Academic Catalog
Department of Environmental Biology

Undergraduate Programs

EB offers six undergraduate majors. Environmental Biology is the broadest major and the degree program to which most students apply. The other six are specialized and are recommended for students with more focused educational goals. They are Aquatic and Fisheries Science, Biotechnology, eConservation Biology, Forest Health, and Wildlife Science. For the first year or two the requirements of these programs are similar to those of Environmental Biology and internal transfer among them is straightforward.

Field Study and Training

A hallmark of the EB curriculum is its emphasis on field study and training. All majors offered by the Department of Environmental Biology are hands-on programs that emphasize laboratory and field experience in addition to classroom studies. To this end, every student in each major except Biotechnology is required to complete at least six credit-hours of approved field-based instruction in biology. Three of these six credits are associated with a required core course, EFB 202 (Ecological Monitoring and Biodiversity Assessment), which is offered each summer at the Cranberry Lake Biological Station (CLBS) in the Adirondack Mountains. We recommend students enroll in EFB 202 during the summer between freshman and sophomore years, or as early as possible if you are a transfer student.

The remaining three credit hours of Field Experience are elective and can be satisfied in multiple ways. The following lists identify recent course offerings that satisfy the EB field elective requirement. Be aware that some of these courses may not be offered every year.

Courses offered at CLBS during summer session:

• Field Ethnobotany (EFB337)
• Fungal Diversity and Ecology (EFB342)
• Field Herpetology (EFB384)
• Adirondack Fishes (EFB388)
• Wildlife Techniques (EFB496)
• Ecology of Adirondack Aquatic Ecosystems (EFB496)
• Wetland Plants and Communities of the Adirondacks (EFB496)
• Ecology of Adirondack Insects (EFB496)

Courses offered at the Adirondack Ecological Center and Ranger School:

• Mammalian Winter Ecology (EFB484)
• Forest Technology (FTC204/210/211/236)

Courses offered during Maymester at the Syracuse or regional campuses:

• Forest Health Monitoring (EFB439)
• Field Ornithology (EFB496)
• Flora of Central New York (EFB496)
• Interpreting Field Biology (EFB500)

Other courses offered by ESF faculty:

• Forest Health Senior Synthesis (EFB425)
• Ecosystem Restoration Design (EFB434, 4-cr)
• Periodic field trips courses (EFB500) to locations such as Costa Rica, Ireland, Russia, New Zealand, Australia
• Tropical Ecology (EFB 523)
• Limnology Practicum (EFB525 - 2 cr)
• Ecological Engineering in the Tropics (ERE311)

Field courses, approved by petition, from another accredited university, including but not limited to the following affiliated programs:
• SEA Semester (through Boston University) Note: 'Semester at Sea' is different than 'SEA Semester.' EFB WILL NOT ACCEPT any 'Semester at Sea' courses for upper-division biology or field credits.
• The School for Field Studies (through University of Minnesota)
• Wildlands Studies (through California State University Monterey Bay)

An independent research project (EFB 498) or internship (EFB 420) that has received prior departmental approval via petition, and that meets the following departmental criteria.
• At least 50% of student effort (including contact time with instructor and self-directed study) must be conducted in the field (out-of-classroom, out-of-laboratory, out-of-clinic, out-of-captivity).
• Student must demonstrate learning gains in organismal biology, ecological theory, and/or application of field methodologies to study populations, ecological communities or ecosystem processes.
• Students must complete a research or professional product for evaluation.
• 40 hours of effort will garner 1 academic credit-hour.

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Bachelor of Science in Aquatic and Fisheries Science

Aquatic and Fisheries Science

Aquatic and fisheries science is the study of aquatic ecosystems to increase scientific understanding and to apply this knowledge to their management and conservation, thereby sustaining them for multiple uses.

Aquatic ecosystems are complex and found within myriad wetlands, streams, lakes, estuaries, and oceans that support life on earth. Professional aquatic scientists and managers work to conserve and restore biodiversity, habitats, and ecological function while supporting services including fisheries, water resources, transportation, energy, recreation and human connections to nature. Career opportunities for students with a B.S. in aquatic and fisheries science include fisheries science, wetland science, limnology, marine biology and oceanography, and numerous conservation-related fields. Typical employment is with federal and state agencies, universities, research institutions, and management authorities, private consulting firms and non-governmental organizations, both local, regional, and international.

