These descriptions are abbreviated. Complete course descriptions are available at bulletins.psu.edu.
WFS/FOR 150S FIRST-YEAR SEMINAR (2) Engages and prepares first-year college students for academic success, introduces students to Pennsylvania’s forests and related research and activities currently underway at Penn State, and introduces strategies students can use to prepare for careers in forestry, wildlife/fisheries, and other natural resources disciplines.
WFS 209N WILDLIFE AND FISHERIES CONSERVATION (3) Survey of current and historical issues in wildlife and fisheries conservation; emphasis on vertebrate biodiversity, habitat management and protection, and populations. Recommended preparation: a course in high school biology.
WFS 296 INDEPENDENT STUDIES (1-18) Creative projects, including research and design, which are supervised on an individual basis and that fall outside the scope of formal courses.
WFS 297 SPECIAL TOPICS (1-9) Formal courses given infrequently to explore, in depth, a comparatively narrow subject which may be topical or of special interest.
WFS 299 IL FOREIGN STUDIES (1-12) Courses offered in foreign countries by individual or group instruction.
WFS 300 THE VERTEBRATES (2) Overview of the evolution, systematics, ecology, and behavior of the subphylum vertebrata. Prerequisite: BIOL 110
WFS 301 VERTEBRATE LABORATORY (2) Overview of the anatomy, identification, collection, and preservation of the vertebrates. Concurrent courses: BIOL 110 and (WFS 209 or WILDL 101)
WFS 310 WILDLIFE AND FISHERIES MEASUREMENTS (3) Introduction to field and laboratory approaches for collecting, analyzing, and communicating data regarding wildlife and fish populations and their habitats. Concurrent: WFS 209, STAT 240
WFS 340 STATISTICS FOR CONSERVATION OF WILD POPULATIONS (3) Overview of the statistical techniques used by wildlife and fisheries biologists to research wild animal populations and guide management and conservation. Prerequisites: STAT 200 or STAT 240 or STAT 250 with a C or higher grade
WFS 406 ORNITHOLOGY LABORATORY (2) Laboratory and field identification of Pennsylvania birds, avian ecology, and behavior, field survey techniques. Concurrent: WFS 407
WFS 407 ORNITHOLOGY (3) Introduction to the biology, ecology, adaptations, and conservation of birds. Prerequisite: BIOL 110
WFS 408 MAMMALOGY (3) Identification, systematics, characteristics, adaptations, ecology, behavior, natural history and conservation, and socio-economic aspects of mammals. Prerequisite: BIOL 110
WFS 409 MAMMALOGY LABORATORY (2) Laboratory and field identification of mammals, ecology and behavior of mammals, field survey techniques. Concurrent: WFS 408
WFS 410 GENERAL FISHERY SCIENCE (3) Introduction to the study, management, and uses of fish populations; methods of investigation, culture, and harvest of fishes. Concurrent: BIOL 110 or WFS 209 or WILDL 101
WFS 422 ECOLOGY OF FISHES (3) Role of fishes in aquatic communities and general ecosystems. Environmental factors influencing fish as individuals, populations, and communities. Prerequisite: BIOL 110
WFS 425 AQUATIC INVERTEBRATE ECOLOGY (3) Provides students with an understanding of the life histories, ecology, and importance of macroinvertebrates in freshwater aquatic ecosystems. The primary focus will be on aquatic insects, although other key aquatic invertebrates will also be included. Prerequisite: BIOL 110
WFS/FOR 430 CONSERVATION BIOLOGY (3) The application of biological principles to issues in the conservation of biodiversity. Prerequisite: BIOL 220W or FOR 308 or WFS 209
WFS/FOR 431 CONSERVATION GENETICS (3) Provides a comprehensive overview of evolution and conservation genetics, an interdisciplinary science that focuses on understanding the processes that influence genetic diversity at the individual and population levels. Prerequisite: BIOL 110
WFS/ERM 435 LIMNOLOGY (3) Biogeochemistry and natural history of freshwater ecosystems. Prerequisite: BIOL 110 and BIOL 220W and CHEM 110
