Includes the science and art of maintaining populations of wild animals at levels consistent with the best interests of both wild species and people. Management goals may be aesthetic, economic, or ecological. Students obtain jobs with private, state, and federal agencies involved in managing wildlife resources. 

Options Available

Thesis

Concentration (Optional)

Wildlife Health

Campus Option

Knoxville Campus

Admissions Standards/Procedures

• The student must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in forestry, wildlife, fisheries, or another natural resource area, or a professional degree in medicine (including veterinary medicine), or law.
• Applicants must take the general Graduate Record Examination with minimum scores required.
• Graduate Rating Forms or letters of recommendation from three individuals familiar with the applicant’s academic ability are required.
• The department has an application that must be submitted at the same time the online application is submitted.
• To the Office of Graduate Admissions submit online application, application fee, official transcripts, and scores from the general portion of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).

Wildlife and Fisheries Science Major — Thesis

Credit Hours Required

30 graduate credit hours

Required Courses

• WFS 500  (6 credit hours)
• A minimum of 24 credit hours of graduate coursework selected in consultation with the major professor and/or guidance committee
  • WFS 512  (1 credit hour) taken twice for a total of 2 credit hours
  • No more than 10 credit hours of the minimum 30 can be below the 500-level

Additional Course Requirements

• The committee may require additional coursework if the student’s progress or background indicates such need.

Non-Course Requirements

• A graduate committee of no fewer than three faculty members must be selected by the second semester of residence. At least one member must be from outside the department.
• Prior to research for the thesis, the student is required to develop a detailed written research proposal.
• An oral examination covering the thesis and coursework is required.

Wildlife Health Concentration — Thesis

The wildlife health concentration is designed to prepare students for wildlife health-related service and research careers in the public and private sectors, and to prepare students interested in pursuing further graduate and/or professional training.

Credit Hours Required

30 graduate credit hours

Required Courses

• WFS 500  (6 credit hours)
• A minimum of 24 credit hours of graduate coursework selected in consultation with the major professor and/or guidance committee to include
  • 9 credit hours must be from wildlife health-related courses including
    • WFS 501 , WFS 530 , WFS 531 , WFS 550 ,
    • Comparative and Experimental Medicine (CEM), or
    • Veterinary Medicine (VMD) courses as approved by committee
• WFS 512  (1 credit hour) taken twice for a total of 2 credit hours
• No more than 10 credit hours of the minimum 30 can be below the 500-level

Additional Course Requirements

• The committee may require additional coursework if the student’s progress or background indicates such need.

Non-Course Requirements

• A graduate committee of no fewer than three faculty members must be selected by the second semester of residence. At least one member must be from outside the department.
• Prior to research for the thesis, the student is required to develop a detailed written research proposal.
• An oral examination covering the thesis and coursework is required.