Mar 29, 2024  
2023-2024 General Catalog 
    
2023-2024 General Catalog ARCHIVED CATALOG: To search archives, MUST use search box to left. Current catalog: catalog.usu.edu.

Wildlife Biology - PhD


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S.J. and Jessie E. Quinney College of Natural Resources

Department of Wildland Resources

The PhD degree is intended for students seeking a research or academic career in wildlife biology. All doctoral students are expected to achieve academic residency by engaging in at least one period of concentrated attention to study, research, and interaction with faculty. Academic residency requires full-time registration for three semesters, two of which must be consecutive.

Degree Programs


PhD (post-master’s)


  • 30 required credit hours with a GPA of 3.0 or higher
    • 1 credit of Wildland Resources Departmental Seminar
    • 15 credits minimum of graduate level coursework (6000 and above), including at least 12 credits of Dissertation Research (7970 )
    • Up to 15 credits of 3000-5990 level courses, of these only 3 credits of 3000-4990 level courses
  • Approved supervisory committee
  • Completion of committee and School of Graduate Studies approved 30 credit Program of Study
  • Successful application for candidacy, includes approved dissertation proposal and completion of comprehensive exams (both oral and written)
  • Successful defense of a dissertation based on original research
  • Submission of dissertation to the School of Graduate Studies and library for review and approval
  • Completion of required trainings and School of Graduate Studies requiered forms

PhD (post-baccalaureate)


  • 60 required credit hours with a GPA of 3.0 or higher
    • 1 credit of Wildland Resources Departmental Seminar
    • 30 credits minimum of graduate level coursework (6000 and above), including at least 18 credits of Dissertation Research (7970 )
    • Up to 21 credits of 3000-5990 level courses, of these only 3 credits of 3000-4990 level courses
  • Approved supervisory committee
  • Completion of committee and School of Graduate Studies approved 60 credit Program of Study
  • Successful application for candidacy, includes approved dissertaton proposal and completion of comprehensive exams (both oral and written)
  • Successful defense of a dissertation based on original research
  • Submission of dissertation to the School of Graduate Studies and library for review and approval
  • Completion of required trainings and School of Graduate Studies required forms

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