2021-2022 Undergraduate & Graduate Catalog
Bachelor of Science in Natural Resources Management
Requirements for a Major in Natural Resources Management
Completion of at least 36 NRM course credits, including:
- NRM 150 - Introduction to Natural Resources (3 credits)
- NRM 250 - Resource Measurement and Maps (3 credits)
- NRM 281 - Principles of Soil Science (4 credits)
- NRM 451 - Natural Resource Policy (3 credits)
- BOTH NRM 496 - Trends in Western U.S. Natural Resource Management (2 credits) AND NRM 497 - Field Trip - Issues in Western U.S. Natural Resources Management (2 credits)
OR ONLY NRM 495 - Trends in Natural Resource Management (Capstone) (4 credits)
Students must select additional NRM courses from each of the following competency areas:
Analytical
Complete at least three credits from the following courses:
- NRM 320 - Introduction to Resource Systems (3 credits)
- NRM 395 - GIS Applications in Resource Management (3 credits)
Upper-level Resource Management
Complete at least 10 credits from the following courses:
- NRM 330 - Environmental Pollution (3 credits)
- NRM 386 - Ecological Restoration and Management (4 credits)
- NRM 408 - Wildlife Management (4 credits)
- NRM 420 - Wildland Recreation Management (3 credits)
- NRM 452 - Watershed and Wetland Management (4 credits)
- NRM 462 - Forest Ecosystem Management (4 credits)
Complete remaining NRM elective courses to total at least 36 credits.
NRM Cognate Requirements
Completion of at least 35-36 course credits:
- BIO 120 - General Biology I (4 credits)
- BIO 121 - General Biology II (4 credits)
- BIO 215 - Ecology (4 credits)
- BIO 460 - Terrestrial Ecosystem Ecology (4 credits)
- CHM 109 - Introductory Chemistry (4 credits) OR CHM 115 - Principles of Chemistry I (4 credits)
- ECO 211 - Introductory Microeconomics (3 credits)
- ECO 345 - Environmental and Resource Economics (3 credits)
- MTH 122 - College Algebra (3 credits) OR MTH 123 - Trigonometry (3 credits) OR MTH 125 - Survey of Calculus (3 credits) OR MTH 201 - Calculus I (4 credits)
- STA 215 - Introductory Applied Statistics (3 credits)
Complete one of the following plant identification courses:
- BIO 243 - Plant Identification and Natural History (3 credits)
- BIO 323 - Aquatic and Wetland Plants (3 credits)
- BIO 333 - Systematic Botany (4 credits)
- BIO 413 - Freshwater Algae (3 credits)
Limits
- No more than three (3) credits of NRM 399 - Readings in Resource Management (1 to 3 credits) may be applied to the major.
- No more than three (3) credits of NRM 499 - Research in Resource Management (1 to 3 credits) may count towards the major.
- No more than five (5) credits of NRM 490 - Internship in Resource Management (1 to 5 credits) PLUS NRM 499 - Research in Resource Management (1 to 3 credits) may be applied to the major.
B.S. Degree Requirements
The Bachelor of Science degree in natural resources management requires the following three courses:
- STA 215 - Introductory Applied Statistics (3 credits)
- NRM 250 - Resource Measurement and Maps (3 credits)
- BOTH NRM 496 - Trends in Western U.S. Natural Resource Management (2 credits) AND NRM 497 - Field Trip - Issues in Western U.S. Natural Resources Management (2 credits)
OR ONLY NRM 495 - Trends in Natural Resource Management (Capstone) (4 credits)
Minors and Certificates (optional)
All NRM majors are encouraged to complete a minor or certificate that complements their coursework in the NRM major. Examples include the biology minor, environmental studies minor, or geographic information systems technology certificate. Students may also complete additional NRM courses as electives.
Associate Wildlife Biologist Certification
Students who intend to pursue a career in wildlife biology and management are encouraged to complete the necessary coursework for certification by The Wildlife Society (wildlife.org) as an associate wildlife biologist. This coursework will also prepare students for entry-level positions in wildlife biology/management or entry into graduate school.
The curriculum is designed to provide a skill set based on a broad scientific knowledge, understanding of natural resource management principles, and communication skills. This base along with the hands-on skills learned in classes prepares students for a successful career as wildlife professionals. A sampling of wildlife career options can be found at wildlife.org.
Wildlife Society certification is a professional track rather than an academic emphasis. For a recommended schedule of courses to complete the certification, please see a regular NRM faculty advisor.
Suggested Order of Coursework
Year One
- General education courses
- BIO 120 - General Biology I (4 credits)
- BIO 121 - General Biology II (4 credits)
- CHM 109 - Introductory Chemistry (4 credits) OR CHM 115 - Principles of Chemistry I (4 credits)
- MTH 122 - College Algebra (3 credits) OR MTH 123 - Trigonometry (3 credits) OR MTH 125 - Survey of Calculus (3 credits) OR MTH 201 - Calculus I (4 credits)
- NRM 150 - Introduction to Natural Resources (3 credits)
- WRT 150 - Strategies in Writing (4 credits)
Year Two
- General education courses
- NRM elective courses
- NRM 250 - Resource Measurement and Maps (3 credits)
- NRM 281 - Principles of Soil Science (4 credits)
- BIO 215 - Ecology (4 credits)
- ECO 211 - Introductory Microeconomics (3 credits)
- NRM 320 - Introduction to Resource Systems (3 credits) OR NRM 395 - GIS Applications in Resource Management (3 credits)
- STA 215 - Introductory Applied Statistics (3 credits)
Year Three
- General education courses
- General elective courses
- NRM upper-level management courses
- NRM elective courses
- ECO 345 - Environmental and Resource Economics (3 credits)
- NRM 451 - Natural Resource Policy (3 credits)
Year Four
- General education courses
- Elective courses
- NRM upper-level management courses
- NRM elective courses
- BIO 460 - Terrestrial Ecosystem Ecology (4 credits)
- EITHER NRM 495 - Trends in Natural Resource Management (Capstone) (4 credits) OR BOTH NRM 496 - Trends in Western U.S. Natural Resource Management (2 credits) AND NRM 497 - Field Trip - Issues in Western U.S. Natural Resources Management (2 credits)