Biology: Wildlife and Conservation Biology
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Wildlife and Conservation Biology (BS) Degree Map
Explore the courses you'll need to complete your degree.
Outcomes & Careers
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$67k
Wildlife Biologist
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual salary for zoologists and wildlife biologists is $67,430.
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$6k
Conservation Scientist
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual salary for a conservation scientist is $69,810.
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$45k
Conservation Technician
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual salary for forest and conservation technician is $45,000.
The wildlife and conservation biology curriculum includes coursework to prepare you to continue your education in graduate school or to start your career. You’ll complete a minimum of 120 credit hours to complete this degree, including the general education requirements and at least 39 senior division hours.
Required Courses:
- BI163 Evolution and Ecology (4)
- BI173 Cell and Organismal Biology (4)
- BI283 Genetics (4)
- BI389 Career Development in Biology (2)
- CH184 General Chemistry I Lab (1)
- CH185 General Chemistry I (3)
Choose one math course:
- MA116 Precalculus A (3)
- MA137 Precalculus (5)
- MA139 Applied Calculus (3)
- MA140 Analytical Geometry and Calculus I (5)
Choose one additional math course:
- MA155 Statistical Reasoning (3)
- MAxxx Additional math (for which MA116 is a prerequisite) (3)
Experiential Learning Requirement: 2 hours
- BI551-553 Biology Field Studies (2)
- BI563-565 Experience in Museum Curation (1-3)
- BI570 Development of Instructional Materials (1)
- BI582 Internship in Biology (1-3)
Wildlife and Conservation Option Required Courses:
- BI332 General Ecology (3)
- BO310 Plant Biology (4)
- ZO310 Zoology (4)
Choose 6 Hours From:
- BI420 Management of Wildlife Populations (3)
- BI430 Management of Wildlife Habitat (3)
- BI435 Conservation Biology (3)
- BI440 Wetland Ecology and Management (3)
- BI469 Wildlife Disease (3)
Biology Electives: choose at least 6 Hours not selected above
- Any BI, BO, ZO, BT courses, 300 level and above (6)
Non-Biology Requirements: 3 Hours
- GO110 Physical Geology (3)
- Social and Behavioral Sciences – 6 hours
- Constitution Requirement – 3 hours
- Written Communication – 6 hours
- Oral Communication – 3 hours
- Natural Sciences – 7 hours (from two disciplines, one to include a lab)
- Mathematics – 3 hours
- Humanities & Fine Arts – 9 hours (from at least two disciplines)
- Additional requirements – 5 hours (to include UI100 for native students)
- Civics examination
Freshman Year
Fall Semester (15-17 Hours)
- UI100 (1)
- BI163 (4)
- CH184/185 (4)
- MA116/137/139/140 (3-5)
- General Education (3)
Spring Semester (16 Hours)
- BI173 (4)
- EN100 (3)
- Additional Math (3)
- General Education (3)
- General Education (3)
Milestone: achieve a target cumulative GPA of 3.0
Sophomore Year
Fall Semester (16 Hours)
- BI283 (4)
- General Education (3)
- General Education (3)
- General Education (3)
- Elective (3)
Spring Semester (16 Hours)
- BI332 (3)
- BO310 (4)
- General Education (3)
- General Education (3)
- General Education (3)
Milestone: achieve a target cumulative GPA of 3.0
Junior Year
Fall Semester (15 Hours)
- BI389 (2)
- ZO310/010 (4)
- Biology elective (3)
- Elective (3)
- Elective (3)
Spring Semester (15 Hours)
- BI420/430/435/440/469 (3)
- GO110/010 (3)
- Biology elective (3)
- Elective (3)
- Elective (3)
Milestone: achieve a target cumulative GPA of 3.0
Senior Year
Fall Semester (14 Hours)
- BI420/430/435/440/469 (3)
- Experiential Learning Crs (2)
- Elective (3)
- Elective (3)
- Elective (3)
Spring Semester (13 Hours)
- Elective (3)
- Elective (3)
- Elective (3)
- Elective (3)
- Elective (1)
Milestone: achieve a target cumulative GPA of 3.0
A “Milestone” signifies a significant stage for a student in the completion
of a degree.
What will it cost?
Become a Redhawk.
Do more than dream about the future. Take the first steps to make it all happen.
How Do Students Gain Experience?
At Southeast, a biology education goes beyond the classroom. The student chapter of the Wildlife Society provides peer support, activities, and guidance for students. Our students are also gaining valuable experience to complement their classroom work with internships and field experiences at:
- Missouri Department of Conservation
- World Bird Sanctuary
- Army Corps of Engineers
- Madikwe Game Reserve in South Africa
- Whiterock Nature Preserve
- Black Hills, South Dakota
Hands-on Learning
You’ll gain hands-on real-world experience through required 80 hours outside the classroom, gaining experience conducting, presenting, and publishing research.
Happening in Biology
The Will to Do
Cape Girardeau, Missouri 63701