In this article, we will explore the 10 best wildlife biology colleges that will guide you in your career pursuit as a wildlife biologist whose duty is to study the behavior of animals along with the role each animal plays in its natural habitat.
Table of Contents
What is Wildlife Biology?
Wildlife biology is the study of wild animals and how they interact with their natural surroundings. This is constantly observing the features of certain wildlife and also determining the creatures’ role in specific ecosystems and/or how they interact with human beings.
This discipline draws on related fields like zoology, ecology, and botany to examine animal behaviors, diseases, and biological systems. Individuals who are found in this discipline are known as wildlife biologists. A wildlife biologist studies animals and their behavior along with the role each animal plays in its natural habitat.
Whose duties include: developing and conducting studies on animals in their natural habitats, studying the characteristics of animals such as their interaction with different species, their reproductive and movement patterns, the dynamic within a population, and the transmission of diseases.
Wildlife biologists use various data to monitor endangered species, study the genetics and dietary needs of various species, and address environmental impacts on animal populations. They might also implement management and conservation strategies to minimize the adverse effects of land-use changes and pollution on various types of wildlife.
If you have an interest in animals and the outside world, wildlife biology might be a very nice career for you. Hence to become a wildlife biologist, you would need at least a Bachelor of Science degree ideally in Wildlife Biology, wildlife management, or wildlife conservation.
10 Best Wildlife Biology Colleges
Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the Best Wildlife Biology Colleges ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.
Here is a list of institutions where you can pursue a wildlife biology degree and other related qualifications.
- Colorado State University – Fort Collins
- University of British-Columbia
- University of Washington
- University of California-Davis
- Stanford University
- Oxford Brookes University
- University of Queensland- Australia
- Oregon State University(OSU) United States
- University of Florida
- University of Cape Town
1. Colorado State University – Fort Collins
Wildlife biology programs here often combine classroom learning and lab work with hands-on instruction in the field working with wildlife. Students learn about ecology, wildlife habitats, and the effects of human behavior on wildlife.
Any student who is interested in wildlife biology needs to take a look at Colorado State University – Fort Collins. Located in the city of Fort Collins, Colorado State is a public university with a fairly large student population.
A Best Colleges rank of 151st out of 2,241 schools nationwide means Colorado State is a great university overall. And ranked the 276th university in the world university ranking
At CSU there were approximately 130 wildlife biology students who graduated with this degree at Colorado State in the most recent year.
Colorado State University features many of the same things found in other schools on this list.
As the access to all forms of wildlife, especially those in mountain regions, compelling research projects and the school’s partnerships with institutions across the globe allow students to examine all the wildlife the world has to offer.
2. University of British-Columbia
This is the 1st university in North America and the 1st university in Canada and ranked 33rd in the world university ranking. UBC was founded in the year 1908. Wildlife biology is administered as wildlife and fisheries by the ecosystem science and management department of the university of British Columbia Canada.
The program at the university provides the students with considerable indoor and outdoor laboratory experience. A student graduating with this degree has a sound theoretical and practical background for pursuing post-graduate studies as well as embarking directly into the wildlife and fisheries biology profession.
At UNBC there is a Student Chapter of Wildlife Society (TWS) and it is the only student chapter that emphasizes fisheries as well as wildlife. The UNBC fish and wildlife Student Chapter of TWS exposes students to issues and activities related to wildlife and fisheries that exceeds learning.
3. University of Washington
Located in Seattle city Washington United States is the University of Washington which is noted as the 2nd University in North America and the 1st University in the country. According to the world university ranking it ranked 8th in the world.
Wildlife biology covers the basic ecology of free-living animals and their relations to humans, which includes their management and conservation.
Wildlife biology which is administered as wildlife studies at the school of environmental and forest sciences is active in all phases of the discipline with current research projects on the basic ecology of species and a wide range of issues dealing with the management and conservation of species and ecosystem.
Students in the discipline and faculty focus on vertebrates and are strongly field oriented. In UW wildlife biology studies the courses and seminar feature current approaches to wildlife research and management, ecological theory, and quantitative methods.
Most graduates of wildlife studies at UW have found opportunities with consulting firms, private conservation organizations, and research laboratories. Some of the research done by the graduates of wildlife studies at UW includes:
- Wildlife communities on new forestry demonstration sites in western Oregon and Washington.
- Evaluating bird response to the Plum Creek habitat conservation.
- Amphibian use of stormwater retention ponds in King County.
- The role of summer range on mule deer populations in North-Central Washington.
- Winter habitat use and foraging behavior of Lynx in North Central Washington etc.
4. University of California-Davis
Located in Davis city California is the 34th University in the world known as the university of California. Which is the 3rd university in North America and 2nd in the United States of America.
At the University of California, Davis wildlife Biology which is a major discipline in UCD is administered by the department of wildlife, fish, and conservation biology under the faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.
The fundamental courses required to begin the discipline are natural sciences and mathematics before progressing to more advanced work in general biology, environmental sciences, and wildlife/conservation biology. Students from the discipline in UCD are trained with a solid biological foundation in the management of wildlife and fish in natural as well as human-altered environments.
The major in the institution prepares students well for post-secondary study, including graduate school, veterinary school, or the pursuit of professional degrees in applied biology and ecology.
During the 2020-2021 academic year, the University of California-Davis handed out 88 bachelor’s degrees in wildlife management which earned them the 3rd ranked university in the country as stated above.
5. Stanford University
Stanford University, officially Leland Stanford Junior University, founded in 1885 is a private research university in Stanford, California. Stanford is widely considered to be one of the most prestigious universities in the world.
Stanford University is ranked 3rd in the global university ranking. This University offers an outstanding education to students across a variety of disciplines.
Wildlife biology is known as the Center for Conservation Biology (CCB) administered by the Department of Biology at Stanford University since the year 1984.
In pursuit of its mission, the CCB conducts interdisciplinary research to build a sound basis for the conservation, management, and restoration of biodiversity and ecosystem services, to evaluate factors that are leading to declining environmental security and increasing inequity, and to find practical solutions to that predicament.
For prospective students interested in studying wildlife biology, Stanford is an excellent choice, offering a wide range of courses and research opportunities.
From classes in ecology and evolutionary biology to field research and laboratory work, Stanford provides a comprehensive education for those seeking to pursue a career in wildlife biology.
Stanford is a far more excellent choice for those interested in studying wildlife biology. Stanford’s Biology program is ranked number one among all national universities, and number two in the world. This ranking is based on research output, faculty excellence, and student excellence.
The program also has an impressive number of Nobel Prize winners in biology, and a long list of notable alumni, including James Watson and Francis Crick.
The faculty in the Biology department are world-renowned experts in their fields and are committed to providing a high-quality education to their students. Do well to consider Stanford in your quest to pursue an excellent degree as a wildlife biologist.
6. Oxford Brookes University
Oxford Brookes University is a public university located in Oxford city United Kingdom. It is ranked 438th according to the global university ranking. And one of the best schools in you will like to boost their degree in wildlife biology.
Wildlife biology is administered as Animal Biology and Conservation degree which any prospective student will study conservation ecology, evolution, and developmental biology.
In the animal and biology conservation department of Oxford, Brookes University looks critically at these questions :
- How best we can conserve rare and endangered animal species?
- What adaptations help animals cope with life in changing environments?
- How can conservation respond to climate change?
Laboratory and fieldwork are essential parts of their activities in pursuit of this degree.
Oxford Brookes University has great links with regional environmental organizations and local employers. To provide exciting work placements and career opportunities for their graduate in this discipline. Placements such as:
- Conservation trusts
- Government agencies
- Wildlife centers
- Zoos.
7. University of Queensland- Australia
Queensland University was founded in 1909. It is the 2nd ranked university in Oceania and the 2nd ranked university in Australia. UQ is ranked 75th in the world university ranking. Wildlife biology is studied as Agribusiness/Wildlife Science.
The program at Queensland university allows you to combine practical business skills with an interest in wildlife Science. The wildlife science component is focused on animal biology, wildlife management, and the emerging issues associated with wildlife interactions.
The program at the university exposes one to deep scientific knowledge of wildlife anatomy and physiology, captive breeding, nutrition, health, ecology, husbandry, reproduction, welfare, and behavior.
At UQ degrees are called programs while subjects are called courses. Some of the courses that could be seen in the program wildlife science are:
- Animal behavior, handling, and wellbeing
- Elements of Ecology.
- The management and husbandry of Zoo animals.
- Biology of Australian Marsupials and Monotremes.
8. Oregon State University(OSU) United States
OSU-United states are the 4th ranked university in North America and 3rd ranked in the United States. According to the world university ranking OSU is ranked 121st university in the world.
The department of fisheries and wildlife provides education programs, products, and knowledge related to the conservation and management of fisheries and wildlife species alongside their habitats.
The wildlife program in the department of fisheries and wildlife includes wildlife research concerning the interaction of wildlife with land uses, upland game birds, forest bird communities, endangered species, population dynamics, and conservation biology.
The Oregon Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit has active research programs funded in part by the Oregon department of fish and wildlife and the United States geological survey.
At OSU, the program can be taken in Corvallis with some courses offered at the Hatfield Marine Science Center and online through E-Campus.
9. University of Florida
This university in Florida is a good choice for pursuing a degree in wildlife biology. Located in Florida City United States is a public university that is ready to enhance and equip you as a wildlife biologist.
It is the 5th university in North America and the 4th University in the country. The University of Florida is ranked the 32nd university in the world according to the world university ranking.
Wildlife Biology at Florida University studies wildlife Ecology and conservation, it focuses on developing the knowledge of students in the conservation and management of wildlife and habitats for the greatest aesthetic, ecological, economic, and recreational values.
Students in this specialization are trained in biological, physical, social, and management sciences and human aspects in managing wildlife and natural resources. Having an appropriate choice of electives and course options, graduates satisfy the requirements for certification as an associate wildlife biologist with the wildlife society.
During the 2020-2021 academic year, the university of Florida graduated with 51 bachelor’s degrees in wildlife management results earned them a place in the top-ranking university for wildlife biology in the country.
10. the University of Cape Town.
Located in Cape Town city South Africa is the university of Cape Town. It is the 1st university in Africa and the 1st in South Africa. The University of Cape Town was founded in 1894.
Wildlife biology is studied as Biodiversity and Conservation Biology in the University, this was formed as an amalgamation of the former Botany and Zoology departments.
It is a 4-year program that has its first-year programs courses taken alongside basic science courses. Students can further their studies by pursuing honors or a master’s degree in biodiversity and conservation biology.
Conclusion
As discussed above choosing any of these colleges will make your journey as a Wildlife Biologist a fascinating one. Considering any of these colleges will leave you in awe, and you will come back to thank me later.
What school has the best wildlife biology program?
Colorado State University not only studies wildlife biology but encompasses three, which are Fish, wildlife, and Conservation Biology. They have broad-based research in the conservation and management of fish and wildlife. Also, they’ve got a unique setting and low-cost fee to ensure you get what you need with what you have.
Which Country is Best for Wildlife Biologist?
The United States, Australia, and New Zealand are the best countries that offer more opportunities for wildlife biologists.
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Ahamefula Ascension is a Real Estate Consultant, Data Analyst, and Content writer. He is the founder of Hope Ablaze Foundation and a Graduate of Environmental Management in one of the prestigious colleges in the country. He is obsessed with Reading, Research and Writing.