Curriculum

The coursework in Oregon State’s online fisheries, wildlife, and conservation sciences bachelor’s program will prompt you to get outside, conduct assignments in the field, gain work experience and, in some cases, conduct independent research projects. The core courses will help you acquire the educational foundation of fish and wildlife conservation.

Andrea Fuchs thought she’d never realize her dream of working with animals because she struggled in math and science. After enrolling online in the FW&CS program, her dream became a reality. Learn more »

Degree requirements

A minimum of 180 quarter credits — at least 60 of which must be upper-division credits — are required to graduate with your fisheries, wildlife, and conservation sciences degree, including:

• OSU’s Baccalaureate Core (general education)
• Major requirements: Fisheries, wildlife, and conservation sciences

Specialization options

In consultation with program faculty, you will design your own course of study that aligns with your career and life goals. Example specializations include large mammal ecology, conservation biology and ecosystem management. Learn more and download documents related to the specializations on the department's website.

Sample course topics

• Ecology
• Career skills in fisheries and wildlife
• Principles of fish and wildlife conservation
• Population dynamics
• Field sampling of fish and wildlife
• Applied community and ecosystem ecology
• Biology and conservation of marine mammals
• Animal genetics
• Vertebrate physiology
• Aquatic biological invasions
• Avian conservation and management

Award-winning online education

In 2019, OSU’s fisheries, wildlife, and conservation sciences bachelor’s program won the Online Learning Consortium’s John R. Bourne Outstanding Online Program Award – one of the most prestigious awards given in the field of online learning – for its track record of student success and faculty satisfaction. Learn more »

Additional program features

Internships

In order to graduate, students in the program are required to complete two internship courses: an exploratory internship for 1 credit and intensive internship for 3 credits. Learn more about this requirement »

Compare fisheries, wildlife, and conservation sciences to other OSU online programs

Want to know how the fisheries, wildlife, and conservation sciences degree compares to the online degrees in environmental sciences or natural resources? Check out our degree comparison tool.

Transfer credits

Some degree requirements may be transferred from other institutions. Please note that a minimum of 45 credits of the last 75 credits in this degree program must be completed at Oregon State (online or on campus) to meet the academic residency requirement.

Previously earned credits will need to be reviewed upon admittance to OSU for appropriate articulation. Additional information about transferring credits is available through OSU’s Transfer Credit Central.

Add a minor

As an OSU Ecampus student, you can add a minor to your degree program. OSU offers a diverse selection of minors online. Combine fisheries, wildlife, and conservation sciences with a minor in business or geography to create an even more powerful résumé fit for today's job market.