BIOL 481

Practicum (BIOL 481) is a required 3 credit component of the Forest Wildlife and Forest Wildlife Law degrees and requires that students work a minimum of 150 hours with an agency.  The position may be paid or unpaid.

The practicum allows students to gain hands-on experience in Forest/Wildlife or Forest/Wildlife Law Enforcement.  A practicum can include things such as working or volunteering with state or federal wildlife agencies, non-governmental agencies, non-profits, or as a research or field assistant on a wildlife project. The practicum is not intended as a job shadow experience. Students need to have a detailed plan of work, regardless of whether the position is paid or unpaid.

Procedure for enrollment

Juniors or Seniors majoring in Forest Wildlife or Forest Wildlife Law Enforcement should contact Dr. Whiteman, who will serve as the Faculty Supervisor for the Practicum. Students should contact the Faculty Supervisor no later than the spring semester prior to their planned enrollment of practicum (e.g January, February, and March for a summer practicum.) The Faculty Supervisor provides students with assistance and advice regarding their practicum, however, students have the final responsibility for securing the position and arranging all work-schedule details of the practicum experience.

How to set up a practicum

1. During the Sophomore and Junior years, students should have established their interests within the multidisciplinary Forest/Wildlife or Forest/Wildlife Law major. Students are advised to talk with professionals in the field, research organizations, and begin applying for jobs that sound interesting. Do NOT wait to apply for practicum positions until the last minute; positions are competitive and federal/state applications are typically open a year in advance.
   1. Search for positions and apply early, i.e. your sophomore or junior year for a practicum taking place during the summer of your junior or senior year.
      
   2. Secure the position at least three months in advance of your intended start date.
   3. Plan accordingly. Your ability to secure a practicum can impact graduation.
2. Set up an initial meeting with the Faculty Supervisor for the practicum (Dr. Whiteman). During this meeting, you will discuss the activity you are proposing as a practicum. The practicum experience must be approved by the Faculty Supervisor and it is your responsibility to initiate these discussions at least two months prior to the end of the spring semester (i.e. no later than March 31 for a summer practicum.)
3. Identify your Agency Mentor and provide this information to Dr. Whiteman (include agency mentor name, email, phone, and address.) Note that students are not permitted to complete a practicum at their current place of employment.
4. Register for BIOL 481 (summer term ONLY.)
5. Once your practicum has been approved, you have a position secured with an agency, and you are registered for BIOL 481 during the summer, contact Dr. Whiteman to gain access to the course shell on Canvas. Review the BIOL 481 course materials and expectations.
6. Download and complete the Practicum Learning Objectives.
   
7. Download the Practicum Agreement to be completed by you and your supervisor. You will need to provide:
   1. A Job/Position Description from the student’s employer
   2. Employer name and contact information, including email.
   3. Practicum Learning Objectives, which can be developed in relation to the job description and what the student hopes to learn from the practicum experience. Students can work with their Academic Advisor, Faculty Supervisor, and Agency Mentor to develop their Learning Objectives.
8. During the practicum, students will be provided weekly writing prompts which are submitted on Canvas. Keep track of your daily activities and hours spent.
9.  The course requires the development and submission of an ePortfolio that includes a 2000-word reflective essay. 
10. More detailed information and all required forms are available in the course Canvas shell.

Examples of Previous Practica

Many activities can be used for a practicum. Here is a partial list of some of the sorts of activities that are appropriate:

• Summer field research assistant for a professor or graduate student project on a wildlife biology project (in NM or elsewhere)
• Working with governmental agencies such as the US Forest Service, US Fish & Wildlife Service, the National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, New Mexico Fish and Wildlife, New Mexico State Parks (e.g. City of Rocks, Elephant Butte), New Mexico Environment Department, Surface Water Quality Bureau, Student Conservation Corps, etc.
• Working with a conservation organization such as Trout Unlimited, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, the Nature Conservancy, or Albuquerque BioPark.

Although most students pick practicums that involve biological fieldwork or recreation resource management (e.g. park interpretation, educational outreach, trails) depending on your interests and professional goals, some practica might involve more “deskwork” as long as they were focused on wildlife or forest wildlife issues. For example, an internship that involved policy analysis of wildlife issues would be appropriate, as would a practicum that analyzed previously acquired field data or developed forest wildlife outreach materials (e.g. posters, brochures, maps, interpretive materials).

Dr. Kathy Whiteman

Email: whitemank@wnmu.edu

Office: Harlan Hall 122

Office phone: 575-538-6253

Zoom meetings available by appointment