FISH, WILDLIFE and CONSERVATION ECOLOGY
Kathryn E. Stoner, department head
Professors Andersen, Caldwell, Cowley, Desmond, Roemer; Associate Professors Boeing; Assistant Professors Cain, Carleton; College
Associate Professors Frey, Sallenave
(575) 646-1544; FWCE@nmsu.edu
http://aces.nmsu.edu/academics/fws/
DEGREE: Bachelor of Science in Agriculture
MAJOR: Wildlife Science
OPTIONS: Wildlife Ecology and Management
Aquatic Ecology and Management
MINOR: Wildlife Science
DEGREE: Bachelor in Conservation Ecology
MAJOR: Conservation Ecology
MINOR: Conservation Ecology
DEGREE:
Bachelor of Science in Agriculture
The Department of Fish, Wildlife and Conservation Ecology prepares you for careers in a variety of natural resource fields related to
management of wild animal populations and the natural systems they share. Within the major you are offered two options. The Wildlife
Ecology and Management Option is for students who plan to focus on terrestrial organisms, and the Aquatic Ecology and Management
Option is for students who want to focus on fish and aquatic organisms. To graduate, an overall grade point average of 2.00 is required in
courses taken in the major field and in all courses taken at NMSU; no more than 2 D's are allowed in core departmental courses. The
department offers a minor in Wildlife Science for students majoring in other disciplines. The minor includes a minimum of 20 credits, with 17
credits in required courses and 3 in electives.
If you wish to become a certified wildlife biologist and eligible for work as a wildlife biologist with the federal government you should have a
total of 9 credit hours of Plant Biology and, therefore, must include at least one additional elective in plant biology. If you wish to become a
certified fisheries biologist, you should include the following courses in your curriculum: FWCE 432 and FWCE 482.
New Mexico and University Requirements
Area I. Communications (10 credits)
AXED 201GG or COMM 253G or COMM 265G .................................. 3
ENGL 111G ............................................................................................ 4
ENGL 218G, Technical and Scientific Communication, or 318G, Advanced Technical and Scientific Communication ... 3
Area II. Mathematics (3 credits)
MATH 142G or MATH 191G (MATH 121G, College Algebra prerequisite) 3
Area III. Science, with Laboratory (8 credits)
BIOL 111G/111GL ................................................................................. 4
PHYS 110G or PHYS 211G/212GL...................................................... 4
Area IV. Social/Behavioral Sciences (6-9 credits)
ECON 251G or ECON 252G ................................................................ 3
See Catalog ........................................................................................ 3-6
Area V. Humanities and Fine Arts (6-9 credits)
See Catalog......................................................................................... 6-9
Viewing a Wider World (6 credits, for a detailed description of these requirement see p. 15).
Requirements fulfilled for College of Arts and Sciences.
See Catalog............................................................................................ 3
Departmental Requirements
Extra-Departmental Core Courses
A ST 311, Statistical Applications .......................................................... 3
ACES 111, Freshman Orientation ......................................................... 1
AGRO 305/BIOL 305, Principles of Genetics ....................................... 3
BIOL 111G and 111GL, Natural History of Life (and Laboratory) ........ 4
BIOL 211G, Cellular and Organismal Biology....................................... 4
BIOL 313, Structure and Function of Plants.......................................... 3
BIOL 322, Zoology, ............................................................................... 3
CHEM 111G, General Chemistry I ........................................................ 4
CHEM 112G, General Chemistry II ....................................................... 4
(Students requiring additional help with chemistry are encouraged to also take CHEM 101 and 102 ñ General Supplemental Instruction.
