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Natural Resources (BS): Ecosystem Assessment Concentration

Two natural resources curricula are offered by the Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources. The curricula are also accredited by the Society of American Foresters and produce natural resources professionals with a broad interdisciplinary background coupled with specifically focused skills needed to manage natural resources. The Natural Resources curricula include a series of common courses to highlight the integrated nature of work by interdisciplinary teams.

The curriculum in Natural Resources Ecosystem Assessment produces graduates who have knowledge and skills to inventory and describe ecosystems characteristics and to evaluate the impacts of management decisions. Ecosystem assessment or environmental impact assessment is an important part of development planning that calls for individuals who understand ecosystem structure and processes; who can identify, measure, inventory, and describe ecosystems; and who can apply standard evaluation and classification systems such as wildlife habitat evaluation procedures and the federal wetland delineation criteria. The curriculum entails a strong science base, as well as advanced courses in sampling and measurements, vegetation, soils, hydrology, and wildlife and fisheries are added. The 400-level courses also address techniques and issues of natural resource management.

The curriculum in Natural Resources Policy and Administration produces graduates who have knowledge and skills to manage natural resources programs in a variety of settings and organizations with an emphasis on public agencies. The advanced courses of the curriculum provide background in economics, policy, government, public administration, and natural resources management. An economics track begins with introductory microeconomics and culminates with environmental economics and public finance. Courses in government and public administration provide knowledge of how public institutions work. Courses in forestry, wildlife and fisheries, and outdoor recreation provide techniques of managing natural ecosystems for various uses. A common thread of how public policy on natural resources is influenced and developed runs through many of the courses already noted and culminates in two senior courses that focus on policy. For information on entrance requirements, contact the program coordinator:

Dr. Rajan Parajuli
Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources, NCSU
Box 8008
Raleigh, NC 27695-8002
Phone: (919) 513-2579
Fax: (919) 515-8149
E-mail: rparaju@ncsu.edu.Ìý

Plan Requirements

Plan of Study Grid
First YearHours
·¡±·³ÕÌý100 Student Success in Environmental First Year 1
·¡±·³ÕÌý101 Exploring the Environment 2
µþ±õ°¿Ìý181 Introductory Biology: Ecology, Evolution, and Biodiversity 4
°ä±áÌý101
&²¹³¾±è;Ìý°ä±áÌý102
Chemistry - A Molecular Science
and General Chemistry Laboratory
4
Math Electives 6
¹ó°¿¸éÌý150 Critical Thinking and Data Analysis 2
Acad Writing Research 1 4
Select one of the following: 3
Introduction to Agricultural & Resource Economics
Introduction to Agricultural & Resource Economics
Principles of Microeconomics
Fundamentals of Economics
ÌýHours26
Second Year
COMÌý110
Public Speaking
or Interpersonal Communication
3
Physics Elective 4
FORÌý252 Introduction to Forest Science 3
SSCÌý200
&²¹³¾±è;ÌýSSCÌý201
Soil Science
and Soil Science Laboratory
4
FORÌý401 Dendrology 4
PSÌý201
American Politics and Government
or State and Local Government
3
ÌýHours21
Third Year
ENGÌý333 Communication for Science and Research 3
Select one of the following: 4
Ecology
Forest Ecology
Ecology
NRÌý300 Natural Resource Measurements 4
NRÌý301 Practicum for Professional Development I 1
Spatial Technology Elective 3
STÌý311 Introduction to Statistics 3
AREÌý336 Introduction to Resource and Environmental Economics 3
ÌýHours21
Summer
NRÌý360 Internship Experience 3
ÌýHours3
Fourth Year
NRÌý400 Natural Resource Management 4
NRÌý460 Renewable Natural Resource Management and Policy 3
NRÌý484 Environmental Impact Assessment 4
Select one of the following: 3
Conservation Biology in Practice
Wildlife Management
Wildlife Habitat Management
ÌýHours14
ÌýTotal Hours85
1

A grade of C- or better is required.

Technical Electives
Management Sciences6
Resource Sciences16
GEP Courses
GEP Humanities6
GEP Health and Exercise Studies2
GEP Elective3
GEP Interdisciplinary Perspectives2
GEP Global Knowledge (verify requirement)
GEP Foundations of American Democracy (verify requirement)
World Language Proficiency (verify requirement)
Total Hours35

Acad Writing Research

Acad Writing Research
ENGÌý101Academic Writing and Research4
FLEÌý101Academic Writing and Research4
Transfer Sequence
ENGÌý1GEP3
ENGÌý202Disciplinary Perspectives in Writing3

Math Electives

MAÌý114Introduction to Finite Mathematics with Applications3
MAÌý121Elements of Calculus3
MAÌý131Calculus for Life and Management Sciences A3
MAÌý141Calculus I4
MAÌý231Calculus for Life and Management Sciences B3
MAÌý241Calculus II4

