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Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences

Conservation and wildlife management are all about balancing the needs of wildlife with the needs of people. Through research that might require netting fish, banding birds or trapping mammals, skilled professionals find the best way to strike that balance.

If you're interested in conserving wildlife habitat, protecting endangered species, and learning to manage wild fish and animal populations, then a career in fisheries and wildlife is right for you.

Career Opportunities

A bachelor's of science degree in fisheries and wildlife from the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR) will provide you with all the skills you'll need to succeed in a wide variety of fishery and wildlife careers.

You can individualize your degree to fit the career field that most interests you. Some fishery and wildlife careers you might consider include:

• Conservation biologists often are employed by state and federal agencies, such as the Missouri Department of Conservation, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service or the National Park Service. They are responsible for managing wildlife habitat in conservation areas, fisheries, wildlife preserves, and state and national forests.
• Environmental consultants work for some of the nation's largest and most respected private companies. Their job is to ensure that the needs of fish and wildlife are accounted for when decisions involving wildlife habitat are made. Environmental consultants also work for private conservation groups such as Ducks Unlimited and the National Wild Turkey Federation, and provide them with the expertise they need to fulfill their respective conservation missions.
• Environmental educators also find employment with state and federal agencies, as well as public schools. They foster an appreciation for wildlife and natural resources among the public and teach young and old alike about the importance of conservation and habitat preservation.

Research/Internship Opportunities

As a fisheries and wildlife student, your chances to gain real-world field experience through research and internships are as diverse as the ecosystems you'll study. And you won't have to travel far. There are many opportunities for research internships right here in Missouri, which is ranked third in the nation in conservation spending.

State agencies and MU faculty members often hire seasonal or part-time technicians for research projects, as do graduate and doctoral students. These experiences will provide you with the skills that will open doors to future employment. Opportunities include laboratory analysis and data entry in the state-of-the-art Anheuser-Busch Natural Resources Building, mammal and fish population evaluation at the Thomas S. Baskett Wildlife Research and Education Center, water quality sampling in lakes throughout the state and bird census data gathering at the Missouri Department of Conservation's Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area.

Get Involved on Campus

Want to have fun and develop your leadership skills and professional contacts at the same time? Then join one or more of the College’s student clubs and organizations. There are more than 30 to choose from, and each gives you the opportunity to apply what you’re learning in the classroom while making lifelong friends.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences Society (F.A.S.S.) is a student organization whose goal is to promote interactions and activities that will allow members interested in aquatic sciences to develop professionally and to involve members in matters important to the preservation, conservation and enhancement of aquatic resources in Missouri. F.A.S.S. is dedicated to helping future fishery and aquatic professionals expand their horizons. In the past F.A.S.S. has had guest speakers from the Missouri Department of Conservation, the Columbia Environmental Research Center, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the University. We have held workshops for our members as well, such as fish identification and water quality training. F.A.S.S. is stream team #442, and does annual volunteer water quality monitoring. We conduct workshops for other students, attend conferences and have outdoor activities, such as canoe trips. We are the official student subunit of the Missouri American Fisheries Society and the American Fisheries Society.

  School of Natural Resources
  124 ABNR, 573-882-1730

• Wildlife Society provides its members with opportunities to participate in many outreach and education activities. Members visit local schools to teach children about the importance of conservation. The Society hosts the annual Dunmire lecture, which features a prominent figure in conservation, and participates in the Adopt-a-Highway program. Fundraisers support field trips to events such as Conclave, which is a gathering of similar groups from other campuses in the region.

  School of Natural Resources
  124 ABNR, 573-882-1730

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