The MS Non-Thesis degree was created to provide an opportunity for students to undertake advanced coursework to prepare for or enhance employment in government, NGOs, and private businesses and institutions where science based activities and decisions are made related to wildlife management, conservation, and education concerning these issues. In addition to successful completion of a minimum of 30 credits of graduate coursework with a qualifying GPA, students are required to prepare and submit materials for a Comprehensive Exam prepared from work undertaken during their degree fulfilling key strategic objectives of the degree.  Students are encouraged to engage in research or outreach activities through paid or volunteer work, internships, and overseas study programs as available during their program.  The non-thesis master's degree is not recommended for those desiring research credentials. The degree program can be completed in 18 months or, with an extreme course overload, 12 months.

Given that individuals taking degrees from this department have extremely diverse goals, we have maintained flexibility in defining the required curriculum while guaranteeing full exposure to the mission of the Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation; to foster education, expand knowledge, and reward scholarship, using multi-disciplinary approaches, for the purpose of understanding, managing, and conserving biological resources. 

Essential Degree Requirements

• Refer to this page for WEC Coursework
• https://wec.ifas.ufl.edu/graduate-students/graduate-course-listing/
• Completion of 1 semester (1 credit) of our departmental Seminar (WIS 6933) course, where students become actively engaged with practitioners in current research and scholarship across the field (S/U grading);
• A minimum of 14 credits of letter graded coursework in the Department (graduate level WIS courses and non-WIS courses taught by WEC line faculty through other units);
• A minimum of 15 additional graded credits of graduate level coursework from WEC or any other department on campus;
• Regarding undergraduate course work, a maximum of 6 credits of undergraduate graded course credits from outside of WEC may be applied to the degree. No WIS undergraduate credits can be applied to the degree.
• Quantitative Requirement:
• 2-3 credits (either WIS or non-WIS) of a graduate course in one of the following areas will satisfy this requirement
• Statistical analysis (a variety of course options)
• Data Carpentry (informatics) / Data base design
• Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
• Data Visualization / Graphic Design
• Decision Analysis in Conservation (or related)

• This form must be completed during the students 1^st Semester (as a planning document) and again in the final graduation semester (as a record of courses)
• Form 2 Coursework Plan of Study (MS non-thesis in WEC)

• Comprehensive Exam: To insure that students in the non-thesis MS program complete a degree that constitutes advanced academic achievement, they will prepare and submit materials for a Comprehensive Exam with their Advisor. Two options exist for this Exam (see below).

Conceptual Framework for the Non-Thesis MS Degree

Completion of this degree will challenge the student to understand the breadth and depth of wildlife conservation fields as well as the student’s unique goals for future professional engagement. Completing the degree efficiently will establish a life-long habit of learning, enabling alumni to continue to grow intellectually and adapt to changing skills, standards and intellectual preparation encountered in their careers.

Coursework Supervisor

Students need a single WEC faculty member who is on the graduate faculty to agree to serve as coursework selection supervisor.  Faculty interested in advising non-thesis MS students are listed below. Prospective students are advised to first examine the faculty’s web pages to identify someone with similar interests before contacting potential faculty advisors. Students are free to consult with any faculty member to add perspective to the graduate experience (e.g., on potential courses being offered).

Comprehensive Exam

As evidence of attainment of knowledge, skills and professional behavior outcomes, WEC requires the non-thesis MS students (beginning in Spring term 2023) to fulfill one of two options in fulfillment of a Comprehensive Exam. The Comprehensive Exam is designed to show how the student has met conscious professional goals by undertaking the degree. Students should agree on the nature of their Comprehensive Exam with their advisor in their first semester and make progress toward fulfilling this requirement beginning in their first semester.  The Portfolio or Technical Paper is due for examination and approval by your Coursework Advisor at the time that you apply for graduation in your final term. The final exam form must be signed when the advisor has approved the materials submitted below under either option A or B.

(A) Portfolio of Academic Work Product: Students will collate three of the following items into a single PDF or other format.

