The Natural Resources curriculum combines course work from disciplines inside and outside The Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources to produce an individualized major focused on an ecological theme or the human/ environment relationship. Students may major in Resource Planning, Resource Ecology or Integrated Natural Resources.
The Resource Planning option provides fundamental understandings of interactions among individuals, communities and societies with nature, resources and the environment.
The Resource Ecology option explores the biology and ecology of plants and animals in both aquatic and terrestrial systems and allows students to select courses around specific individual interests.
The Integrated Natural Resources (INR) option is a self designed major. For students who have strong interests in natural resources and the environment, clear academic direction and the motivation to develop a well focused, personally meaningful course of study, INR is the right choice. Working closely with a faculty advisor the student builds on a solid foundation of natural resources courses to create an individualized program that combines course work for disciplines inside and outside the School. A total of 122 credits are required for the degree.
All students who enroll in the Natural Resources curriculum must fulfill the following requirements for graduation:
Option Electives (27 credits): In consultation with academic advisor, student chooses 27 additional credits from an approved list of courses available below:
Students may request permission to substitute other courses and for-credit internship experience by submitting a completed Request for Course Substitution or Waiver form, signed by their academic advisor.
Option Electives - ecology or ecology-related courses (27 credits): In consultation with an academic advisor, student chooses 27 additional credits from an approved list of courses available below:
Students may request permission to substitute other courses and for-credit internship experience by submitting a completed Request for Course Substitution or Waiver form, signed by their academic advisor.
Option requirements for Integrated Natural Resources (minimum of 9 credits): Students elect at least one course in each of three areas from a list of approved courses. The areas are:
Individualized Program of Study: (39 credits) The student develops an individualized program of study that establishes objectives and defines 39 credits of course selection for the last four semesters. Courses must be consistent with objectives established in the program of study. At least 24 credits must have an ENVS, ENSC, FOR, NR, RM or WFB prefix. Up to 15 credits may be from outside the School. Up to 6 credits may be below the 100 level. With careful selection of courses, students have developed such concentrations as Environmental Education, Resource Conservation and Management, Resource Spatial Analysis, and International Resource Issues.
All programs of study must be endorsed by the advisor, then approved by the faculty. If not approved, the student may not continue in the INR option and must seek another major. The program of study is to be completed by the end of the sophomore year (60 credits). Transfer students with more than 60 credits must have a program of study approved as part of the transfer application. It is expected that these students will be active in the program for at least two years (four semesters) after transferring into the INR option.
Advising Tracks: To assist students in designing an Individualized Program of Study within the Integrated Natural Resources option, faculty advisors have identified clusters of courses that are particularly appropriate for various areas of emphasis. These suggestions are intended to facilitate the planning process and to help the student prepare a Program of Study that will be readily approved by the faculty review committee. These can be obtained from the Program Secretary in Room 340 Aiken.
Program Chair:
Dr. Clare Ginger
E-mail: Clare.Ginger@uvm.edu
