Natural Resources Management

School of Natural Resources and Extension
907-474-7083
www.uaf.edu/snre/

B.S., M.S., M.N.R.M.G. Degrees; Minor

Downloadable PDF

Minimum Requirements for Degree: 120 credits

The complexity and interrelatedness of society and the environment require an interdisciplinary approach to making and implementing sustainable natural resource decisions. The natural resources management degree integrates knowledge in natural science, policy, economics and human values to advance the sustainable management of natural resources and agricultural systems. Students learn through a variety of approaches, including classroom instruction, hands-on laboratory experiences, and opportunities for internships and independent research under the guidance of a faculty mentor. Successful graduates will be qualified for employment in a broad range of private enterprise, government agencies and nonprofit organizations in the various natural resources fields, and will be well-equipped for graduate studies.

Major -- B.S. Degree

  1. Complete the general university requirements. (As part of the core curriculum requirements, complete CHEM F105X, NRM F303X and a MATH--Calculus course.)
  2. Complete the B.S. degree requirements. (As part of the B.S. degree requirements, complete BIOL F115X, BIOL F116X and STAT F200X*.)
  3. Complete the following (major) requirements:*
    NRM F101--Natural Resources Conservation and Policy--3 credits
    NRM F111--Introduction to Sustainability--3 credits
    NRM F240--Natural Resource Measurements--3 credits
    NRM F210--Introduction to Sustainable Agriculture--3 credits
    ECON F235--Introduction to Natural Resource Economics--3 credits
    NRM F277--Conservation Biology--3 credits
    NRM F290--Resource Management Issues at High Latitudes--2 credits
    NRM F366--Survey Research in Natural Resources Management--3 credits
    NRM F370--Introduction to Watershed Management--3 credits
    NRM F375--Natural Resource Ecology--3 credits
    NRM F380W--Soils and the Environment--3 credits
    NRM F403W/O--Environmental Decision Making--3 credits
    NRM F430--Resource Management Planning--3 credits
    NRM/GEOG F483W--Research Design, Writing, and Presentation Methods--3 credits
    1. Complete one of the following GIS courses:
      NRM F338--Introduction to Geographic Information Systems--3 credits
      NRM F369-- GIS and Remote Sensing for Natural Resources--3 credits
      NRM F435--GIS Analysis--4 credits
    2. Complete one of the following policy/law courses:
      NRM F204--Public Lands Law and Policy--3 credits
      NRM F407--Environmental Law--3 credits
    3. Complete a minor, pre-vet, or 15 credits in a support field which is a group of courses selected for its clear pertinence to a cohesive program. Support fields may include but are not limited to natural resources management, chemistry, communications, education, art, fisheries and wildlife management. Courses must be approved by the student's academic advisor and department head prior to attaining senior standing. Note: students must take a total of 39 upper division credits.
  4. Minimum credits required--120 credits

* Students must earn a C- grade or better in each course.

Minors

Natural Resource Management

  1. Complete the following:
    NRM F101--Natural Resources Conservation and Policy--3 credits
    NRM electives*--15 credits
  2. Minimum credits required--18 credits

* At least 6 credits must be upper-division. The minor program must be approved by an NRM advisor.

Forest Management *

  1. Complete the following:**
    NRM F240--Natural Resources Measurement and Inventory--3 credits
    NRM F251--Silvics and Dendrology--4 credits
    NRM F375--Natural Resource Ecology (3)
         or BIOL F371--Principles of Ecology (3)--3 credits
  2. Complete at least 6 credits from the following:**
    NRM F370--Introduction to Watershed Management--3 credits
    NRM F440--Silviculture--3 credits
    NRM F450--Forest Management--3 credits
    NRM F452--Forest Health and Protection--3 credits
    NRM F453--Harvesting and Utilization of Forest Products--3 credits
  3. Minimum credits required--16 credits

Note: Students must complete at least 16 credits dedicated to the minor. If the student has taken courses to complete major requirements, the credits must be made up from additional minor-specific courses.

* Potential accreditation as a certified forester by the Society of American Forests will require completion of the following NRM courses: F251, F440, F450, F452 and F453 in combination with the NRM B.S. degree. Prerequisites required for the courses listed are part of the NRM degree program, but students from other programs will be required to complete the prerequisites specified for individual classes. NRM F452 also requires the completion of either BIOL F239 or NRM F211 as a requisite. These two courses are not required for the general NRM program and will not apply to the number of credits for the Forest Management Minor.

** Students must earn a C grade or better in each course.