Fisheries and Wildlife Undergraduate Program

The Fisheries and Wildlife undergraduate major focuses on interactions between humans and the natural world through courses that link three foundational topics: (1) the ecology of Earth's ecosystems and their animal populations, (2) the diversity of ways in which people use and value natural resources, and (3) the application of scientific understanding, using conservation and management techniques to meet global challenges threatening the sustainability of Earth's ecosystems and their animal populations.

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FishandWildlife

Learn more about requirements and courses in Fisheries and Wildlife.

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Career Opportunities

See career outcomes for MSU fisheries and wildlife graduates, including salaries, top employers and employment locations.

Employment is generally found with state and federal natural resource agencies such as the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Park Service. There are also excellent job opportunities with private companies, non-profit organizations, and colleges and universities.

Fisheries and Wildlife prepares students for a variety of career paths:

  • Conservation officer.
  • Environmental consultant.
  • Wetland monitoring assistant.
  • Fisheries/wildlife technician.
  • Fish hatchery manager.
  • Water quality specialist.
  • Land management planner.
  • Fisheries/wildlife biologist.

Faculty members and advisors maintain close relationships with natural resource agencies which can help with internships, scholarships and employment opportunities.


Student Stories

MSU student Kailee Pearson in a kayak sampling wild rice vegetation.

MSU student focuses her biology and natural resources career path with internship

October 11, 2021

Fisheries and wildlife student Kailee Pearson worked as a field technician in the Upper Peninsula with the Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians’ wildlife program over the summer.

Student-led bird banding innovation spearheads continuation of data collection despite COVID-19

March 16, 2021

Two fisheries and wildlife undergraduate students, Hannah Landwerlen and Evan Griffis, designed and built a box that allows bird banding to be performed safely during the novel coronavirus pandemic.

Fisheries and Wildlife Advisor

Natural Resources Majors