The Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences at Texas A&M University is the largest of its kind in the United States, and perhaps in the world. At present, the department has 105 graduate students and over 400 undergraduate students. The department offers a traditional Master of Science (M.S.; thesis) and the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences, in addition to two non-thesis programs, the Master Wildlife Science (MWS), Master of Natural Resource Development (MNRD).
Scholarly research is the hallmark of studies leading to the M.S. (thesis option) and Ph.D. degrees. Each candidate must propose and conduct an original scientific investigation, which becomes the basis for the M.S. thesis or Ph.D. dissertation. The research and writing experience, together with appropriate coursework, prepares graduates for careers in research, college teaching and other scholarly endeavors.
For graduate students who seek careers outside formal science, the MWS and MNRD non-thesis programs offer broad academic training to sharpen problem solving and management skills.
Graduate study in the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences is a full-time commitment, normally requiring two years or more to complete the M.S., MWS, and MNRD degrees and four to five years for the Ph.D. degree.