Wildlife Technology Associate of Applied Science

Program Description

This program is designed for students wanting to complete an AAS Degree in Wildlife Technology and enter the workforce. Students explore skills in wildlife, aquaculture, fisheries, natural resource management and computer analysis of natural resources. The Wildlife Technology program focuses on principles and research techniques to assist in wildlife and land management. Includes practical field skills, and theory and applications for the study and management of wildlife, fisheries, and wild bird populations. This program includes courses that involve walking a minimum of a half mile over uneven and steep terrain. This program prepares students for a career as a wildlife technician. The AAS degree in Wildlife Technology at Front Range Community College is accredited by the North American Wildlife Technology Association (NAWTA).

Learn more about this program.

What You Will Learn

Upon completion of the program you will be able to:
 1.  Classify and identify wildlife species, their sign, and associated habitats in Colorado
 2.  Demonstrate wildlife and fisheries management techniques and methods pertaining to populations, occupancy, and distribution, including the use of fish hatcheries and aquaculture in managing fish populations
 3.  Understand and interpret population data and factors influencing populations
 4.  Describe and/or apply habitat management techniques including the operation of equipment used (ATV, Tractors, trucks, and trailers)
 5.  Ability to conduct a literature review and synthesize findings
 6.  Discuss the role of conflict management/resolution in wildlife, fisheries, and natural resource management
 7.  Understand relevant natural resource legislation, current laws pertaining to wildlife and fisheries management, and the unique implications of the North American model of wildlife management
 8.  Demonstrate proficiency with data collection, and sampling and monitoring techniques including both invasive and non-invasive methods and tools
 9.  Complete data computations and communicate findings using spatial mapping and/or graphs and diagrams
10.  Complete an internship and job skills workshop

My Academic Plan: Full-Time

Courses are displayed in a full-time sequence showing the fastest path to your degree. Follow the pathway below to complete your AAS degree in 4 semesters (2 years). For more information, please see your Academic Advisor.

First Semester

NRE 1214	Colorado Wildlife	3
MAT 1140 or Higher	Career Mathematics (MAT 1140) or Higher	3
NRE 1100	Foundations of Forestry	3
NRE 1001	NRE Career/Academic Readiness	1
Wildlife Technology Elective	Any Wildlife Degree Elective*	2
General Education	Any Art (ART), Any Biology (BIO), Any Communication (COM), Any World Language Course (1001 or higher), or Any GT Pathways Course	3
Total Credit Hours:		15

Semester Note:  You should select 3 credits of electives this semester.

Second Semester

General Education	Any Art (ART), Any Biology (BIO), Any Communication (COM), Any World Language Course (1001 or higher), or Any GT Pathways Course	3
NRE 2205	Wildlife & Fisheries Management	3
GIS 1001	Introduction to Geographic Information Systems	3
ENG 1021 or ENG 1022 or ENG 1031	English Composition I (ENG 1021), English Composition II (ENG 1022), or Technical Writing (ENG 1031)	3
Wildlife Technology Elective	Any Wildlife Degree Elective*	3
Total Credit Hours:		15

Semester Note:  Upon completion of NRE 2205, NRE 1214, and GIS 1001, you should apply for the Wildlife Certificate.

Upon completion of NRE 1100, NRE 1110*, and NRE 2205, you should apply for the Forestry Certificate.

Upon completion of NRE 2025*, NRE 1100 or NRE 2205, and NRE 1100, you should apply for the Environmental Education Certificate.

Third Semester

BIO 1111 or BIO 1112	General College Biology I w/Lab (BIO 1111) or General College Biology II w/Lab (BIO 1112)	5
NRE 2030	Wildlife Law Enforcement	3
NRE 2204	Range Management & Restoration	4
NRE 2245	Avian Conservation/Ornithology	3
Total Credit Hours:		15

Semester Note:  Upon completion of GIS 1001, GIS 2010* or GIS 2012*, and NRE 1100, you should apply for the Natural Resources Geographic Information Systems GIS Certificate.

Upon completion of GIS 1001, NRE 1100, NRE 2205, NRE 1021*, and NRE 2204, you should apply for the Natural Resources Certificate.

Fourth Semester

NRE 2055	Wildlife Field Techniques	4
AQT 2008	Fish Biology and Ichthyology	5
Wildlife Technology Elective	Any Wildlife Degree Elective*	3
Wildlife Technology Elective	Any Wildlife Degree Elective*	3
Total Credit Hours:		15

Semester Note:  Upon completion of REC 2010*, REC 2011*, and NRE 2065* or REC 2012*, you should apply for the Natural Resources Recreation Certificate.

