Prospective Students
We are looking for students with a solid ecological background, an applied perspective, and a commitment to the sustainable use and conservation of the world's natural resources.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
Graduate Programs in Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences
We offer both M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences. Prospective students are strongly encouraged to reach out to potential advisors directly to discuss shared interests and explore opportunities for positions in their laboratories.
Our goal is to ensure that all graduate students receive full funding through a combination of institutional and grant support. Achieving this requires a commitment from both the student and the advisor, fostering a successful mentor-mentee relationship.
To learn more about our faculty's interests and work, please visit our faculty page.
Successful applicants typically have a GPA above 3.5 on a 4.0 scale for the last 60 semester hours of undergraduate coursework, along with GRE scores of 160 or higher in verbal, quantitative, and analytical areas. Highly competitive candidates also possess discipline-related experience, particularly field experience.
Ph.D. applicants must have completed an M.S. from an accredited institution. Exceptionally successful M.S. students may petition the Graduate Affairs Committee to transition to the Ph.D. program before completing their M.S.
Specific Application Requirements:
- Minimum GPA: 3.0
- Scanned copy of your college transcripts; an official copy will need to be sent to the Graduate School if an offer of admission is made
- TOEFL IBT: 90
- TOEFL reading sub-score: 20
- TOEFL listening sub-score: 20
- TOEFL speaking sub-score: 20
- IELTS (TOEFL alternative): 6.5
- GRE: optional
- Letter(s) of recommendation: 2 required
- Required supplemental materials:
- Statement of interest clearly identifying the faculty member you hope to work with as an advisor
- CV or resume
Freshwater Mollusk Conservation Center (FMCC), Fish and Wildlife Conservation, College of Natural Resources and Environment. Dan Hua, Natural Resource Specialist and laboratory manger of the FMCC and Jess Jones, Restoration Biologist with the US Fish and Wildlife Service, lead a team of students and volunteers that raise and release endangered freshwater mussels. On this trip they released a total of 2,638 mussels, including 5 endangered species of oyster mussel (Epioblasma capsaeformis), Cumberlandian combshel (Epioblasma brevidens), birdwing pearlymussel (Lemiox rimosus), dromedary pearly mussel (Dromus dromas) and Snuffbox (Epioblasma triquetra), at sites on the Powell River, TN. Caleb Price, Field Technician, and Timothy Lane, Laboratory Specialist, Fish and Wildlife Conservation, collect data on mussels released in previous years.
Our M.S. stresses preparation for professional careers in public agencies, governmental conservation organizations, or the private sector. Our doctoral degree stresses preparation for research and leadership positions in public agencies, non-governmental conservation organizations, or for university faculty positions.
CURRICULUM
All graduate students must conduct M.S. or Ph.D. research projects, in addition to course work chosen in consultation with an advisory committee. Most student research is conducted in field locations in Virginia and adjacent states, but current projects also occur in Belize, Brazil, Indonesia, Botswana, Ghana, Madagascar, China, and other countries.
Students present the design of their research projects in a written research Working Plan that the advisory committee approves before research work begins. In almost all cases, research contracts or teaching assistantships provide funding for students, both of which require substantial work outside of degree requirements. We expect students to publish their research results in peer-reviewed literature.
M.S. students must complete a minimum of 30 credit hours, while Ph.D. students complete a minimum of 90 credit hours. M.S. students must complete 24 hours of course work beyond the bachelor’s degree. The number of hours of course work beyond the M.S. completed by Ph.D. students is variable and is determined in consultation with the advisory committee.
Graduates may choose to satisfy certification requirements for either the American Fisheries Society or The Wildlife Society; this may require additional course work by students entering the program from other disciplines. All students must deliver at least two seminars and write a semi-technical manuscript about their research.
Students pursuing a Ph.D. take and pass a Preliminary Examination at least six months before the Final Examination and must engage in the classroom at least one semester, regardless of funding sources.
All students are expected to participate in the professional and collegial life of the department and their professional specialty by attending seminars and professional meetings, participating in student organizations, and serving on departmental and professional committees.
Kathy Alexander working in lab with undergraduate students Michelle Wright (red hair) Madalyn Fox (glasses), veterinarian Nathaniel LaHue and research associate Claire Sanderson.
Freshwater Mollusk Conservation Center (FMCC), Fish and Wildlife Conservation, College of Natural Resources and Environment. Dan Hua, Natural Resource Specialist and laboratory manger of the FMCC and Jess Jones, Restoration Biologist with the US Fish and Wildlife Service, lead a team of students and volunteers that raise and release endangered freshwater mussels. On this trip they released a total of 2,638 mussels, including 5 endangered species of oyster mussel (Epioblasma capsaeformis), Cumberlandian combshel (Epioblasma brevidens), birdwing pearlymussel (Lemiox rimosus), dromedary pearly mussel (Dromus dromas) and Snuffbox (Epioblasma triquetra), at sites on the Powell River, TN. Caleb Price, Field Technician, and Timothy Lane, Laboratory Specialist, Fish and Wildlife Conservation, collect data on mussels released in previous years.
Facilities and Resources
The department hosts cooperative units with the U.S. Geological Survey, U.S. Forest Service, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and works closely with a related National Park Service unit. These cooperatives provide students with access to lands, waters, animals, facilities, and equipment throughout the nation.
The department maintains facilities in Cheatham Hall, Latham Hall, and the Integrated Life Sciences Building for laboratory analysis, small-scale aquatic experiments, small-animal holding, computer analysis, and geographic information systems. The latest computer technology is available through collaborations with high-speed computing centers maintained at the university and laboratories within the college. The Wild Animal Research Center (a.k.a., Center Woods) is home to the Research Aviary, Freshwater Mussel Propagation Facility, Black Bear Research Facility, and the Conservation Aquaculture Center, and provides storage for our boat and truck fleets.