B.S. in Natural Resources Management: Wildlife Biology Concentration

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Texas Tech University

Program Overview

The B.S. in Natural Resources Management: Wildlife Biology Concentration at Texas Tech University prepares students to understand, manage, and conserve wildlife and natural ecosystems through a combination of biological science, natural-resource management, and applied field-based study. It suits students interested in wildlife conservation, habitat management, environmental stewardship, and careers with government agencies, conservation organizations, and natural-resource employers.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students begin with foundational natural-resource and biological sciences while developing the scientific and quantitative skills needed for upper-level study. Courses such as BIOL 1403 Biology I, NRM 1401 Introduction to Natural Resources Management, and MATH 1320 College Algebra establish the groundwork for understanding organisms, natural-resource systems, and quantitative problem-solving.

Year 2: The curriculum moves further into ecology, wildlife science, and the biological processes that influence natural populations. Students can build this foundation through subjects such as NRM 2301 Wildlife Ecology and Management, BIOL 3416 Genetics, and CHEM 1307/1107 General Chemistry I and Laboratory, connecting biological principles with wildlife and natural-resource applications.

Year 3: Students develop more specialized knowledge in wildlife biology and natural-resource management, with greater emphasis on applying scientific concepts to conservation and management challenges. Coursework such as NRM 3301 Wildlife Habitat Management, NRM 3302 Wildlife Population Dynamics, and NRM 3401 Natural Resource Policy helps students understand habitat, population management, and the policies governing natural resources.

Year 4: The final year emphasizes advanced wildlife and natural-resource applications while preparing students to transition into professional practice or further study. Students can complete advanced coursework such as NRM 4301 Wildlife Techniques, NRM 4302 Wildlife Management, and NRM 4303 Wildlife Conservation, bringing together field techniques, management strategies, and conservation principles.

Focus Areas

Wildlife biology, wildlife ecology, habitat management, wildlife population dynamics, conservation, natural-resource management, environmental stewardship, and natural-resource policy.

Learning Outcomes

Graduates develop knowledge and practical skills for assessing wildlife populations, understanding habitat relationships, applying wildlife management techniques, evaluating conservation challenges, and making informed natural-resource management decisions.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The program is housed within Texas Tech University’s Department of Natural Resources Management and is designed around professional preparation in natural-resource and wildlife management. Specific professional-program accreditation for the Wildlife Biology Concentration is not stated on the official program information.

Reputation (Employability Rankings)

Texas Tech University provides career and professional preparation through its academic programs and university-wide career resources; a specific QS, Guardian, or other official employability ranking for this individual Wildlife Biology Concentration is not stated on the official program page.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The B.S. in Natural Resources Management: Wildlife Biology Concentration at Texas Tech University combines classroom learning with practical training in wildlife management, conservation, ecology, and natural-resource science. Students can build field and research skills through wildlife-focused courses, laboratory work, field-based experiences, and access to Texas Tech’s natural-resource research facilities and outdoor study environments. The program’s location in West Texas also provides opportunities to study wildlife and ecosystems in diverse regional landscapes. These program-specific experiences include:

Wildlife field techniques: Students develop practical skills through coursework focused on wildlife identification, ecology, management, and conservation, applying biological concepts to real-world natural-resource problems.
Field-based learning: Wildlife Biology students receive opportunities to study organisms and ecosystems outside the classroom, including field-oriented work associated with wildlife and natural-resource courses.
Laboratory and research facilities: The Department of Natural Resources Management supports teaching and research through laboratory facilities used for wildlife, ecology, fisheries, and natural-resource studies.
Wildlife research: Texas Tech faculty conduct research in areas including wildlife ecology and management, allowing students to connect their undergraduate studies with active research programs.
Collections and specimens: Students studying wildlife and natural resources can benefit from university biological collections and specimen-based resources that support teaching and research.
Outdoor research opportunities: The department’s natural-resource programs use field sites and surrounding West Texas environments for ecological and wildlife research, giving students opportunities to observe and analyze wildlife and habitats in natural settings.
Natural Resources Management facilities: The department provides specialized facilities and resources supporting research and instruction in wildlife, fisheries, rangeland, and other natural-resource disciplines.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The B.S. in Natural Resources Management with a Wildlife Biology concentration prepares graduates to apply ecological principles to wildlife conservation, habitat management, and sustainable natural-resource decision-making. Texas Tech identifies career paths including wildlife biologist, fire ecologist, environmental consultant, fisheries specialist, game warden, GIS specialist, wildlife rehabilitation expert, and zoo manager.

Graduates can pursue roles such as wildlife biologist, environmental consultant, GIS specialist, and wildlife rehabilitation specialist. The program also provides a pathway into advanced study in wildlife, aquatic and wildlands science and management and related natural-resource fields.

Career support and professional opportunities:

Career services: Texas Tech’s University Career Center provides access to internship placement, full-time and internship job boards, career advising, and employment-outcome information. Its Career Studio also offers resume reviews, job-search guidance, and career resources.
Employment and salary figures: Texas Tech’s Red Raider GradStats reports an average estimated salary of $66,203 for alumni of the Davis College of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources, based on 2,679 alumni across the college. The university does not state a Wildlife Biology concentration-specific salary figure on the program page.
Industry connections: The Natural Resources Management program highlights strong industry connections that provide access to internships, co-op programs, and job-placement services. Texas Tech also features alumni working in industry, including Mark Nall ’17, a Wildlife Biology graduate who is now a Senior Research Associate at Corteva Agriscience.
Research and professional exposure: Students can engage with the Wildlife and Fisheries Management Institute, Tech Quail, Fire Ecology Center, and High Plains Grazing Lands Research Center, creating opportunities to connect academic study with applied conservation and resource-management work.
Accreditation value: Texas Tech University is institutionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). Texas Tech’s official accreditation listing does not identify a separate professional accreditation specifically for the B.S. in Natural Resources Management/Wildlife Biology concentration.
Graduation outcomes: Texas Tech's Institutional Research reports 87 bachelor's degrees awarded by the Department of Natural Resources Management in FY 2024–25. The department also highlights alumni progression into professional wildlife and natural-resource careers and graduate research.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the bachelor's degree, students can continue at Texas Tech through graduate programs including the M.S. in Wildlife, Aquatic, and Wildlands Science and Management, available in thesis and non-thesis formats, as well as the Ph.D. in Wildlife, Aquatic, and Wildlands Science and Management. Students interested in broader sustainability and resource-management careers can also pursue the Professional Science Master's in Environmental Sustainability and Natural Resource Management.