The following is a list of questions frequently asked by prospective (and current) undergraduates. If the answer you're looking for isn't included in the following, please let us know.

Question: What are 'Natural Resources'? I'm interested in environmental conservation (or management, or policy, or...)--is this the right department?
Good question - in fact, a question we sometimes ask ourselves. We broadly define 'natural resources' as those environmental elements of the world around us with which we, as humans, interact, either directly, as 'users', or indirectly, through our activities. These 'resources' could consist of the traditional 'resources' often associated with such departments (fish, wildlife and forests, or what is sometimes referred to as 'hooks, bullets and two-by-fours'), but our undergraduate program views these traditional 'resources" within increased understanding of ecosystem and landscape processes. It also considers current "resource" issues such as conservation of rare and endangered species, habitat protection, biodiversity conservation, invasive species, ecosystem services and dynamics, water resources and watershed management, population dynamics of wild and managed species--a very large number of natural resource and environmental subjects.

In the department, we conduct basic and applied research on 'resources' at a very large number of levels of analysis (see the 'research' page for a more detailed overview). This is reflected in our teaching programs at both the graduate and undergraduate levels. As such, our department is very likely to have a lot to interest you whether your interests are in the more 'traditional' sort of 'natural resources' or in the more expansive view of 'natural resources' as encompassing the entire array of biological diversity supported by ecosystems, watersheds, landscapes, regions, and the globe.

Question: OK...that helps, but there are other departments at Cornell that seem to be in the same area. What makes the Department of Natural Resources different?
Another good question - as you may have noticed, there are several programs at Cornell that are involved (either directly, or indirectly) with "environmental" subjects (perhaps not surprising, since Cornell is a very large school). The main programs that have direct involvement with one or more aspects of 'environmental' studies are BEE (Biological & Environmental Engineering), SES (Science of Earth Systems), SNES (Science of Natural & Environmental Systems), and DNR (Department of Natural Resources).

The primary difference between the Natural Resources major and the other three programs is simple: our major focuses on 'living' biological resources - for example, fish, birds, rare and endangered species, forests, streams, wetlands. We do so from the perspective of basic fundamental ecological analysis (conservation genetics, population dynamics, ecosystem analysis, biogeochemistry, and so on), as well as analysis of human use of those living resources from the perspective of environmental policy and management, governance, and other ways in which human societies interact with natural resources and environment. The other 'environmental' programs place more of a focus on physical processes. So, in short: the Natural Resources major emphasizes the 'living' elements of natural systems (the plants and animals that these systems contain), whereas other programs place a greater emphasis on the 'physical' processes (chemistry, physics) of the systems 'living' organisms inhabit. You can find further details on all of the environmental studies programs at Cornell, by clicking here.

The Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology also offers an Ecology Concentration within the Biology major that could prepare students for graduate programs in environmental sciences.

Question: Where can I find the details concerning the undergraduate curriculum in Natural Resources?
Well, the fact that you're looking here for your answer means you've come to the right part of the Department of Natural Resources website. Some of the basics can be found by simply reading the general description of the program on the undergraduate program page. If you want more specific details, you can either (i) download a PDF version of the program description, or (ii) contact us directly by email (Undergraduate Program Assistant, Marian Hovencamp, mth6@cornell.edu).

Question: There are a lot of courses, and lots of 'details' concerning various program options - both within NR, and Cornell in general. How do I figure out what to take? It's pretty confusing!
Yes, it is, sometimes even to us. However, Cornell has a program in undergraduate advising which is designed to help everyone figure out the best plan for you. Each undergraduate in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (of which NR is just one Department), is assigned an 'undergraduate advisor', who has as his/her responsiblity the task of helping you figure out the various requirements for courses, as well as identifying classes which are appropriate for your developing interests.

Question: OK - NR is the program for me - how do I apply?
We're glad you're interested in NR as a major - and we're hoping that if you're sincerely interested, you'll consider applying. At Cornell, you apply to the University itself, and not the major. You can find out about applying to Cornell (and a lot of related things) by visiting the CALS Admissions website.

Question: Attending Cornell is a pretty expensive proposition - is Natural Resources a major I should consider given the cost?
This question can be re-phrased as follows: given that most students graduate from Cornell with a sizable debt, is Natural Resources a major which will allow you to get a well-paying job to let you pay off that debt? Or, should you take a 'specialized' major where starting salaries are higher? The answer to this very practical question is not entirely easy. Yes, attending Cornell is expensive, and yes, many students do graduate with a significant debt load. While the starting salary base for students with undergraduate NR degrees is generally lower than it is for some 'technical specialties' (e.g., engineering), employment prospects are still quite good - especially given the increasing concerns of human impacts on the environment.

Moreover, the broad training you will receive in NR gives you considerable flexibility to work in a number of fields. While 'specialized' jobs initially pay better, in a precarious economy, a broader set of marketable skills is perhaps a better bet in the long run (think of it like a diversified stock portfolio - the value is measured in the long run).

Question: I have a question (or two) that isn't answered here. Where do I go next?
We suggest that your first step would be to contact Marian Hovencamp, (mth6@cornell.edu) who is the primary point of contact for all questions concerning the undergaduate program in our department. If she can't answer your question directly (which is unlikely - Marian knows more about the program than just about anyone), she'll forward your question to someone who can.