Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences
Head of Department: Bruce Branham
Department Address: W-503 Turner Hall, 1102 South Goodwin Avenue, Urbana, (217) 333-2770
Major in Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences
Major in Horticulture
Minor in Quantitative Methods in Natural Resources and Environmental
Sciences
Major in Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences
For the Degree of Bachelor of Science with a Major
in Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences
The NRES major prepares students for careers in management and protection
of natural resources and in business or government agencies that provide
services related to environmental and natural resource management.
The major also prepares students for teaching, research, or other
professional activities, as well as for graduate studies or for advanced
professional training. Careers open to graduates include becoming
environmental consultants; educators; communicators; plant physiologists;
researchers; social and environmental impact analysts; resource planners;
naturalists; ecologists; biologists; environmentalists; managers of
wildlife, parks, forests and rangelands; conservation officers; nature
center directors; aquatic ecologists; resource policy analysts; forest
economists; watershed managers; soil conservationists; soil scientists;
soil test analysts; land use specialists; plant and animal quarantine
officers; lobbyists; plant nutrient consultants; and technical sales
representatives. Preparation for graduate studies in natural resources
and environmental sciences, as well as environmental law, can be accomplished
in any of the concentrations through appropriate selection of coursework.
General Education Requirements
Fish and Wildlife Conservation Concentration
Forest Science Concentration
Human Dimensions Concentration
Resource Ecology Concentration
Soil and Water Science Concentration
Prescribed Courses including General Education
| Hours |
Composition
I and Speech |
| |
Choose either |
4
3 |
RHET 105 - Principles
of Composition or equivalent (see College Composition
I requirement) AND
SPCM 101 - Public Speaking |
| |
OR |
| 6 |
SPCM 111 - Oral and Written Communication I AND
SPCM 112 - Oral and Written Communication II |
| Hours |
Advanced
Composition |
| 3-4 |
Select
from campus approved list |
| Hours |
Cultural Studies |
| 6 |
Select one
course from Western culture and one from non-Western/U.S.
minority culture from campus approved list. |
| Hours |
Foreign Language:
Coursework at or above the third level is required for graduation. |
| Hours |
Quantitative
Reasoning I |
| 4-5 |
Select one course from:
MATH 220 - Calculus
MATH 221 - Calculus I
MATH 234 - Calculus for Business,
I |
| Hours |
Quantitative
Reasoning II |
| 3-4 |
Select one course from:
ACE 261 - Applied
Statistical Methods
CPSC 241 - Intro to Applied Statistics
ECON 202 - Economic Statistics I
MATH 161 - Statistics
PSYC 235 - Intro to Statistics
SOC 280 - Intro to
Social Statistics
STAT 100 - Statistics |
| Hours |
Natural Sciences and Technology |
| 4 |
CHEM 102 - General
Chemistry I and CHEM 103 - General Chemistry Lab
I |
| 4 |
CHEM 104 - General
Chemistry II and CHEM 105 - General Chemistry
Lab II |
| 4 |
GEOG 103 - Earth’s
Physical Systems OR GEOL 107 - Physical Geology |
| 4 |
IB 103 - Introduction
to Plant Biology |
| 3-5 |
PHYS 101 - College
Physics, Mech & Heat OR PHYS 140 - How Things
Work |
| Hours |
Humanities
and the Arts |
| 6 |
Select from
campus approved list. |
| Hours |
Social and Behavioral
Sciences |
| 3-4 |
ACE 100 - Agr
Cons and Resource Econ OR ECON 102 - Microeconomic
Principles |
| 3 |
Select from campus approved list. |
| Hours |
ACES Required |
| 2 |
ACES 101 - Contemporary
Issues in ACES |
| 43-57 |
Concentration
prescribed courses. See specific requirements for
each concentration listed below. |
| 130 |
Total |
Fish and Wildlife Conservation Concentration
The Fish and Wildlife Conservation concentration is designed
for the student interested in the fundamental properties
of natural resource systems with emphasis on the ecology,
biology, conservation, and management of fish and wildlife
resources.
