two students work with fish near a mountain pond

Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology Major

Love nature? What if your job could be preserving and protecting our wildlife and wildlands?

At a glance

The Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology major focuses on teaching you how to be a good steward of our natural resources and how to solve complex environmental problems. You’ll gain a strong foundation in the biological, physical, and social sciences with an emphasis on conservation and sustainability of wild animals and their habitats. A summer field course at CSU’s mountain campus provides students with hands-on learning about natural resource ecology and measurements.

Degree typeBachelor of Science
FormatOn campus
Part ofWarner College of Natural Resources
Competitive major?No
Accelerated option?No
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Concentrations

A concentration allows you to specialize in a certain area within your major, offering a depth of information and hands-on experiences that you may not otherwise get. Many students in this major will concentrate in one area to work in a specific field after college, as well as find mentors and internships before they even graduate.

Conservation Biology

You’ll focus on understanding the ecological processes necessary to conserve biological diversity with an emphasis on fish and wildlife species and their habitats. 

Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences

This concentration provides you with a strong background in basic fishery ecology, management, and conservation, which includes an understanding of the linkages between land and water. 

Wildlife Biology

You’ll focus primarily on terrestrial vertebrates and their habitats, and builds a strong foundation in basic wildlife ecology, management, and conservation. 

Some Career Options

Federal and state agencies that manage natural resources will likely offer you the most employment opportunities in fish, wildlife, and conservation biology. You’ll also find opportunities in the U.S. Forest Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, Geological Survey, National Park Service, Environmental Protection Agency, Bureau of Reclamation, National Marine Fisheries Service, and state departments of wildlife and natural resources. Non-governmental organizations like The Nature Conservancy, private companies, and environmental consultants also offer excellent opportunities for graduates. 

Federal and state agencies that manage natural resources will likely offer you the most employment opportunities in fish, wildlife, and conservation biology. Graduates have gone on to work for the U.S. Forest Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, Geological Survey, National Park Service, Environmental Protection Agency, Bureau of Reclamation, National Marine Fisheries Service, and state departments of wildlife and natural resources. You’ll also find career options in non-governmental organizations, like The Nature Conservancy, private companies, and environmental consultants.

  • Ecologist  
  • Endangered Species Specialist 
  • Environmental Consultant
  • Fishery/Wildlife/Conservation Biologist/Ecologist  
  • Natural Resource Manager
  • Research Scientist  
  • Wildlife Refuge or Natural Resource Manager 
  • Environmental/Conservation Educator

Related CSU majors

Related CSU graduate programs

Tour and info session options

Tours may be available as part of Admissions tours and info sessions, offered throughout the year.

For additional opportunities, please reach out to:

Carmyn Ginnetti, Recruitment and Engagement Coordinator, at [email protected] or [email protected]

academic Info and Tips

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Want a more in-depth look at this major? Take a look at the program website to learn more.

GO TO THE MAJOR'S WEBSITE