Study conservation and wildlife management

Protecting our natural resources for future generations is incredibly important work. If you’re interested in a career related to conservation, studying fish and wildlife sciences will give you the background in biology and ecology that you need to formulate effective conservation and management strategies.

When you earn a minor in fisheries and wildlife sciences online with Oregon State, you’ll learn how to evaluate conservation problems using basic and applied science as well as through social and economic considerations. This online minor gives you a strong foundation in subject areas like biodiversity conservation, ecosystem function and fish and wildlife biology. You’ll also study the influence of humans and climate on ecosystems and habitats and be better prepared to make decisions related to issues of conservation, sustainability and ecosystem restoration.

Coursework

You’ll choose from a spectrum of courses on species conservation and management, habitats and ecosystems, population dynamics, and human dimensions in natural resources. Curriculum details and minor requirements are available on Oregon State’s academic catalog. 

Please note that you will need to complete a general sequence in biology as a prerequisite for one or more required courses in this minor.

Sample course topics 

• Ecology
• Principles of fish and wildlife conservation
• Herpetology
• Mammalogy 
• Ornithology 
• Biology and conservation of marine mammals
• Introductory population dynamics
• Integrated watershed management

Benefits of learning online with Oregon State 

• All classes are developed by Oregon State's world-class faculty, who are renowned for their research, expertise and innovation.
• Oregon State is institutionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
• Oregon State Ecampus consistently ranks among the nation’s 10 best providers of online education according to U.S. News & World Report.
• OSU Ecampus students receive the same certificate and transcript as on-campus students.