| Hours |
Natural Resources
and Environmental Sciences Required |
| 4 |
IB - Animal Biology |
| 3 |
NRES 102 - Introduction
to NRES |
| 4 |
NRES 201 - Introductory
Soils |
| 3 |
NRES 219 - Principles
of Ecosystem Mgmt |
| 3 |
NRES 287 - Nature,
Society and Democracy |
| 4 |
NRES 302 - Dendrology |
| 3 |
NRES 348 - Fish
and Wildlife Ecology |
| 3 |
NRES 419 - Env
and Plant Ecosystems OR IB 452 - Ecosystem Ecology OR NRES 431 - Plants and Global Change |
| 3 |
NRES 421 - Quantitative
Methods in NRES |
| 3 |
NRES 454 - GIS
in Natural Resource Mgmt |
| 3 |
NRES 456 - Integrative
Ecosystem Mgmt |
| Hours |
Fish and Wildlife
Conservation Concentration Required |
| 3-4 |
IB 429 - Animal
Behavior OR IB 451 - Conservation Biology |
| |
NRES 310 - Natural
Resource Economics OR ACE 210 - Environmental Economics |
| |
NRES 407 - Wildlife
Population Ecology OR NRES 409 - Fishery Ecol and Conservation |
| |
NRES 420 - Restoration
Ecology OR NRES 429 - Aquatic Ecosystem Conservation |
| Hours |
One course selected
from: |
| 4-5 |
IB 461 - Ornithology
IB 462 - Mammalogy
IB 463 - Ichthyology
IB 464 - Herpetology |
| Hours |
Two courses selected
from: |
| 6-7 |
NRES 211 - Forest Ecology Field Studies
NRES 215 - Forest Resource Mgmt Practicum
NRES 221 - NRES
Field Sampling
NRES 276 - Introduction to Field Pedology
NRES 285 - Natural Resource Field Experience |
Forest Science Concentration
The Forest Science concentration prepares students for
all phases of the management of natural resources, particularly
those associated with forests and land. Attention is focused
on balancing the protection of environmental quality and
ecological integrity with provision of benefits from the
forest, including watershed protection, wildlife habitat,
recreational enjoyment, and production of wood products.
Students in this concentration complete advanced coursework
in silviculture, forest biology and protection, forest
management, and wood properties and utilization, as well
as field-based coursework
| Hours |
Natural Resources
and Environmental Sciences Required |
| 4 |
IB 104 - Animal Biology |
| 3 |
NRES 102 - Introduction
to NRES |
| 4 |
NRES 201 - Introductory
Soils |
| 3 |
NRES 219 - Principles
of Ecosystem Mgmt |
| 3 |
NRES 287 - Nature,
Society and Democracy |
| 4 |
NRES 302 - Dendrology |
| 3 |
NRES 348 - Fish
and Wildlife Ecology |
| 3 |
NRES 419 - Env and Plant Ecosystems OR IB 452 - Ecosystem
Ecology OR NRES 431 - Plants and Global Change |
| 3 |
NRES 421 - Quantitative
Methods in NRES |
| 3 |
NRES 454 - GIS
in Natural Resource Mgmt |
| 3 |
NRES 456 - Integrative
Ecosystem Mgmt |
| Hours |
Forest Science Concentration
Required |
| 2 |
NRES 211 - Forest
Ecology Field Studies |
| 2 |
NRES 215 - Forest
Recourse Mgmt Practicum |
| 2 |
NRES 221 - NRES
Field Sampling |
| 3 |
NRES 310 - Natural
Resource Economics OR ACE 210 - Environmental
Economics |
| 3 |
NRES 416 - Forest
Biology and Protection |
| 3 |
Select one course
from: |
| |
NRES 332 - Wood
Utilization and Anatomy |
| |
NRES 334 - Wood
Composites |
| |
NRES 432 - Mechanics
of Wood Materials |
Human Dimensions Concentration
The Human Dimensions Concentration is intended for students
interested in the study of environmental sociology and
psychology, land use planning, environmental management,
natural resource allocation, social impacts, resource economics
and environmental law. Students concentrate on the economic,
sociological and psychological components of natural resource
systems and study institutions that affect resource management
and utilization. The Human Dimensions concentration requires
advanced coursework in natural resource economics, environmental
psychology, communications, social impact assessment, environmental
policy, and environmental law.
