Learn in the Classroom, the Lab, and the Field
Animals, plants, and aquatic species need people who will protect, manage, preserve, and improve their environments, and a Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Biology degree from the University of Michigan-Flint will prepare you to do all that and more.
As a wildlife biology major, you’ll have the opportunity to study subjects like forest ecology, animal-plant interactions, herpetology, mammalogy, biology of fishes, conservation biology, animal behavior, and wildlife ecology and management, among others.
As part of your coursework, you’ll spend more than 100 hours in the field. You’ll get expert training in skills such as electrofishing, orienteering, tagging and tracking animals, assessing animals directly and indirectly, and other techniques that employers require.
If you’d like more hands-on opportunities, you can participate in the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program. It allows students at any education level to perform state-of-the-art research alongside our expert faculty.
Throughout the program, you’ll benefit from our collaborations with numerous partners across Michigan, including the University of Michigan Biological Station, the Department of Natural Resources, the Flint River Watershed Coalition, and more.
In our Wildlife Biology and Pre-Veterinary clubs, you’ll also have the chance to meet and work with UM-Flint students with similar interests and aspirations.
When you graduate, you’ll be prepared to continue your education in graduate school or for careers in fields such as natural resource management and protection, wildlife conservation, sustainability, environmental education, and more. A wildlife biology degree also is great preparation for becoming a veterinarian.
How the Program Works
All students in the Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Biology program fulfill general education requirements and take eight core wildlife biology courses, four non-biological natural sciences courses, and single courses in physics and math. They also follow one of three concentrations based on their career interest:
- General Wildlife Biology: Prepares students for entry-level jobs or graduate training.
- Associate Wildlife Biologist: This concentration is similar to the previous one, but students meet the educational requirements for certification as an Associate Wildlife Biologist by The Wildlife Society.
- Pre-Veterinary: For students who plan to go on to veterinary school.
Biology Programs at UM-Flint
Besides the Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Biology program, the Natural Sciences Department offers three other undergraduate biology programs:
- Bachelor of Science in Biology
- Bachelor of Science in Human Biology
- Bachelor of Science in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology
Two minors also are available:
- A 24-credit Biology Minor
- A 24-credit Field Biology Minor
All undergraduate biology students are encouraged to consider adding a minor or a second major in another discipline. You can’t major in more than one biology program, nor can you both major and minor in biology.
Students who wish to continue their studies can pursue UM-Flint’s Master of Science in Biology.
Scholarships for Wildlife Biology Majors
In addition to being eligible for financial assistance through our Office of Financial Aid, you can apply for UM-Flint scholarships that are specifically for biology students. They include:
- Fleming A. and Marian E. Barbour Scholarship Fund
- Emmalyn Ellis Freeman Master of Science in Biology Scholarship
- Zelpha E. McKinnon Science Scholarship
- Gary Pace Biology/Ecology Field Study Scholarship
- John Terrill and Lora Dorland Biological Sciences Scholarship Fund
Academic Advising for Wildlife Biology Majors
To help ensure your success at UM-Flint, it’s important for you to develop a strong relationship with our academic advisors. They can explain program requirements, help you select courses, discuss your post-graduation options, and more. The dedicated academic advisor for the Wildlife Biology program is Lyxander Denoyer. You can contact them at [email protected] or schedule an appointment.
If you’re considering majoring in wildlife biology, you should consult with the program’s academic advisor before registering for your first-semester classes.
Career Opportunities in Wildlife Biology
Many career paths are available to wildlife biology graduates. Consider these examples:
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists: Job growth for these professions through 2030 is expected to lag slightly behind the average for all occupations, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Nonetheless, the BLS projects about 1,700 job openings annually through the end of the decade. The latest median salary for zoologists and wildlife biologists is $64,650 annually.
Environmental Scientists and Specialists: Professionals in this field use their knowledge of the natural sciences to protect the environment and human health. Jobs for environmental scientists and specialists are expected to grow eight percent through 2030, which is about the average for all occupations, the BLS says. The most recent median salary is $76,530.
Veterinarians: Demand for veterinarians is expected to stay strong through 2030, with jobs growing by 17 percent, according to the BLS. That’s twice the average for all occupations. The agency expects about 4,400 job openings for vets each year through the end of the decade. The latest median salary is $100,370 per year.
More information about careers for wildlife biologists is available from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Get Started on Your Wildlife Biology Career Today
If you want a career where you protect, manage, preserve, and improve the environments that animals, plants, and aquatic species call home, apply to the University of Michigan-Flint’s Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Biology program today. If you have questions, you can contact the program’s dedicated academic advisor, Lyxander Denoyer at [email protected] or schedule an appointment.