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PH-D-FORESTRY in Wildlife Science at College of Forestry, Sirsi
Uttara Kannada, Karnataka
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About the Specialization
What is Wildlife Science at College of Forestry, Sirsi Uttara Kannada?
This Wildlife Science specialization in Ph.D. Forestry at the College of Forestry, Sirsi, under UAHS Shivamogga, focuses on advanced research in wildlife ecology, conservation, and management. It equips scholars to address complex issues facing India''''s rich biodiversity, including human-wildlife conflict and habitat degradation, reflecting a high demand for skilled professionals in this critical field within India.
Who Should Apply?
This program is ideal for M.Sc. Forestry or M.F.Sc. graduates in relevant disciplines, including Wildlife Science or Conservation Biology, seeking advanced research careers. It also caters to aspiring academics, researchers, and professionals from forest departments or conservation NGOs who aim to specialize further and contribute significantly to wildlife conservation in India.
Why Choose This Course?
Graduates of this program can expect to pursue impactful careers as research scientists, conservation managers, policy advisors, or academicians in India. Potential employers include the Forest Department, Wildlife Institute of India, Zoological Survey of India, and leading NGOs. Entry-level salaries range from INR 5-8 lakhs annually, with experienced professionals earning INR 10-20 lakhs or more, contributing to critical biodiversity initiatives.
Student Success Practices
Foundation Stage
Master Advanced Research Methodologies- (Semester 1-2)
Dedicate time to thoroughly understand advanced statistical software like R or SPSS for ecological data analysis and experimental design principles. Actively participate in practical sessions and solve complex research problems to build a strong analytical foundation.
Tools & Resources
R Statistical Software, SPSS, Biostatistics textbooks, Online data science courses like Coursera for R/Python
Career Connection
Strong research methodology skills are essential for conducting credible studies, leading to publications and enabling careers in research and academia.
Deep Dive into Ecological and Wildlife Principles- (Semester 1-2)
Beyond coursework, engage with contemporary scientific literature in forest and wildlife ecology. Actively participate in departmental seminars, discussions, and field visits organized by the college to connect theoretical knowledge with practical conservation scenarios relevant to India.
Tools & Resources
Research journals (e.g., Journal of Wildlife Management, Conservation Biology), Online scholarly databases, Field guides for local flora/fauna
Career Connection
A profound understanding of ecological principles is crucial for developing effective conservation strategies and securing roles in wildlife management agencies or NGOs.
Build a Strong Academic Network- (Semester 1-2)
Engage proactively with faculty members, senior research scholars, and peers. Seek mentorship, discuss research ideas, and participate in study groups. This helps in understanding diverse perspectives and gaining insights into research directions within Indian forestry.
Tools & Resources
Departmental seminars, Faculty office hours, Research colloquia, Professional networking events
Career Connection
Networking opens doors to collaborative research projects, funding opportunities, and potential post-doctoral or academic positions.
Intermediate Stage
Develop a Robust Research Proposal- (Semester 3-4)
Work diligently with your supervisor to identify a significant research gap within Indian wildlife science and formulate a comprehensive doctoral research proposal. Focus on clear objectives, methodology, and expected outcomes, considering local context and available resources.
Tools & Resources
Grant proposal writing guides, Previous successful Ph.D. proposals, Mentorship from faculty and experts
Career Connection
A strong proposal demonstrates research acumen, crucial for securing research grants and defining a clear career trajectory in specialized fields.
Seek Intensive Field Experience and Data Collection- (Semester 3-5)
Actively pursue field internships or research assistant roles with organizations like the Forest Department, WII, or local NGOs. Gain hands-on experience in wildlife monitoring techniques, data collection in diverse Indian habitats, and specialized equipment operation (e.g., camera traps, telemetry).
Tools & Resources
Internship portals, Direct contact with conservation NGOs/Forest Dept., Specialized field equipment training
Career Connection
Practical field skills are highly valued in conservation roles, enhancing employability for positions requiring direct engagement with wildlife and habitats.
Participate in National and International Conferences- (Semester 4-5)
Prepare and present your preliminary research findings at national forestry or wildlife conferences (e.g., those organized by ICAR, WII, or state forest departments). This provides critical feedback, networking opportunities, and exposure to the broader scientific community.
Tools & Resources
Conference websites, Abstract submission guidelines, Presentation software
Career Connection
Presenting research builds communication skills, establishes professional reputation, and can lead to collaborations and job offers.
Advanced Stage
Publish Research Papers in Reputable Journals- (Semester 5-6 onwards)
Transform your research chapters into publishable manuscripts for peer-reviewed national and international journals. Aim for high-impact factor journals to maximize visibility and establish your expertise in a specific area of wildlife science relevant to global or Indian contexts.
Tools & Resources
Journal selection tools, Academic writing workshops, EndNote/Zotero for referencing
Career Connection
Publications are critical for academic careers, securing post-doctoral fellowships, and demonstrating research productivity for senior positions in research organizations.
Network for Post-Doctoral and Career Opportunities- (Semester 6 onwards)
Actively network with established researchers, professors, and industry professionals at workshops, symposia, and online platforms. Explore post-doctoral opportunities, research grants, or leadership roles within conservation organizations, focusing on your specialization.
Tools & Resources
LinkedIn, ResearchGate, Professional society memberships (e.g., Society for Conservation Biology), Career fairs
Career Connection
Proactive networking directly facilitates securing post-doctoral positions, research grants, and higher-level employment in conservation, academic, or governmental sectors.