Required Courses

Electives

Directed Electives

To ensure both strength and breadth of knowledge, 27 elective credit hours must be obtained through courses in the following subject areas (S=spring semester, F=fall semester).

• Field Experience Elective
  At least three elective credits must come from an approved field course in biology (this is in addition to the core field course, EFB 202). These credits may be obtained through an elective course at our Cranberry Lake Biological Station, an approved internship (EFB 420) or field trip course (EFB 500). Winter Mammalian Ecology (EFB 484) and Tropical Ecology (EFB 523) meet this requirement, as can approved field courses from other institutions.
• Structure and Function
  At least 3 credit hours must be in the subject area of organism-level physiology, anatomy, or development. The list of allowable courses below may vary slightly from year to year.
  • EFB 385—Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy (4 cr.) S
  • EFB 427—Plant Anatomy and Development (3 cr.) F
  • EFB 462—Animal Physiology: Environmental and Ecological (4 cr.) F
  • EFB 530—Plant Physiology (3 cr.) S
  • EFB 570—Insect Physiology (3 cr.) S
  • BIO 447—Immunology (3 cr.) S
  • BIO 503—Developmental Biology (3 cr.) S
• Organismal Diversity
  To encourage breadth in organism-level biology, students must complete (in addition to the core requirement of EFB  486 or EFB 388) at least 3 credit hours in each of the following two categories:
  • 1. Plants and Microbes:
    • EFB 303—Introductory Environmental Microbiology (4 cr.) F
    • EFB 326—Plant Evolution, Diversification and Conservation (3 cr.) S
    • EFB 336—Dendrology (3 cr.) F
    • EFB 337 - Field Ethnobotany (3 cr.) CLBS
    • EFB 340—Forest and Shade Tree Pathology (3 cr.) S
    • EFB 428—Mycorrhizal Ecology (3 cr) F even years
    • EFB 435—Flowering Plants: Diversity, Evolution, and Systematics (3 cr.) F
    • EFB 440—Mycology (3 cr.) F
    • EFB 446—Ecology of Mosses (3 cr.) S
    • EFB 496 - Wetland Plants & Communities of Adirondacks (3 cr.) CLBS
    • EFB 496 - Flora of Central NY (3 cr.) Maymester
  • 2. Invertebrate and Vertebrate Animals:
    • EFB 351—Forest Entomology (3 cr.) F, even years
    • EFB 352—Entomology (3 cr.) F, odd years
    • EFB 355—Invertebrate Zoology (4 cr.) S
    • EFB 388—Ecology of Adirondack Fishes (3 cr.) CLBS
    • EFB 453—Parasitology (3 cr.) F
    • EFB 482—Ornithology (4 cr.) S
    • EFB 483—Mammal Diversity (4 cr.) F
    • EFB 485—Herpetology (3 cr.) F
    • EFB 554—Aquatic Entomology (3 cr.) F
    • EFB 566 - Systematic Entomology (3 cr.) S, even years
• Physical/Chemical Environment
  To encourage understanding and familiarity with the aquatic habitat, students must complete at least 3 credit hours from one of the following courses:
  • EFB 415—Ecological Biogeochemistry (3 cr.) F
  • EST 231—Environmental Geology (3 cr.) S
  • FCH 510—Environmental Chemistry I (3 cr.) S
  • FCH 515—Methods of Environmental Chemical Analysis (3 cr.) F
  • FOR 338—Meteorology (3 cr.) S
  • FOR 340—Watershed Hydrology (3 cr.) S
  • FOR 345—Introduction to Soils (3 cr.) F
  • EAR 101—Dynamic Earth (3 cr.) F
  • EAR 105—Earth Science (3 cr.) S
• Environmental Systems Science
  To further promote understanding of the systems approach to aquatic ecosystems and an integration of environmental and biological factors, students must complete at least 3 credit hours from one of the following courses.
  • EFB 423—Marine Ecology (4 cr.) S, even years
  • EFB 516—Ecosystems (3 cr.) S
  • EFB 518—Systems Ecology (4 cr.) F
  • EFB 523—Tropical Ecology (3 cr.) S
  • EFB 542—Freshwater Wetland Ecosystems (3 cr.) S
  • ERE 275—Ecological Engineering  I (3 cr.) S
• Management
  At least 3 credit hours in resource or ecosystem management must be obtained through a course in the following list.
  • EFB 487—Fisheries Science and Management (3 cr.) F
  • EFB 390—Wildlife Ecology and Management (4 cr.) F
  • FOR 360—Principles of Management (3 cr.) F
  • FOR 372—Fundamentals of Outdoor Rec. (3 cr.) F,S
  • FOR 442—Watershed Ecology & Management (3 cr.) F 
• Analytical Tools
  To increase the breadth of practical skills and knowledge students must complete at least 3 credit hours, obtained through one of the following courses:
  • BTC 401—Molecular Biology Techniques (3 cr.) F
  • EFB 488—Fisheries Science Practicum (1 cr.) F
  • EFB 519—Geographic Modeling (3 cr.) S
  • EFB 525—Limnology Practicum (2 cr.) F
  • ERE 445—Hydrological Modeling (3 cr.) F
  • ESF 300—Introduction to Geospatial Information Technologies (3 cr.) F,S
• Communications
  Students must complete at least 3 credit hours from one of the following communication or interpretation courses.
  • EFB 312—Introduction to Personal Environmental Interpretation Methods (3 cr.) F
  • EWP 220—Public Presentation Skills for Environmental Professionals (3 cr.) F,S
  • EWP 407—Writing for Environmental and Science Professionals (3 cr.) F