Physics Electives

PYÌý131Conceptual Physics4
PYÌý205Physics for Engineers and Scientists I3
PYÌý206Physics for Engineers and Scientists I Laboratory1
PYÌý211College Physics I4

Spatial Technology Electives

GISÌý280Introduction to GIS3
FORÌý353GIS and Remote Sensing for Environmental Analysis and Assessment3
GISÌý510Fundamentals of Geospatial Information Science and Technology3
SSCÌý440Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in Soil Science and Agriculture3
SSCÌý540Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in Soil Science and Agriculture3

Management Science Electives

Management Category
ACCÌý200Introduction to Managerial Accounting3
ACCÌý220Introduction to Managerial Accounting3
ACCÌý280Survey of Financial and Managerial Accounting3
FORÌý248Forest History, Technology and Society3
FWÌý221Conservation of Natural Resources3
FWÌý333Conservation Biology in Practice3
GISÌý295Special Topics in Geospatial Information Science1-4
HIÌý381Change-makers in a Global Context3
LARÌý430Site Planning3
NRÌý350International Sustainable Resource Use4
PRTÌý350Foundations of Outdoor Recreation Management3
PRTÌý451Principles of Recreation Planning and Facility Development3
Economics Category
AREÌý301Intermediate Microeconomics3
AREÌý304Agribusiness Management3
ECÌý301Intermediate Microeconomics3
ECÌý348Introduction to International Economics3
ECÌý410Public Finance3
FORÌý319Forest Economics3
Policy Category
AREÌý309Environmental Law & Economic Policy3
FORÌý414World Forestry3
FWÌý411Human Dimensions of Wildlife and Fisheries3
FWÌý511Human Dimensions of Wildlife and Fisheries3
MIEÌý305Legal and Regulatory Environment3
NRÌý406Conservation of Biological Diversity3
PSÌý201American Politics and Government3
PSÌý202State and Local Government3
PSÌý312Introduction to Public Administration3
PSÌý320U.S. Environmental Law and Politics3
PSÌý336Global Environmental Politics3
PSÌý401American Political Parties3

Resource Science Electives

Flora
CSÌý414Weed Science4
FORÌý204Silviculture2
FORÌý261Forest Communities2
FORÌý265Fire Management1
FORÌý273Forest System Mapping and Mensuration II2
FORÌý303Silvics and Forest Tree Physiology3
FORÌý318Forest Pathology3
FORÌý330North Carolina Forests3
FORÌý411Forest Genetics3
PBÌý220Local Flora3
PBÌý345Economic Botany3
PBÌý400Plant Diversity and Evolution4
PBÌý403Systematic Botany4
PBÌý421Plant Physiology3
PBÌý464Rare Plants of North Carolina3
PBÌý503Systematic Botany4
PBÌý564Rare Plants of North Carolina3
PPÌý318Forest Pathology3
Fauna
AECÌý419Freshwater Ecology4
AECÌý420Introduction to Fisheries Science3
AECÌý423Introduction to Fisheries Sciences Laboratory1
AECÌý441Biology of Fishes3
AECÌý442Biology of Fishes Laboratory1
AECÌý460Field Ecology and Methods4
AECÌý501Avian Ecology4
AECÌý509Ecology and Conservation of Freshwater Invertebrates3
AECÌý519Freshwater Ecology4
AECÌý5863
ENTÌý402Forest Entomology3
ENTÌý425General Entomology3
ENTÌý509Ecology and Conservation of Freshwater Invertebrates3
FORÌý264Forest Wildlife1
FORÌý402Forest Entomology3
FORÌý430Forest Health and Protection3
FWÌý311Piedmont Wildlife Ecology and Management3
FWÌý312Fisheries Techniques and Management1
FWÌý313Mountain Wildlife Ecology and Management1
FWÌý314Coastal Ecology and Management1
FWÌý353Wildlife Management3
FWÌý373Vertebrate Natural History3
FWÌý403Urban Wildlife Management3
FWÌý404Wildlife Habitat Management3
FWÌý405Tropical Wildlife Ecology3
FWÌý444Mammalogy3
FWÌý544Mammalogy3
FWÌý5863
MEAÌý220Marine Biology3
ZOÌý333Captive Animal Biology3
Earth Sciences
AECÌý380Water Resources: Global Issues in Ecology, Policy, Management, and Advocacy3
ESÌý150Water and the Environment3
ESÌý200Climate Change and Sustainability3
FORÌý420Watershed and Wetlands Hydrology4
FORÌý520Watershed and Wetlands Hydrology4
GEOÌý200Principles of Geography3
MEAÌý200Introduction to Oceanography3
MEAÌý210Oceanography Lab1
MEAÌý250Introduction to Coastal Environments3
MEAÌý251Introduction to Coastal Environments Laboratory1
MEAÌý300Environmental Geology4
NRÌý420Watershed and Wetlands Hydrology4
NRÌý421Wetland Science and Management3
NRÌý520Watershed and Wetlands Hydrology4
NRÌý521Wetland Science and Management3
SSCÌý4213
SSCÌý442Soil and Environmental Biogeochemistry3
SSCÌý452Soil Classification4
SSCÌý455Soils, Environmental Quality and Global Challenges3
SSCÌý461Soil Physical Properties and Plant Growth3
SSCÌý470Wetland Soils3
SSCÌý570Wetland Soils3

