Major in Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology, Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences Concentration

The Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences concentration allows students to develop a strong background in basic fishery ecology, management, and conservation, which includes knowledge of the ecosystems that support aquatic species and an understanding of the linkages between land and water.

Students choosing the Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences concentration are also required to complete at least 80 hours of paid or non-paid employment related to fishery and aquatic biology.

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. Students choosing the Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences concentration are also required to complete at least 80 clock hours in an internship experience related to fishery and aquatic biology.

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Students taking this biology selection should choose a botany-related course in the department elective options to meet 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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Take 1 credit of FW 487 during the semester in which you are completing the 80 h work experience requirement.

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Students selecting GR 204/WR 204 only need select three credits. Students selecting one of the geosciences lecture courses (GEOL 120, GEOL 122, GEOL 124) also need to take GEOL 121.

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Students will 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 wildife 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; 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 120, 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 – Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 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 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 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/BZ 120 or B) LIFE 102/LIFE 103. Students choosing the Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences concentration are also required to complete at least 80 clock hours in an internship experience related to fishery and aquatic biology.  Students must sign up for 1 credit of FW 487 during the semester in which they are completing their internship or work experience requirement.