Total Minimum Credits For Degree: 126

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Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology

Biotechnology

Biotechnology is the application of biological organisms, cells, or molecules to produce a product or service for the betterment of humankind. This area of study includes aspects of molecular biology, microbiology, cell biology, biochemistry, and genetic engineering, among other related disciplines.

The Biotechnology Curriculum

The curriculum builds on introductory courses in the sciences including biology, chemistry, calculus, and physics, creating a strong foundation for more advanced upper-level courses. This degree program prepares students to use molecular and biochemical approaches to tackle environmental, natural resource, agricultural, or medical questions, and provides sufficient breadth for students interested in careers veterinary and human medicine. Students who complete this major will be qualified to enter the growing biotechnology job market or continue their studies in graduate or professional school.

The Biotechnology curriculum requires a minimum of 126 total credits. The core requirements are listed in the typical schedule. There are also 12 credits of directed electives that can be chosen from a list of approved courses. Twenty open elective credits can be selected depending on a student's individual interests. There are also many courses offered at Syracuse University or the SUNY Upstate Medical University that could be used to fill these electives and open electives.

Required Courses

NOTE: BTC 420 (Internship in Biotechnology) is typically done in the summer.

NOTE: 5 credits of BTC 498 or BTC 420 are required.

Electives

 

Directed Electives - Biotechnology

A minimum of 12 credits of directed elective courses required. New biotechnology related courses not currently on the list may also fulfill this requirement with permission of your advisor.

Although any combination of courses below may satisfy the minimum 12 credits required, the following list has been categorized into 4 of the most common subject areas of interest to BTC students, as well as those courses that would be suitable for multiple subject areas of interest. These groupings of elective courses are guidelines. Probably no two students in the biotechnology program have exactly the same career goals or interests. Consult your advisor if your subject interests vary.

*Useful background and prerequisite courses if you are planning on entering the MPS program in Paper and Bioprocess Engineering.

**The graduate level course may be applicable to the MPS program in Paper and Bioprocess Engineering.

Total Minimum Credits For Degree: 126

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Bachelor of Science in Conservation Biology

Conservation Biology

Conservation biology is the application of science to conserve the earth's imperiled species and ecosystems.

The field is growing rapidly and ever increasing in importance in response to the biodiversity crisis, perhaps the most critical environmental issue of our time. Conservation biologists view all of nature's diversity as important and having inherent value. This diversity spans the biological hierarchy and includes variation at the level of genes, populations, communities, ecosystems, and biomes.

Required Courses

 

Electives

 

Directed Electives

To ensure that Conservation Biology undergraduates obtain both strength and breadth of knowledge, 30 elective credit hours must be distributed in a way that satisfies seven requirements (A-F, below).

