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
CMN 101 - Public Speaking |
| | OR |
| 6 | CMN 111 - Oral and Written Communication I AND
CMN 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 and Society |
| 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 | NRES 368 - Vertebrate Natural History
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 and Society |
| 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 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 and Society |
| 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 and Society |
| 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 and Society |
| 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 |