Molecular Biology Laboratory
4
BIOL 313 Structure and Function of Plants 3
Choose from one of the following: 3-4
Aquatic Contaminants and Toxicology
Aquatic Ecology
Watershed Management
 Credits15-16
Third Year
Semester 1
ENGL 2210G Professional and Technical Communication Honors 3
BIOL 322 Zoology (Fall Only) 1 3
A ST 311 Statistical Applications 1 3
VWW: Viewing a Wider World Course 3 3
Choose from one of the following: 4
Introduction to Soil Science
and Introduction to Soil Science Laboratory 1
Physical Geology 1
 Credits16
Semester 2
FWCE 330 Natural History of the Vertebrates (Spring Only) 1 4
FWCE 357 Fisheries Management and Analysis (Spring Only in Even Years) 1 4
Choose from one of the following: 4
Parasitology
Herpetology 1
Ichthyology 1
Elective Course 2
 Credits14
Fourth Year
Semester 1
FWCE 391 Internship (Fall Only must be taken with FWCE 393) 1 1
FWCE 393 Professional Experience and Communication (Fall Only Must be taken with FWCE 391) 1 3
BIOL 312 Plant Taxonomy (Fall Only) 1 3
FWCE 457 Ecological Biometry (Fall Only in Odd Years) 1 3
FWCE 402 Seminar in Natural Resource Management 1
Choose from one of the following: 3
Principles of Genetics 1
Principles of Genetics 1
Elective Course 1
 Credits15
Semester 2
FWCE 409 Introduction to Population Ecology (Spring Only) 3
FWCE 464 Management of Aquatic and Terrestrial Ecosystems (Spring Only) 1 3
BIOL 314 Plant Physiology (Spring Only) 1 3
Choose from one of the following: 4
Anatomy and Physiology of Farm Animals 1
Plant Physiology 1
Animal Physiology 1
Elective Course 1
 Credits14
 Total Credits120-121
1

These courses have prerequisites and it is the students responsibility for checking and fulfilling all course prerequisites listed for these courses.

2

See the General Education section of the catalog for a full list of courses.

3

See the Viewing a Wider World section of the catalog for a full list of courses.

Three credits can be taken inside the College of ACES, but three credits must also be taken outside the College of ACES or 9 credits can be taken within a single department (e.g. Biology) that is outside the College of Aces.