• Field Experience Elective
  At least three elective credits from an approved field course in biology (in addition to the core field course, EFB 202). These credits typically are obtained through an elective course at our Cranberry Lake Biological Station, an approved internship (EFB 420) or field trip course (EFB 500). Approved field courses from other institutions can also fulfill this requirement. No single class may be used to fulfill directed elective requirements of A and B.
• Biodiversity Specialization (at least three courses from the following list)
  The availability of courses that satisfy this requirement varies. The suggestions below are pre-approved courses that are typically taken - consult with your advisor or the curriculum coordinator about other possibilities. Many other courses can potentially substitute (by petition) for those listed. No single class may be used to fulfill directed elective requirements of A and B.
  • EFB 303 Introductory Environmental Microbiology (4 cr.) F
  • EFB 326 Plant Evolution, Diversification and Conservation (3 cr.) S
  • EFB Adirondack FLora (3 cr.) CLBS
  • EFB 336 Dendrology (3 cr.) F
  • EFB 340 Forest and Shade Tree Pathology (3 cr.) S
  • EFB 342 Fungal Diversity and Ecology (3 cr.) CLBS
  • EFB 350 Microbial Consortia (3 cr.) S
  • EFB 351 Forest Entomology (3 cr.) F, even years
  • EFB 352 Entomology (3 cr.) F, odd years
  • EFB 355 Invertebrate Zoology (4 cr.) S
  • EFB 388 Ecology of Adirondack Fisheries (3 cr.) CLBS
  • EFB 435 Flowering Plants: Diversity, Evolution, and Systematics (3 cr.) F
  • EFB 440 Mycology (3 cr.) F
  • EFB 446 Ecology of Mosses (3 cr.) S
  • EFB 453 Parasitology (3 cr.) F
  • EFB 479 Field Ornithology (3 cr.) CLBS
  • EFB 482 Ornithology (4 cr.) S
  • EFB 483 Mammal Diversity (4 cr.) F
  • EFB 485 Herpetology (3 cr.) F
  • EFB 486 Ichthyology (3 cr.) S
  • EFB 496 Wetland Plants & Communities of Adirondacks (3 cr.) CLBS
  • EFB 496 Flora of Central NY (3 cr.) Maymester
  • EFB 554 Aquatic Entomology (3 cr.) F
  • EFB 566 Systematic Entomology (3 cr.) S, even years
• Applied Conservation Biology (at least 6 credits)
  • EFB 305 Indigenous Issues in the Environment (3 cr.) S
  • EFB 390 Wildlife Ecology and Management (4 cr.) F
  • EFB 423 Marine Ecology (4 cr.) S, even years
  • EFB 424 Limnology (3 cr.) F
  • EFB 438 Ecology and Management of Waterfowl (3 cr.) F
  • EFB 444 Biodiversity and Geography of Nature (3 cr.) F even years
  • EFB 449 Wetlands Habitat Management for Wildlife (3 cr.) S
  • EFB 463 Ecotoxicology 
  • EFB 480 Animal Behavior (3 cr) F
  • EFB 487 Fisheries Science & Management (3 cr.) F
  • EFB 493 Management of Wildlife Habitats & Populations (3 cr.) F
  • EFB 502 Ecology and Management of Invasive Species (3 cr.) S
  • EFB 504 Plant- Herbivore Interactions (3 cr.) F, odd years
  • EFB 542 Freshwater Wetland Ecosystems (3 cr.) S
  • FOR 332 Forest Ecology (3 cr.) F
  • FOR 442 Watershed Ecology and Management (3 cr.) F
• Human Dimensions (at least 3 credits)
  • EFB 404 Nat Hist Museums of Modern Sci (3 cr.) Maymester
  • EST 353 Behavior Change and the Environment (3 cr.) F
  • EST 366 Attitudes, Values, & Env. (3 cr.) S
  • EST 390 Social Processes and Environment (3 cr.) S
  • EST 460 Land Use Law (3 cr.) S
  • EWP 390 Intro to Literature of Nature (3 cr.) F
  • FOR 312 Sociology/Natural Resources (3 cr.) S
  • FOR 360 Principles of Management (3 cr.) F
  • FOR 465 Natural Resources and Environ. Policy (3 cr.) F
  • FOR 487 Environmental Law and Policy (3cr.) F
  • FOR 489 Natural Resources Law and Policy (3cr.) S
• Communications and Interpretation (at least 3 credits)
  • EST 370 Introduction to Personal Environmental Interpretation Methods (3 cr.) F
  • EST 471 Non-Personal Environmental Interpretation Methods (3 cr.) S
  • EWP 220 Public Presentation Skills (3 cr.) F,S
  • EWP 407 Writing for Environmental and Science Professionals (3 cr.) F,S
  • EST 474 Advanced Interpretation and Environmental Education (3 cr.) S
• Technical Skills (at least 3 credits)
  • BTC 401 Molecular Biol. Techniques (3 cr.) F
  • BTC 425 Plant Biotechnology (3 cr.) S
  • BTC 426 Plant Tissue Culture Methods (3 cr.) F
  • EFB 518 System Ecology (4 cr.) F
  • ERE 445 Hydrological Modeling (3 cr.) F
  • ESF 300 Introduction to Geospatial Information Technologies (3 cr.) F,S
  • ERE 563 Photogrammetry (3 cr.) S
  • MCR 484 Scanning Electron Microscopy (3 cr.) F
  • MCR 485 Transmission Electron Microscopy (3 cr.) S
  • MCR 585 Light Microscopy for Research Applications (3 cr.) S

