Overview

The core curriculum of The Rubenstein School incorporates a body of knowledge, skills, and values that the faculty believe is central to the study of natural resources and the environment. The core curriculum's eight required courses (23 total credits) cut across all academic programs within the School, integrating the natural and social sciences in an effort to approach full understanding and resolution of natural resource and environmental issues. View a diagram of the Core Curriculum sequence.

Students begin the core curriculum with NR 1 and NR 2. These courses provide an introduction to the study of natural resources and the environment from a natural and a social science perspective, respectively. At the completion of these courses, students should (1) have a basic understanding of the School's integrated approach to natural resources and the environment, (2) be better prepared to make informed decisions about their academic majors, and (3) be prepared to advance to an intermediate level of study in natural resources.

The intermediate courses in the sequence, NR 103 and NR 104, emphasize ecosystems and social systems, respectively. NR 205 and NR 206 focus directly on integrated and holistic management. In NR 205, students integrate natural and social science to understand environmental management principles and policies. In NR 206, the capstone course taken senior year, students are challenged to synthesize and apply the interdisciplinary knowledge, skills, and values they have learned to contemporary natural resources and environmental issues.

NR 6 and NR 207 explore how social justice and environmental issues are intertwined, and help students become culturally competent in an increasingly diverse world.

Core Course Descriptions

	NR 1 Natural History and Field Ecology Introduction to the dynamics of the natural world. Basic concepts of biological, chemical, physical, and ecological sciences and the application and interpretation of the quantitative measurements are presented within a natural history context. (4 credits)
	NR 2 Nature and Culture Introduction to natural resources and the environment from a social/cultural perspective. Emphasis on environmental history, values, and ethics with application to natural resource and environmental policy. (3 credits)
	NR 6 Race and Culture in Natural Resources Introduces the first-year student to issues of race and culture and their relevance to society, natural resources, and the environment. (2 credits)
	NR 103 Ecology, Ecosystems and Environment Major ecological concepts and their application. Analysis of form, structure and function of organisms, populations, communities, ecosystems and landscapes. (3 credits)
	NR 104 Social Processes and the Environment Social science theories and their application to environmental issues. Analysis of issues using theories of government, economics, and social movements. Emphasis on integrating frameworks to analyze environmental issues. (3 credits)
	NR 205 Ecosystem Management: Integrating science, society and policy Integration of natural and social science into ecosystem management and policy. Consideration of ecosystem integrity, ecosystem degradation, human needs and values and the application of management principles within a holistic context. (3 credits)
	NR 206 Environmental Problem Solving and Impact Assessment Group dynamics, impact assessment, risk assessment and decision making. Emphasis on the process of solving complex environmental problems, interdisciplinary team work, and the National Environmental Policy Act. (4 credits)
	NR 207 Power, Privilege and Environment The senior level multicultural experience combines synthesis and personal reflection with a forward-looking perspective about how issues of diversity and equity will influence the lives of students after they graduate. (1 credit)