Fisheries and Aquatic Ecology option

Major:Natural Resource Ecology and Management

two students standing in water with fish in net

What is fisheries and aquatic ecology?

The fisheries and aquatic ecology option provides understanding of ecological processes important to aquatic ecosystems.

Why fisheries and aquatic ecology?

You'll research and learn the techniques and methodology in fisheries science, including sampling design, habitat measurements, sampling gears and abundance estimation, age and growth analysis, recreational surveys, data analysis and report writing.

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Career paths

The professional positions our graduates pursue upon graduation are as varied as the natural resources they wish to protect and enhance. Potential jobs include:

Conservation officer
Environmental consultant
Fisheries biologist
Game warden

Rangeland conservationist
Research scientist
Stream ecologist

$1.8MILLION IN UNDERGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIPS

awarded by the Ferguson College of Agriculture and its departments annually

Highlights

Senior capstone course

In your senior capstone course, you will tackle a real resource management problem for a land or resource agency, working with a professional or private landowner. This will prepare you for your first professional assignment.

Student involvement

You can become an active member of one of the many student organizations in the department. Participation in these organizations gives you the chance to attend state, regional or national meetings to gain valuable advantages through networking, student competitions and interacting with various career-related activities.

Real-world experience

Depending on your course of study, an internship or professional summer job experience may be required. This will provide you with real-world experiences, enhance your education and may lead to permanent employment following graduation.

Study abroad

The Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management offers two study abroad courses, one to the Galapagos Islands and the other to the Andes Highlands of Peru.