My Academic Plan: Part-Time

Courses are displayed in a part-time sequence providing flexibility for the working professional. Follow the pathway below to complete your AAS degree within 8 semesters (3 years). This pathway may be accelerated by applying transfer credit, credit for prior learning, and/or completing one or more additional courses each semester. For more information, please see your Academic Advisor.

Fall Semester 1

NRE 1214	Colorado Wildlife	3
MAT 1140 or Higher	Career Mathematics (MAT 1140) or Higher	3
NRE 1001	NRE Career/Academic Readiness	1
Wildlife Technology Elective	Any Wildlife Degree Elective*	2
Total Credit Hours:		9

Semester Note:  You should select 3 credits of electives this semester.

Spring Semester 2

GIS 1001	Introduction to Geographic Information Systems	3
NRE 2205	Wildlife & Fisheries Management	3
ENG 1021 or ENG 1022 or ENG 1031	English Composition I (ENG 1021), English Composition II (ENG 1022), or Technical Writing (ENG 1031)	3
Total Credit Hours:		9

Summer Semester 3

General Education	Any Art (ART), Any Biology (BIO), Any Communication (COM), Any World Language Course (1001 or higher), or Any GT Pathways Course	3
Total Credit Hours:		3

Fall Semester 4

NRE 1100	Foundations of Forestry	3
NRE 2030	Wildlife Law Enforcement	3
NRE 2245	Avian Conservation/Ornithology	3
Total Credit Hours:		9

Semester Note:  Upon completion of NRE 2205, NRE 1214, and GIS 1001, you should apply for the Wildlife Certificate.

Upon completion of NRE 1100, NRE 1110*, and NRE 2205, you should apply for the Forestry Certificate.

Upon completion of NRE 2025*, NRE 1100, and NRE 2205, you should apply for the Environmental Education Certificate.

Spring Semester 5

BIO 1111 or BIO 1112	General College Biology I w/Lab (BIO 1111) or General College Biology II w/Lab (BIO 1112)	5
Wildlife Technology Elective	Any Wildlife Degree Elective*	3
Total Credit Hours:		8

Semester Note:  Upon completion of GIS 1001, NRE 1100, NRE 2205, NRE 1021*, and NRE 2204, you should apply for the Natural Resources Certificate.

Summer Semester 6

General Education	Any Art (ART), Any Biology (BIO), Any Communication (COM), Any World Language Course (1001 or higher), or Any GT Pathways Course	3
Total Credit Hours:		3

Fall Semester 7

NRE 2204	Range Management & Restoration	4
Wildlife Technology Elective	Any Wildlife Degree Elective*	3
Wildlife Technology Elective	Any Wildlife Degree Elective*	3
Total Credit Hours:		10

Semester Note:  NRE 2204 is only offered Fall semester.

Upon completion of GIS 1001, GIS 2010* or GIS 2012*, and NRE 1100, you should apply for the Natural Resources Geographic Information Systems GIS Certificate.

Spring Semester 8

AQT 2008	Fish Biology and Ichthyology	5
NRE 2055	Wildlife Field Techniques	4
Total Credit Hours:		9

Total Credit Hours: 60

Prior Learning eligible course

•  Learn more about Credit for Prior Learning

•  View all eligible courses

 

Important Program Notes:

You must select 11 total credits from Wildlife AAS degree electives*. You also must complete 6 credits from the Approved Elective List to satisfy general education requirements for this degree.

You cannot apply more than 6 credits in Internship or Independent Study programs to the Wildlife Technology AAS Degree. 

*Wildlife Technology AAS Degree elective courses: BIO 2121, BIO 2122, CHE 1011, CHE 1111, ENV 1111, FSW 1000, FSW 1001, FSW 1033, FSW 1043, GIS 2010, GIS 2012, HLT 2140, NRE 1001, NRE 1110, NRE 1021, NRE 2000, NRE 2015, NRE 2025, NRE 2032, NRE 2050, NRE 2065, NRE 2078, NRE 2080, NRE 2085, REC 2010, REC 2011, REC 2012, any OUT course.

You must complete a minimum of 60 credits to complete this degree. If receiving financial aid, you should only take courses and credits as required for this degree. Check with your advisor to monitor your completion progress.