Prepare for Thesis Defense and Career Transition- (Final Semester)
Systematically prepare for your thesis viva voce by conducting mock defenses and refining your presentation skills. Simultaneously, begin preparing application materials for academic, research, or governmental roles, aligning your thesis work with potential career paths.
Tools & Resources
Mock viva panels, Presentation coaching, Resume/CV writing services, Job search platforms for environmental/conservation roles
Career Connection
Successful thesis defense is the final step for graduation, and strategic career planning ensures a smooth transition into desired professional roles.
Program Structure and Curriculum
Eligibility:
- M.Sc.(Forestry)/M.F.Sc. in relevant discipline with a minimum of 6.50/10.00 CGPA or 65% aggregate marks. Relaxation of 5% marks or 0.5 CGPA for SC/ST/Cat-I candidates.
Duration: Minimum 3 years (6 semesters) for coursework and research
Credits: 75 (25 coursework + 50 research) Credits
Assessment: Internal: 40% (Midterm for theory), External: 60% (Final Examination for theory)
Semester-wise Curriculum Table
Semester 1
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FO 601 | Advanced Research Methods in Forestry | Core | 3 | Research Design and Hypothesis Testing, Sampling Methods and Data Collection, Statistical Analysis Techniques (ANOVA, Regression), Multivariate Analysis in Forestry, Scientific Writing and Presentation, Research Ethics and Plagiarism |
| FO 602 | Advanced Concepts in Forest Ecology | Core | 3 | Ecological Principles and Ecosystem Dynamics, Biodiversity Measurement and Conservation, Climate Change Impacts on Forests, Forest Disturbance Ecology, Ecological Restoration Techniques, Landscape Ecology and Connectivity |
| FO 603 | Advanced Forest Biometrics and Modeling | Core | 3 | Advanced Forest Mensuration, Growth and Yield Modeling, Remote Sensing in Forestry Applications, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Forest Inventory Design and Analysis, Modeling Forest Dynamics |
| FO 604 | Current Topics in Forestry | Core | 1 | Emerging Issues in Forest Science, Recent Research Advances, Forest Policy and Governance, Seminar Presentations on Current Literature, Review of Key Scholarly Articles, Future Directions in Forestry |
Semester 2
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FO 605 | Advanced Wildlife Population Ecology | Disciplinary Core (Wildlife Science) | 4 | Population Dynamics and Growth Models, Demography and Life History Strategies, Population Estimation and Monitoring Techniques, Conservation Genetics and Metapopulations, Population Viability Analysis, Factors Affecting Wildlife Populations |
| FO 606 | Advanced Wildlife Habitat Ecology and Management | Disciplinary Core (Wildlife Science) | 4 | Habitat Assessment and Characterization, Landscape Ecology and Habitat Connectivity, Habitat Fragmentation and Edge Effects, Remote Sensing and GIS in Habitat Analysis, Habitat Restoration and Enhancement, Management Practices for Key Habitats |
| FO 607 | Advanced Wildlife Conservation and Policy | Disciplinary Core (Wildlife Science) | 3 | Principles of Conservation Biology, Protected Area Management, Human-Wildlife Conflict Mitigation Strategies, International Conventions and Treaties, Wildlife Laws and Policies in India, Policy Analysis and Implementation |
| FO 608 | Wildlife Techniques and Management Planning | Disciplinary Core (Wildlife Science) | 3 | Wildlife Capture and Handling Techniques, Radio Telemetry and GPS Tracking, Camera Trapping and Non-invasive Monitoring, Conflict Mitigation Technologies, Wildlife Management Plan Development, Monitoring and Evaluation of Management Interventions |
| FPE 610 | Wildlife Disease Management | Elective (Wildlife Science relevant) | 3 | Disease Ecology and Epidemiology, Zoonotic Diseases in Wildlife, Wildlife Health Monitoring Programs, Disease Control and Prevention Strategies, Impact of Diseases on Wildlife Populations, Role of Environment in Disease Transmission |
| FPE 611 | Human Wildlife Conflict Management | Elective (Wildlife Science relevant) | 3 | Causes and Drivers of Conflict, Socio-economic Impacts of Conflict, Mitigation Strategies and Tools, Policy and Legal Frameworks for Conflict Resolution, Community Participation and Engagement, Case Studies in Human-Wildlife Conflict |
| FPE 612 | Biodiversity Conservation and Management | Elective (Wildlife Science relevant) | 3 | Biodiversity Assessment and Monitoring, Conservation Genetics and Population Diversity, Ex-situ and In-situ Conservation Approaches, Global Conventions on Biodiversity, Ecological Restoration for Biodiversity, Sustainable Use of Biodiversity |
| FPE 613 | Protected Area Management | Elective (Wildlife Science relevant) | 3 | Design and Establishment of Protected Areas, Management Planning for PAs, Buffer Zone Management Strategies, Ecotourism and Visitor Management, Community Involvement in PA Management, Monitoring Effectiveness of PAs |
Semester 3
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FO 699 | Doctoral Research | Research | 50 | Thesis Topic Identification and Formulation, Comprehensive Literature Review, Experimental Design and Methodology Development, Data Collection and Analysis, Thesis Writing and Manuscript Preparation, Viva Voce and Defense |
