Wildlife & Fisheries Science

WFSC 223 Dealing With Data in the Wild

Do you want to live permanently on Antarctica? Now is your chance, apply for Mission Antarctica! The ice is melting, the penguins are marching; it seems like a perfect time to settle, but many challenges await. Data can help you live and thrive in this changing environment and not be eaten by a leopard seal. However, most of us do not know how to organize, analyze, and translate real-life data into decisions. In this class, we undergo a series of scenarios to teach you how to use data to design and evaluate if we are making a difference in our new society. These scenarios include case studies related to disease, food security, conservation, sustainability, and nutrition. Through a combination of lectures, hands-on problem solving, and collaboration, this course teaches introductory data literacy skills such as data management, analytics, and visualization useful for decision making and your careers. No programming experience is required and students are encouraged to have in class laptops for in-class activities and assignments. All readings and supplemental material are open source, or free to students. Most importantly, no penguins will be harmed in this adventure, we promise.

Offered:
Fall 2022

WFSC 385 Zoo and Aquarium Conservation

Contemporary conservation often involves ex situ (outside of natural environments) efforts in zoo and aquarium facilities to provide opportunities for species to persist until challenges in the wild are remedied. This course will focus on current topics in zoo and aquarium conservation and management. Subjects covered include captive breeding and releases, the role of education in zoos, enclosure habitat enhancement, animal behavior, handling and monitoring techniques, and other topics that are important in the conservation of captive wild animals.

Offered:
Fall 2022
Summer 2022

WFSC 405 Aquatic Entomology

Morphological, physiological and behavioral adaptations of insects to life in water; taxonomy and ecology of aquatic insects.

Offered:
Spring 2022

WFSC 430 Conservation Genetics

Basic methods and theories of genetic/genomic analyses together with the application of these analyses to promote conservation, proper management, and long term survival of free-ranging species, including the exploration of current conservation genetic/genomic literature.

Offered:
Fall 2022
Summer 2022

WFSC 431A Traditional Ecological Knowledge

An introduction to the growing literature on traditional ecological knowledge and its relationships to the ecological and social sciences.

Offered:
Fall 2022

WFSC 441A Natural Resource Management in Native Communities

This course is a survey of basic issues and concepts in natural resource management and the environment in Native communities using integrated case studies that survey all the major varieties of environmental issues in Indian Country in the 21st century. A central theme will be developing tribally-specific solutions to rebuilding the resiliency of degraded ecosystems. We will consider particular case studies such as: tribal sovereignty, land tenure, reserved rights and Native claims; Native knowledge systems and Western science; co-management and restoration; water; fish and wildlife; agriculture and rangeland management; energy, mining and nuclear waste; and global climate change.

Offered:
Spring 2022

WFSC 442 Limnology

Study of lakes and streams; biological characteristics, as related to physical, chemical, geological, and historical processes operating on fresh waters.

Offered:
Fall 2022

WFSC 444 Wildlife Ecology, Conservation, and Management

WFSC 444 is a senior level course that introduces students to the ways in which society influences the distribution and abundance of animals and communities viewed as ecologically, economically or intrinsically valuable and presents the mathematical and analytical tools available to wildlife professionals whose purpose is to understand population dynamics and manipulate the human-wildlife interface towards specific goals. WFSC 444 is centered primarily on vertebrate (fish, birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians) populations but also considers community and ecosystem perspectives. WFSC 444 explores socio-political perspectives, biological and ecological concepts, and mathematical underpinnings to population regulation and human-wildlife interactions.

Offered:
Fall 2022
Summer 2022

WFSC 445 Population Ecology

Explore ecological and anthropogenic processes that influence the distribution, dynamics, and demographics of animal populations. Develop models useful for describing, conserving, and managing animal populations, while emphasizing the relationships between ecological processes and their influence on strategies for conservation and management.

