Fisheries and Wildlife Undergraduate Program

The Fisheries and Wildlife undergraduate majors focus 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.

The Department of Fisheries and Wildlife is currently transitioning from 1 undergraduate major (with a choice of 6 concentrations) to 4 distinct undergraduate majors. Major availability is dependent on the semester in which you declare your major:

Students who became an FW major in Spring 2025 or earlier:

Fisheries and Wildlife (B.S.)

Applied Conservation Biology (B.S.)

Aquatic Ecology and Management (B.S.)

Fish Ecology and Management (B.S.)

Wildlife Ecology and Management (B.S.)

Students who became an FW major in Fall 2025 or later:

Applied Conservation Biology (B.S.)

Aquatic Ecology and Management (B.S.)

Fish Ecology and Management (B.S.)

Wildlife Ecology and Management (B.S.)

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CURRENT STUDENTS: Connect with your academic advisor for advising appointments or to change your major/minor.

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.