The Natural Resources Management and Policy track prepares students to examine environmental and conservation issues through a multi-disciplinary framework that includes political, cultural, social, economic, regulatory and ecological dimensions. Courses emphasize development of skill sets that promote strong interpersonal skills, leadership and collaboration with varied stakeholder groups. These critical skills are taught in the classroom and through field experiences, working in tandem to enhance students’ abilities to assess complex environmental issues, envision a desired conservation outcome, and design and implement a plan needed to bring visions to fruition.
The diverse coursework of this track prepares students for a variety of careers in industries such as public service, outdoor education, park and protected area management, environmental planning and consultation, and non-profit organizations.
Plan of Study Grid | First Year |
|---|
| Fall |
|---|
| AGEC 105 | Introduction to Agricultural Economics | 3 |
| BIOL 111 | Introductory Biology I | 4 |
| ENGL 104 | Composition and Rhetoric | 3 |
| MATH 140 | Mathematics for Business and Social Sciences 1 | 3 |
| RWFM 101 | Exploring Rangeland, Wildlife and Fisheries Management | 1 |
| | Semester Credit Hours | 14 |
| Spring |
|---|
| BIOL 112 | Introductory Biology II | 4 |
| ECCB 205 | Fundamentals of Ecology | 3 |
| ECCB 215 | Fundamentals of Ecology--Laboratory | 1 |
| MATH 142 | Business Calculus | 3 |
| RWFM 202 | Concepts in Applied Plant Biology | 3 |
| | Semester Credit Hours | 14 |
| Second Year |
|---|
| Fall |
|---|
| CHEM 119 | Fundamentals of Chemistry I | 4 |
ENGL 210
| Technical and Professional Writing
or Public Speaking | 3 |
| POLS 206 | American National Government | 3 |
| RWFM 305 | Principles and Practices of Wildlife and Fisheries Management | 3 |
| 3 |
| | Semester Credit Hours | 16 |
| Spring |
|---|
| POLS 207 | State and Local Government | 3 |
| RWFM 321 | Communicating Natural Resources | 3 |
| RWFM 375 | Conservation of Natural Resources | 3 |
| 3 |
| 3 |
| | Semester Credit Hours | 15 |
| Summer |
|---|
| RWFM 333 | Rangeland, Wildlife & Fisheries Field Techniques | 3 |
| | Semester Credit Hours | 3 |
| Third Year |
|---|
| Fall |
|---|
| RWFM 308 | Fish and Wildlife Laws and Administration | 3 |
| RWFM 314 | Principles of Rangeland Management Around the World | 3 |
| RWFM 322 | Community Development and Sustainability | 3 |
| RWFM 323 | Parks and Protected Area Management | 3 |
| RWFM 405 | Urban Wildlife and Fisheries | 3 |
| | Semester Credit Hours | 15 |
| Spring |
|---|
| AGEC 325 | Principles of Farm and Ranch Management | 3 |
| RWFM 336 | Research Methods in the Human Dimensions of Natural Resources | 3 |
| RWFM 345 | Human Dimensions of Natural Resource Management and Policy | 3 |
| RWFM 440 | Wetland Delineation | 3 |
| STAT 302 | Statistical Methods | 3 |
| | Semester Credit Hours | 15 |
| Summer |
|---|
| RWFM 484 | Internship | 1 |
| | Semester Credit Hours | 1 |
| Fourth Year |
|---|
| Fall |
|---|
| RPTS 460/ECCB 460 | Nature, Values, and Protected Areas | 3 |
| RWFM 325 | Watershed Analysis and Planning | 3 |
| RWFM 351 | Geographic Information Systems for Resource Management | 3 |
BESC 367
| U.S. Environmental Regulations
or Wildlife Habitat Management | 3 |
| 2 | 2 |
| | Semester Credit Hours | 14 |
| Spring |
|---|
| RWFM 346 | Park Ecology and Management | 3 |
| RWFM 436 | Natural Resources Policy | 3 |
| RWFM 470 | Environmental Impact Assessment | 3 |
| RWFM 481 | Senior Seminar | 1 |
| 3 |
| | Semester Credit Hours | 13 |
| | Total Semester Credit Hours | 120 |
Graduation requirements include a requirement for 3 hours of International and Cultural Diversity courses and 3 hours of Cultural Discourse courses. A course satisfying a Core category, a college/department requirement, or a free elective can be used to satisfy this requirement. Select in consultation with an academic advisor.
