2026-2027 Catalog

Wildlife Technology Associate of Applied Science

Program Description

This program is designed for students wanting to complete an AAS Degree in Wildlife Technology and enter the workforce. Students explore skills in wildlife, aquaculture, fisheries, natural resource management and computer analysis of natural resources. The Wildlife Technology program focuses on principles and research techniques to assist in wildlife and land management. Includes practical field skills, and theory and applications for the study and management of wildlife, fisheries, and wild bird populations. This program includes courses that involve walking a minimum of a half mile over uneven and steep terrain. This program prepares students for a career as a wildlife technician. The AAS degree in Wildlife Technology at Front Range Community College is accredited by the North American Wildlife Technology Association (NAWTA).

Learn more about this program.

What You Will Learn

Upon completion of the program you will be able to:
 1.  Classify and identify wildlife species, their sign, and associated habitats in Colorado
 2.  Demonstrate wildlife and fisheries management techniques and methods pertaining to populations, occupancy, and distribution, including the use of fish hatcheries and aquaculture in managing fish populations
 3.  Understand and interpret population data and factors influencing populations
 4.  Describe and/or apply habitat management techniques including the operation of equipment used (ATV, Tractors, trucks, and trailers)
 5.  Ability to conduct a literature review and synthesize findings
 6.  Discuss the role of conflict management/resolution in wildlife, fisheries, and natural resource management
 7.  Understand relevant natural resource legislation, current laws pertaining to wildlife and fisheries management, and the unique implications of the North American model of wildlife management
 8.  Demonstrate proficiency with data collection, and sampling and monitoring techniques including both invasive and non-invasive methods and tools
 9.  Complete data computations and communicate findings using spatial mapping and/or graphs and diagrams
10.  Complete an internship and job skills workshop

My Academic Plan: Full-Time

Courses are displayed in a full-time sequence showing the fastest path to your degree. Follow the pathway below to complete your AAS degree in 4 semesters (2 years). For more information, please see your Academic Advisor.

First Semester

NRE 1214Colorado Wildlife

3

ENG 1021 or ENG 1022 or ENG 1031English Composition I (ENG 1021), English Composition II (ENG 1022), or Technical Writing (ENG 1031)

3

NRE 2022Hydrology

4

NRE 1001NRE Career/Academic Readiness

1

NRE 1050Field Skills for Natural Resources

1

GIS 1001Introduction to Geographic Information Systems

3

Total Credit Hours:15

Second Semester

NRE 1100Foundations of Forestry

3

NRE 2205Wildlife & Fisheries Management

3

MAT 1140 or HigherCareer Mathematics (MAT 1140) or Higher

3

NRE 2245Avian Conservation/Ornithology

3

BIO 1005 or BIO 2122 or ENV 1111Science of Biology (BIO 1005) or General College Ecology (BIO 2122) or Environmental Science w/Lab (ENV 1111)

4

Total Credit Hours:16

Semester Note: Upon completion of NRE 2205, NRE 1214, and NRE 2245, you should apply for the Wildlife Certificate.

Third Semester

BIO 1111 or CHE 1111 or BIO 2121General College Biology I w/Lab (BIO 1111) or General College Chemistry I w/Lab (CHE 1111) or Botany w/Lab (BIO 2121)

5

NRE 2030Wildlife Law Enforcement

3

NRE 2204Range Management & Restoration

4

Wildlife Technology Elective Forestry Field Techniques (NRE 1110) or Any Wildlife Degree Elective**

3

Wildlife Technology Elective Backcountry Navigation (OUT 1020) or Any Wildlife Degree Elective**

1

Total Credit Hours:16

Semester Note: NRE 2204 is only offered Fall semester.

Wildlife Technology class credit is dependent upon a 4 or 5 credit science class. If science class is 4 credits, take a 2 credit elective (Prefer: OUT 1260). If 5 credits, take a 1 credit class (Prefer: OUT 1020).

Upon completion of GIS 1001, NRE 1100 or NRE 2205, and GIS 2010* or GIS 2012*, you should apply for the Natural Resources Geographic Information Systems GIS Certificate.

Upon completion of GIS 1001, NRE 1100, NRE 2205, NRE 2022, and NRE 2204, you should apply for the Natural Resources Certificate.

Upon completion of NRE 2025*, NRE 1100, NRE 1214, you should apply for the Environmental Education Certificate.

*Requires the course to be completed as an elective.