Students intending to pursue graduate studies should also take CHEM 211)
RGSC 307/316, Range Plants and Grasses ........................................ 5
OR BIOL 312, Plant Taxonomy ............................................................. 3
SOIL 252, Soils ..................................................................................... 3
OR GEOL 111G, Survey of Geology ................................................... 4
Departmental Core Courses
FWCE 110, Introduction to Natural Resource Management................ 3
(Off campus students can take FWCE 110 Distance Education)
FWCE 255, Principles of Fish and Wildlife Management ..................... 3
FWCE 301, Wildlife Ecology ................................................................. 3
FWCE 330, Natural History of the Vertebrates ..................................... 4
FWCE 391, Internship ………………………………………………….. 3
FWCE 393, Professional Experience .................................................... 3
FWCE 402, Seminar in Natural Resource Management ..................... 1
FWCE 409, Introduction to Population Ecology.................................... 3
FWCE 447, Wildlife Law and Policy ……………………………………3
FWCE 462/ BIOL 462, Conservation Biology ....................................... 3
FWCE 464, Management of Aquatic and Terrestrial Systems ........... 4
Quantitative Techniques – take one of the 3 classes below
FWCE 455, Environmental Risks and Decisions ................................. 3
FWCE 457, Ecological Biometry ………………………………………. 3
FWCE 488, Conservation Genetics ...................................................... 3
OR,
BIOL 488, Principles of Conservation Genetics ................................. 3
STUDENTS MUST DECLARE ONE OF THE TWO FOLLOWING OPTIONS
A maximum of 3 credits of FWCE 448 “Problems” can count towards the Option. More credits can be taken towards the degree.
Wildlife Ecology & Management Option (4
aquatic option)
6 classes: 1 techniques, 1 management, 2 organismal, 1 physiology plus 1 class from the
Category 1: Techniques
FWCE 355, Wildlife Techniques and Analysis ……………………….. 4
Category 2: Management
FWCE 436, Large Mammal Ecology, Conservation and Management…3
FWCE 437, Wildlife Damage Management .......................................... 3
FWCE 439, Game Bird Ecology and management ………………….. 3
FWCE 536, Advanced Avian Ecology................................................... 3
RGSC 323, Rangeland Restoration Ecology
OR RGSC 440, Rangeland Resource Ecology .................................... 3
Category 3: Organismal Biology
(At least one course chosen must be a terrestrial vertebrate taxonomy course with FWCE prefix, i.e., one of FWCE 430, FWCE 431, or
FWCE 467)
BIOL 439, Animal Behavior ................................................................... 3
EPWS 303, Economic Entomology....................................................... 4
EPWS 462, Parasitology ....................................................................... 4
FWCE 430, Avian Field Ecology or BIOL 447, Ornithology ................. 4
FWCE 431, Mammalogy ....................................................................... 3
FWCE 440, Wildlife Habitat Relationships ……………………………. 3
FWCE 467, Herpetology ……………………………………………….. 4
Category 4: Physiology
FWCE 432, Environmental Biology of Fishes …………………….….4
FWCE 438, Vertebrate Physiological Ecology …………………… …. 3
OR ANSC 370 (4) or BIOL 314 (3) or BIOL 377 or BIOL 381 (3) or BIOL 442 or BIOL 474
Category 5: Independent Study
FWCE 448, Problems*........................................................................ 1-3
FWCE 450, Special Topics ................................................................. 1-4
* consent of instructor is needed
Aquatic Ecology & Management Option (4
the wildlife option)
6 classes: 1 techniques, 1 management, 2 organismal, 1 physiology plus 1 class from
Category 1: Techniques
FWCE 433, Fisheries Management ……………………………… … 3
OR
FWCE 459, Aquatic Ecology …………………………………………. 4.
Category 2: Management
FWCE 459, Aquatic Ecology ................................................................. 4
FWCE 480, Advanced Management of Aquatic Systems ……………3
RGSC 318, Watershed Management .................................................. 3
Category 3: Organismal Biology
(At least one course chosen must be a vertebrate taxonomy course with FWCE prefix, i.e., one of FWCE 467 or FWCE 482)
BIOL 465, Invertebrate Zoology ............................................................ 4
EPWS 435, Aquatic and Immature Insects........................................... 4
EPWS 462, Parasitology ....................................................................... 4
FWCE 467, Herpetology ……………………………………………….. 4
FWCE 482, Ichthyology ......................................................................... 4
Category 4: Physiology
FWCE 432, Environmental Biology of Fishes ....................................... 4
FWCE 438, Vertebrate Physiological Ecology ……………………...... 3
OR ANSC 370 (4) or BIOL 314 (3) or BIOL 377 or BIOL 381 (3) or BIOL 442, or BIOL 474, Physiology class
Category 5: Independent Study
FWCE 448, Problems *....................................................................... 1-3
FWCE 450, Special Topics ................................................................. 1-4
*consent of instructor is needed
ADDITIONAL ELECTIVES
Take additional credits so the total adds up to at least 128 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.