Offered:
Spring 2022

WFSC 447 Wildlife Conservation Behavior

Conservation behavior is the application of knowledge of animal behavior to solve wildlife conservation problems. This course reviews basic principles of animal behavior in the context of applied problems in conservation and management of wildlife populations. Topics include behavior in human-impacted landscapes, antipredatory responses, use of space and habitat, demographic consequences of social and mating systems, mitigation of human disturbance, captive breeding and reintroduction programs, reserve design, and challenges of climate change.

Offered:
Summer 2022
Spring 2022

WFSC 449 Diseases of Wildlife

Important diseases of wildlife. Immunity, disease mechanisms, infectious agents, diagnostic procedures, and post-mortem techniques as well as a survey of selected but generally well-recognized diseases of wildlife.

Offered:
Fall 2022

WFSC 454 Water Harvesting

Course focuses on water harvesting principles and techniques at a variety of scales and settings. Students participate in hands-on implementation of water harvesting projects on the UA campus.

Offered:
Spring 2022

WFSC 455L Fishery Management Laboratory

Field and laboratory methods pertaining to fishery investigations and management. Offered in spring of even years.

Offered:
Spring 2022

WFSC 455R Fishery Management

Methods and concepts pertaining to fishery investigations and management; application of principles for enhancement of fisheries and aquatic habitats. Offered in spring of even years.

Offered:
Spring 2022

WFSC 456 Aquaculture

Overview lectures and assigned readings on the theory and practice of aquaculture. Includes the culture of seaweeds, mollusks, crustaceans, and finfish.

Offered:
Spring 2022

WFSC 471 Stream Ecology

This course will examine the structure and function of stream ecosystems with emphasis on the interaction of physical and biotic elements of streams in arid regions. We will examine the role of natural and anthropogenic stressors in shaping aquatic assemblages in streams. Quantification of impairment of stream structure and function requires a thorough understanding of fundamental ecological concepts of natural streams; this will be a major focus. Also, students will learn to use current methods to assess stream condition and signs of impairment.

Offered:
Fall 2022

WFSC 474 Aquatic Plants and the Environment

The role of riparian areas, estuaries, and constructed wetlands in the environment. Emphasis on plants as wildlife habitat for nutrient cycling and bioremediation.

Offered:
Fall 2022

WFSC 505 Aquatic Entomology

Morphological, physiological and behavioral adaptations of insects to life in water; taxonomy and ecology of aquatic insects. Graduate-level requirements include an original research or review paper on some aspect of aquatic entomology agreed upon by the student and the professor.

Offered:
Spring 2022

WFSC 530 Conservation Genetics

Basic methods and theories of genetic/genomic analyses together with the application of these analyses to promote conservation, proper management, and long term survival of free-ranging species, including the exploration of current conservation genetic/genomic literature. Graduate level requirements include a term project and an oral presentation.

Offered:
Fall 2022

WFSC 531A Traditional Ecological Knowledge

An introduction to the growing literature on traditional ecological knowledge and its relationships to the ecological and social sciences. Graduate-level requirements include preparing for and leading a class discussion on a specific topic.

Offered:
Fall 2022

WFSC 541A Natural Resource Management in Native Communities

This course is a survey of basic issues and concepts in natural resource management and the environment in Native communities using integrated case studies that survey all the major varieties of environmental issues in Indian Country in the 21st century. A central theme will be developing tribally-specific solutions to rebuilding the resiliency of degraded ecosystems. We will consider particular case studies such as: tribal sovereignty, land tenure, reserved rights and Native claims; Native knowledge systems and Western science; co-management and restoration; water; fish and wildlife; agriculture and rangeland management; energy, mining and nuclear waste; and global climate change. Graduate-level requirements include Increased length of writing assignments.

Offered:
Spring 2022

WFSC 542 Limnology

Study of lakes and streams; biological characteristics, as related to physical, chemical, geological, and historical processes operating on fresh waters. Graduate-level requirements include a report that synthesizes literature on a research issue of current concern, an in-class presentation and several discussion meetings.

