BSc in Wildlife in Arcata United States | California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt

The wildlife program establishes a core framework that equips students with accountability, admiration, specialized knowledge, and motivation to aid in preserving and managing our planet's ecosystems and animal populations.

Participants undergo intensive academic preparation through both classroom instruction and hands-on fieldwork in Ecology/Management courses covering (1) Large Mammals, (2) Waterfowl, (3) Upland Game, and (4) Non-game species (including reptiles, shorebirds, raptors, and tropical songbirds). Specialized coursework includes Advanced Ornithology, Behavioral Ecology, Conservation Biology, Energy Studies, Animal Behavior Science, Population Dynamics, Upland Ecosystems, Wetland Environments, and Wildlife Pathology. Final-year students are required to undertake original research and produce a thesis under faculty guidance.

Our location provides panoramic views of Humboldt Bay and coastal zones that serve as critical stopovers for migratory birds along the Pacific Flyway, including shorebirds, birds of prey, and waterfowl. Nearby ecosystems such as Redwood National and State Parks plus Six Rivers National Forest support diverse wildlife including black bears, river otters, Roosevelt elk, bobcats, and mountain lions.