University of Wisconsin–Madison

Major Advising Page – Wildlife Ecology

The Department of Forest & Wildlife Ecology welcomes students to participate in a broad array of experiences outside the classroom, including studying abroad. While courses at UW-Madison focus on wildlife found in Wisconsin, students who study abroad will gain knowledge of other wildlife ecosystems, build skills through hands-on field research, learn how global issues such as climate change impact wildlife in ecosystems around the world, and learn about wildlife management through a lens that transcends the Western perspective. From tracking lion pride movements in Tanzania, to studying wildlife conservation genetics in the Netherlands, to examining the impacts of tourism on wildlife in the Bocas del Toro archipelago in Panama, there are many ways to enrich your studies through an international experience.

Prospective Wildlife Ecology students

Study abroad programs are offered throughout the year in Fall and Spring semesters, over the Summer, and during Winter and Spring Breaks. Wildlife Ecology students typically study abroad in their junior year, but may study abroad earlier or later depending on their individual academic plan. With advance planning, studying abroad during a fall or spring semester should be possible, although many students may find that a summer or winter program fits well into their academic plan. Some students are able to study abroad multiple times. Students are encouraged to create a four-year plan within Degree Planner that incorporates a study abroad experience and share their plan with their academic advisor.

To gain background information about study abroad and the various programs available, attend the Study Abroad Fair on campus, visit the Program Search, and/or meet with CALS Study Abroad Advisors.

To discuss how studying abroad fits within your career or professional goals in relation to the completion of the Wildlife Ecology major, please visit the CALS Career Services webpage to schedule an appointment with a CALS Career Advisor.

Wildlife Ecology course considerations abroad

Most Wildlife Ecology students take a mix of major requirements and non-major elective courses that count towards graduation during a study abroad program.

Many students who study abroad can find equivalent classes that fulfil their:

  • Breadth courses (social sciences, humanities)
  • Wildlife Ecology Breadth requirement
  • Conservation Biology (currently required for students in the Natural Resources Track)
  • Major Electives
  • Independent research and/or capstone (*requires departmental approval)
  • Wildlife Biology requirement (courses that cover biology of specific organisms, e.g. birds, fish, reptiles, aquatic mammals, etc.)
  • CALS International Studies requirement *Not automatic with studying abroad.

Some students are also able to find equivalents to Core Wildlife Ecology requirements. Students may request to have study abroad courses without an exact UW-Madison equivalent (e.g. Tropical Rain Forest Ecology/Conservation) to count towards the Wildlife Ecology major’s breadth requirements. These requests should be submitted to the Wildlife Ecology major advisor and will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Mapping your study abroad experience as a Wildlife Ecology major

  • Freshman year
    It is recommended that students take F&W ECOL 101 – Orientation to Wildlife Ecology in the fall of their freshman year, which must be completed at UW-Madison. Freshman year is also a good time to focus on your core foundation courses – namely, math and chemistry. Many freshmen are part of a FIG (First Year Interest Group), which is a year-long experience and a great way to meet and connect with other new students. Students could consider studying abroad the summer after their freshman year. Suggested courses to take your first year include:
    • F&WE 101 – Orientation to Wildlife Ecology (Fall only)
    • F&WE 318 – Principles of Wildlife Ecology (Fall only)
    • F&WE 379 – Principles of Wildlife Management (Spring only)
    • Mathematics requirement
    • Chemistry requirement
  • Sophomore year
    Once core chemistry and math requirements are complete, the sophomore year is a good time to complete major biology requirements as well as statistics. Many students also complete core requirements for the major. Winter Break, Spring Break, and the Summer after sophomore year are great times to consider studying abroad. Suggested courses to take in the sophomore year include:
    • F&WE 306 – Terrestrial Vertebrates: Life History and
    • Ecology (spring only)
    • F&WE 360 – Extinction of Species (fall and summer only)
    • Biology sequence
    • Statistics requirement
    • Electives
  • Junior year
    Junior year is a popular time for Wildlife Ecology students to study abroad during the fall or spring semester. Winter Break, spring break, and the summer after junior year are also great times to consider studying abroad. Junior year is when students start taking advanced classes in wildlife management, as well as more advanced science classes in evolution or genetics. Some study abroad programs offer courses that are equivalent to courses that meet the major wildlife management requirements. Transfer students and students who declare a Wildlife Ecology major during their junior year should meet with their academic advisor as soon as possible to determine the best time to study abroad and discuss what coursework to take abroad.