WFS 446 WILDLIFE AND FISHERIES POPULATION DYNAMICS (3) Focuses on the concepts and tools needed to make predictions about how populations of fish and wildlife respond to changes in their environment, external stressors, and management actions. Prerequisites: (WFS 209 or WILDL 101) and (STAT 200 or STAT 240 or STAT 250); Recommended Preparation: WFS 310
WFS 447W WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT (3) Management of renewable wildlife resources by applying ecological concepts, habitat evaluation, and decision-making; writing and editing reports are emphasized. Prerequisite: WFS 209
WFS/ERM 450 WETLAND CONSERVATION (3) Wetland types, classification, functions, and values; hydrology, soils, and plants; introduction to wetland identification and delineation; wetland regulations. Prerequisite: ERM 300 or WFS 209
WFS 452 ICHTHYOLOGY (2) Covers a wide range of topics including systematics, classification, morphology, physiology, behavior, and ecology of fishes. Students will learn the characteristics and natural history of the major groups of fishes and consider conservation and management implications. Prerequisite: BIOL 110
WFS 453 ICHTHYOLOGY LABORATORY (2) Establishes the basic skills for identifying freshwater fish with a focus on the fishes of Pennsylvania. Prerequisite: BIOL 110; Recommended Preparation: WFS 452
WFS 454 FIELD ICHTHYOLOGY (2) Familiarizes students with collection, observation, and field identification of Pennsylvania's fish fauna. Students will get hands-on instruction on how to collect, preserve, catalog, curate, and observe fishes. Prerequisite: BIOL 110
WFS 460 WILDLIFE BEHAVIOR (3) Scholarly discussion and critique of history, concepts, and application of wildlife behavioral concepts to conservation issues. Prerequisite: BIOL 110
WFS 461 ANIMAL WELFARE: SCIENCE AND ETHICS (3) Understanding animal welfare and well-being in farmed, wild and captive animals, and the implications for policy, legislation, and conservation. Prerequisite: BIOL 110
WFS 462 AMPHIBIANS AND REPTILES (3) Explores the evolution, ecology, and conservation of amphibians and reptiles. Prerequisites: 5th semester standing or higher and 6 credits of general biology
WFS 463W FISHERY MANAGEMENT (3) Management of sport and commercial fisheries, including biological, political, social, and economic factors; regulations and other management techniques. Prerequisites: WFS 209 and WFS 300 and WFS 301 and WFS 310
WFS/FOR 465 RESTORATION ECOLOGY (4) Covers the conceptual and theoretical foundations that underlie restoration efforts and links these to real-world applications in past and ongoing restoration projects in a variety of types of ecosystems. Prerequisites: BIOL 110 or FOR 203; Concurrent: BIOL 220W or FOR 308; Recommended Preparation: 3 credits in statistics
WFS 489 SUPERVISED EXPERIENCE IN COLLEGE TEACHING (1-3) The Supervised Experience in College Teaching course provides select undergraduate students with formal, supervised teaching experience in a Wildlife and Fisheries Science course. Prerequisites: Permission of program
WFS 494 UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH (1-12) Supervised student activities on research projects identified on an individual or small group basis.
WFS 495 WILDLIFE/FISHERIES INTERNSHIP (1-6) Supervised field experience related to the student's major. Prerequisite: approval of proposed assignment by instructor prior to registration.
WFS 496 INDEPENDENT STUDIES (1-18) Creative projects, including research and design, which are supervised on an individual basis, and which fall outside the scope of formal courses.
WFS 497 SPECIAL TOPICS (1-9) Formal courses given infrequently to explore, in depth, a comparatively narrow subject which may be topical or of special interest.
WFS 499 IL FOREIGN STUDIES (1-12) Courses offered in foreign countries by individual or group instruction.
