About This Degree

USU is the only university in the state with a college devoted to the study of natural resources, and the degree in wildlife biology is one of the few academic programs in the nation where students can study the management of human-wildlife conflict. Professors in the department have a wide array of interest areas in wildlife biology that students can study and are renowned for securing research grants and publishing their research. The department promotes a particular focus on current issues and concerns in natural resources, such as climate change, endangered species, restoration of sagebrush steppe systems and other landscapes, and human-wildlife conflict.

Utah State is at the nexus of the Intermountain West. With field study opportunities in diverse habitat zones, students have the unique opportunity to work in various landscapes. This geographic situation attracts high-caliber scientists as faculty at USU, allowing students to work with recognized experts in their fields. Students are supported in their research and encouraged to participate at conferences, and the travel expenses and costs to participate are often provided by the department. Additionally, graduates in wildlife biology have an excellent track record for career placement.

Location(s)

• MS - Logan Campus
• PhD - Logan Campus

Graduates in wildlife biology are able to work in the following careers:

• Researchers for government agencies
• University faculty and academia (with the PhD)
• Environmental consultants
• Extension specialists
• Research biologists
• Conservationists
• Wildlife managers
• Administrators in wildlife services
• Non-government organizations

Admissions Requirements

Students with undergraduate degrees in natural resources or sciences are preferred.

To be accepted to the program, it is recommended that applicants first contact a specific faculty member with whom they are interested in working. If the faculty member is accepting graduate students and agrees to work with the student, the student can then apply by completing the following application requirements:

Application Requirements:

• Complete the online application
• Pay the $55 application fee
• Score at or above the 40^th percentile on the GRE
• Have a 3.0 or higher GPA on your last 60 semester or 90 quarter credits
• Provide transcripts of all college/university credits
• Provide three contacts for letters of recommendation

International students have additional admissions requirements.

Admissions Deadlines

Applications for graduate programs are accepted year-round. However, chances for acceptance are best if students apply between October and January of each academic year. It is also encouraged that students begin in the fall if possible.

Master's Degree Plan Option(s)

Students can receive the MS by pursuing one of two options:

• In the Plan A option, students complete graduate-level coursework and must write a thesis.
• The Plan B option requires the production of a paper or creative work of art and is expected to reflect equivalent scholarship standards as a thesis.

Financial Assistance

The Department of Wildland Resources provides funding for most of its graduate students through research assistantships, available through professors having contracts, grants, or other awards.

A variety of additional funding opportunities are available, including fellowships, scholarships, tuition awards, and travel support. Additionally, students may be eligible for subsidized health insurance through qualifying assistantships.

Program Requirements

Click here to see course requirements for the Master of Science.

Click here to see course requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy.

PhD Qualifying Exams:

PhD students must pass comprehensive examinations. This exam is used to assess whether a student is prepared to successfully conduct independent research. The assessment depends upon the student’s knowledge in his or her area of emphasis and in supporting areas, understanding of philosophical perspectives on scholarship, and ability to communicate this knowledge effectively.

It is recommended that the comprehensive exam be taken by the end of the student’s second academic year, and it must be passed no later than one year prior to defending the dissertation and before candidacy will be recommended.

Advisor(s)

Marsha Bailey
Wildland Resources Staff Assistant
Office: NR 206
Phone: (435) 797-2503
Email: marsha.bailey@usu.edu

Faculty

Peter Adler, PhD, Colorado State University
Associate Professor
Area: Plant community ecology
Office: BNR 287
Phone: (435) 797-1021
Email: peter.adler@usu.edu

Lise Aubry, PhD, University Paul Sabatier
Research Assistant Professor
Area: Population ecologist
Office: NR 356
Phone: 435-797-3219
Email: lise.aubry@aggiemail.usu.edu

Frederick Baker, PhD, University of Minnesota
Associate Professor
Area: Forest pathology, computer applications
Office: NR 224
Phone: (435) 797-2550
Email: fred.baker@usu.edu

