Wildlife Biology and Conservation Co-op Information for Employers
Adding Value to Your Team
The Wildlife Biology and Conservation major focuses on both the ecological and evolutionary factors that influence the sustainability of species and communities, and an understanding of how these factors can be used to manage natural systems or species that are at risk or invasive. The objective of this program is to provide students with an integrated foundation in three disciplines necessary to understand the origins, interactions, and protection of plant and animal diversity: evolution, ecology, and conservation biology.
University of Guelph Advantage
This major will provide students with a unique interdisciplinary opportunity to study the causes, consequences, and conservation of plant and animal diversity. There is currently no other major in Canada that explicitly integrates ecology, evolution, and conservation into a single undergraduate degree. This major also builds on the University of Guelph’s long-standing reputation in the areas of biology and natural resources management.
Students do not begin their first work term until they have completed 2 years of study and have mastered the core competencies needed to be successful in their work terms. Students are available for up to four work terms (4 or 8 months) and employers can post, interview, and hire throughout the semester.
Student Strengths
Deep Understanding
An understanding of how to manage natural and impacted systems (e.g., invasive species, species at risk) and apply scientific approaches to adaptive management strategies in wildlife conservation.
Advanced Analysis
Ability to assess the complex interplay between science, socio-economic factors and public opinion in the forging of public policy decisions and the value of interdisciplinary and animals in a variety of ecosystems, and the ability to assemble, analyze and evaluate biological data.
Targeted Communication
Written and oral communication skills for various stakeholders, including public, private sector, policy makers and scientists.
Wildlife Biology and Conservation Co-op Work Term Schedule
| YEAR | FALL | WINTER | SUMMER |
|---|---|---|---|
| ONE | Academic | Academic | Off |
| TWO | Academic | Academic | Work |
| THREE | Work | Academic | Off |
| FOUR | Academic | Work | Work |
| FIVE | Academic | Academic |
Wildlife Biology and Conservation Course Sequencing
Based on the 2023/24 undergraduate calendar. Please see the current undergraduate calendar for more information.
Fall
- Discovering Biodiversity
- General Chemistry I
- Elements of Calculus I
- Physics for Life Sciences
- 1 Liberal Education elective
Winter
- Biological Concepts of Health
- Introduction to Molecular and Cellular Biology
- General Chemistry II
- Physics for Life Sciences II
- 1 Liberal Education elective
Fall
- Introduction to Biochemistry
- Foundations in Molecular Biology and Genetics
- Introduction to Co-operative Education
- 3 electives/restricted electives
Winter
- Ecology
- Evolution
- Biostatistics for Integrative Biology
- 2 electives/restricted electives
Summer
Work Term One
Fall
Work Term Two
Winter
- Methods in Evolutionary Biology
- Populations, Communities and Ecosystems
- Conservation Biology
- 2 electives/restricted electives
Fall
- Laboratory and Field Work in Ecology
- 4 restricted electives
Winter
Work Term Three
Summer
Work Term Four
Fall
- Ecological Methods
- Wildlife Conservation and Management
- 2 electives/restricted electives
Winter
- Natural Resource Policy Analysis
- 4 electives/restricted electives
Restricted Electives
Restricted electives must include a minimum of 1.00 credits of Liberal Education electives, plus:
0.50 credits from:
- Life Strategies of Plants
- Vertebrate Structure and Function
- Invertebrate Morphology & Evolution
0.50 credits from:
- Plant Functional Ecology
- Comparative Animal Physiology I
0.50 credits from:
- Population Genetics
- Evolutionary Ecology
As well as a minimum of 3.00 credits from the following disciplines: Evolution, Ecology, Conservation, Integrative/Cross-disciplinary, Field Courses.
Please refer to the undergraduate calendar for the full list of restricted elective courses.
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