What will I learn?
Develop critical solutions from those based in scientific disciplines to law and education - to help manage and protect our natural resources. The Conservation Biology emphasis in the Bachelor of Science in Natural Resources encourages students to study conservation across taxa (invertebrates, vertebrates, plants, fungi, microbes) and across scientific disciplines such as ecology, genetics and evolution. The program of study also includes coursework in policy, planning and economics. Students acquire highly desirable science and social-science skills and real-world experiences to pursue careers as conservation biologists, conservation planners, environmental educators, researchers, natural resource managers and ecologists. This B.S. degree program also prepares students for graduate degrees in law and policy or work in government agencies and nonprofits, such as The Nature Conservancy.LEARNING OUTCOMESDemonstrate basic knowledge ecological principles Acquire basic knowledge of ecological principles (e.g., energy flow, material cycling, competition, predation, mutualism), identify current ecological challenges facing natural resource managers, and use ecological principles to develop potential integrated solutions to problems in natural resource management. (RNR 316/202)Natural resource management Describe how social, political, and economic forces affect management of natural resources and explain why there generally are trade-offs between various objectives in natural resources management.Land management agency roles Identify the major land management agencies responsible for stewardship of natural resources, the key historical conditions that lead to the creation of these agencies, and the primary mandates of each of these agencies.Master basic statistical analyses Conduct, interpret, and present basic statistical analyses of field and laboratory data, develop a research sampling design, and demonstrate the ability to design and conduct monitoring projects in the field.
