Coming this fall will be a new degree in natural resources management.
The College of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences is offering a bachelor's degree in natural resources management, along with its other four degrees.
"This degree is designed to answer the need for students who want to work outdoors," said Dale Dickens, director of student services in the School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences. "It is more specifically for those who are interested in natural resources who don't have a firm or fixed interest in forestry or wildlife management."
The major will take effect in the upcoming fall semester. The major requires courses in such areas as science, management and math. It also requires 14 hours of free electives.
This degree will also require a minor that greatly influences the way this major will be used. This will provide students with many pathways for a career choice.
For example, students interested in working with park management may want to minor in history or in human sciences.
Wayde Morse, assistant professor in the college, said students will have a lot of flexibility in determining what specific field they wish to enter with this degree.
"This degree offers a significant amount of flexibility so that the student can tailor it to their own specific interests and passion," Morse said. "The core provides students with the necessary background that will ensure that they are well trained and knowledgeable for the large number of natural resource management employers."
This, Morse added, is where the minor comes into play.
"There are a number of existing minors that are very applicable to this degree," Morse said. "By having a required minor, it will allow students the ability to target a topic and really differentiate themselves from the crowd."
Art Chappelka, professor in forest biology, went into detail about what exactly this degree will cover for its students.
"This degree is different in that it will help students who are looking for a broader teaching, and who also have a specific interest in natural resources," Chappelka said. "With this degree, we would touch on forestry, wildlife, wildlife management and ecology."
Chappelka provided some examples on how a student might use this degree.
"Since specific jobs would be addressed by which minor a student chose, we give them a variety of options in which to choose from," Chappelka said. "For instance, if a student wanted to major in Natural Resources Management and they were interested in park management, a history degree might be a good choice. Students could also go into law, real estate or even teaching with this degree."
While student interest has played a big part in the addition of this major, the faculty staff as a whole is excited about being able to add this degree to its list of programs.
Todd Steury, who teaches Wildlife Conservation History and Law, said adding this major will be beneficial to students because it will allow teachers to teach in their other areas of expertise.
"This is a program that students wanted and potentially needed," Steury said. "And by combining that with the expertise of the teachers in specific areas into a new curriculum, we think that this undergraduate program can be really beneficial to students."
The curriculum for this new major can be found online for students who are interested in this field of study.
Do you like this story? The Plainsman doesn't accept money from tuition or student fees, and we don't charge a subscription fee. But you can donate to support The Plainsman.
