Wildlife and Fisheries Resources

The Wildlife and Fisheries Resources Program at WVU is dedicated to developing the next generation of young fisheries and wildlife professionals. Students typically focus on either Wildlife or Fisheries for this advanced degree, and are required to complete necessary coursework to obtain professional certification as a biologist by The Wildlife Society or The American Fisheries Society by the time of graduation.

Curriculum requirements include a block of graduate requirements course in the major field, which will constitute a comprehensive review of the significant knowledge in that field, and a block of graduate courses in a minor field of study. A minimum of 60 semester hours beyond the bachelor’s degree and exclusive of the dissertation is required. The research work for the doctoral dissertation must show a high degree of scholarship and must present an original contribution to the field of forest resources science. In addition to course work and the dissertation, the candidate is required to pass a qualifying examination and a final examination.