Curriculum in Animal Ecology
2007 – 2009 Catalog
The Animal Ecology curriculum provides its majors with an understanding of the basic principles of animal biology, ecology and management, and relevant aspects of basic mathematics and natural sciences, computing applications, communications skills and personal and professional development.
Students choose a course of study from among four areas, or “options.” Coursework is concerned with the interactions of animals with one another and with a wide variety of plant communities and aquatic ecosystems. Graduates find work as environmental specialists, fisheries or wildlife technicians, environmental educators, conservation officers, fish farmers, zoo biologists, and many continue their education in graduate or professional schools.
Core Degree Requirements
Interpersonal and Public Communication Skills (15.5 cr.)
- Engl 150 and 250, C or better
- Lib 160
- Sp Cm 212, C or better
- 6 additional credits in written or oral communication (show list)
- AgEds 311, Presentation and Sales Strategies for Agricultural Audiences
- Engl 205, Popular Culture Analysis
- Engl 207, Introduction to Creative Writing
- Engl 302, Business Communication
- Engl 303, Free-Lance Writing for Popular Magazines
- Engl 304, Creative Writing - Fiction
- Engl 305, Creative Writing - Nonfiction
- Engl 306, Creative Writing - Poetry
- Engl 309, Report and Proposal Writing
- Engl 310, Rhetorical Analysis
- Engl 314, Technical Communication
- HD FS 370, Communication in Family Development
- Jl MC 201, Reporting and Writing for the Mass Media
- Jl MC 305, Publicity Methods
- Sp Cm 312, Business and Professional Speaking
- Sp Cm 313, Communication for the Classroom Teacher
Mathematical Sciences (9 – 10 cr.)
- Math 140 and 142**
- Stat 101 (or 104)
Physical Sciences (16 cr.)
- Chem 163 with 163L (or Chem 177 with 177L)
- Chem 164 (or Chem 178)
- Chem 231 and 231L (or Chem 331 with 331L, and Chem 332)
- Phys 106 (or Phys 111)
Biological Sciences (20 cr.)
- A Ecl 312
- A Ecl 365
- Biol 211 with 211L
- Biol 212 with 212L
- NREM 110
- NREM 120
- NREM 211
Credits in the following (15 cr.)
Practical Experience Requirement
- NREM 104, 400 hours of career-related experience approved by academic adviser
Free Electives (12.5 – 22.5 cr.)
Students in the College of Agriculture are required to complete three credits each in communication intensive, problem-solving intensive, and environmental intensive course work from approved lists. All NREM options satisfy these requirements automatically in their core requirements.
Normally, students will be expected to complete the mathematical sciences, physical sciences, and biological sciences requirements by the end of their sophomore year. Many of these courses are prerequisites for advanced-level coursework.
Options
Students also are expected to choose one of the following options by the end of their sophomore year.
31 credits.
- A Ecl 418
- A Ecl 486 with 486L
- Math 160
- 1 course from Math 165 or 181
- NREM 407
- and additional credits from approved list
The Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences option concentrates on basic fish biology, aquatic ecology and fishery management. In addition, students learn about fish diseases, nutrition, watershed management concerns, and the impacts of fisheries on the environment. 31 credits.
- A Ecl 321
- A Ecl 440
- A Ecl 441
- A Ecl 486 with 486L
- Math 160
- 1 course from Math 165 or Math 181
- and additional credits from approved list
The Interpretation option concentrates on courses in natural history, earth science, and communication techniques. Students in this option will also study the natural environment and get a basis of how to teach others by guiding environmental tours of audiences from grade school children to retired citizens. 30 credits.
- A Ecl 366
- Biol 366
- Ent 370
- NREM 303
- NREM 330
- NREM 430
- 1 course from Biol 356 or Biol 474
- 1 course from Agron 154 or Agron 206
- Astro 120
- 1 course from Geol 100, 101, or 108
- and additional credits from approved list
The Pre-vet / Wildlife Care option is suited for two groups of people. The first group is interested in continuing their education in the veterinary field. Students takes courses to meet the requirements for admission to veterinary school. The second group is interested in pursuing careers in the field of wildlife care. Courses range from animal physiology and anatomy to the study of animal disease detection and prevention, animal behavior, production and advanced animal ecology. 30 credits.
- An S 214
- NREM 330
- 1 course from An S 336 or Biol 354
- 1 course from Anthr 438, B M S 329, B M S 415 with 416, Biol 155, Biol 335, Biol 352, or Biol 434
- 1 course from An S 331, Biol 305 with 305L, 313, or GEN 320
- 1 course from A ECL 366, 458, or 459
- 3 credits from A Ecl 401, A Ecl 442, An S 319, An S 493, Biol 353, or Micro 201 with 201L
- 3 credits of A Ecl or NREM coursework at 300 level or above
- and additional credits, if needed, from approved list
The Wildlife Option is a popular area. Students in this area study wildlife habitats, interactions within and among populations and wildlife management. In addition to in-depth study of wildlife, the option offers courses in policy, adminstration and law in order to prepare students for the public decision-making process that is necessary in most areas of wildlife management. 39 credits.
- A Ecl 371
- A Ecl 451
- 1 course from Biol 313 or Gen 320
- Biol 366
- 1 course from Math 160, Math 165, or Math 181
- 3 credits from A Ecl 458 or A Ecl 459
- 6 credits from A Ecl 455, C R P 451, Env S 293, Env S 482, NREM 385/585, NREM 460, and NREM 532
- 6 credits from A Ecl 457, A Ecl 515, Anthr 438, Biol 315, Biol 336X, Biol 354 with 354L, Biol 471X, EEOB 507, Ent 370, and NREM 475X
- 5 credits from Agron 317, Biol 355, Biol 356, Biol 454, Biol 456, Biol 474, and EEOB 564
- and additional credits, if needed, from approved list
Suggested Course Sequence*
Fall (15 cr.)
Biol 211. Principles of Biology (3 cr.)
Biol 211L. Lab (1 cr.)
NREM 110. Orientation in NREM, (R)
Math 140. College Algebra (3 cr.)**
Chem 163. General Chemestry (3 cr.)
Chem 163L. Lab (1 cr.)
Spring (16.5 cr.)
Biol 212. Principles of Biology (3 cr.)
Biol 212L. Lab (1 cr.)
NREM 120. Intro to Renewable Resources (3 cr.)
Engl 150. Critical Thinking and Communication (3 cr.)
Math 142. Trigonometry and Analytic Geometry (3 cr.)
Chem 164. General Chemestry (3 cr.)
Lib 160. Library Instruction (0.5 cr.)
Fall (16 cr.)
A Ecl 365. Vertebrate Biology (4 cr.)
NREM 211. Careers in Natural Resources (1 cr.)
A Ecl 312. Ecology (4 cr.)
Calculus Elective, if needed (4 cr.)
Engl 250. Written, Oral, Visual, and Electronic Composition (3 cr.)
Spring (16-17 cr.)
Chem 231. Elementary Organic Chemestry (3 cr.)
Chem 231L. Lab (1 cr.)
Stat 101 or 104. Statistics (3-4 cr.)
Sp Cm 212. Fundamentals of Public Speaking (3 cr.)
Free Elective (3 cr.)
Ethics, Humanities, or Social Science Elective (3 cr.)
* Students are required to successfully complete the majority of the core curriculum courses suggested for the
freshman and sophomore years before declaring an option. The academic adviser will review the student's
coursework and must approve the option before it will be recognized by the department.
** Initial math course is determined on the basis of high school math and placement test scores. A non-credit
math course (Math 10) may be required at additional costs.
Total: 128 credits
