Students in the wildlife ecology program learn about species ecology, habitat management, monitoring techniques, and conservation through courses that are based in the natural sciences. Wildlife ecologists study wild animals and their interactions with people. Working largely outdoors, they manage and conserve wildlife populations and their habitats, aiming to meet the complex needs of wildlife in a human-dominated world.  

The Department of Wildlife Ecology was the first wildlife program in an American university. Students learn through a mix of classroom, laboratory, and field instruction. They have flexibility to customize their learning experience within one of two tracks: natural sciences and natural resources. Students can work toward substantively completing requirements for being recognized as an Associate Wildlife Biologist by The Wildlife Society, a professional organization, if they choose to.

Wildlife ecology graduates work in public resource management agencies, educational institutions, private industry, and non-governmental organizations such as the National Wildlife Federation and The Nature Conservancy. Students in the wildlife ecology major are also well prepared to pursue advanced degrees in wildlife and related fields or veterinary medicine.

Learn through hands-on, real-world experiences

Wildlife ecology students learn in many field and lab courses, including classes that focus on wildlife management, reptiles, amphibians, birds, and mammals. They can also take part in a summer field course in northern Wisconsin, numerous internships, and research opportunities.

Build community and networks

Students can join the Student Chapter of the Wildlife Society and the Audubon Society, UW–Madison. Members of the Wildlife Society work with elementary school students, volunteer for numerous projects, and send a competitive team to the Quiz Bowl at the Wildlife Society annual meeting.

Customize a path of study

Students learn through a mix of classroom, laboratory, and field instruction. They have flexibility to customize their learning experience by selecting from a variety of courses in consultation with their advisor. Courses include options in the natural sciences, as well as coursework that meets educational requirements for certification as a wildlife biologist by The Wildlife Society.

Make a strong start

Students can take an introductory course that gives students an orientation to wildlife ecology and introduces them to the major and professions within the field of wildlife management and conservation.

Gain global perspective

Wildlife ecology students are encouraged to participate in a study abroad experience. The program also offers an international class focused on the extinction of species (meeting the CALS International Comparisons Requirement), as well as a study abroad experience in Mexico. Students can explore studying abroad as a Wildlife Ecology major utilizing the Wildlife Ecology Major Advising Page. Students work with their advisor and the CALS study abroad office to identify appropriate programs. 

How to Get in

Prospective UW-Madison Students

All prospective UW–Madison students must apply through the Office of Admissions and Recruitment.

Students interested in this major should select it as the first choice major on their UW–Madison application. Admitted students who enroll at UW-Madison and attend Student Orientation, Advising, and Registration (SOAR) with the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences have the option to declare this major at SOAR.

University Requirements

All undergraduate students must complete both the following Core General Education (Core GenEd) and University Degree and Quality of Work requirements. The requirements below apply to students whose first term at UW-Madison or whose earliest post-high school college attendance at any institution is Summer 2026 or later. 

Students whose first term at UW-Madison or whose earliest post-high school college attendance at any institution occurred before Summer 2026 should refer to the archived Guide for the requirements that apply to them.

Core General Education (Core GenEd) Requirements

For more information see the policy.

University Degree and Quality of Work Requirements

All undergraduate degree recipients must complete the following minimum requirements. Requirements for some programs will exceed these requirements; see program requirements for additional information.

College of Agricultural and Life Sciences Requirements

CALS Graduation Requirements 

In addition to the university's general requirements, all undergraduate students in CALS must satisfy a set of college and major requirements. Courses may not double count within university requirements, CALS college requirements, or major requirements.  A course may count toward university requirements and a college and/or a major requirement; similarly, a course counted toward college requirements may also be used to satisfy a university and/or a major requirement.

CALS College Requirements

CALS First-Year Seminars

CALS International Comparisons

Major Requirements

Major Electives

Learning Outcomes

1. Define and explain basic principles in biological sciences and major concepts in wildlife ecology including, population ecology, organismal biology, plant ecology/taxonomy, and genetics/evolution.
2. Explain and discuss principles of wildlife management including natural resource legislation, policy, and applications.
3. Explain and apply the scientific methods including designing and conducting experiments and testing hypotheses.
4. Explain and demonstrate techniques for collection of data in laboratory and field settings, keep accurate records, and analyze data to address hypotheses.
5. Demonstrate a style appropriate for communicating scientific results in written and oral form. Provide opportunity to develop these communication skills.

Four-Year Plan

The four-year plan is a tool to assist you and your advisor in planning your academic career. Use it along with your DARS report and Course Search & Enroll to determine your program of study. Your program of study will likely look different from this sample four-year plan. Consult with your advisor to determine the best path for you. Students must complete at least 120 total credits to be eligible for graduation.

Sample Wildlife Ecology Four-Year Plan

Advising and Careers

Advising

Students are assigned an academic advisor and a faculty advisor in the department. Professional academic advisors help students plan their coursework and identify opportunities to get involved in department and campus activities. Faculty advise students on career planning and challenge students to think critically.

Career Opportunities

Undergraduates in wildlife ecology prepare for a variety of careers. They can become wildlife biologists, habitat restoration technicians, attorneys, wildlife enforcement officers, researchers, and more. Students are also well prepared to pursue advanced degrees in wildlife and related fields, including veterinary medicine. Graduates of the program work for many organizations, such as state departments of natural resources, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Chicago Zoological Society, and The Nature Conservancy.

Wisconsin Experience

Internships

Many wildlife ecology students include internships and professional work experiences in their studies. Students are encouraged to talk to their advisor about internship possibilities. See the Internship & Job Resources page for more information.

Research Experience

Wildlife ecology undergraduates are encouraged to get involved in field- or lab-based research with a professor. In their research experiences, students gain skills in a variety of areas including measuring habitats, reviewing literature, identifying species, deploying wildlife cameras, and more.  

Student Organizations

Students can join the Student Chapter of the Wildlife Society and the Audubon Society, UW–Madison. Members of the Wildlife Society can work with elementary school students and volunteer for numerous projects.

Competitive Teams

Wildlife ecology undergraduates can join a team that competes at the Quiz Bowl at the Wildlife Society annual meeting.

Global Engagement

Wildlife ecology students are encouraged to participate in a study abroad experience. The program offers an experience in Mexico focused on wildlife ecology, as well as an international course focused on the extinction of species that meets the CALS International Comparisons requirement. Students can find more information about study abroad on the CALS study abroad advising page.

Community Engagement and Volunteering

The Student Chapter of the Wildlife Society organizes several volunteer activities, including spring and summer frog surveys, summer fawn searches, and roadside clean-up. Students also have opportunities to work with elementary school students and give presentations about wildlife.

On campus, the Morgridge Center for Public Service provides resources to help students connect with volunteer opportunities based on their interests and goals.

Certification/Licensure

Wildlife Biologist Certification

Work with your advisor to ensure you select courses that will meet the requirements of the Wildlife Biologist Certification through The Wildlife Society (TWS). Membership in TWS is required for certification. Certification is for 5 years and may be renewed upon demonstration of adequate continual learning and professional development.

Curriculum

1. Wildlife management and wildlife biology (12 hours)
2. Ecology (3 hours)
3. Zoology (9 hours)
4. Botany (9 hours)
5. Physical sciences (9 hours)
6. Basic statistics (3 hours)
7. Quantitative sciences (6 hours)
8. Humanities and social sciences (9 hours)
9. Communications (12 hours)
10. Policy, administration, and law (6 hours)

Experience

1. A minimum 60 work months of full-time professional biologist experience gained within the ten (10) years prior to applying for certification (or up to 13 years if granted an extension).

Renewal

1. To renew certification, applicants must log a minimum of 80 contact hours related to participation in organized activities and mentorship within the five years prior to submission.

Resources and Scholarships

Department scholarships are available to wildlife ecology students and fellowships are available to support research work with a professor. Students across the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences receive more than $1.25 million in scholarships annually. Learn more about college scholarships here.