Roger Banner, PhD, Utah State University
Associate Professor
Area: Range extension specialist
Office: NR 144
Phone: (435) 797-2472
Email: roger.banner@usu.edu

Karen Beard, PhD, Yale University
Associate Professor
Area: Community ecology, ecosystem ecology, conservation biology
Office: BNR 161
Phone: (435) 797-8220
Email: karen.beard@usu.edu

Fee Busby, PhD, Utah State University
Professor
Area: Effects of livestock grazing
Office: BNR 275
Phone: (435) 797-2319
Email: fee.busby@usu.edu

Christopher Call, PhD, Utah State University
Professor
Area: Vegetation manipulation/management
Office: NR 244
Phone: (435) 797-2477
Email: chris.call@usu.edu

Michael Conover, PhD, Washington State University
Professor
Area: Animal behavior, wildlife damage management
Office: BNR 159
Phone: (435) 797-2436
Email: mike.conover@usu.edu

Patricia Cramer, PhD, University of Florida – Gainesville
Research Assistant Professor
Area: Transportation ecology, wildlife connectivity, carnivore and ungulate movement
Office: BNR 373
Phone: (435) 797-1289
Email: patricia.cramer@usu.edu

Johan du Toit, PhD, University of Witwatersrand
Professor
Area: Ecology and conservation of large mammals in terrestrial ecosystems
Office: NR 206
Phone: (435) 797-2837
Email: johan.dutoit@usu.edu

Thomas Edwards, PhD, University of Florida
Professor
Area: Spatial ecology, habitat modeling, biostatics
Office: NR 126
Phone: (435) 797-2529
Email: t.edwards@nr.usu.edu

Richard Etchberger, PhD, University of Arizona
Associate Professor
Area: Wildlife-habitat interactions, natural resource education
Office: USU Uintah Basin campus
Phone: (435) 722-1781
Email: rich.etchberger@usu.edu

Shandra Nicole Frey, PhD, Utah State University
Research Assistant Professor
Area: Resolution of human-wildlife conflict
Office: SUU campus
Phone: (435) 586-1924
Email: nicki.frey@usu.edu

Eric Gese, PhD, University of Wisconsin – Madison
Associate Professor
Area: Predator behavior and ecology
Office: NR 128
Phone: (435) 797-2542
Email: eric.gese@usu.edu

Frank Howe, PhD, Colorado State University
Assistant Professor
Area: Avian ecology and management, riparian and shrubsteppe ecology
Office: NR 146
Phone: (435) 797-8523
Email: frank.howe@aggiemail.usu.edu

Michael Jenkins, PhD, Utah State University
Associate Professor
Area: Disturbance ecology and management, insects, fire, snow avalanches
Office: NR 236
Phone: (435) 797-2531
Email: mike.jenkins@usu.edu

Michael King, PhD, Utah State University
Associate Professor
Area: Wildlife management
Office: USU-CEU campus
Phone: (435) 613-5400
Email: mike.king@ceu.edu

David Koons, PhD, Auburn University
Assistant Professor
Area: Animal population and ecology
Office: NR 242
Phone: (435) 797-8670
Email: david.koons@usu.edu

Michael Kuhns, PhD, Auburn University
Acting Department Head, Professor, Forestry Undergraduate Advisor
Area: Forestry extension specialist, urban forestry, tree physiology
Office: NR 324
Phone: (435) 797-4056
Email: mike.kuhns@usu.edu

James Long, PhD, University of Washington
Professor
Area: Forest ecology, silviculture
Office: NR 326
Phone: (435) 797-2574
Email: james.long@usu.edu

Dan MacNulty, PhD, University of Minnesota
Assistant Professor
Area: Wildlife ecology
Office: BNR 271
Phone: 435-797-7442
Email: dan.macnulty@usu.edu

Terry Messmer, PhD, North Dakota State University
Professor
Area: Fisheries and wildlife extension, wild ungulate and waterfowl management, wetlands ecology, private land management, conservation communication
Office: BNR 279
Phone: (435) 797-3975
Email: terry.messmer@usu.edu

