Undergraduate Program

Outdoor activities interspersed with a list of NRM major emphases

Natural Resources Management Degree

With increasing human pressure and a growing need to balance competing demands, we need new and better ways to manage our natural resources. The natural resources management (NRM) undergraduate degree gives students flexible and powerful options to pursue their studies. Core courses provide a broad foundation in the biological and physical/earth sciences. Students then choose one of six emphases to further their skills and prepare for a variety of careers. More information on each of the six emphases can be found below.

We also offer an Accelerated Bachelors to Masters of Natural Resource Management program. The program allows undergraduates to take up to 15 credits at the graduate level that count for both degrees. This program is designed to help students fulfill their higher education needs at a quicker pace

What are students saying about the Natural Resources Management Degree? Watch this video to find out!

Person smiling and holding a butterfly in a tube

Entomology

Entomology is the study of insects and how they interact with people and with the environment. This emphasis area provides a strong scientific foundation with a focus on insects, how they are studied, and their management.

A large elk outside with buildings and cars

Environmental Sustainability, Outreach, and Policy

Focuses on how to deal with environmental and social changes in a sustainable way. The emphasis area prepares students to work on environmental policy and public outreach combined with strategic thinking to predict sustainable paths on pressing environmental issues.

Prescribed fire on a prairie

Rangeland Ecology

Focuses on the broad study of native, non-forested ecosystems that cover more than 50% of the earth's land. These areas are managed as natural ecosystems to provide services that can benefit society. This emphasis area will prepare students by covering a variety of ecological topics including wildlife management, grassland restoration, and fire ecology.

A herd of cattle

Rangeland Livestock Production

Focuses on the management of rangelands and grasslands for optimum livestock production and environmental benefits for society. Students will cover land management fields, the work of agencies and the private sector, as well as ranching operations.

Three people crouched in a field examining the soil

Soil Science

Soil Science is the study of the soil as a component of natural and man-made systems and is the key factor in food production and is at the forefront of environmental and natural resource issues such as land use, soil contamination, ground water quality and waste disposal.

A person kayaking on a river with a duck in their kayak

Water, Habitat, and Environmental Management

Focuses in an interdisciplinary way on the environmental management of ecosystems. This emphasis area teaches basic and hands-on principles in the management of water, habitat (animals and plants), and the environment as a whole.

School of Natural Resource Sciences