Animal Ecology
Major in Animal Ecology
The Animal Ecology major focuses on the science behind the care, management, conservation, and research of wildlife. Students will first build a foundation by taking a wide base of general education classes such as biology, math, and environmental science. As they get further into the program, they will then choose an Option and begin taking advanced level coursework.
Degree Requirements
In order to graduate, students must complete a certain number of credits. These credits should include general education coursework, advanced classes required by whichever specialization, or Option, that they've chosen, and any additional elective courses still needed to reach that total.
Total Credits to Graduate: 128 credits
- General Education Requirements: 75 credits
- Option Requirements: 33-45 credits
- Free Electives: 8-20 credits
- NREM 104: 400 hours of career-related Experience
Current General Education Requirements
Current Animal Ecology Student Required Coursework by Catalog Year
Options
Animal Ecology has four emphasis areas to pick from. One is required, more than one is optional. The chosen Option will be officially declared when the student begins taking advanced coursework.
Academic Planning
Reach out to an academic advisor to get started on planning for your degree! You can view sample 4 Year Plans for each option at the link below:
Not sure which Option is best for you? Select an area that sounds interesting to you:
Minor in Animal Ecology
The NREM Department also offers a minor in Animal Ecology. Each of the minors has it's own requirements, but must also meet all University requirements.
- Must take at least fifteen (15) credits.
- Six (6) of the 15 credits must be taken at Iowa State University, at the 300-level or above.
- At least nine (9) of the 15 credits can only be applied towards the minor. They cannot be used to meet any other university, college, or major/department requirement. They can be used as free electives.
- Courses cannot be taken as pass/not pass.
Required Courses
| NREM 120 | 3cr | Introduction to Renewable Resources |
| A ECL 312 (or NREM 311) | 4cr | Ecology (Field Ecology) |
| A ECL 365 | 4cr | Vertebrate Biology |
Additional Electives (to reach 15 credits)
| A ECL 321 | 3cr | Fish Biology |
| A ECL 333 | 2cr | Fisheries Techniques |
| A ECL 366 | 3cr | Natural History of Iowa Vertebrates |
| A ECL 371 (or 372) | 3cr | Ecological Methods (Wildlife Population Methods) |
| A ECL 401 | 1cr | Intro to Aquatic Animal Health & Medicine |
| A ECL 415 | 3cr | Ecology of Freshwater Inverteb., Plants & Algae |
| A ECL 418 | 3cr | Stream Ecology |
| A ECL 425 | 3cr | Aquatic Insects |
| A ECL 440 | 3cr | Fishery Management |
| A ECL 442 | 3cr | Aquaculture |
| A ECL 451 | 3cr | Wildlife Management |
| A ECL 454 | 3cr | Principles of Wildlife Diseases |
| A ECL 455 | 3cr | International Wildlife Issues |
| A ECL 457 +Lab | 3cr | Herpetology |
| A ECL 458 +Lab | 3cr | Ornithology |
| A ECL 459 +Lab | 3cr | Mammalogy |
| A ECL 471 | 3cr | Introduction to Conservation Biology |
| A ECL 486 (+Lab) | 3-4cr | Aquatic Ecology |
| A ECL 516* | 3cr | Avian Ecology |
| A ECL 518* | 3cr | Stream Ecology |
| A ECL 520* | 3cr | Fish Ecology |
| A ECL 551* | 3cr | Behavioral Ecology |
| A ECL 570* | 3cr | Landscape Ecology |
| A ECL 589* | 3cr | Population Ecology |
| BIOL 472 | 3cr | Community Ecology |
| NREM 270 | 3cr | Fdn. to Natural Resource Policy and History |
| NREM 305 | 1-3cr | Seminar (repeatable credit) |
| NREM 315 | 3cr | Genetics for Natural Resource Managers |
| NREM 330 | 3cr | Principles of Interpretation |
| NREM 380 | 3cr | Field Ecology Research & Teaching |
| NREM 385 | 3cr | Natural Resource Policy |
| NREM 406 | 3cr | Wildlife Camp |
| NREM 446 | 3cr | Integrating GPS & GIS for Natural Resource Mgt. |
| NREM 460 | 3cr | Controversies in Natural Resource Management |
| NREM 490A | 1-4cr | Independent Study in Animal Ecology |
| NREM 496 | 1-5cr | Travel Course in Animal Ecology |
| NREM 535* | 3cr | Restoration Ecology |
*Instructor Permission Required
Declaring a Minor
To declare one of our minors, complete the curriculum change form linked below. For help on how to fill this out, view the instructions page linked at the top of the document or contact your academic advisor.
E-mail the completed form to your advisor for signatures and processing.
Ready to join the animal ecology program in NREM?
Learn next steps for the NREM admissions process or apply now to start your adventure!