Graduate Specialization

The Specialization in Fish and Wildlife Disease Ecology and Conservation Medicine is designed to provide students with improved understanding of the likely consequences of increased contact between fish and wildlife, domestic animals and human populations for emergence and spread of infectious diseases. Students will gain a sound understanding of the basis of fish and wildlife disease, and an appreciation of the diagnostic and surveillance tools needed to move toward effective disease control among wild populations and ecosystems. Students will also obtain the skills that will enable them to work effectively within interdisciplinary and interagency teams to develop disease surveillance, control, and prevention plans.

The specialization which is administered by the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife and the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, is available as an elective to master’s and doctoral students in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, the College of Natural Science, and the College of Veterinary Medicine. Students enrolled in Plan A (thesis) master’s programs are encouraged to develop thesis topics which integrate their chosen discipline with the interdisciplinary focus integral to this specialization. It is designed for students who are interested in combining study in their disciplines with the study of fish and wildlife disease ecology and in applying their knowledge to the management of emerging and recurring disease in fish and wildlife populations and in ecosystems.

With the approval of the department or school and college that administers the student’s degree program, courses that are used to satisfy the requirements for the specialization may also be used to satisfy the requirements for the graduate degree program. The student’s program of study must be approved by the student’s academic advisor for the specialization.

Requirements for the Specialization in Fish and Wildlife Disease Ecology and Conservation Medicine

The student must: