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Wildlife Ecology, Conservation & Management Track

This pre-professional track equips biology and environmental science majors with specialized skills, field-based experiences and direct instruction from experts worldwide to prepare them for graduate study and rewarding careers in wildlife-related fields.

Students who complete the track will meet the educational requirements to certify as Associate Wildlife Biologists (AWB) with The Wildlife Society and as Ecologists in Training (EIT) with the Ecological Society of America.

The track has been approved by the New England Commission of Higher Education. 

 

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Preparing the next generation of wildlife professionals

Graduates will be equipped for advanced study and rewarding careers with state and federal agencies, including the National Park Service, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management, as well as with conservation-focused nongovernmental organizations and environmental consulting firms. 

In partnership with the Center for Wildlife Studies

The nonprofit Center for Wildlife Studies, based in Camden, Maine, delivers education, conducts scientific research and encourages stewardship in support of wildlife conservation.

Since 2020, CWS has taught online courses and provided field experiences to thousands of learners worldwide. CWS instructors are academics, active researchers, field practitioners and authors who bring real-world expertise into the classroom and field.

Brian Mitchell ‘26
Brian Mitchell ‘26

"Biology and Ecology of Sharks and Their Relatives was a dream come true. There’s nothing like seeing a huge tiger shark up close. A big part of the work was tagging the sharks to track their movement and habitat use. By taking the course, you are supporting wildlife conservation and gaining valuable skills at the same time."

What you will learn

Courses encompass the ecological, quantitative and professional knowledge and skills needed for scientific study, as well as the management and conservation of wild animal populations and their habitats.

Wildlife track courses delivered by CWS:

  • Foundations of Wildlife Conservation and Management
  • Wildlife Field Techniques
  • Mammalogy
  • Ornithology
  • Principles of Botany
  • Plant Taxonomy and Identification
  • Wildlife Ecology and Management
  • Applied Wildlife Habitat and Population Management
  • Human Dimensions of Wildlife Ecology and Management

Optional travel courses:

  • Wildlife of Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, USA
  • Wildlife Capture and Chemical Immobilization, Minnesota, USA
  • Sea Turtle Ecology, Conservation, & Research Methods, Yucatan, Mexico
  • Wildlife of Giant Panda National Park, Sichuan, China
  • Eco-Drone Data Acquisition and Analysis

...and many other courses in statistics and modeling, conservation planning and field methods with the Center for Wildlife Studies. 

 

 

Science in action

Her Nose Knows

Lindsay Ware, founder of Science Dogs of New England, searches for endangered wood turtles with Chili Bean, her scent detection dog.

Lending a Hand

These hatchling wood turtles were rescued from a disturbed nest.

Advancing Conservation Efforts

Instructor David Shiffman, front, and students in the Biology and Ecology of Sharks course strike shark poses after a day of catching, tagging, measuring and releasing them near Miami.

Mountain With a View

Center for Wildlife Studies President Jack Hopkins, left, and instructor Paul Schuette summit Flattop Peak in Chugach State Park in Anchorage, Alaska.

Ready to explore further?

Apply now for fall 2026.

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