MS in Natural Resources with Emphasis in Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences
The Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences Emphasis Area is focused on resource management at organismal, population, or ecosystem scales. Our MS program is designed to prepare students for a professional career with state and federal agencies, private conservation organizations, consulting firms or academic institutions. An applicant contemplating graduate work in the Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences Emphasis Area (including limnology, conservation biology) should have a strong background in biological and physical sciences, including biology, botany, zoology, ecology, physiology, and genetics. In addition, such taxonomic courses as plant taxonomy, invertebrate zoology, ichthyology, ornithology, and mammalogy are highly desirable, as is a background in chemistry, mathematics, statistics, and physics.
Degree Requirements
Master’s students must complete, with a B average or better, a minimum of 30 hours of course work (15 hours or more at the 8000 course level). Research, problems, special investigations, and special readings courses shall not exceed 12 of the 30 hours.
Candidates are expected to design and have approved by their committee a plan of study during their first semester in residence and a thesis proposal by their second semester. A thesis acceptable to the student’s graduate committee shall be completed and defended in a final oral examination. All candidates must complete the oral examination and a final thesis seminar before the degree is conferred. For additional information about thesis requirements please see the MS in Natural Resource page.
Admissions
We do not accept graduate students without the support of a faculty member in Fisheries and Wildlife.
Therefore, applicants should contact specific faculty to determine the availability of potential advisors, available position(s) in the potential advisors lab, and of available research assistantships prior to applying.
An applicant contemplating graduate work in fisheries and wildlife should have a background of 25 to 30 hours in biological sciences courses. However, minor deficiencies may be remedied during the graduate program; major deficiencies may require preparatory coursework prior to consideration for admission.
Applicants are required to meet two sets of minimum qualifications for admission: the requirements of the MS in Natural Resources with emphasis in Fisheries and Wildlife and the minimum requirements of the Graduate School. Because requirements vary, you must refer to a degree program's graduate admission page to learn about specific admission criteria, application deadlines, eligibility and application process. Your application materials will be reviewed by both the Graduate School and the degree program to which you've applied before official admission to the University of Missouri.
Contact
Dr. Craig Paukert
302 Anheuser-Busch Natural Resources Building
Columbia, MO 65211
paukertc@missouri.edu; (573) 573-882-3524