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, and 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 are able to find equivalent classes that fulfill 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 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 freshman 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, 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 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 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. 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)
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.
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.
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)
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.
Example Four Year Plan for 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 below.
1st Year
Fall
- 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
Spring
- F&WE 379 – Principles of Wildlife Management
- Continue Mathematics requirement as needed
- Chemistry Requirement
- Electives
Summer
Students could consider studying abroad as early as the summer after their first year.
2nd Year
Fall
- First semester Biology
- F&WE 360: Extinction of Species
- Electives/Gen Eds as needed
Spring
- Second semester biology
- Statistics requirement
- Electives
Summer
- F&WE 424 Wildlife Ecology Summer Field Practicum
- Electives/Gen Eds as needed
3rd Year
Fall
- F&WE 561 – Wildlife Management Tech
- Evolution/Genetics Requirement
- F&WE 515: Natural Resources Policy
Spring
Study Abroad program satisfying Wildlife Ecology breadth requirement and possibly Wildlife Biology requirement or electives
Summer
Summer after sophomore year is also a great time to study abroad.
4th Year
Fall
F&WE 577 Capstone (or Independent Study Capstone)
Spring
- F&WE 655 – Population Dynamics
- Zool 520 & 521 – Ornithology and Birds of Southern Wisconsin (unless Taxonomy requirement already completed through Study Abroad alternative)
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 in to my future career goals?
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 fulfill, 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.
Africa
Kenya
SFS Water and Wildlife Studies
Tanzania
SFS Wildlife Management & Wildlife Research*
Pre-approved classes: FWE 599 (Capstone), FWE 515, FWE 561, FWE 318 or FWE 460
Asia
Bhutan
SFS Himalayan Studies
Cambodia
SFS Conservation and Development Studies
Europe
Czech Republic
Czech University of Life Sciences Exchange*
Pre-approved classes: FWE 561, FWE 550, Botany 370, FWE 410
Denmark
University of Copenhagen Exchange
Netherlands
Wageningen University Exchange
Sweden
Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences Exchange*
Pre-approved classes: Zoology 511, FWE 561, FWE 515, FWE 410, Stats 371
Latin America and the Caribbean
Belize
Ceiba Coral Reef Ecology in Belize
Chile
SFS Climate Studies
Costa Rica
SFS Ecological Resilience Studies
UW Banking Animal Biodiversity in Costa Rica
Ecuador
Ceiba Tropical Conservation Semester: Galapagos, Andes and Amazon*
Pre-approved classes: FWE 651, Zoology 460, Zoology 400, Zoology 677
Panama
SFS Tropical Island Biodiversity & Conservation Studies
Peru
SFS Biodiversity & Development in the Andes-Amazon
Turks and Caicos
SFS Marine Resource Studies
Oceania
Australia
SFS Rainforest Studies
University of Queensland Exchange
University of Sydney Exchange
New Zealand
Massey University Exchange
North America
USA
Wild Rockies Field Institute
Other Opportunities to consider
- Internships or research in university or private settings abroad (check out the International Internship Program)
- Studying something completely different and focusing on your major coursework while at UW-Madison (use the Program Search to identify programs by region, country, language of instruction, duration, or subjects taught) – there are many programs that may not be directly related to your major but may complement your studies by practicing a language, learning about another culture or region, or earning credit towards an additional major or certificate.
Search all programs
Research all programs using the Program Search page. There are many programs that may not be science or health care-related but may complement your studies by practicing a language, learning about another culture or region, or earning credit towards an additional major or certificate. The above is not an exhaustive list of all programs that might be appropriate. There may be other programs that are a better fit for your individual needs or interests.