MWSU’s Biology Department offers an outstanding degree in Wildlife Conservation and Management.
The Wildlife Conservation and Management degree program is committed to providing students with a collaborative learning environment to develop skills and engage in applied learning opportunities. Students gain hands-on experience through both lab and field exercises. The Wildlife Conservation program offers applied learning experiences through coursework and internships where students develop skills in areas such as: mapping GPS, wildlife capture and restraint, Wildland fire behavior and ecology, and plant, mammal, bird and herpetological field identification. Internships and independent research opportunities give students the competitive edge for career opportunities and graduate and professional schools. The Wildlife Conservation and Management major provides students with the background needed to start careers in various state, federal and nongovernmental agencies related to conservation and management.
Quick Facts about this degree:
- The MWSU Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Conservation and Management is one of only two programs in the State of Missouri to offer all of the requisite courses for certification as a wildlife biologist by The Wildlife Society.
- MWSU students have access to the Otoe Creek Nature Area, a 180-acre field study area on campus. This area contains a network of trails that run through various habitats, ponds, and streams.
- The Biology Department partners with the Missouri Department of Conservation, and the Northwest Service Center is located on Missouri Western’s campus. The Center includes classrooms and research labs for students, as well as offices and labs for more than 25 professionals. It also houses the Biology Department’s Natural History Collection of museum specimens and a herbarium.
- Many Wildlife students become members of the MWSU Student Chapter of The Wildlife Society. This group actively participates in activities related to the field of conservation and wildlife management, including such activities as prairie restoration, deer spotlight surveys, and quail surveys. The MWSU Student Chapter earned Student Chapter of the Year from The Wildlife Society in 2011 and 2013, and the MWSU Excellence in Philanthropy award in 2014.
- Professors work very closely with students on research projects, which a high percentage of students presenting their findings at professional meetings.
- Check out Research & Internships to explore applied research opportunities offered by the MWSU Biology Department.
Wildlife Conservation and Management Advisors
Questions about the Wildlife Conservation and Management degree? Contact one of these advisors or contact the Biology Department at (816) 271-4379 or biology1@missouriwestern.edu.
Biology (Bachelor of Science, B.S.)
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| General Studies | ||
| 42-47 | ||
| Core Requirements | ||
| BIO 105 | Principles of Organismal Biology | 4 |
| BIO 106 | Principles of Cell Biology | 4 |
| BIO 205 | Genetics | 4 |
| BIO 225 | Ecology | 4 |
| CHE 111 | General Chemistry I | 5 |
| CHE 120 | General Chemistry II with Qualitative Analysis | 5 |
| CHE 310 | Organic Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHE 311 | Organic Chemistry Laboratory I | 2 |
| CHE 370 | Biochemistry I | 4 |
| PHY 110 | College Physics I | 4 |
| MAT 111 | Introductory Statistics | 3-4 |
| or MAT 111E | Introductory Statistics | |
| Option Requirements | ||
| Select one of the following options: | 24-25 | |
Major in Biology | ||
Zoology Concentration | ||
Botany Concentration | ||
Health Science Concentration | ||
Major in Biology Option
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Select 24 additional credit hours from biology courses numbered 300 or higher from the following: | 24 | |
| Plant Morphology | ||
| History and Philosophy of the Natural Sciences | ||
| Molecular Cell Biology | ||
| Animal Physiology | ||
| Ornithology | ||
| Introduction to Paleontology | ||
| Plant Systematics | ||
| Local Flora | ||
| Development of Federal Wildlife Law | ||
| Pathophysiology | ||
| Herpetology | ||
| Microbiology | ||
| Developmental Biology | ||
| Invertebrate Biology | ||
| Vertebrate Biology | ||
| Medical Parasitology | ||
| Mammalogy | ||
| Animal Behavior | ||
| Biology Teaching Practicum 1 | ||
| Immunology | ||
| Biology Internship 1 | ||
| Molecular Basis of Disease | ||
| Virology | ||
| Plant Physiology | ||
| Independent Research/Project 1 | ||
| Entomology | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 24 | |
| 1 | No more than four credit hours combined of BIO 420, BIO 425, and BIO 450. |
Concentrations:
Botany
Zoology
Health Science
Botany Concentration Option
*Effective Fall 2020, this program is being phased out and has a 3-year teach out plan. More information can be found here.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Select twenty-four credits from biology courses numbered 300 or higher from the following areas: | 24 | |
| Biology Concentration Courses: | 16 | |
| Plant Morphology | ||
| Plant Systematics | ||
| Local Flora | ||
| Plant Physiology | ||
| Entomology | ||
| Biology Electives: | 8 | |
| Select an additional eight credit hours of upper-division Biology courses, not used to fulfill the Botany Concentration course area above 1 | ||
| 1 | No more than four credit hours combined of BIO 420, BIO 425, and BIO 450. |
Zoology Concentration Option
*Effective Fall 2020, this program is being phased out and has a 3-year teach out plan. More information can be found here.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Select a minimum of twenty-four credit hours from the following: | 24 | |
| Animal Physiology | ||
| Ornithology | ||
| Introduction to Paleontology | ||
| Herpetology | ||
| Microbiology | ||
| Developmental Biology | ||
| Invertebrate Biology | ||
| Vertebrate Biology | ||
| Medical Parasitology | ||
| Mammalogy | ||
| Animal Behavior | ||
| Biology Teaching Practicum 1 | ||
| Biology Internship 1 | ||
| Independent Research/Project 1 | ||
| Entomology | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 24 | |
| 1 | No more than four credit hours combined of BIO 420, BIO 425, and BIO 450. |
Health Science Concentration Option
The courses required for this concentration should prepare the student interested in a health and preprofessional program to apply and, if admitted, to succeed in the health professional program of their choice. Students selecting the Health Science concentration must be aware that additional courses may be needed to complete the admission requirements for the health professional program that they are interested in.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Select a minimum of twenty-four credit hours from the following areas: | 24-25 | |
| Health Science Electives: | 20-21 | |
| Anatomy and Physiology | ||
| Molecular Cell Biology | ||
| Animal Physiology | ||
| Microbiology | ||
| Developmental Biology | ||
| Vertebrate Biology | ||
| Medical Parasitology | ||
| Immunology | ||
| Molecular Basis of Disease | ||
| Virology | ||
| Science Electives: | ||
| Select three to four credit hours of biology or chemistry courses numbered 300 or higher 1 | 3-4 | |
| 1 | No more than four credit hours combined of BIO 420, BIO 425, and BIO 450. |
University Graduation Requirements
- Earn a minimum of 120 credit hours (100 level and higher, maximum of 6 CED credit hours applicable).
- Earn a minimum of 30 credit hours in upper-division courses. Lower-division transfer courses accepted as meeting upper-division departmental course requirements cannot be used to fulfill this requirement.
- Earn 30 of the last 45 credit hours at MWSU in institutional coursework (exclusive of credit by examination).
- Participate in required departmental and campus wide assessments.
- Fulfill the Missouri Constitution requirement.
- Successfully pass the Missouri Higher Education Civics Achievement exam.
Mapping your degree plan is important. Consult with your academic advisor to create a plan and monitor it regularly.
Get Involved
Missouri Western’s student chapter of The Wildlife Society provides opportunities for hands-on field work, including prairie restoration, deer spotlight surveys at Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge and quail surveys. Members also work with state, federal and local agencies and organizations, attend workshops and conferences and get great research opportunities and internships.