| Hours |
Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences Required |
| 4 |
IB 104 - Animal Biology |
| 3 |
NRES 102 - Introduction
to NRES |
| 4 |
NRES 201 - Introductory Soils |
| 3 |
NRES 219 - Principles
of Ecosystem Mgmt |
| 3 |
NRES 287 - Nature,
Society and Democracy |
| 4 |
NRES 302 - Dendrology |
| 3 |
NRES 348 - Fish and Wildlife Ecology |
| 3 |
NRES 419 - Env
and Plant Ecosystems OR IB 452 - Ecosystem Ecology OR NRES 431 - Plants and Global Change |
| 3 |
NRES 421 - Quantitative
Methods in NRES |
| 3 |
NRES 454 - GIS
in Natural Resource Mgmt |
| 3 |
NRES 456 - Integrative
Ecosystem Mgmt |
| Hours |
Human Dimension
Concentration Required |
| 3 |
ACE 210 - Environmental
Economics |
| 3 |
NRES 310 - Natural
Resource Economics |
| 3 |
NRES 472 - Environmental
Psychology |
| Hours |
Two courses selected
from |
| 4-5 |
ACE 406 - Environmental Law
NRES
220 - Presenting Information
NRES 242 - Nature and American
Culture
NRES 430 - Comm in Env Social Movements
NRES 444 - Social
Impact Assessment
NRES 449 - Science Technology and
Policy |
| Hours |
Two courses selected
from |
| 3-4 |
NRES 211 - Forest Ecology Field Studies
NRES 215 - Forest Resource Mgmt Practicum
NRES 221 - NRES
Field Sampling
NRES 276 - Introduction to Field Pedology
NRES
285 - Natural Resource Field Experience |
Resource Ecology Concentration
The Resource Ecology concentration is designed for students
interested in the fundamental properties and management
of natural resource systems, including interactions among
plants, other soil biota, soil, water, wildlife, and humans.
The emphasis is on ecology, biology, and management of
aquatic, soil, forest, and wildlife resources. Through
lectures, labs and field exercise, students are given the
opportunity to study biosphere relationships in natural
resource systems. The Resource Ecology concentration includes
coursework in the areas of restoration ecology, aquatic
ecosystem management, tree and plant physiology, and advanced
ecology.
| Hours |
Natural resources
and environmental sciences required |
| 43 |
IB 104 - Animal Biology |
| 3 |
NRES 102 - Introduction
to NRES |
| 4 |
NRES 201 - Introductory Soils |
| 3 |
NRES 219 - Principles of Ecosystem Mgmt |
| 3 |
NRES 287 - Nature, Society and Democracy |
| 4 |
NRES 302 - Dendrology |
| 3 |
NRES 348 - Fish and Wildlife Ecology |
| 3 |
NRES 351 - Environmental
Chemistry |
| 3 |
NRES 419 - Env and Plant Ecosystems OR IB 452 - Ecosystem Ecology OR NRES 431 - Plants and Global Changes |
| 3 |
NRES 421 - Quantitative Methods in NRES |
| 3 |
NRES 454 - GIS
in Natural Resource Mgmt |
| 3 |
NRES 456 - Integrative Ecosystem Mgmt |
| Hours |
Resource Ecology
Concentration Required |
| 3 |
NRES 310 - Natural Resource Economics OR ACE 210 - Environmental
Economics |
| 3 |
NRES 420 - Restoration
Ecology |
| 3 |
NRES 416 - Forest Biology OR NRES 431 - Plants and Glbal Change OR IB 420 - Plant Physiology |
| 3 |
NRES 429 - Aquatic Ecosystem Conservation OR CEE 432 - Stream Ecology |
| 3-5 |
Select one course
from: |
| |
NRES 438 - Nutrient
Cycling and Decay |
| |
NRES 475 - Soil Microbiology |
| |
IB 441 - Plant Ecology |
| |
IB 446 - Tropical
Ecology |
| |
IB 451 - Conservation Biology |
| 3-4 |
Select two courses
from: |
| |
NRES 211 - Forest Ecology Field Studies |
| |
NRES 215 - Forest Resource Mgmt Practicum |
| |
NRES 221 - NRES
Field Sampling |
| |
NRES 276 - Introduction to Field Pedology |
| |
NRES 285 - Natural Resource Field Experience |
Soil and Water Science Concentration
The Soil and Water Science concentration is for students
wanting to emphasize the physical environment. Students
develop an understanding of the physical and chemical processes
of natural systems. The concentration provides students
a strong background in various areas of soil and water
science, including soil formation, classification and conservation,
soil and water chemistry, water quality and management,
hydrology, environmental physics, and soil and water pollution.