Total Minimum Credits For Degree: 126

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Bachelor of Science in Environmental Biology

Environmental Biology

The curriculum for the bachelor of science degree in environmental biology is built around a core of required courses that provides a general education, a background in the principles of biological and physical science, and an orientation to natural resources and other environmental concerns.

From this common foundation, the large number of elective credits allows each student to develop a unique plan of study, with the help of an assigned advisor who is expert in the student’s general area of interest. In keeping with the hands-on, field orientation of our curriculum, students also must complete six credit hours of field experience.

Required Courses

 

Electives

Directed Electives: UPPER DIVISION BIOLOGY-Environmental Biology

To ensure that ENB undergraduates obtain both strength and breadth of knowledge, 25 elective credit hours in biology must be obtained through courses designed for juniors or seniors (i.e., courses numbered 300 or higher). Among them must be courses that satisfy requirements A-C (below).

• Field Experience Elective
  At least 3 elective credits must come from an approved field biology course (in addition to the core field course, EFB 202). These credits may be obtained through an elective course at Cranberry Lake Biological Station; an approved field course from another accredited institution; an approved internship (EFB 420) or independent research project (EFB498); or a field trip course (EFB 500). Some courses at CLBS meet both requirement A and a diversity requirement.
• Structure and Function
  At least 3 credit hours must be in the subject area of organism-level physiology, anatomy, or development. The list of allowable courses below may vary slightly from year to year.
  • EFB 385 Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy (4 cr.) S
  • EFB 427 Plant Anatomy and Development (3 cr.) F
  • EFB 462 Animal Physiology: Environmental and Ecological (4 cr.) F
  • EFB 530 Plant Physiology (3 cr.) S
  • BIO 316 Anatomy & Physiology for Biology Majors (4 cr.) F,S
  • BIO 355 General Physiology (3 cr.) F
  • BIO 447 Immunology (3 cr.) F
  • BIO 503 Developmental Biology (3 cr.) S
• Organismal Diversity
  To encourage breadth in organism-level biology, students must complete at least one course from two of the four groups. (A course from each of the groups is strongly recommended).
  • Diversity of Microorganisms
    • EFB 303 Introductory Environmental Microbiology (4 cr.) F
    • EFB 340 Forest and Shade Tree Pathology (3 cr.) S
    • EFB 342 Fungal Diversity and Ecology (3cr.) CLBS
    • EFB 428 Mycorrhizal Ecology (3 cr) F even years
    • EFB 440 Mycology (3 cr.) F
  • Diversity of Plants
    • EFB 326 Plant Evolution, Diversification and Conservation (3 cr.) S
    • EFB 336 Dendrology (3 cr.) F
    • EFB 337 Field Ethnobotany (3 cr) CLBS
    • EFB 435 Flowering Plants: Diversity, Evolution, and Systematics (3 cr.) F
    • EFB 446 Ecology of Mosses (3 cr.) S
    • EFB 496 Flora of Central NY (3 cr.) Maymester
    • EFB 496 Wetland Plants & Communities of Adirondacks (3 cr.) CLBS
  • Diversity of Invertebrate Animals
    • EFB 351 Forest Entomology (3 cr.) F, even years
    • EFB 352 Entomology (3 cr.) F, odd years
    • EFB 355 Invertebrate Zoology (4 cr.) S
    • EFB 453 Parasitology (3 cr.) F
    • EFB 554 Aquatic Entomology (3 cr.) F
    • EFB 566 Systematic Entomology (3 cr.) S, even years
  • Diversity of Vertebrate Animals
    • EFB 388 Ecology of Adirondack Fishes (3 cr.) CLBS
    • EFB 479 Field Ornithology (3 cr.) CLBS
    • EFB 482 Ornithology (4 cr.) S
    • EFB 483 Mammal Diversity (4 cr.) F
    • EFB 485 Herpetology (3 cr.) S
    • EFB 486 Ichthyology (3 cr.) F

Note that some courses at CLBS meet both requirement A and a diversity requirement.

