Wildlife and Fisheries Biology (B.S.)

FAST FACTS ›

  • Within walking distance of campus are 17,500 acres of Experimental Forest dedicated to education, research and recreation.
  • Our students are encouraged to pursue graduate studies in order to be competitive for careers with both public and private industry.
  • Qualified students have an option to pursue our five-year bachelor’s/master’s degree program.
  • Clemson students recently placed second at the Southeastern Wildlife Conclave sponsored by The Wildlife Society.
ABOUT.

Conservation and management are two very important words when it comes to the wildlife and fish that inhabit this world. Wildlife populations that struggle with declining populations need professionals who oversee plans to protect them as a species, while populations with the opposite problem of overwhelming numbers are equally reliant on professionals to intervene in managing their numbers. Each faces health, environmental and ecology risks. As a wildlife and fisheries biology major, you’ll learn about practices and policies that affect the animals of this world. With this major, a graduate degree is extremely important for pursuing jobs with federal and state agencies as well as with private industry. To help our students get their graduate degrees sooner, Clemson offers qualified students the opportunity to begin graduate-level work in their senior year.

CLASSES.

What you'll study:

Clemson is home to more than 17,500 acres of forestland and 56,000 acres of freshwater — and this is where our students study! Freshmen complete entry-level course work in biology, chemistry and mathematics, and then the doors to the outside world fling wide open. Course work quickly migrates to topics such as wildlife biology, wildlife damage management, herpetology, conservation biology and freshwater ecology.

Throughout your classes, you’ll learn about the careful balance of protecting our wildlife and ecosystems while also understanding human demands on our environment. In this program, you’ll be given the flexibility to choose from approved classes to create a curriculum that fits with your specific career goals. You may choose to take classes that explore the nutritional needs of wildlife, or you may be more interested in exploring the policies and laws that protect the natural environment.

Combined Bachelor of Science/Master of Science Plan
Get a jump-start on your graduate degree with our five-year bachelor’s/master’s degree program. You can take up to 12 hours of graduate credit that counts toward both your Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in wildlife and fisheries biology.

Curriculum:

Popular Minors:

  • Animal Science
  • Biological Sciences
  • Crops and Soil Environmental Science
  • Forest Resource Management
  • Park and Protected Area Management
  • Political Science

Similar Majors:

BEYOND THE CLASSROOM.

Whether for academics or recreation, there are opportunities for you here in Clemson’s backyard or in the plains of the Kgalagadi!

Internships and Research Projects:

TRAVEL:
This amazing faculty-led study abroad opportunity jets students off to Kimberley, South Africa. You’ll study the ecology of three distinct regions, visit Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park and see hundreds of species of wildlife.
CONCLAVE:
Wildlife conclaves provide students a chance to compete for their schools in an academic quiz bowl focused on wildlife management and conservation. Events also include shooting sports, archery, and tree and plant identification.
JOIN:
Join Clemson’s relatively new shotgun club team. In 2011 they won first place in the sporting clays event at the Association of College Unions International National Collegiate Shotgun Championships.
RESEARCH:
Students have a number of opportunities to get engaged in Creative Inquiry, our undergraduate research program. An ongoing project at Clemson has been looking at methods for managing urban wildlife populations.

Connect with Other Students:

CAREERS.

What are students doing at graduation?*

17%

Employed

50%

Grad School

17%

Seeking Employment

17%

Other

Where are students headed at graduation?*

Recent employers and job titles*

  • U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service — Biological Sciences Technician
  • Alaskan Observers, Inc. — Groundfish Observer

Recent graduate schools and sought degree types*

  • Murray State University — Master’s
  • Mississippi State University — Master’s
  • University of Georgia — Master’s

Common Career Areas**

  • Fish and Wildlife Management
    • Scientist/Biologist/Technician
    • Facilities Management
    • Law Enforcement
  • Parks, Recreation and Tourism
    • Recreation Specialist
    • Environmental Educator
    • Park Administrator, Naturalist or Superintendent
  • Management and Conservation
    • Consulting
    • Research/Conservation Biologist
    • Land Use Planning/Analytics
    • Real Estate
    • Education
  • Policy and Planning
    • Administration
    • Planning and Compliance
    • Policy/Law/Lobbyist
    • Economist
    • Consulting
  • Science and Biotechnology
    • Research and Development
    • Regulatory/Toxicology
    • Field, Lab or Research Technician
  • Wildlife Communication and Education
    • Technical Writing
    • Public Relations/Tourism/Journalism
    • Political Action/Lobbying
    • Teaching (Traditional and Nontraditional)
*Represents only Clemson University graduates who completed Michelin® Career Center surveys from 2009 to 2011.
**Used w/permission from Univ. of Tennessee.
FIND OUT MORE.

Have more questions or want more information? Fill out the form below, which goes directly to the following department contact as well as our admissions office.

Katie Black, Student Recruitment Coordinator
888-472-5433 — hulse@clemson.edu