Wildlife Biology and Conservation (WBC)
Admission Requirements
Ontario Requirements
Out of Province Requirements
International Requirements
Conserving Organisms and their Ecosystems
Protect Biological Diversity
With a strong foundation in evolution, ecology and conservation biology, you’ll be equipped to understand and address the pressing challenges facing wildlife and their habitats through best practices in management and conservation.
Tackle Contemporary Issues Facing Wildlife
Explore the complex interplay between science, socioeconomic factors and public opinion in the forging of public policy decisions and the value of interdisciplinary approaches to complex problems in wildlife biology.
Gain Hands-on Experience
Take your studies beyond the classroom through world-renowned research facilities on campus, including the Centre for Biodiversity Genomics, Hagen Aqualab and Phytotron greenhouses, and in the field, including at the Wildlife Research Station in Algonquin Provincial Park, Churchill Northern Studies Centre in Manitoba and the university’s very own Arboretum.
Why Wildlife Biology and Conservation?
Building on the University of Guelph’s long-standing reputation in the areas of biology and natural resource management, Wildlife Biology and Conservation is currently the only major in Canada that explicitly integrates ecology, evolution, and conservation into a four-year major.
This major empowers you to explore the relationship between ecosystems and organisms, from the molecular level to populations, as well as ways to conserve species through natural system management and interdisciplinary approaches of ecology, evolution and conservation.
After building a foundation in the biological sciences, you’ll have the flexibility in your upper years to focus your courses on some or all of the program’s three themes: ecology, evolution and conservation. In your fourth year, you’ll take a capstone course, which allows you to ask and test a research problem of interest to you.
If you're interested in studying Wildlife Biology and Conservation, you may also be interested in Marine and Freshwater Biology, Zoology, or other majors.
Gain Valuable Experience Through Co-op
The Wildlife Biology and Conservation co-op is a five-year program with four co-op work terms. This co-op provides invaluable hands-on skills and experience to boost your resume and fast-track your career.
Hear From a Wildlife Biology and Conservation Student
The Wildlife Biology and Conservation program is super unique and I’ve loved every part of it. In my first and second years, I was able to learn a little bit about each discipline the program covers: ecology, evolution, and conservation. I was most interested in ecology and conservation, so having the flexibility in my upper years to cater my program and electives to my interests was really cool and beneficial to my learning. The program definitely helped shape my career choices, as well as my personal and academic growth.
What Can I Do With a Degree in Wildlife Biology and Conservation?
The program prepares students for careers in resource management, conservation, ecological consulting, teaching, and government service, as well as post-graduate work in ecology, evolutionary biology, environmental sciences, or wildlife management.
With their practical experience gained in lab, field and research courses, combined with knowledge of strategies for conservation, management and policy, our graduates land exciting positions across private and public sectors.
Here are a few careers our graduates have successfully pursued:
- Wildlife Biologist
- Conservation Officer
- Research Technician
- Wildlife Educator and Interpreter
- Park Ranger
- Science Writer
- Bioinformatics Coordinator
Scholarships
In 2021, more than $42.7 million in scholarships was awarded to U of G students. Learn more about applications, requirements and available Scholarships.
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