Total Minimum Credits For Degree: 126

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Bachelor of Science in Forest Health

Forest Health

Forest Health is a multidisciplinary and collaborative field of study that involves the understanding, monitoring, and protection of the world's forest resources. Forests support biodiversity, provide immense ecosystem services including water purification and carbon sequestration, and provide essential raw materials. Forest health experts support healthy forests by managing threats caused by invasive species, poor management, climate change, fire, and other anthropogenic factors.

A foundation in forest health requires coursework in ecology, dendrology, forest management, silviculture, mycology, plant pathology, and entomology. This major was developed to address the demand for broadly trained graduates to work in wide range of professional capacities in government agencies, the private sector, and academia.

Required Courses

NOTE: 3 credits of EFB 498 or EFB 420 are required.

Electives

 

Directed Electives

To ensure that Forest Health majors obtain both strength and breadth of knowledge, 15 elective credit hours must be selected from the following list, including at least one course from five of the seven categories.

• Forest Protection and Conservation Biology
  • EFB 390 Wildlife Ecology & Management (4 cr.) F
  • EFB 413 Intro Conservation Biology (3 cr.) S
  • EFB 502 Ecology and Management of Invasive Species (3 cr.) F
• Forestry/Wood Products
  • FOR 322 Forest Mensuration (3 cr.) F
  • FOR 334 Silviculture (4 cr.) F
  • FOR 360 Principles of Management (3 cr.) F,S
  • FOR 455 Forest Genetics and Tree Improvement (3 cr.) S
  • FOR 465 Natural Resources and Policy (3 cr.) S
  • FOR 480 Urban Forestry (3 cr.)
  • CME 376 Decay of Wood Products (3 cr.) S
• Technology
  • BTC 296 Topics in Biotechnology (3 cr.) F,S
  • BTC 401 Molecular Biology Techniques (3 cr.) F
  • BTC 425 Plant Biotechnology (3 cr.) S
  • BTC 426 Plant Tissue Culture Methods (3 cr.) F
  • ESF 300 Introduction to Geospatial Information Technologies (3 cr.) F,S
  • FOR 324 Natural Resources Information Systems (3 cr.) S
• Ecology and Environmental Science
  • EFB 312 Introduction to Personal Environmental Interpretation Methods (3 cr.) F
  • EFB 415 Ecological Biogeochemistry (3 cr.) F
  • EFB 428 Mycorrhizal Ecology (3 cr.) F
  • EFB 445 Plant Ecology (3 cr.) S
  • EFB 505 Microbial Ecology (3 cr.) S
  • EFB 516 Ecosystems (3 cr.) S
  • EFB 518 Systems Ecology (3 cr.) F
  • FOR 338 Meteorology (3 cr.) F
• Biodiversity
  • EFB 326 Plant Evolution, Diversification and Conservation (3 cr.) S
  • EFB 342 Fungal Ecology and Diversity (3 cr.) CLBS
  • EFB 351 Forest Entomology (3 cr.) F, even years
  • EFB 352 Entomology (3 cr.) F, odd years
  • EFB 355 Invertebrate Zoology (4 cr.) S
  • EFB 428 Mycorrhizal Ecology (3 cr) F even years
  • EFB 435 Flowering Plants: Diversity, Evolution, and Systematics (3 cr.) F
  • EFB 440 Mycology (A) (3 cr.) F
  • EFB 453 Parasitology (3 cr.) F
  • EFB 566 Systematic Entomology (3 cr.) S, even years
• Mathematics and Physical Science
  • APM 105 Survey of Calculus and Application I (4 cr.) F,S
  • APM 106 Calculus and its Applications II (A) (4 cr.) F,S
  • APM 510 Statistical Analysis (3 cr.) F
  • FOR 323 Forest Biometrics (3 cr.) S
  • PHY 102 General Physics II (A) (4 cr.) S
• Anatomy and Physiology
  • EFB 325 Cell Biology (3 cr.) S
  • EFB 427 Plant Anatomy and Development (3 cr.) F
  • EFB 462 Animal Physiology: Environmental & Ecological (4 cr.) F
  • EFB 530 Plant Physiology (3 cr.) S
  • EFB 531 Plant Physiology Lab (2 cr.) S
  • EFB 570 Insect Physiology (3 cr.) S

Total Minimum Credits For Degree: 126

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Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Science

Wildlife Science

Wildlife science is the application of ecological knowledge in a manner that strikes a balance between the needs of wildlife populations and the needs of people.

