WEC_PHD - Wildlife Ecology and Conservation (Ph.D.)

Program Information

The Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation offers a breadth of graduate programs that are designed to prepare students for professional employment in conservation of natural resources in a changing world. WEC faculty teach, conduct research, and provide service and extension in the following areas: avian ecology, behavioral ecology, community ecology, conservation biology, conservation education, conservation genetics, ecosystem management, environmental interpretation, habitat restoration, global change ecology, herpetofaunal ecology, human dimensions of wildlife management, international conservation, introduced species, landscape ecology, macroecology, mammalian behavior, marine mammal ecology, plant ecology, population biology, range ecology, systems ecology, tropical conservation, urban wildlife relations, wetlands ecology, wildlife diseases, and wildlife management.

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) program in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation serves graduate students conducting advanced, original studies of fundamental ecological and social sciences (e.g., ecosystem, community, landscape ecology, human dimensions), usually with applications to further society’s understanding of wildlife ecology and to improve conservation of wildlife resources.

The Master of Science (MS) thesis program in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation:

1. prepares graduate students for entry-level professional positions in areas of wildlife biology and ecology, natural resource management, conservation, and
2. provides a solid scientific foundation for further graduate work leading to the PhD degree.

The Master of Science, non-thesis (MS) program in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation provides advanced training for students in technical and professional aspects of wildlife management, conservation, and public education, emphasizing written and oral communication of scientific information.

• Master of Science in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation with a concentration in Wildlife Forensics Science and Conservation - offered by WEC in conjunction with UF's Maples Center for Forensic Science as a non-thesis, online option. Students are prepared for real-world situations in wildlife forensics such as poaching and illegal trade and courses are taught by faculty members who have years of experience in the field working with law enforcement and wildlife organizations. See https://masters.wildlife.forensics.med.ufl.edu/programs/masters-degree/ for a full program description and application instructions.

For more information, please see our website: http://www.wec.ufl.edu.