ES Concentration

Department of Natural Resources > Undergraduate > Major > ES Concentration

Enivronmental Studies (ES) Concentration

Several courses in Natural Resources and other departments are required for those specializing in the Environmental Studies (ES) concentration. Courses total 37-39 hours, and are usually distributed across four years as noted below. Transfer students entering after their freshman year should discuss appropriate course sequences with their advisors.

Required courses within the major for the ES Concentration		Semester
*Year 1: Both Courses*
	NTRES 1101: Intro to the Science & Management of Environmental and Natural Resources [expected for freshmen]	Fall
	NTRES 2010: Environmental Conservation (or AP Environmental Science score of 4/5; 5 required beginning Fall 2010) [expected for freshmen and most transfer students]	Spring
*Year 2:* Both Courses
	NTRES 2100: Introductory Field Biology	Fall
	NTRES 2201: Society and Natural Resources NTRES 2830: DNA, Genes, and Genetic Diversity (required beginning Fall 2010)	Spring
*Years 3 and 4*
Students must take a minimum of six courses: six upper-division courses comprising a self-defined theme related to conservation (details below). The theme should speak to a general intellectual interest or social problem and be developed, in writing, with the guidance of the students faculty advisor. In addition to articulating their academic interests, students are required to identify, in writing, potential courses at the time their theme goes on file with their advisor. Courses count toward student's theme if they relate to this overarching question or interest. Definition and rationale of student's theme can and should be updated over time. College distribution requirements may be double-counted within the theme.
*Further Description of ES upper-division theme*
The six-course theme should be comprised of at least two 300-level or above courses in each of the following categories: Natural science: biological and physical sciences (e.g., NTRES 4200, NTRES 4220, NTRES 4560, and many other courses meeting "Distribution Requirements" for graduation under the "Other Physical/Life Sciences" category in the Courses of Study) Social science and analytical skills: economics, political economy, policy sciences, logic, computer programming, GIS, statistics (i.e., courses meeting Social Sciences distribution, identified in the Courses of Study as SBA, e.g., NTRES 3311; and courses requiring extensive use of mathematical or statistical skills, computing skills, and higher-level reasoning and logic, e.g., NTRES 3100, NTRES 3130, CSS 4110, CSS 4200) Humanities: history, literature, philosophy, ethics, arts, foreign languages (i.e., courses identified in the Courses of Study as CA, HA, KCM, LA, or FL) Examples of areas within which themes might be developed include environmental law, environmental education, environmental journalism/communication, environmental advocacy, and "green" business. Appropriate courses for themes can be drawn from a wide variety of departments, including Natural Resources, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Crop and Soil Sciences, Applied Economics and Management, Development Sociology, Education, Communications, Anthropology, Philosophy, History, Psychology, Government, and City and Regional Planning. Students should work with their advisors to develop a theme that intrigues them and to identify potential courses that will stimulate and challenge them while addressing an overarching question or issue. Start by exploring the Courses of Study under the departments listed above. This process itself will open students' minds to the many perspectives from which problems in environment and conservation can be approached. All students are expected to take advantage of one or more opportunities for internships, semester abroad, independent research or honors thesis research, as appropriate.