Minor: Wildlife Science
The Department offers a minor in Wildlife Science for students majoring in other disciplines. The minor includes a minimum of 20 credits,
with 17 credits required courses and 3 in wildlife electives.
FWCE 255, Principles of Fish and Wildlife Management ..................... 3
FWCE 301, Wildlife Ecology .................................................................. 3
FWCE 330, Natural History of the Vertebrates ..................................... 4
FWCE 462/BIOL 462, Conservation Ecology ....................................... 3
FWCE 464, Management of Aquatic and Terrestrial Systems ............ 4
+3 credits of FWCE Elective
DEGREE: Bachelor in Conservation Ecology
MAJOR: Conservation Ecology
MINOR: Conservation Ecology
Codirectors of the Program:
Ralph Preszler, Ph.D., department head, Biology
Kathryn E. Stoner, department head, Fish, Wildlife and Conservation Ecology
Program Participants:
Professors Andersen, Boecklen, Cowley, Desmond, Houde, Milligan, Nishiguchi, Roemer, G.Smith; Associate Professors Bailey,
Boeing, Boren, Cowley, Hanley, Preszler, Wright; Assistant Professors Cain, Carleton, Mabry, Throop; College Associate Professors
Frey, Sallenave
New Mexico State University offers an interdisciplinary, undergraduate program in Conservation Ecology. The goal of this program is to
train biologists for the current and future challenges that we face in the conservation and wise use of our Earth’s natural resources. An
overriding principle of the program is to provide a solid foundation in basic science coupled with a practical approach towards sustainability
and stewardship. The curriculum encompasses several disciplines and includes a wide variety of courses from Biology, Fish, Wildlife and
Conservation Ecology, Geography, Government, and Range Science.
The education experience will provide students with an overview of global biodiversity and an understanding of the ecological and
evolutionary processes that have created and sustained it. Courses in population and community ecology coupled with population viability
analysis and risk assessment will give students the necessary background to understand the theory and development of these fields as well
as the tools to tackle real-world problems. Courses in basic genetics, evolution, and conservation genetics will expose students to the
importance of conserving genetic variation in order to maintain adaptive potential within populations, thereby sustaining the evolutionary
process. Students will also receive background on wildlife law and environmental policy, information vital for assisting governing bodies in
making decisions regarding the protection and wise use of our natural resources. Skills obtained in the application of geographic information
systems, molecular genetics, and professional communication can also be acquired through various electives. In sum, we seek to provide
undergraduate students with an education that will allow them the opportunity to contribute to the conservation of all life on Earth.
The requirements are listed below. In addition each required course must be passed with a grade of C or better.
DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
New Mexico and University Requirements
Area I. Communications (10 credits)
COMM 265G .......................................................................................... 3
ENGL 111G ............................................................................................ 4
ENGL 218G or 318G ............................................................................ 3
Area II. Mathematics (3 credits)
MATH 121 and MATH 142G or MATH 191/192................................... 3
Area III. Science, with Laboratory (8 credits)
BIOL 111G/111GL ................................................................................. 4
PHYS 211G/211GL ............................................................................ .. 4
Area IV. Social/Behavioral Sciences (6-9 credits)
ECON 251G .......................................................................................... 3
See Catalog ........................................................................................ 3-6
Area V. Humanities and Fine Arts (6-9 credits)
See Catalog......................................................................................... 6-9
NOTE: Areas IV and V are linked; you must take a total of 15 credits between the two areas, for example, either 9 credits in Area IV and
6 credits in Area V or vice versa.
Viewing a Wider World (6 credits, for a detailed description of these requirement see p. 15).
Requirements fulfilled for College of Arts and Sciences and College of Business.