Fourth Semester

NRE 2055Wildlife Field Techniques

4

AQT 2008Fish Biology and Ichthyology

5

Wildlife Technology Elective Any Wildlife Degree Elective**

4

Total Credit Hours:13

Semester Note: Upon completion of NRE 1100, NRE 1110*, and NRE 2015* or NRE 2050* or NRE 2028*, you should apply for the Forestry Certificate.

*Requires the course to be completed as an elective.

My Academic Plan: Part-Time

Courses are displayed in a part-time sequence providing flexibility for the working professional. Follow the pathway below to complete your AAS degree within 8 semesters (3 years). This pathway may be accelerated by applying transfer credit, credit for prior learning, and/or completing one or more additional courses each semester. For more information, please see your Academic Advisor.

Fall Semester 1

NRE 1214Colorado Wildlife

3

ENG 1021 or ENG 1022 or ENG 1031English Composition I (ENG 1021), English Composition II (ENG 1022), or Technical Writing (ENG 1031)

3

NRE 2022Hydrology

4

Total Credit Hours:10

Spring Semester 2

GIS 1001Introduction to Geographic Information Systems

3

NRE 2205Wildlife & Fisheries Management

3

NRE 1100Foundations of Forestry

3

Total Credit Hours:9

Summer Semester 3

MAT 1140 or HigherCareer Mathematics (MAT 1140) or Higher

3

Total Credit Hours:3

Fall Semester 4

NRE 1001NRE Career/Academic Readiness

1

NRE 1050Field Skills for Natural Resources

1

NRE 2030Wildlife Law Enforcement

3

NRE 2245Avian Conservation/Ornithology

3

Total Credit Hours:8

Semester Note: Upon completion of NRE 2205, NRE 1214, and NRE 2245, you should apply for the Wildlife Certificate.

Spring Semester 5

BIO 1111 or CHE 1111 or BIO 2121General College Biology I w/Lab (BIO 1111) or General College Chemistry I w/Lab (CHE 1111) or Botany w/Lab (BIO 2121)

5

Wildlife Technology Elective Forestry Field Techniques (NRE 1110) or Any Wildlife Degree Elective**

3

Wildlife Technology Elective Backcountry Navigation (OUT 1020) or Any Wildlife Degree Elective**

1

Total Credit Hours:9

Summer Semester 6

BIO 1005 or BIO 2122 or ENV 1111Science of Biology (BIO 1005) or General College Ecology (BIO 2122) or Environmental Science w/Lab (ENV 1111)

4

Total Credit Hours:4

Fall Semester 7

NRE 2204Range Management & Restoration

4

Wildlife Technology Elective Any Wildlife Degree Elective**

4

Total Credit Hours:8

Semester Note:  NRE 2204 is only offered Fall semester.

Upon completion of GIS 1001, NRE 1100, NRE 2205, NRE 2022, and NRE 2204, you should apply for the Natural Resources Certificate.

Upon completion of NRE 1100, NRE 1110*, and NRE 2015* or NRE 2050* or NRE 2028*, you should apply for the Forestry Certificate.

Upon completion of NRE 1100, NRE 1214, and NRE 2025*, you should apply for the Environmental Education Certificate.

Upon completion of GIS 1001, NRE 1100 or NRE 2205, and GIS 2010* or GIS 2012*, you should apply for the Natural Resources Geographic Information Systems GIS Certificate.

*Requires the course to be completed as an elective.

Spring Semester 8

AQT 2008Fish Biology and Ichthyology

5

NRE 2055Wildlife Field Techniques

4

Total Credit Hours:9

Total Credit Hours: 60

Prior Learning eligible course

•  Learn more about Credit for Prior Learning

•  View all eligible courses

 

Important Program Notes:

You must complete 8 credits of Wildlife Technology AAS degree electives**.

**Wildlife Technology AAS Degree elective courses: BIO 2121, BIO 2122, CHE 1011, CHE 1111, CHE 1112, ENV 1111, FSW 1000, FSW 1001, FSW 1033, FSW 1043, HLT 2140, REC 2010, REC 2011, REC 2012, any NRE course, any GIS course, any UAS course, or any OUT course. No more than 4 credits from Outdoor Studies (OUT) courses may be applied toward the degree.

A maximum of 6 credits from Internship or Independent Study courses may be applied toward the Wildlife Technology AAS degree.

You must complete a minimum of 60 credits to complete this degree. If receiving financial aid, you should only take courses and credits as required for this degree. Check with your advisor to monitor your completion progress.