Humboldt State University

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What's special about Wildlife at Humboldt?

An emphasis on learning in the field that is accentuated by easy access to the natural environment.

• Students conduct individual and group field projects in most upper division courses.
  
• Many "laboratory" sessions are held outdoors in nearby natural habitats such as the Arcata Community Forest, Arcata Marsh & Wildlife Sanctuary, Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge, Six Rivers National Forest, and many other locations.
  
• Some courses include weekend camping field trips to explore more distant areas and practice additional field techniques.

A faculty that is committed to teaching and active professionally.

• All labs are taught by faculty with Ph.D.s.
  
• Among the seven full-time teaching faculty are two Fulbright Scholars, one CSU-wide Outstanding Professor, two HSU Scholars of the Year, and one D.Sc.
  
• A high rate of peer-reviewed publications, two journal editors, substantial research funding.
  

A curriculum that blends basic science with specialized upper division courses in wildlife conservation and management.

• Strong foundations in chemistry, mathematics & statistics, general biology, zoology, and botany.
  
• Specialized upper division courses such as conservation biology, upland and wetland habitat ecology, waterfowl ecology, management of mammals, shorebird management, and wildlife diseases.
  
• Varied graduate courses including: advanced habitat ecology, behavioral ecology, advanced wildlife population ecology, and various seminars.
  
  
• Each student conducts an independent research project under the supervision of a faculty member for their culminating experience.

Small classes and extensive faculty-student contact, plus interactions among graduate students, undergrads, and local professionals.

• Professors with Ph.D.s teach every course and every lab section in our department.
  
• Classes sizes are small; most sections have a maximum of 24 students.
  
• Many upper division courses include laboratory sections in which students interact with professors one-on-one.
  
  
• Professors hold regular office hours, and students get to know their instructors on a first-name basis.
  
• Many undergraduates "get their foot in the door" by assisting with professors' or graduate students' field research projects.
  
• Local professional (e.g., U.S. Forest, Park, and Fish & Wildlife Service biologists) regularly give guest lectures and attend on-and off-campus meetings and social gatherings.

A strong reputation and high rate of job-placement within the discipline.

• HSU wildlife is well regarded among federal & state agencies and other universities.
  
• A recent alumni survey indicated that 86% of our graduates are employed in a position related to wildlife.
  
• Before graduation, many students get summer jobs working with agencies, biological consultants, or local timber companies.
  
• An active HSU wildlife alumni association.

Excellent facilities for learning.

• A modern building equipped with state-of-the-art labs and computers.
  
• A wildlife museum with over 12,000 teaching and research specimens.
  
• On-campus game pens that house captive rehabilitated mammals and birds.
  
• A 90-foot marine vessel, the Coral Sea, used regularly for offshore field trips & research.