Environmental Education and Interpretation, BS

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This major is administered by the Environment and Society Discipline.

Program Learning Outcomes

As a graduate of a Resource Management Program, you will be able to:

Effectively communicate with your public(s)
Demonstrate environmental awareness/literacy
Exhibit professional development skills relevant to your particular major option
Read, interpret, and analyze social science research in natural resource management
Explain the role of leadership, administration, and evaluation for natural resource agencies and organizations
Develop confidence in the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to perform as a professional in your chosen option within the Environment and Society Discipline.

Consists of a minimum of 87 credits.

Note: Required courses marked ** below have Math prerequisites. Depending on your placement score, additional courses may be required.

Foundational Core, 24-25 credits

Natural Resources courses, 14 credits

NRES 150 - People, Resources and the Biosphere Credits: 3
NRES 151 - Ecological Basis for Natural Resource Management Credits: 3
NRES 250 - Introduction to Fisheries, Forestry and Wildlife Resources Credits: 4
NRES 251 - Introduction to Soil and Water Resources Credits: 4 **

Geography, 3 credits

GEOG 100 - Human Impacts on the Physical Environment Credits: 3 or
GEOG 105 - The Dynamic Earth Credits: 3

Field Techniques in Natural Resources, 7-8 credits

Choose one:

Summer Field Experience, 7 credits

FOR 319 - Land Surveying Credits: 1
FOR 320 - Field Experience in Forest Measurement Credits: 1
NRES 405 - Selected Topics in Natural Resources Credits: 1-3 (Take 1 credit)
SOIL 359 - Soil Conservation and Watershed Inventory Techniques Credits: 1
SOIL 360 - Field Experience in Soil Inventory Methods Credits: 1
WATR 380 - Field Experience in Aquatic Ecosystem Evaluation Credits: 1
WLDL 340 - Field Experience in Wildlife Management Techniques Credits: 1
OR

European Summer Program, 8 credits

NRES 475 - International Field Experiences in Natural Resources Management Credits: 1-8

Environmental Education and Interpretation, 63-81 credits

Foundational Science Courses, 8-15 credits

BIOL 101 - General Biology Credits: 5
OR
BIOL 110 - Principles of Biology I Credits: 5 and
BIOL 111 - Principles of Biology II Credits: 5
CHEM 100 - Chemistry for the Citizen Credits: 3 or
CHEM 101 - Basic Chemistry Credits: 5 or
CHEM 105 - Fundamental Chemistry Credits: 5 or
PHYS 100 - Energy in Today’s World Credits: 3 or
PHYS 101 - General Physics Credits: 5

Foundational Environmental Education and Interpretation Courses, 22 credits

NRES 200 - Introduction to Sustainable Communities Credits: 3 or
NRES 281 - Introduction to Recreation and Parks Credits: 3
NRES 301 - Foundations of Environmental Education I Credits: 3
NRES 368 - Oral Interpretation Methods Credits: 3
NRES 369 - Interpretive Media Credits: 4
NRES 383 - Organizational Leadership Credits: 3
NRES 389 - Methods in Social Science Credits: 3
NRES 478 - Environmental Issues Investigation and Action Credits: 3

Advanced biology and ecology, 6-8 credits

Flora, 3-4 credits from:

BIOL 335 - Mycology Credits: 4
BIOL 342 - Vascular Plant Taxonomy Credits: 4
BIOL 345 - Agrostology Credits: 2
BIOL 353 - Ethnobotany Credits: 3
BIOL 355 - Plant Ecology Credits: 4
FOR 232 - Dendrology and Silvics Credits: 3
WATR 347 - Aquatic Plant Taxonomy Credits: 2

Fauna, 3-4 credits from:

BIOL 361 - Aquatic Invertebrate Zoology Credits: 3 or
WATR 361 - Aquatic Invertebrate Zoology Credits: 3
BIOL 367 - General Entomology Credits: 4
BIOL 374 - Ichthyology Credits: 4
BIOL 376 - Herpetology Credits: 3
BIOL 377 - Ornithology Credits: 3
FOR 426 - Forest Entomology Credits: 3
WATR 384 - Life History of Fishes Credits: 3
WLDL 334 - Ungulate Ecology and Management Credits: 3
WLDL 361 - Waterfowl Ecology and Management Credits: 3
WLDL 378 - Mammalogy Credits: 3

Complete one of the following tracks:

Non-formal Education and Interpretation Track, 36 credits

Required, 27 credits

COMM 101 - Fundamentals of Oral Communication Credits: 3 or
NRES 320 - Natural Resources Communication and Public Relations Credits: 3
FOR 335 - Recreational Use of Forests and Parks Credits: 3
NRES 302 - Foundations of Environmental Education II Credits: 1
NRES 305 - Inclusive Practices for Outdoor Professionals Credits: 2
NRES 482 - Human Dimensions of Natural Resources Practicum Credits: 12
NRES 483 - Professional Development in Natural Resource Management Credits: 1-3 (Take 3 credits)
PHIL 380 - Environmental Ethics Credits: 3

