Degree Options

We offer six undergraduate degree options under the major of Natural Resources:

Each of our options provides the background required for at least entry-level positions with various agencies and organizations involved in natural resources conservation and management, and for graduate programs in applied ecology and management.

Conservation Biology Option

The Conservation Biology Option encourages students to study conservation across taxa (invertebrates, vertebrates, plants, fungi, microbes) and across scientific disciplines (ecology, genetics, evolution), supported by courses in policy, planning, and economics. It provides an option to pursue careers in education, law, policy, and other non-scientific approaches to conservation. Students will have the knowledge, skills, and experiences for careers as conservation biologists, conservation planners, ecologists, environmental educators, researchers, or resource managers. Graduates will be equipped to pursue graduate degrees, work for government agencies or non-profit organizations -- such as The Nature Conservancy and Land Trusts -- or become involved in environmental law or policy. Students completing this option could be qualified for Civil Service positions under the titles Ecologist, Fish and Wildlife Biologists, and Botanist.

Conservation Biology 4-Year Plan

Conservation Biology Requirement Checksheet

Ecology and Management of Rangelands Option

Rangeland Ecology and Management deals with the biological and physical processes of ecosystems and the application of this knowledge to the sustainable use of range and open lands. This is a great opportunity for students with an interest in plant ecology, plant animal interactions, and management of landscapes. Technical courses in range management and related natural resource subjects stress the application of basic concepts to management planning and practices. Selection of courses in wildlife or fisheries science, watershed hydrology and management, soil and water science, animal and plant science, or agricultural and resource economics can enhance qualification for certain types of employment. Many of these courses involve hands-on work in the rangelands of Arizona. Range management professionals may inventory soils, plants, and animals; develop resource management plans with agencies or private firms; help restore degraded lands; or manage a preserve or ranch. Because of their broad, interdisciplinary background, students are employed by the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Indian Affairs, National Park Service, Natural Resources Conservation Service, state land departments, and a variety of other agencies.

Ecology and Management of Rangelands Four-year plan

Ecology and Management of Rangelands Requirement Checksheet

Landscape Assessment and Analysis Option

The strength of the Landscape Option is the application of computer-based technology to answer questions in natural resource and environmental planning and management. The Landscape Option offers students a tremendous breadth and depth of study in Geographic Information Science (GIS) and technology integrated with the study of natural resource management and conservation. The program prepares students for careers in information management, geospatial information technology, resource mapping, and environmental or conservation planning. Graduates have excellent employment opportunities in natural resources management and in planning.

Landscape Assessment and Analysis Four-year plan

Landscape Assessment and Analysis Requirement Checksheet

Watershed Management and Ecohydrology Option

Watershed Hydrology and Management is the art and science of managing the natural resources of wild land drainage basins, with special consideration given to the quantity and quality of the water resource. Watershed managers are concerned with sustained productivity of such products as water, wood, forage, wildlife, and recreational opportunities. Watershed management graduates are qualified for careers in organizations and businesses concerned with integrated land management, the environment, or water resources. Many are employed as hydrologists. Employers include federal or state agencies, municipal water districts, private consulting firms, and conservation organizations. The study of watershed management emphasizes the combined physical, biological, and management aspects of natural resources, with special attention to water. Students receive specialized course work in subjects specific to the management of surface water resources. The curriculum also emphasizes social science, communication skills, and procedures for analyzing policy, as these tools are becoming increasingly important components of successful resource management activities.

Watershed Management and Ecohydrology Four-year plan

Watershed Management and Ecohydrology Requirement Checksheet

Wildlife and Fisheries Conservation and Management

Undergraduates may pursue an option in either Wildlife Conservation and Management or Fisheries Conservation and Management. Wildlife science and fisheries science are the study of wild animals, fish, and other aquatic organisms. This involves the study of their biology and the interrelationships with each other, with humans, and with the physical and biological environment that makes up their habitat. Managers and biologists are concerned with maintaining species diversity, improving conditions for declining and endangered species, managing populations that are hunted or fished, conducting law enforcement, and coordinating other resource management activities to maintain environmental quality. Some professionals may be active in surveys of plants and animals, operation and management of refuges and hatcheries, pollution monitoring and testing, design and conduct of research, habitat improvement, pest management, environmental education, or computer modeling. Professionals in wildlife and fisheries are employed by federal agencies-the Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Bureau of Land Management, and Forest Service, for example-and by state game and fish departments or departments of natural resources.

Fisheries Conservation and Management Four-year plan

Fisheries Conservation and Management Requirement Checksheet

Wildlife Conservation and Management Four-Year plan

Wildlife Conservation and Management Requirement Checksheet