218 Russell Labs, 1630 Linden Drive, Madison, WI 53706; 608/262-2671; wildlife.wisc.edu
Professors Craven (chair), Karasov; Associate Professors Ribic, Lutz Samuel; Assistant Professors Drake, Van Deelen; Faculty Associate Berkelman
Founded by Aldo Leopold, the Department of Wildlife Ecology is the oldest academic department in the country where students can receive formal training in the conservation, management, and ecological study of wildlife. The curriculum is solidly based in the natural sciences. Students are trained in the basic science of ecology, as well as its application to practical issues such as conservation of exploited wildlife, control of wildlife pests, preservation of rare and endangered wildlife, and the management of wildlife communities in protected natural areas. Training also requires social science course work because most wildlife conservation issues ultimately relate to human communities.
The department offers three undergraduate degree programs within the wildlife ecology major. The Natural Resources degree program and the International Agriculture and Natural Resources degree program are intended primarily for students who wish to begin their careers with a bachelor's degree. A wildlife ecology major completed under the Natural Resources degree program leads to a Bachelor of Science-Natural Resources, whereas a major completed under the International Agriculture and Natural Resources program leads to a Bachelor of Science-International Agriculture and Natural Resources degree. The Natural Sciences degree program is for students who plan on further training in graduate school. Students completing a major under this program are awarded a Bachelor of Science-Natural Sciences degree. All degree programs include course work that will qualify a student for certification as a wildlife biologist by The Wildlife Society. All students are given opportunities to gain practical field experience, which is usually essential for acceptance into a graduate program and eventual employment.
There is intense competition for career openings in the wildlife field. Most opportunities are with state and federal conservation agencies, but career possibilities also exist with private conservation groups and educational institutions. To be most competitive for limited job opportunities, students should pursue a master's degree. The Graduate School Catalog describes the department's graduate programs.
100 Departmental and Career Orientation. I; 0 cr. For wildlife ecology majors. P: For Wl Ecol majors. Open to Fr.
289 Honors Independent Study. I, II, SS; 1-2 cr (I). P: Enrolled in the Cals Honors Prgm & So or Jr st. Inter-Ag 288.
299 Independent Study. I, II, SS; 1-3 cr (I). P: Open to Fr, So or Jr with written cons inst.
301 Terrestrial Vertebrates: Life History and Ecology. II; 3 cr (B-I). Life history, ecology, distribution, and taxonomy of reptiles, amphibians, and mammals. Birds will be covered only briefly. North American (particularly Wisconsin) species will be emphasized. Designed as a foundation for detailed study of vertebrates or to satisfy a basic interest in natural history. P: So st & an elementary crse in Zool.
318 Principles of Wildlife Ecology. I; 2 cr (B-I). Major environmental factors affecting wildlife; structure and behavior of wildlife populations; regional wildlife communities and their conservation. P: Basic course in biology. Open to Fr.
319 Ecological Principles Applied to Wildlife. I; 1 cr (B-I). This course explores ecological theory applied to wildlife research and management. Topics follow lectures in Wildlife Ecology 318, featuring terrestrial vertebrates, issues of public concern, and the applied scientific method. Assignments include mathematical, computer and graphical applications of ecological ideas. P: Wl Ecol 318 or con reg. Restricted to wildlife ecology majors.
335 Human/Animal Relationships: Biological and Philosophical Issues. (Crosslisted with Zoology) II; 3 cr (B-I). An interdisciplinary approach to our complex and often contradictory relationships with non-human animals, including information about the nature, needs and behavior of human and non-human animals in relation to our personal and professional interactions with them. P: So st.
360 Extinction of Species. (Crosslisted with Zoology, Envir St) I, SS; 3 cr (B-I). A comprehensive treatment of the ecology, causes, and consequences of species extinction. Ecology and problems of individual species, habitat alteration and degradation, socio-economic pressures and conservation techniques and strategies. P: So st. An intro biology course strongly recommended.
375 Special Topics. I, II; 1-4 cr. Current topics in wildlife ecology; content varies. P: Cons inst.
379 Principles of Wildlife Management. II; 3 cr (B-I). Ways of conserving desired numbers of animals for the overall best interests of society, be they aesthetic, ecological, economic, commercial or recreational; includes management of endangered species, exploited species, wildlife communities in nature reserves, and wildlife pests. P: Wl Ecol 318 or equiv.
399 Coordinative Internship/Cooperative Education. I, II, SS; 1-8 cr (A). P: So or Jr or Sr st & cons of supervising inst, advisor, and internship program coordinator.