| Hours |
Natural Resources
and Environmental Sciences Required |
| 43 |
IB 104 - Animal Biology |
| 3 |
NRES 102 - Introduction
to NRES |
| 4 |
NRES 201 - Introductory
Soils |
| 3 |
NRES 219 - Principles
of Ecosystem Mgmt |
| 3 |
NRES 287 - Nature,
Society and Democracy |
| 4 |
NRES 302 - Dendrology |
| 3 |
NRES 348 - Fish
and Wildlife Ecology |
| 3 |
NRES 419 - Env and Plant Ecosystems OR IB 452 - Ecosystem Ecology OR NRES 431 - Plants and Global Change |
| 3 |
NRES 421 - Quantitative
Methods in NRES |
| 3 |
NRES 454 - GIS
in Natural Resource Mgmt |
| 3 |
NRES 456 - Integrative
Ecosystem Mgmt |
| Hours |
Soil and Water Science
Concentration Required |
| 3 |
NRES 310 - Natural Resource Economics OR ACE 210 - Environmental
Economics |
| 3 |
NRES 401 - Watershed
Hydrology |
| 3 |
NRES 471 - Pedology
OR NRES 474 - Soil and Water Conservation |
| Hours |
Two courses selected
from |
| 6-7 |
NRES 211 - Forest Ecology Field Studies
NRES 215 - Forest Resource Mgmt Practicum
NRES 221 - NRES
Field Sampling
NRES 276 - Introduction to Field Pedology
NRES
285 - Natural Resource Field Experience |
Each student must complete the requirements for one of
the following specializations:
| Hours |
Aquatic Conservation
Specialization |
| 3-5 |
IB 449 - Limnology
OR 450 - Stream Ecology |
| 3 |
NRES 429 - Aquatic
Ecosystem Conservation |
| Hours |
Soil Science Specialization |
| 6-7 |
Two courses
selected from: |
| |
NRES 438 - Soil NutrientCycling |
| |
NRES 471 - Pedology |
| |
NRES 474 - Soil and Water Conservation |
| |
NRES 475 - Soil Microbiology |
| |
NRES 487 - Soil Chemistry |
| |
NRES 488 - Soil Fertility and Fertilizers |
| |
NRES 489 - Physics of Plant Environment |
Minor in Quantitative Methods in Natural Resources
and Environmental Sciences
The Quantitative Methods in Natural Resources and Environmental
Sciences minor is designed for students who wish to develop
competence in applying quantitative methods to natural
resources and environmental decision-making to complement
skills developed in their major areas of study.
| Hours |
Required Courses for
a Minor in Quantitative Methods in Natural Resources
and Environmental Sciences |
| 3-5 |
One mathematics course selected from:
MATH 231 - Calculus II
MATH 244 - Calculus for Business II |
| 3 |
One geographic information system course selected from:
NRES 454 - GIS in Natural Resource Mgt
GEOG 479 - Advanced Geog Info Systems |
| 3-4 |
One applied modeling course selected from:
NRES 422 - Earth Systems Modeling
NRES 427 - Modeling Natural Resources
NRES 490 - Surface Water System Chemistry
ANSCI 448 - Math Modeling in Life Sciences
GEOG 467 - Dynm Simul of Nat Res Problems
GEOG 468 - Biological Modeling
GEOG 469 - Spatial Ecosystem Modeling |
| 3-4 |
Three or more hours in applied statistics selected from:
NRES 421 - Qantitative Methods in NRES
ACE 562 - Applied Regression Models I
CPSC 440 - Applied Statistical Methods I
ECON 471 - Intro to Applied Econometrics
SOC 485 - Intermediate Social Statistics
STAT 420 - Methods of Applied Statistics |
| 2-4 |
One or more courses selected from:
NRES 455 - Adv GIS for Nat Res Planning
NRES 493 - Statistical Ecology
NRES 510 - Adv Natural Resource Economics
ACE 516 - Environmental Economics
ACE 563 - Optimization Methods
ACE 564 - Applied Regression Models II
ACE 566 - Mathematics for Applied Econ
ANSC 446 - Population Genetics
CEE 434 - Environmental Systems, I
CS 455 - Numerical Methods for PDEs
ECON 465 - Mathematical Economics
GEOG 477 - Introduction to Remote Sensing
MATH 225 - Introductory Matrix Theory
MATH 415 - Linear Algebra
SOC 581 - Survey Research Methods I
STAT 400 - Statistics and Probability I
|
| 16 |
Minimum hours required for the minor |