Courses in captive wildlife programs teach animal training and animal health. At schools such as the University of Wisconsin in Stevens Point (uwsp.edu), students learn techniques for restraining and handling animals for safety of staff and creatures alike. Classes include important concepts to understand animal behavior such as the impact of confinement, animal relationships, population dynamics and general species background knowledge. Discussion of applicable laws and regulations is also typically part of the curriculum.
Captive wildlife programs also teach about daily care for the well-being of animals. Courses include topics on nutrition, ecology, physiology, sanitation and disease. Some schools such as the University of Missouri in Columbia (missouri.edu) teach about care of wild animals in captivity, concepts of conservation in the wild and management of domesticated creatures. Breeding and reproductive concerns may also be topics in coursework as well as exhibition creation and design, one of the major elements of the program through Unity College in Unity, Maine (unity.edu).
Programs in captive wildlife management typically include hands-on work to give students practical experience working with animals before graduation. At Unity College, students may create projects such as observational studies, designing toys, training or presenting an educational paper to the public. The University of Missouri requires both a management internship and a senior capstone seminar. Programs that offer the degree as a minor rather than a major, such as the program through the University of Wisconsin, may not require practical experience.
Captive wildlife care and education programs prepare students to work as zookeepers, animal keepers in other organizations, wildlife biologists, veterinary technicians, educators in animal programs, animal rescue operators, fishery coordinators and endangered species managers. Those who don't want to work directly with animals learn how to be productive animal food preparation specialists, wildlife camp directors, internship organizers, tour guides, writers of teacher preparation materials, fundraising directors, zoo and aquarium designers or landscape artists and wildlife photographers.