What is wildlife ecology and management?
Wildlife ecology and management is the study of how animals and the places they live fit together — and how people can make informed decisions that support healthy habitats. In this major, you’ll focus on land-based ecosystems and species ranging from game and nongame wildlife to threatened and endangered populations.
What you'll learn
You’ll build a strong foundation for field-based problem-solving, with course work in:
- life sciences;
- social sciences;
- communication;
- climate change;
- environmental policy;
- field, lab and analytic techniques;
- experiential learning, such as study abroad or professional internships.
Why study wildlife ecology and management at MSU?
Michigan’s forests, farms and freshwater landscapes support a wide range of wildlife and plant life — and that diversity matters for ecosystems, agriculture and day-to-day life across the state.
In this program, you’ll learn how wildlife decisions get made in the real world. MSU faculty teach the science alongside the human side of the work, including management, policy, conflict resolution, resource economics and other public-facing dimensions of the field.
Specialized concentrations
If you complete the wildlife ecology and management requirements and choose electives appropriately, you can also meet requirements for certification by The Wildlife Society as an Associate Wildlife Biologist.
Concentrations include:
- water quality;
- forestry;
- resource economics;
- conservation law enforcement;
- environmental education;
- conservation biology;
- wildlife biology and management;
- wildlife disease.
Hands-on learning opportunities
You can add global experience through study abroad programs led by faculty and graduate students in MSU’s Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, offered during spring break and winter and summer breaks.
Past options have included:
- Exploring Wildlife Conservation in South Africa;
- Big 5 African Conservation Internship;
- Cheetah Conservation Internship;
- Marine Biology Internship;
- Rhino Conservation Internship;
- Studies in Antarctic System Science.
Study in a close-knit science community
This major is offered through the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, where students study everything from food systems to environmental science. You can also choose to complete this major through Lyman Briggs College (LBC), a residential college at MSU that combines science-focused academics with a small-community experience. In the LBC pathway, you’ll take your foundational science courses within Briggs and complete your upper-level major requirements through the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources.
Student organizations and activities
With 1,000+ registered student organizations at MSU, there are lots of ways to get involved — including groups like:
- Fisheries and Wildlife Club;
- Fishing Club;
- Fly-Fishing Club;
- Birding Club;
- Herpetology Club;
- Outdoors Club;
- Pre-Veterinary Medical Association.
If you want to meet other students who care about wildlife, conservation and the outdoors, these clubs can help you build community and get experience beyond the classroom. You can browse student clubs and organizations at MSU to see what else is out there.
Alumni pursuits
Graduates often find employment with state and federal natural resource agencies; nonprofit environmental organizations; private companies and consulting firms; as well as universities and colleges.
Common jobs nclude:
- conservation officer;
- environmental consultant;
- wetland monitoring assistant;
- fisheries/wildlife technician;
- land management planner;
- fisheries/wildlife biologist.