Semester Sequence

This is a sample.

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Fall SemesterHours
µþ±õ°¿Ìý181 Introductory Biology: Ecology, Evolution, and Biodiversity 4
GEP Health and Exercise Studies 1
ENGÌý101 Academic Writing and Research 1 4
Math Elective 3
·¡±·³ÕÌý100 Student Success in Environmental First Year 1
·¡±·³ÕÌý101 Exploring the Environment 2
ÌýHours15
Spring Semester
°ä±áÌý101
&²¹³¾±è;Ìý°ä±áÌý102
Chemistry - A Molecular Science
and General Chemistry Laboratory
4
¹ó°¿¸éÌý150 Critical Thinking and Data Analysis 2
GEP Requirement 3
Math Elective 3
´¡¸é·¡Ìý201
Introduction to Agricultural & Resource Economics
or Principles of Microeconomics
3
ÌýHours15
Second Year
Fall Semester
Physics Elective 4
GEP Health and Exercise Studies 1
GEP Requirement 3
FORÌý401 Dendrology 4
ÌýHours12
Spring Semester
FORÌý252 Introduction to Forest Science 3
SSCÌý200 Soil Science 3
PSÌý201
American Politics and Government
or State and Local Government
3
COMÌý110
Public Speaking
or Interpersonal Communication
3
ÌýHours12
Third Year
Fall Semester
Ecology Elective 4
NRÌý301 Practicum for Professional Development I 1
Spatial Technology Elective 3
STÌý311 Introduction to Statistics 3
Technical Elective 4
ÌýHours15
Spring Semester
AREÌý336 Introduction to Resource and Environmental Economics 3
ENGÌý333 Communication for Science and Research 3
NRÌý300 Natural Resource Measurements 4
GEP Requirement 3
Technical Elective 3
ÌýHours16
Summer
NRÌý360 Internship Experience 3
ÌýHours3
Fourth Year
Fall Semester
Technical Electives 6
NRÌý460 Renewable Natural Resource Management and Policy 3
NRÌý484 Environmental Impact Assessment 4
Wildlife Elective 3
ÌýHours16
Spring Semester
NRÌý400 Natural Resource Management 4
GEP Requirement 3
Technical Electives 9
ÌýHours16
ÌýTotal Hours120
1

A grade of C- or better is required.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the Natural Resources Ecosystem Assessment curriculum work in environmental service firms, public agencies, non-governmental organizations, and industries. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the N.C. Division of Water Quality, and county and city governments employ graduates to help manage compliance with county, state, and federal environmental regulations, particularly wetlands and protected species. Non-governmental organizations and private engineering and environmental consulting firms employ graduates to prepare environmental impact statements and assessments, delineate wetlands, and conduct searches for threatened or endangered plant and animal species. The broad background in natural resources provided by this curriculum also provides a strong base for students interested in graduate school or environmental law.

The curriculum in Natural Resources Policy and Administration produces managers and administrators for public agencies and private organizations involved with management, administration, policy-making, planning, preservation, or regulation of natural resources. Examples are the USDI National Park Service, the US Environmental Protection Agency, the US Geological Survey, state and local government agencies, and not-for-profit environmental organizations. Background in government, economics, policy, and natural resource management also provides a strong base for students who wish to pursue a graduate program in natural resources economics and policy or environmental law.

Career Titles

  • Climate Change Policy Analysts
  • Conservation Scientist
  • Environmental Engineer
  • Environmental Planner
  • Environmental Research Analyst
  • Forest and Conservation Technician
  • Forest and Conservation Workers
  • Forester
  • Forestry and Conservation Science Professor
  • Park Naturalist
  • Range Manager
  • Soil Conservationist
  • Wildlife Control Agent
  • Natural Resources Management and Policy
  • Conservation Scientist
  • Environmental Engineer
  • Environmental Planner
  • Environmental Research Analyst
  • Fish and Game Warden
  • Forest and Conservation Workers
  • Forester
  • Landfill Inspectors
  • Range Manager
  • Soil Conservationist
  • Wind Energy Operations Managers
  • Wind Energy Project Managers

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