Fisheries and Wildlife University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Overview

The Fisheries and Wildlife programme at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln provides students with the scientific foundation required to manage and protect vital natural resources. This comprehensive degree integrates biological sciences with policy and human dimensions to address complex environmental challenges across diverse ecosystems.

Students engage in a curriculum that reflects federal civil service requirements for wildlife and fisheries biologists. The programme offers eight distinct options, including Law Enforcement, Zoo Animal Care, and Habitat Management, allowing for tailored career preparation. Graduates are equipped to handle both consumptive and non-consumptive resource uses, from hunting regulation to the protection of endangered species.

Why Fisheries and Wildlife at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln?

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln offers exceptional facilities and partnerships through the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources. Students benefit from access to the Cedar Point Biological Station for immersive field research and laboratory training. The programme is distinguished by its alignment with professional certification standards from the American Fisheries Society and The Wildlife Society.

Institutional strengths include a multidisciplinary teaching approach that connects biology with economics, law, and ethics. The university maintains strong links with local, state, and federal resource management agencies, providing students with valuable networking opportunities. Distinctive features such as the Engler Entrepreneurship minor further enhance the degree for those interested in nature-based business ventures.

Tuition Fee Breakdown

• International fee: USD 30330 per year
• National fee: USD 30330 per year
• Local fee: USD 11100 per year

Visit the Fees and Funding section for a breakdown in your local currency.

Syllabus

Modules may include:

• Science and Decision-Making for a Complex World
• Natural Resources Orientation
• Biology
• Genetics
• Ecology
• Ecology Laboratory
• Wildlife Ecology and Management
• Human Dimensions of Fish and Wildlife Management
• Vertebrate Zoology
• Natural Resources Policy
• Conservation Biology
• Biology of Wildlife Populations
• Limnology
• Fisheries Science
• Fisheries Science Lab
• Ichthyology
• Dendrology: Study and Identification of Trees and Shrubs
• Grassland Ecology and Management
• Biological Invaders
• Tree Biology
• Forest Management
• Arboriculture: Maintenance & Selection of Landscape Trees
• Agroforestry Systems in Sustainable Agriculture
• Forest Ecology
• Invasive Plants
• Great Plains Ecosystem
• Wildland Plants
• Ecosystem Monitoring and Assessment
• Green Space and Urban Forestry Management
• Weather and Climate
• Climate Literacy in Natural Resources
• Water Science
• Ecosystem Ecology
• Aquatic Insects
• Identification of Aquatic Insects
• Waterfowl Ecology and Management
• Hydrology
• Wetlands
• Stream and River Ecology
• Soil Conservation and Watershed Management
• GIS
• Geospatial Technologies
• GIS for Agriculture and Natural Resources
• Remote Sensing
• Applications of Remote Sensing in Agriculture and Natural Resources
• Global Positioning System (GPS)
• Wildlife Field Techniques
• Wildlife Management Techniques
• Grassland Conservation: Planning and Management
• Avian Biology
• Field Herpetology
• Herpetology
• Mammalogy
• Woody Plants for Landscapes: Identification, Management, and Use
• Soils, Environment and Water Quality
• Soil Management
• Great Plains Field Pedology
• Soil Health and Environment
• Resource-Efficient Crop Management
• Agroecology
• Forage Crop and Pasture Management
• Range Management and Improvement
• Wildlife Damage Management
• Zoo Keeping and Management
• Conservation Photography
• Criminal Justice
• Police and Society
• Criminal Court System
• Forensic Science
• Issues in Crime and Justice
• Herbaceous Landscape Plants
• Animal Behavior
• Environmental Education Curricula
• Environmental Education and Interpretation
• Physiology of Domestic Animals
• Animal Physiological Systems
• Human Physiology
• Human Anatomy
• Animal Nutrition
• Companion Animal Nutrition
• Wildlife Health
• Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Internship
• Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Development

Careers with Fisheries and Wildlife

Graduates from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln find employment in a wide range of professional settings. Common roles include fisheries biologist, wildlife manager, zookeeper, and environmental scientist. Many alumni work for governmental resource agencies at the local, state, and federal levels, or within private consulting firms and non-profit conservation organisations.

The programme also prepares students for specialised careers such as wildlife law enforcement officers, habitat managers, and disease specialists. Recent graduates have secured positions at institutions like the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Additionally, the rigorous scientific training provides an excellent foundation for pursuing advanced postgraduate research or professional degrees.