Major in Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology, Conservation Biology Concentration

The Conservation Biology concentration focuses on understanding the ecological processes necessary to conserve biological diversity, with an emphasis on fish and wildlife species and their habitats. This concentration has a broader coverage across both the fish and wildlife disciplines, including the systems that support them (soils, water, forests, fire, geology). There is also a more focused exploration of the human, historical, and political aspects that have shaped conservation efforts and what can be done to ensure sustainable practices and management of natural resources.

Effective Fall 2024

A minimum grade of C (2.000) is required in all biological, mathematical/ statistical, physical science, fish, wildlife, and conservation biology and natural resource courses used to meet graduation requirements for the fish, wildlife, and conservation biology major. The minimum applies to courses taken as substitutions for meeting these requirements. 

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Students taking this biology selection should choose a botany-related course in the department elective options to meet the botany/plant course requirements for certain federal positions related to wildlife, fisheries, and/or conservation biology.

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Students in the Honors Track 1 program must take HONR 499.

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FW 300 and FW 301 count together as one selection in this choice.

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Restricted to FW subject code, department travel abroad courses, taught by FWCB faculty. No transfer or substitute courses will be accepted.

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Students may need to obtain a registration override from the appropriate department to take this course.

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Guided electives are courses intended to expand a student's depth and breadth in wildlife biology and include any 300- or 400-level regular course with a BC, BMS, BSPM, BZ, CHEM, ESS, F, FW, GES, MATH, MIP, NR, NRRT, PH, RS, SOCR, STAT, or WR subject code (excluding courses ending in -80 to -99); CHEM 245 and CHEM 246; SOCR 240; other courses with prior approval by department and advisor. Courses may not double-count as Guided Electives and for other requirements in the major.  

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Select enough elective credits to bring the program total to a minimum of 120 credits, of which at least 42 must be upper-division (300- to 400-level).

Distinctive Requirements for Degree Program:
The curriculum for the Fish, Wildlife and Conservation Biology major – Conservation Biology concentration assumes students enter college prepared to take calculus. Students who have not met the prerequisites for calculus, will be required to successfully complete the prerequisites in their first year. A minimum grade of C (2.000) is required in all biological, mathematical / statistical, physical science, fish, wildlife, and conservation biology, and natural resources courses used to meet graduation requirements for the fish, wildlife, and conservation biology major. The minimum applies to courses taken as substitutions for meeting degree requirements. NR 220 is a summer course in which students reside at CSU’s Mountain Campus. Students must choose ONE of two CHEM + PH paths:  (Path A) CHEM 107/CHEM 108 and PH 121/PH 122 or (Path B) CHEM 111, CHEM 112, CHEM 113, CHEM 114 and PH 110/PH 111. Students must also choose ONE biology group A) BZ 110/BZ 111 or B) LIFE 102/LIFE 103.