Wildlife Biology
Request InfoWildlife Biology Degree
Turn your passion for animals and the outdoors into a rewarding career.
Why Study Wildlife Biology at Keystone College?
Connect one-on-one with faculty, fellow students, and other professionals through classroom instruction, hands-on learning, and internships:
- Learn and explore using Keystone’s 170-acre Woodlands Campus with outdoor classrooms, ponds, streams, wetlands, Lake Manataka Environmental Field Station, and Little Rocky Glen which provide unparalleled learning opportunities.
- Conduct research, work with your peers and mentors, and learn first-hand the latest skills to succeed in wildlife sciences.
- Engage with faculty and peers through research experiences, the senior seminar, and capstone research projects, and present your work at the annual research symposium and regional and national conferences.
- Gain experience in the field by completing internships for local businesses and industries.
- Pursue careers in a variety of public service and private industry environments.
Receive personalized attention and top-notch instruction in a supportive environment:
- Our Stairs to Success developmental plan for success will guide you through your time at Keystone.
- 92% of students receive financial aid.
- Over 150 scholarships are awarded yearly.
What can I do with a Wildlife Biology degree?
Wildlife Biology graduates are grounded in the fundamentals of natural science and prepared to enter graduate programs in fields such as biology (ecology & evolution, genetics, etc.), environmental science, and public health. Students are also prepared for careers in fields such as public policy, conservation, and science education.
Contact
Dr. Linda Serniak
Program Director of Wildlife Biology
570-945-8407
NSM@keystone.edu
Program
Semester Map, BS (120 Credits)
Semester Map, AS (71 Credits)
Minors
College Catalog
Tuition & Financial Aid
Program Goals
- Demonstrate competency in specific content knowledge.
- Apply the scientific method to address specific scientific problems.
- Demonstrate competency in laboratory skills, laboratory safety, and laboratory technology.
- Demonstrate competency in academic technology, including but not limited to writing technology, analysis technology, presentation technology, and bioinformatics technology.
- Evaluate and articulate the outcome of research and laboratory experiments.
- Apply mathematical formulas to analyze quantitative and/or qualitative scientific data.
- Design and implement an original research study; collect and analyze data; and draw conclusions based on data collected.
Career Options
- Environmental Scientist
- Ecologist
- Conservation Biologist
- Climate Change Risk Assessor
- Wildlife Biologist
- Park Ranger
Employers
- Bureau of State Parks
- PA American Water Company
- Pennsylvania Game Commission
- USDA Forest Service
- US Fish and Wildlife Service
- Philadelphia Zoo
Exceptional experiences.
Giant outcomes.
12:1
Keystone student-to-faculty ratio
8%
increase in jobs over the next 10 years
$66,350
Median annual salary for wildlife careers
Successful Giants
McKenzie Sweigart '24
McKenzie Sweigart was awarded the American FFA Degree in 2022, the highest award given by the non-profit outdoor organization FFA (formerly known as Future Farmers of America). The honor is earned by a sparse one percent of FFA members across the country.
Read more about McKenzie.
Erika Schwoyer '21
Erika Schwoyer was selected to participate in The Wildlife Society’s Leadership Institute in 2023. She held technician positions where she worked with white-tailed deer, mule deer, moose, and other animals. She is a graduate research assistant at the University of Delaware.
Read more about Erika.
Ty Sharrow '21
Class of 2021 Outstanding Graduate Ty Sharrow has conducted research in the fields of conservation biology and ornithology and has presented his research at international conferences. He is attending Arkansas State University for his master’s in Biology. Read more about Ty.
From internships and experiential learning opportunities to travel and conferences, you’ll have many opportunities to conduct real-world experiences, work with your peers and mentors in your chosen field, and learn first-hand the latest skills to succeed in the real world.
Research
Participate in a foundational experience focused in the wildlife sciences through extensive classroom instruction, guided laboratory experiences, and independent research experiences.
Internships
Connect with professionals through hands-on learning and internships such as: US Fish and Wildlife Service and Philadelphia Zoo.
Connections
Students in the Eco Club and Student Wildlife Society Chapter participate in individual projects and observe group demonstrations, and attend the American Chemical Society conference and other excursions.
Follow KCBPS on Social Media!
Woodlands Campus
The 170-acre Woodlands Campus features a nature preserve, apiary, maple sugaring operation, streams, and several hiking trails. The outdoor classrooms and field stations provide unparalleled opportunities for outdoor discovery and learning opportunities.
Howard Jennings Nature Preserve
The College dedicated a portion of its beautiful 170 acre Woodlands Campus as a nature preserve, that will not be developed in any way, to honor the years of dedication of Professor Howard Jennings.
Sugar Shack
Keystone College is very fortunate to have its own small maple sugaring operation that includes a sugar shack with an evaporator and a sugarbush, where we have approximately 275 taps deployed.
Featured Faculty
Robert D. Cook, PhD, PG
Nicole Diette, PhD
Joseph Iacovazzi, PhD
John B. Minora
Linda Tucker Serniak, PhD
You Belong at Keystone
Become part of the Keystone family!