    Suggested courses to take junior year include:

    • F&WE 561 – Wildlife Management Techniques (fall only)
      Course to meet Evolution/Genetics requirement
    • F&WE 404 – Wildlife Damage Management (Even fall terms only) or F&WE 515 – Natural Resources Management (fall only) 
  • Senior Year
    Senior year is when students finish taking required courses for the major and are often involved in independent research projects with faculty. Students may be able to study abroad for a Fall or Spring semester during their senior year and complete their final semester requirements abroad. Winter Break and Spring Break are also great times to consider studying abroad during senior year. Many Study Abroad programs offer field research opportunities. Transfer students and students who declare a Wildlife Ecology major during their junior year should meet with their academic advisor as soon as possible to determine the best time to study abroad and discuss what coursework to take abroad.
    • Capstone (fall or independent study in spring)
    • F&WE 655 – Population Dynamics (spring only)
      Wildlife Biology requirements (Birds or Fish, Spring only or some Study Abroad programs may have alternative options for this requirement)

Example four-year plan for a Wildlife Ecology major studying abroad for a semester

Here is a sample plan that incorporates a semester abroad and indicates which summers may work well for a study abroad experience. While not listed here, students can also consider studying abroad during winter break or spring break. *Transfer students and students who declare a Wildlife Ecology major during their junior or senior year should meet with their academic advisor as soon as possible to determine the best time to study abroad, as it may differ from the terms suggested in the chart below.

YearFall SpringSummer
1st Year

  • F&WE 101 – Orientation to Wildlife Ecology

  • F&WE 318 – Principles of Wildlife Ecology

  • Mathematics requirement as needed

  • Comm A as needed

  • Gen Eds as needed

  • F&WE 379 – Principles of Wildlife Management

  • Continue Mathematics requirement as needed

  • Chemistry Requirement

  • Electives
Students could consider studying abroad as early as the summer after their first year.
2nd Year

  • First semester Biology

  • F&WE 360: Extinction of Species

  • Electives/Gen Eds as needed
  • Second-semester biology

  • Statistics requirement
  • Electives

  • F&WE 424 Wildlife Ecology Summer Field Practicum
  • Electives/Gen Eds as needed
3rd Year
  • F&WE 561 – Wildlife Management Tech
  • Evolution/Genetics Requirement
  • F&WE 515: Natural Resources Policy
  • Study abroad program satisfying Wildlife Ecology breadth requirement and possibly Wildlife Biology requirement or electives
Summer after sophomore year is also a great time to study abroad.
4th Year

  • F&WE 577 Capstone (or Independent Study Capstone)



  • F&WE 655 – Population Dynamics

  • Zool 520 & 521 – Ornithology and Birds of Southern Wisconsin (unless Taxonomy requirement already completed through study abroad alternative)
 
Example four-year plan for Wildlife Ecology major studying abroad for a semester

Questions to ask

Your Academic Advisor

  • What classes must I complete for my degree (breadth/depth, major requirements, etc.)?
  • Which courses are likely to be found abroad for my major/degree? Which will I likely have to take here at UW-Madison?
  • How do my other goals (summer research experiences, attending medical or professional school, taking a gap year vs. applying right away) fit in with my coursework and timeline for studying abroad? When would be the best time(s) to go abroad?

Your Study Abroad Advisor

  • What classes can I take abroad?
  • How and when do I select courses for my program?
  • When will I know course equivalents for my program?
  • What is the class structure like abroad?

Yourself

  • What is my rationale for wanting to study abroad? What experiences am I hoping to gain?
  • Am I willing to take Summer classes abroad?
  • How does studying abroad fit into my future career goals?

Hear from students in your major

Explore student blogs and reflections to see how your peers have connected international experiences to their studies. Discover real stories about the skills, challenges, and professional insights gained through our programs.

Identifying programs that are right for you

The following are study abroad programs that may be of interest to students pursuing the Wildlife Ecology major. The programs below have various durations and courses that may count for electives or requirements for the Wildlife Ecology major. If you do not have specific requirements you need to fulfil, you will have much more flexibility as to program type and location.

*Starred programs have been identified as having a high number of relevant course equivalents and align well with the wildlife ecology major requirements.

Semester and/or Academic Year Programs

Short Term and Summer Programs

International Internships

International internships are another way to gain valuable professional experience abroad while earning course credit. While you can often participate in a part-time internship as part of your study abroad program, it is also possible to participate in an Internship-focused program or a UW Signature Internship.

Search all programs

Research all programs using the Program Search page. The above is not an exhaustive list of all programs. There may be other programs that are a better fit for your individual needs or interests.

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