Research and teaching in wildlife science began at ESF in 1914, one of the first such programs in the U.S., and was quickly followed by establishment of the Roosevelt Wild Life Station in 1919. Today, our program is recognized nationally and internationally, and our graduates are employed worldwide. The focus is applied ecology, and students engage the environmental challenges associated with managing wildlife, ranging from endangered species to overabundant populations. The program recognizes and accommodates the fact that wildlife scientists increasingly must deal with all forms of wildlife, including plants and invertebrates, and the scope is becoming more international.

Required Courses

Electives

 

Directed Electives

To ensure that Wildlife Science undergraduates obtain both strength and breadth of knowledge, and position themselves for professional certification by The Wildlife Society, 24 elective credits must be obtained in the following subject areas (A-G), through specific courses that are designed for juniors or seniors (i.e. courses numbered 300 or higher)

• Field experience (3 credits):
  This requirement can be satisfied during any year, and is normally done via coursework at Cranberry Lake Biological Station. ESF field courses offered during semester break, field courses offered by other institutions or organizations (e.g, School for Field Studies), independent research projects, or job-related internships during the summer session.
• Vertebrate Diversity (6 credits):
  Choose at least two courses from the following:
  • EFB 482 Ornithology (4 cr.) S
  • EFB 483 Mammal Diversity (4 cr.) F
  • EFB 485 Herpetology (3 cr.) F
  • EFB 486 Ichthyology (3 cr.) S
• Plant Diversity and Ecology (3 credits)
  Choose at least one course from the following:
  • EFB 326 Plant Evolution, Diversification and Conservation (3 cr.) S
  • EFB 336 Dendrology (3 cr.) F
  • EFB 337 Ethnobotany (3 cr) CLBS
  • EFB 435 Flowering Plants: Diversity, Evolution and Systematics (3 cr.) F
  • EFB 445 Plant Ecology and Global Change (3 cr.) S
  • EFB 496 Wetland Plants & Communities of Adirondacks (3 cr.) CLBS
  • EFB 496 Flora of Central NY (3 cr.) Maymester
• Invertebrate Diversity (3 credits)
  Choose at least one course from the following:
  • EFB 351 Forest Entomology (3 cr.) F, even years
  • EFB 352 Entomology (3 cr.) F, odd years
  • EFB 355 Invertebrate Zoology (4 cr.) S
  • EFB 453 Parasitology (3 cr.) F
  • EFB 554 Aquatic Entomology (3 cr.) F
  • EFB 566 Systematic Entomology (3 cr.) S, even years
• Policy (3 credits)
  Choose at least one course from the following:
  • FOR360 Principles of Management (3 cr.) F
  • FOR465 Natural Resources Policy (3 cr.) F
  • FOR487 Environmental Law and Policy (3 cr.) F
  • FOR488 Natural Resources Agencies and Administration (3 cr.) S
  • FOR489 Natural Resources Policy and Law (3 cr.) S
• Structure and Function (3 credits)
  Choose at least one course from the following:
  • EFB 325 Cell Biology (3 cr.) S
  • EFB 385 Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy (4 cr.) S
  • EFB 462 Animal Physiology: Environmental and Ecological (4 cr.) F
  • EFB 480 Principles of Animal Behavior (4 cr.) F
  • EFB 516 Ecosystems (3 cr.) S
  • EFB 542 Freshwater Wetland Ecosystems (3 cr.) S
• Technical Skills (3 credits)
  Choose at least one course from the following:
  • BTC 401 Molecular Biology Techniques (3 cr.) F
  • ESF 300 Introduction to Geospatial Information Technologies (3 cr.) F, S
  • ERE 371 Surveying For Engineers (4 cr.) F

Total Minimum Credits For Degree: 126

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