Forestry, Fisheries and Wildlife

Admitted students are directly enrolled into this major. Students can bring some course requirements with them from high school when they enroll, such as:

• Biology 1113 and 1114: Biological Sciences (AP Biology - 5 score)
• Chemistry 1210: General Chemistry I (AP Chemistry - 4+ score)
• ENR 2100 and 2101: Intro to Environmental Science (AP Environmental Science - 3+ score)
• Math 1151: Calculus I (AP Calc AB - 3+ score; AP Calc BC – 3+ score)

Additionally, students will take introductory courses in communicating environmental information, forestry, wildlife, fisheries and soil science.

Through immersive coursework in the field, lab or classroom, you will study organisms in our environment and their interactions with each other to understand how to best-manage natural resources for conservation goals. Students in this major spend time outside in their classes in facilities such as Stone Lab on Lake Erie or the Olentangy River Wetland Research Park in Columbus. Major courses include:

• Freshwater Fisheries Management
• Biology and Identification of Woody Forest Plants
• Introduction to Wildland Fire Management
• Mammalian Wildlife Biology and Management
• Wildlife Conservation Policy

After taking introductory major courses, forestry, fisheries, and wildlife students customize their academic journey by focusing on one of the following specializations within the major:

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences: Explore freshwater ecosystems and aquatic life through the lab and fieldwork in lakes, rivers, and wetlands.
• Forest Ecosystem Science and Management: Accredited by the Society of American Foresters, this specialization teaches you how to manage forests for timber, wildlife, recreation, and ecosystem health.
• Wildlife Science: Study wildlife biology and management practices through field-based courses. Students in this specialization are eligible to become certified wildlife biologists through The Wildlife Society.
• Wildlife and Pre-Veterinary Sciences: Prepare for veterinary school while studying wildlife physiology, habitat management, and population dynamics.

You can also choose an interdisciplinary path combining forestry and wildlife or wildlife and fisheries. You can explore the curriculum more here.

Students are encouraged to participate in programs led by the School of Environment and Natural Resources. Specifically, a new program starting in summer 2027 to Mexico will study sustainable natural resource management in the neotropics. Students on this program will investigate the ecology of the second largest area of continuous tropical vegetation in the Americas in the vibrant and biodiverse region of the Yucatan Peninsula.

Similarly, wildlife is a central theme of the SENR global education program in Australia: Human Impacts on the Natural Environment, where students travel through rich ecological landscapes and gain exposure to biodiversity not found anywhere else in the world.

While completion of an internship is not a degree requirement, students are strongly encouraged to complete at least one internship. Those who graduate with internship or research experiences are more likely to gain employment upon graduation. It is common for forestry, fisheries, and wildlife students to intern with Ohio Department of Natural Resources, environmental consulting firms or non-profit environmental organizations.

The School of Environment and Natural Resources career services office provides 1:1 support and organizes career development events for students.

The Environment and Natural Resources Honors program challenges high-ability students by providing a program in greater breadth and depth and provides special recognition and scholarships for outstanding scholastic achievement. Students are able to design their own study plan that guides their course selection and honors research. Freshmen with University Honors standing may be accepted directly as a candidate for the Environment and Natural Resources Honors program.

Environment and Natural Resources Scholars live together in Morrill Tower and share an interest and passion for the environment and being outdoors. Students participate in service learning projects, educational trips, and seminars and workshops with leading environmental researchers. 

Learn more at honors-scholars.osu.edu.

There are many opportunities across campus for students to participate in research. Whether your passions lie in wildlife conservation, habitat management or invasive species, there are plenty of labs across campus pursuing work in fields relevant to these areas. Relevant labs include:

• Terrestrial Wildlife Ecology Lab
• Museum of Biological Diversity
• Williams Fire Laboratory

There are 40+ organizations on campus related to the environment or outdoor recreation! Popular organizations among forestry, fisheries and wildlife students include:

• Fish and Wildlife Society
• Forestry Forum
• Bass Fishing Club

92.4% of our graduates are take their skills to the public, private and nonprofit sectors. Alternatively, they enroll in graduate school within six months of graduation. Recent job outcomes include:

• Wildland firefighter: Bureau of Land Management
• State land management forester: Ohio Division of Forestry
• Aquatic biologist: AQUA DOC Lake and Pond Management
• Fish and wildlife biologist: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
• Zoo show naturalist:  World Bird Sanctuary

New forestry, fisheries, and wildlife OSU graduates report an average starting salary of $45,000. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the 2024 median annual salary for a wildlife biologist was $72,860. For foresters, the 2024 median annual salary was $70,680.