• A research based technical (review or research) paper (minimum 3000 words) that synthesizes knowledge from scientific journal articles on a topic related to a natural resource topic. The paper must have been generated as a result of coursework or other academic participation during the student’s tenure in the WEC Master’s program. If it was a course assignment, it must have received a grade of B or better and the syllabus describing the assignment must be included in the Portfolio.
• A published blog post or EDIS document (minimum 3000 words) on an established outreach website. The piece must be peer-reviewed and available via a permanent web link and it must include literature review and citation. The content of the article must have been generated as a result of coursework or other academic participation during the student’s tenure in the WEC Master’s program. If it was a course assignment, it must have received a grade of B or better and the syllabus describing the assignment must be included in the Portfolio.
• A Powerpoint presentation (minimum 20 slides) that was prepared and presented orally. The presentation must have been generated as a result of coursework or other academic participation during the student’s tenure in the WEC Master’s program. If it was a course assignment, it must have received a grade of B or better and the syllabus describing the assignment must be included in the Portfolio.
• A semester-long technical project required for a class taken during the degree program. The technical project must be described in a syllabus as a semester project requiring concentrated work throughout a semester (can be solo or a group project). A written description of the technical product (minimum 1000 words) must accompany presentation of the technical product.  Products can include a GIS analysis with maps; statistical data analysis of a data set; data visualization of a data set; a computer program or app; a relational database project; a conservation/management plan, or other technical product (must be specified and described fully and approved by advisor). The technical project must have been generated as a result of coursework or other academic participation during the student’s tenure in the WEC Master’s program. If it was a course assignment, it must have received a grade of B or better and the syllabus describing the assignment must be included in the Portfolio.
• A written term paper (minimum 3000 words). The content of the paper must have been generated as a result of coursework during the student’s tenure in the WEC Master’s program and must have received a grade of B or better and the syllabus describing the assignment must be included in the Portfolio.

(B) Technical Paper and Oral Presentation in WEC MS Symposium.  

• A technical paper summarizing a research, outreach, or pedagogical project undertaken with the student’s Advisor. The paper must be a minimum of 5000 words and must include literature review and follow a standardized format of a journal that publishes such works. The Instructions to Authors for an appropriate journal must be included as an Appendix and the paper must adhere to those Instructions.
• A 15 minute public oral presentation given during the WEC Masters Symposium. The presentation should summarize an independent study project undertaken during the student’s tenure in the WEC Master’s program.
• The following evidence of the project and presentation must be included in the final submission in the form of (a) the 6905 contract form describing work undertaken during at least one term for the project and (b) the flyer announcing the student’s presentation as part of the WEC Master’s Symposium.

Learning Outcomes

During your final semester, you will consult with your Supervisor to assess your achievement of the Department’s student learning outcomes in the Wildlife Ecology and Conservation degree program. They will assess your program of study based on grades and credit accumulation as evidenced in the Plan of Study (Form 2) and your Comprehensive Exam materials.

Knowledge Outcome

Students will obtain a thorough understanding of the essential outcomes and goals of research, scholarship and educational outreach related to wildlife ecology and conservation as evidenced in the portfolio.

Skills Outcome

Students in this degree program will attain competence in time management and advanced scholarship. Scholarship skills graduates will carry forward include self-managed independent study; intellectual engagement through discussion and oral presentation to peers; proficiency in written and oral expression of scientific concepts; and integration of new knowledge into a system of understanding of wildlife science and related professions.

Professional Behavior Outcome

The WEC graduate curriculum at UF demands practice of the following for successful completion: Interacting with professional peers with honesty, ethical behavior, cultural sensitivity, teamwork, and effective communication.

Timeline Of Events and Submission of Documents for WEC MS Non-Thesis Students

1. FIRST SEMESTER
   • Transfer credits from a previous graduate program, if any.
   • Complete a Form 2 Proposed Schedule of Courses and submit it to WEC Student Services.
   • Meet with Graduate Coordinator to discuss advising.
     Form is found here: Graduate Forms
2. ANYTIME
   • Fulfill the STATISTICS requirement
   • Register for WIS 6933
3. NEXT TO LAST SEMESTER
   • Check with your advisor to ensure that you are on track to complete all MS Non-Thesis requirements: see the Summary of MS Non-Thesis Degree Credit Requirements section of the WEC Grad Student Handbook for more information.
4. FINAL SEMESTER
   • Submit UF Degree Application before deadline
   • Meet with your advisor to complete the comprehensive exam and final exam form
   • Submit a pdf of the completed project or portfolio and signed final exam form to Ivette Hernández in WEC Student Services
   • Return keys and UF equipment to Cameron Carter