The Natural Resource Conservation (NRC) major provides students an interdisciplinary curriculum preparing them to address a broad range of natural resource-related issues. The core set of courses provides students with a solid foundation in natural history (floral and faunal), ecology, policy and economics, field applications, quantitative assessment and analysis, human dimensions, and spatial analysis. Working with a faculty advisor, students can elect to focus on a wide range of natural resource-related courses. In the required capstone experience, students demonstrate their understanding and proficiency in the core skill sets, as well as further develop their area of concentration.

Graduates seek advanced degrees in a variety of fields, or are successfully employed in a wide range of environmental careers. The major is cooperatively offered by faculty in the School of Forest, Fisheries, and Geomatics Sciences, the Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, and the Program in Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, and students are paired with one of these faculty members to develop a curriculum that suits their needs. Students interested in more structured and/or accredited curricula in professional natural resource management are encouraged to look at majors in Forest Resources and Conservation, Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, or Interdisciplinary Studies | Marine Sciences.

All NRC majors are required to complete core work in nine content areas (minimum 25 credits): professional seminar, ecology, quantitative analysis and assessment, natural history, human dimensions, policy and economics, field applications, spatial analysis, and capstone experience. These courses embrace a variety of conservation objectives and span local to global scales. They stress the complexities in achieving social, environmental, and economic sustainability; develop critical thinking skills; create significant and valuable field experience; and provide the tools needed for graduates to manage, conserve, and educate people about natural resources.

Students work closely with a faculty advisor to select the remaining 35 upper-division credits to create a curriculum plan designed to meet the specific goals of each student. Each curriculum plan must be approved by the program's undergraduate coordinator before the student reaches 70 credits.

This major is also offered at the West Florida Research and Education Center in Milton, FL. Ideal for place-bound students, this version of the NRC major provides a broad ecology/conservation curriculum.

Critical Tracking records each student’s progress in courses that are required for progress toward each major. Please note the critical-tracking requirements below on a per-semester basis.

Equivalent critical-tracking courses as determined by the State of Florida Common Course Prerequisites may be used for transfer students.

Semester 1

• Complete at least 1 of 7 critical-tracking courses (excluding labs): AEB 2014 or ECO 2013 or ECO 2023, AEC 3030C or SPC 2608, AEC 3033C, BSC 2010/BSC 2010L, CHM 1030 or CHM 2045, MAC 1105, STA 2023
• 2.5 GPA required for all critical-tracking courses
• 2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 2

• Complete at least 2 additional critical-tracking courses, excluding labs
• 2.5 GPA required for all critical-tracking courses
• 2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 3

• Complete at least 2 additional critical-tracking courses, excluding labs
• 2.5 GPA required for all critical-tracking courses
• 2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 4

• Complete at least 2 additional critical-tracking courses, excluding labs
• 2.5 GPA required for all critical-tracking courses
• 2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 5

• Complete all critical-tracking courses, including labs
• 2.5 GPA required for all critical-tracking courses
• 2.0 upper division GPA required
• 2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 6

• Complete 1 of the remaining required major courses from FNR 3131C or WIS 3402/WIS 3402L or FAS 4932 or ZOO 4205C, FOR 3200C, FNR 3410C, FOR 3202, FOR 3153C or WIS 3404, FNR 4624C, FNR 4660, FNR 4623C
• Submit faculty advisor-approved Curriculum Plan
• 2.0 upper division GPA required
• 2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 7

• Complete 3 additional remaining required major courses from FNR 3131C or WIS 3402/WIS 3402L or FAS 4932 or ZOO 4205C, FOR 3200C, FNR 3410C, FOR 3202, FOR 3153C or WIS 3404, FNR 4624C, FNR 4660, FNR 4623C
• 2.0 upper division GPA required
• 2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 8

• Complete all remaining required major courses from FNR 3131C or WIS 3402/WIS 3402L or FAS 4932 or ZOO 4205C, FOR 3200C, FNR 3410C, FOR 3202, FOR 3153C or WIS 3404, FNR 4624C, FNR 4660, FNR 4623C
• 2.0 upper division GPA required
• 2.0  UF GPA required

To remain on track, students must complete the appropriate critical-tracking courses, which appear in bold. These courses must be completed by the terms as listed above in the Critical Tracking criteria.

This semester plan represents an example progression through the major. Actual courses and course order may be different depending on the student's academic record and scheduling availability of courses. Prerequisites still apply.

¹

Or higher level course.

²

May substitute ENC 2210 or ENC 3254. 

³

FAS 2024 recommended, if not already taken.

Given the flexible, advisor/student-driven nature of this major, students may deviate significantly from this plan relative to course timing. As part of their curriculum plan, students are required to complete at least one course from the following nine content areas:

The Summer term between the junior and senior year is normally reserved for professional work experience.

The Natural Resource Conservation major provides a broad education in the ecological, economic, and social aspects of forest and natural resources and their management. The individualized nature of the major allows students to create a curriculum specific to their interests.

Before Graduating Students Must

• Pass the forest resources and conservation competency exam, given in five parts. One part will be given in each of these required courses:

  Course List

  Code	Title	Credits
  FNR 3131C	Dendrology/Forest Plants	3
  FNR 3410C	Natural Resource Sampling	3
  FNR 4040C
  FNR 4623C	Integrated Natural Resource Management	3
  FNR 4660	Natural Resource Policy and Economics	3

• Complete requirements for the baccalaureate degree, as determined by faculty.

Students in the Major Will Learn to

Student Learning Outcomes | SLOs

Content

1. Demonstrate competency in biology/ecology, quantification, policy/administration, and management of natural resources.
2. Analyze, interpret, synthesize, and communicate information and data, including the use of mathematical and statistical methods.

Critical Thinking

3. Solve novel problems in natural resource management.

Communication

4. Create, interpret and analyze written text, oral messages, and multimedia presentations.

Curriculum Map

I = Introduced; R = Reinforced; A = Assessed

Assessment Types

• Group project
• Presentation
• Final exam