401 Physiological Animal Ecology. I; 3 cr (B-D). Physiological adaptation and function in wild animals, primarily birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians. Focus on interactions between animals and their environment, and relationships between animal physiology and the ecology and dynamics of populations. P: Jr st and basic zoology course.
424 Wildlife Ecology Summer Field Practicum. Odd yrs.; SS; 2 cr. Two week field class emphasizing research and habitat management techniques through individual and group field work, tours, demonstrations and lectures. Class held in northern Wisconsin, transportation and lodging provided. P: Open to wildlife ecol majors only, Jr/Sr st or cons inst.
515 Renewable Resources Policy. (Crosslisted with Forest, Envir St) I or II; 3 cr (B-I). Historical and philosophical basis for and principal laws relating to forest, wildlife and related resources; roles of science and values in natural resources policy making; the policy process; the main federal and state renewable resource management agencies; ethics and professionalism. P: Forestry 410 or Wl Ecol 379 or cons inst.
548 Diseases of Wildlife. (Crosslisted with Ahabs) I; 3 cr (B-I). Occurrence, principles, concepts and significance of disease in wildlife. P: Jr st.
561 Wildlife Management Techniques. I; 3 cr (B-I). Preparation of collections, analyses of food habits, sex and age determinations, censuses, trapping and banding, planting food and cover, research techniques. P: Cons inst.
599 Wildlife Research Capstone. II; 3 cr. Capstone synthesis for wildlife ecology majors preparing themselves for a wildlife research career. Students develop a professional-quality research proposal for an extended project, carry out a pilot ecological field study, and design and implement a social survey questionnaire. P: Sr st & Wl Ecol 561.
606 Colloquium in Environmental Toxicology. (Crosslisted with Entom, Pl Path, Soil Sci, Ahabs, M&Envtox) I, II; 1 cr (B-I). Lectures by resident and visiting professors on toxicology and problems related to biologically active substances in the environment.
630 Ecotoxicology: Toxicant Effects on Ecosystems. (Crosslisted with M&Envtox, Agronomy, Entom) I; Odd yrs.; 3 cr (B-A). Study of how toxicants mediate interactions between organisms and their biotic and abiotic environments. Addresses biochemical and physiological mechanisms of toxicity; defenses against toxicants; population, community, ecosystems and evolutionary ecotoxicology; socio-economic impact and current research. P: Two semesters intro biology & one semester organic chem or cons inst.
632 Ecotoxicology: The Chemical Players. (Crosslisted with M&Envtox, Agronomy, Entom) I; Odd yrs.; 1 cr. Introduction to natural and man-made toxins/toxicants, their distribution, transport, and fate in the environment. Includes lectures, current research presentations, and discussions. P: 2 sem intro biol & 1 sem organic chem, or cons inst.
633 Ecotoxicology: Impacts on Individuals. (Crosslisted with M&Envtox, Agronomy, Entom) I; Odd yrs.; 1 cr. Addresses absorption, biotransformation, elimination of toxins in a wide variety of taxa (plants, invertebrates, vertebrates), and includes lectures, current research presentations, and discussions. P: M&Envtox 632, or 2 sem intro biol & M&Envtox 631, or cons inst.
634 Ecotoxicology: Impacts on Populations, Communities and Ecosystems. (Crosslisted with M&Envtox, Agronomy, Entom) I; Odd yrs.; 1 cr. Focuses on the impact of toxicants on populations, communities, ecosystems, and includes risk evaluation. Includes lectures, current research presentations, and discussions. P: M&Envtox 633, or M&Envtox 625, 626 & 631, or cons inst.
651 Conservation Biology. (Crosslisted with Botany, Envir St, Zoology) II; 3 cr (r-D). The application of ecological and genetic principles to problems concerning genetic, species, and community diversity. Topics include the hazards of rarity, choice and monitoring of indicator species, population viability analysis, habitat fragmentation, reserve design, and population recovery programs. P: An ecology crse (eg, Botany/Zool 460) and genetics (eg, Genetics/ Zool 466).
655 Animal Population Dynamics. II; 3 cr (B-I). Fluctuations of animal populations: techniques of study, documentation, controls. P: Wl Ecol 318 or equiv, and crse in stats.
681 Senior Honors Thesis. I, II, SS; 2-4 cr (A). P: Honors program candidacy.
682 Senior Honors Thesis. I, II, SS; 2-4 cr. Continuation of 681. P: Honors program candidacy & Wl Ecol 681.
699 Special Problems. I, II, SS; 1-4 cr (A). No lecture. Individual investigations fitted to the needs of the student, professional or nonprofessional. P: Sr st and cons inst.