Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences

Program Codes: FWS
Bachelor of Science

The Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences B.S. Program at Paul Smith's College, with concentrations in Fisheries Science and Wildlife Science, offers students the education needed for entry-level positions in state and federal agencies, non-profit organizations and private consulting firms and prepares students for graduate education. Program content is based upon emerging issues in natural resource management and on certification requirements of professional organizations such as the American Fisheries Society and the Wildlife Society. Program activities are coordinated with the Adirondack Watershed Institute, a research and outreach organization based at Paul Smith's College.

At the end of the program students will be able to:

  • Apply science as a body of knowledge and as a method of inquiry.
  • Apply key concepts of biology and ecology to fisheries and wildlife organisms, populations, communities, and their habitats.
  • Apply basic math skills to problem solving in fisheries and wildlife populations and their habitat.
  • Apply key principles of physics and chemistry to fisheries and wildlife adaptations.
  • Develop a comprehensive understanding of the relation between trends in human population growth and major issues (past, present, and future) affecting fish and wildlife populations, communities, and their habitat.
  • Explain how major issues affect the dynamics of fish populations, communities, and their habitats.
  • Articulate scientifically a rationale and justification for assessing and monitoring the effects of major issues on fish and wildlife populations, communities, and their habitat.
  • Apply gained knowledge of assessment and monitoring protocols to evaluate the effects of major issues on fish and wildlife populations, communities, and their habitats
  • Delineate the management environment in ecological, economic, political, and socio-cultural terms.
  • Define the cyclic management process as related to an organization's mission statement, goals, objectives, strategies,assessment plan (problem definition), implementation plan (action plan), and evaluation/monitoring program.
  • Articulate the appropriateness of management approaches used to address the issues and problems affecting fisheries and wildlife, their habitats, and humans.
  • Define the skills needed to effectively work with a variety of stakeholders in an interdisciplinary management setting as an integrated team.

Degree Requirements:

This degree includes both a set of program core requirements and core electives (48) credits), and completion of an 18 -to 21 - credit concentration within either Fisheries or Wildlife Sciences. A minimum of 60 credits are liberal arts and science courses; at least 45 credits of the minimum of 120 approved credits required are in the upper-division. The degree is offered within a standard eight-semester sequence, providing opportunity for summer employment, internships or additional studies.

Contact the Department Chairperson

Fisheries Concentration

Semester 1

Semester 2

3
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3
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3
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Semester 3

Semester 4

3
Click here to see elective courses.

Semester 5

__ __
ELECTIVE
2-4

Select any course.

__ __
ELECTIVE
2-4

Select any course.

Semester 6

__ __
ELECTIVE - UD
3-4

Select any Upper Division (300 or 400 level) course.

__ __
ELECTIVE - UD
2-4

Select any Upper Division (300 or 400 level) course.

Semester 7

3-4
Click here to see elective courses.
3
Click here to see elective courses.
__ __
ELECTIVE - UD
2-4

Select any Upper Division (300 or 400 level) course.

Semester 8

3
Click here to see elective courses.
3
Click here to see elective courses.
__ __
ELECTIVE - UD
3-4

Select any Upper Division (300 or 400 level) course.

Wildlife Concentration

Semester 1

Semester 2

3
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3
Click here to see elective courses.

Semester 3

3
Click here to see elective courses.
3
Click here to see elective courses.

Semester 4

Semester 5

3-4
Click here to see elective courses.
3-4
Click here to see elective courses.
__ __
ELECTIVE - UD
3-4

Select any Upper Division (300 or 400 level) course.

Semester 6

4
Click here to see elective courses.
3
Click here to see elective courses.
__ __
ELECTIVE - UD
3

Select any Upper Division (300 or 400 level) course.

Semester 7

3-4
Click here to see elective courses.
3-4
Click here to see elective courses.
3-4
Click here to see elective courses.
__ __
ELECTIVE - UD
3-4

Select any Upper Division (300 or 400 level) course.

__ __
ELECTIVE - UD
3-4

Select any Upper Division (300 or 400 level) course.

Semester 8

4
Click here to see elective courses.
__ __
ELECTIVE - UD
3-4

Select any Upper Division (300 or 400 level) course.

__ __
ELECTIVE - UD
3-4

Select any Upper Division (300 or 400 level) course.

Total Credits 120

Contact Information

Natural Science

Dr. Jorie Favreau

Pickett Hall 107

518-327-6911

jfavreau@paulsmiths.edu


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