Electives, 9 credits

Choose from the following (can include Flora and Fauna courses not taken for requirement above):

ASTR 311 - Introduction to Astronomy Credits: 3
BIOL 305 - General Ecology Credits: 3
BIOL 309 - Field Biology Credits: 3-4
BIOL 325 - Introduction to Biological Illustration Credits: 2
BIOL 380 - Introduction to Aquaponics Credits: 3
BIOL 477 - Raptor Ecology Credits: 2
ENGL 347 - Grant and Proposal Writing Credits: 3
FN 357 - Ecology of Foods Credits: 3
FOR 321 - Natural Resources Data Analysis Credits: 4
FOR 334 - Forest Recreation and Tourism Credits: 3
FOR 444 - Urban and Community Forestry Credits: 3
GEOL 104 - Physical Geology Credits: 4
HIST 380 - The Environmental Movement Credits: 3
HIST 390 - Museum Exhibitions Credits: 3
INTL 381 - Culture and Civilization Credits: 2-3
NRES 323 - International Resource Management Credits: 3
NRES 324 - Invasive and Exotic Species Credits: 3 or
WATR 324 - Invasive and Exotic Species Credits: 3
NRES 372 - Resource Economics Credits: 3
NRES 381 - Internship in Natural Resources Credits: 1-12 (3 credits maximum)
NRES 394 - Ecological Basis for Planning and Design Credits: 3
NRES 407 - Costa Rica Tropical Ecology Credits: 3
NRES 441 - Climate Change Implications, Policies, and Solutions Credits: 3
NRES 458 - Biodiversity and Conservation Biology Credits: 3 or
WLDL 458 - Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Biology Credits: 3
PHIL 381 - American Indian Environmental Philosophies Credits: 3
PSYC 321 - Environmental Psychology Credits: 3
SOIL 365 - Soil Quality Assessment and Soil Survey Interpretation Credits: 3
SOIL 486 - Composting Credits: 1 or
WSTE 486 - Composting Credits: 1
WATR 360 - Wetlands Ecology and Management Credits: 3 or
WLDL 360 - Wetlands Ecology and Management Credits: 3
WATR 391 - GIS Applications in Natural Resources Credits: 3
WLDL 321 - Principles of Captive Wildlife Management Credits: 2
WLDL 332 - Carnivore Ecology Credits: 2
WLDL 348 - Wildlife Damage Management Credits: 3
WLDL 365 - Behavioral Ecology Credits: 3
WLDL 372 - Wildlife of North America Credits: 3

Formal Education and Interpretation Track, 27 credits

If you choose to add a second major in Early Childhood Education, you have the opportunity to earn both degrees and a teaching license in five years. Completing both degrees in a timely manner requires developing a detailed graduation plan during your first year. Contact the School of Education for more information regarding admissions and requirements. Admission to the School of Education is a prerequisite for many of the electives in this track.

Required, 12 credits

EDUC 205 - Pluralism for Educators Credits: 2
HD 265 - Human Growth and Development: A Life-Span Approach Credits: 3
NRES 374 - Environmental Interpretation Practicum Credits: 3
NRES 376 - Environmental Education Practicum Credits: 4

Electives, 15 credits

Choose from the following:

ECED 262 - Infant and Toddler Education Credits: 3
ECED 368 - Creative Integrated Curriculum and Methods for Young Children Credits: 3
ECED 372 - Integrating Literature into the Early Childhood Curriculum Credits: 1
ECED 460 - Programs and Partnerships for Young Children Credits: 3 (Take 3 credits)
EDUC 302 - Methods/Materials for Teaching Reading I Credits: 3
EDUC 309 - Methods/Materials for Teaching Reading II Credits: 3
EDUC 310 - Materials/Methods for Teaching Language Arts Credits: 3
EDUC 323 - Techniques in Elementary School Math Credits: 3
EDUC 324 - Techniques in Elementary School-Social Studies Credits: 3
EDUC 325 - Techniques in Elementary School-Science Credits: 3
EDUC 331 - Educational Technology Credits: 3
EDUC 351 - Educating Students with Special or Other Needs in the General Education Environment Credits: 3
EDUC 381 - Educational Psychology Credits: 2
EDUC 382 - Managing Learning Environments Credits: 1
EDUC 383 - Educational Assessment Credits: 3
MATH 228 - Fundamental Mathematical Concepts for Elementary Teachers I Credits: 3
MATH 338 - Fundamental Mathematical Concepts for Elementary Teachers II Credits: 3
NRES 302 - Foundations of Environmental Education II Credits: 1
NRES 305 - Inclusive Practices for Outdoor Professionals Credits: 2
PHED 250 - Health and Physical Education Concepts for the Elementary Teacher Credits: 3
PHIL 380 - Environmental Ethics Credits: 3