Core Curriculum
A ST 311, Statistical Applications .......................................................... 3
BCHE 341, Survey of Biochemistry....................................................... 3
CHEM 111G, General Chemistry I ........................................................ 4
CHEM 112G, General Chemistry II ....................................................... 4
CHEM 211, Organic Chemistry ............................................................. 4
PHYS 212/212L, General Physics II/Laboratory................................... 4
Physiology – Any physiology course among the following: ............... 3/4
FWCE 432, BIOL 314, 381, ANSC 370
ECON 337V, Natural Resource Economics ......................................... 3
Major Requirements (43-45 credits)
BIOL 111G, Natural History of Life ........................................................ 3
BIOL 111GL, Natural History of Life Laboratory ................................... 1
BIOL 211G, Cellular and Organismal Biology....................................... 3
BIOL 211GL, Cellular and Organismal Biology Laboratory .................. 1
BIOL 301, Principles of Ecology or FWCE 301, Wildlife Ecology ........ 3
BIOL 305 or AGRO 305, Principles of Genetics ................................... 3
BIOL 467, Evolution ............................................................................... 3
BIOL 312, Plant Taxonomy, or RGSC 307, Rangeland Grasses,
AND RGSC 316, Rangeland Plants ..................................................... 3
BIOL 313, Structure and Function of Plants.......................................... 3
BIOL 322, Zoology ................................................................................. 3
FWCE 255, Principles of Fish and Wildlife Management ..................... 3
FWCE 330, Natural History of the Vertebrates ..................................... 4
FWCE 402, Seminar in Natural Resource Management ..................... 1
FWCE 409, Introduction to Population Ecology, or BIOL 470, Developmental Biology 3
FWCE 462 or BIOL 462, Conservation Biology.................................... 3
Requirements in Diversity of Life: Any two courses (6-8 credits)
BIOL 465, Invertebrate Zoology ............................................................ 4
BIOL 480, Animal Behavior ................................................................... 3
EPWS 303, Economic Entomology....................................................... 4
FWCE 430, Avian Field Ecology, or BIOL 447, Ornithology ................ 4
FWCE 431, Mammalogy ....................................................................... 3
FWCE 482, Ichthyology ......................................................................... 3
Additional courses
Electives to bring total to 128 credits including 54 upper division credits
Recommended Electives
BIOL 488, Principals of Conservation Genetics or FWCE 488, Conservation Genetics 3
BIOL 489, Genetic Aspects of Population Biology................................ 3
FWCE 464, Management of Aquatic and Terrestrial Ecosystems ...... 3
GEOL 381, Cartography and Geographic Information Systems.......... 3
GEOG 481, Fundamentals of Geographic Information Systems......... 3
Other Related Courses
GEOL 111G, Survey of Geology ........................................................... 4
GEOL 295, Environmental Geology ...................................................... 3
GEOL 424, Soil Chemistry..................................................................... 3
GOVT 378, U.S.-Mexico Border Politics ............................................... 3
HIST 401, American Environmental History ......................................... 3
RGSC 318, Watershed Management ................................................... 3
RGSC 325, Rangeland Restoration Ecology........................................ 3
RGSC 452, Rangeland Analysis ........................................................... 3
TOX 423, Environmental Toxicology..................................................... 3
MINOR: Conservation Ecology
A minor in conservation ecology is available for students who choose to major in other areas, but wish to include conservation ecology in
their academic training. The minor must include a minimum of 20 credits in the discipline with 9 of these coming from upper-division courses.
Requirements
Core Curriculum (17 credits)
BIOL 111G, Natural History of Life ........................................................ 3
BIOL 111GL, Natural History of Life, Lab .............................................. 1
FWCE 301, Wildlife Ecology or BIOL 301, Principles of Ecology ........ 3
FWCE 462 or BIOL 462, Conservation Biology ................................... 3
FWCE 330, Natural History of the Vertebrates ..................................... 4
Conservation (3 Credits)
BIOL 467, Evolution ............................................................................... 3
BIOL 488, Principles of Conservation Genetics .................................... 3
FWCE 409, Introduction to Population Ecology.................................... 3
FWCE 464, Management of Aquatic and Terrestrial Systems ............ 3