Karen Mock, PhD, Northern Arizona University
Associate Professor
Area: Conservation genetics and applied molecular ecology
Office: NR 338
Phone: (435) 797-7870
Email: karen.mock@usu.edu

R. Douglas Ramsey, PhD, University of Utah
Professor
Area: Remote sensing, geographic information systems, landscape ecology, spatial analysis
Office: NR 355 A
Phone: (435) 797-3783
Email: doug.ramsey@usu.edu

Ronald Ryel, PhD, University of Wurzburg, Germany
Associate Professor
Area: Plant physiological ecology
Office: NR 214
Phone: (435) 797-8119
Email: ron.ryel@usu.edu

Eugene Schupp, PhD, University of Iowa
Professor
Area: Plant population ecology, restoration ecology
Office: NR 330
Phone: (435) 797-2475
Email: eugene.schupp@usu.edu

Helga Van Miegroet, PhD, University of Washington – Seattle
Professor
Area: Wildland soils and biochemistry
Office: BNR 157
Phone: (435) 797-3175
Email: helga.vanmiegroet@usu.edu

Kari Veblen, PhD, University of California Davis
Assistant Professor
Area: Rangeland ecologist
Office: NR 332
Phone: 435-797-3970
Email: kari.veblen@usu.edu

Juan Villalba, PhD, Utah State University
Research Assistant Professor
Area: Foraging behavior
Office: BNR 213
Phone: (435) 797-2539
Email: juan.villalba@usu.edu

Julie Young, PhD, Utah State University
Assistant Professor
Area: USDA National Wildlife Research Center, Predator Behavior and Ecology
Office: BNR 165
Phone: (435) 797-1348
Email: julie.young@usu.edu

Professional Organizations, Honor Societies, and Clubs

Wildlife Society: The Wildlife Society is a professional international nonprofit scientific and educational association dedicated to excellence in wildlife stewardship through science and education. Its mission is to enhance the ability of wildlife professionals to conserve diversity, sustain productivity, and ensure responsible use of wildlife resources for the benefit of society. The Wildlife Society encourages professional growth through certification, peer-reviewed publications, conferences, and working groups.

Labs, Centers, Research

Berryman Institute: Housed at USU, the Berryman Institute is a national organization dedicated to improving human-wildlife relationships and managing human-wildlife conflicts through teaching, research, and extension. The Berryman Institute gives students hands-on field experience with human-wildlife conflict management professionals, offers field trips to human-wildlife conflict project areas, and allows students to gain experience in wildlife conflict management techniques, such as trapping and aerial gunning. The Berryman Institute is open to all students, regardless of major.

Center for Integrated BioSystems: The CIB leads a progressive, interdisciplinary effort in research, core services, and education serving agriculture and life sciences. The CIB is where the first hybrid animal, a mule, was cloned, and was named one of “30 Awesome College Labs” by Popular Science magazine. The CIB has a research program with several active projects in diverse areas of life science that encompass plant, animal, and microbe functional genomics.

Ecology Center: The Ecology Center is an administrative structure in the university that supports and coordinates ecological research and graduate education in the science of ecology and provides professional information and advice for decision makers considering actions that affect the environment. The Ecology Center at USU has had a string of directors known nationally and worldwide as premier scientists in the field of ecology, and students graduating with a degree in ecology are able to make important contacts with influential faculty that can help them go on to prestigious post-doctoral programs and faculty positions at universities around the world.

S.J. and Jessie E. Quinney Natural Resources Research Library: The Quinney Library maintains collections of materials pertaining to natural resources and the environment in a number of formats that support the programs of study and research in the College of Natural Resources and several partnering centers. The library has more than 60,000 items, both print and electronic, as well as videos, images, and more.

Utah Agricultural Experiment Station: The UAES is part of a network of researchers and facilities at the nation’s land-grant universities and is committed to improving agriculture and managing natural resources for the people of Utah. At research facilities on the USU campus and throughout the state, UAES supports hundreds of research projects that promote agriculture and human nutrition and enhance the quality of rural life.