Offered:
Fall 2022

WFSC 545 Population Ecology

Explore ecological and anthropogenic processes that influence the distribution, dynamics, and demographics of animal populations. Develop models useful for describing, conserving, and managing animal populations, while emphasizing the relationships between ecological processes and their influence on strategies for conservation and management. Graduate-level requirements include answering additional questions on homework assignments and meeting independently with the instructor.

Offered:
Spring 2022

WFSC 547 Wildlife Conservation Behavior

Conservation behavior is the application of knowledge of animal behavior to solve wildlife conservation problems. This course reviews basic principles of animal behavior in the context of applied problems in conservation and management of wildlife populations. Topics include behavior in human-impacted landscapes, antipredatory responses, use of space and habitat, demographic consequences of social and mating systems, mitigation of human disturbance, captive breeding and reintroduction programs, reserve design, and challenges of climate change.

Offered:
Spring 2022

WFSC 549 Diseases of Wildlife

Important diseases of wildlife. Immunity, disease mechanisms, infectious agents, diagnostic procedures, and post-mortem techniques as well as a survey of selected but generally well-recognized diseases of wildlife. Graduate-level requirements include a class presentation for which students will review the literature and prepare and present a lecture on a wildlife disease topic to the class.

Offered:
Fall 2022

WFSC 554 Water Harvesting

Course focuses on water harvesting principles and techniques at a variety of scales and settings.  Students participate in hands-on implementation of water harvesting projects on the UA campus.

Offered:
Spring 2022

WFSC 555L Fishery Management Laboratory

Field and laboratory methods pertaining to fishery investigations and management. Graduate-level requirements include a detailed report and presentation on a current advance in field or laboratory methods of study. Offered in spring of even years.

Offered:
Spring 2022

WFSC 555R Fishery Management

Methods and concepts pertaining to fishery investigations and management; application of principles for enhancement of fisheries and aquatic habitats. Graduate-level requirements include a report on a current issue in management and a report on a research issue, plus several discussion meetings. Offered in spring of even years.

Offered:
Spring 2022

WFSC 571 Stream Ecology

This course will examine the structure and function of stream ecosystems with emphasis on the interaction of physical and biotic elements of streams in arid regions. We will examine the role of natural and anthropogenic stressors in shaping aquatic assemblages in streams. Quantification of impairment of stream structure and function requires a thorough understanding of fundamental ecological concepts of natural streams; this will be a major focus. Also, students will learn to use current methods to assess stream condition and signs of impairment. Graduate-level requirements include additional essay questions on exams and graduate student must meet with the instructors to discuss selected research articles. Presentations will be longer than undergraduates.

Offered:
Fall 2022

WFSC 574 Aquatic Plants and the Environment

The role of riparian areas, estuaries, and constructed wetlands in the environment. Emphasis on plants as wildlife habitat for nutrient cycling and bioremediation. Graduate-level requirements include an additional research project and class presentation.

Offered:
Fall 2022

WFSC 575 Freshwater and Marine Algae

Systematics, ecology, and evolution of planktonic and benthic species; field techniques and lab culture. Graduate-level requirements include a special topic report on an aspect of freshwater algae.

Offered:
Spring 2022

WFSC 583 Herpetology

Systematics, ecology, and evolution of the amphibians and reptiles. Graduate-level requirements include an in-depth paper.

Offered:
Spring 2022

WFSC 595C Wildlife Habitat Analysis

The conceptual foundations for understanding how animals select habitat, and information about animal behavior, cues used in habitat selection, and theoretical models of habitat selection. Students evaluate related subjects, such as habitat quality, habitat sources, populations sinks, and thresholds.

Offered:
Fall 2022

WFSC 696A Fish and Wildlife Ecology

The development and exchange of scholarly information, in a small group setting, on selected topics in Wildlife and Fisheries science and management. Course registrants exchange results of research through discussions, reports, and/or papers.

Offered:
Spring 2022