With increasing human pressure and a growing need to balance competing demands, we need new and better ways to manage our natural resources. The natural resources management (NRM) undergraduate program gives students flexible and powerful options to pursue their studies. Core courses provide a broad foundation in the biological and physical/earth sciences. Students then choose one of six emphases to further their skills and prepare for a variety of careers.
THE PROGRAM
The NRM undergraduate program is offered by the School of Natural Resource Sciences (SNRS) at North Dakota State University (NDSU). We are an interdisciplinary program that focuses on the science and management of natural resources. The program draws upon courses and resources across SNRS, including Entomology, Natural Resource Management, Range Science, and Soil Science, as well as additional programs and colleges across NDSU.
Students in NRM acquire a broad background in natural resources as well as an in-depth study in an area of interest. This exposure to multiple disciplines helps prepare students to find solutions to complex environmental problems. The undergraduate program curriculum is divided into core classes required of all students and an emphasis selected by the individual student from six areas of interest.
NRM Core – This group of courses provides each student a broad foundation while satisfying NDSU’s General Education requirements.
NRM Emphasis –NRM offers six emphasis areas, each with their own combination of course requirements and electives. The emphases allow students to choose courses from a diverse group of approved electives.
- Entomology - Entomology is the study of insects and how they interact with people and with the environment. This emphasis area provides a strong scientific foundation with a focus on insects, how they are studied, and their management.
- Environmental Sustainability, Outreach, and Policy - Focuses on how to deal with environmental and social changes in a sustainable way. The emphasis area prepares students to work on environmental policy and public outreach combined with strategic thinking to predict sustainable paths on pressing environmental issues.
- Rangeland Ecology - Focuses on the broad study of native, non-forested ecosystems that cover more than 50% of the earth's land. These areas are managed as natural ecosystems to provide services that can benefit society. This emphasis area will prepare students by covering a variety of ecological topics including wildlife management, grassland restoration, and fire ecology.
- Rangeland Livestock Production - Focuses on the management of rangelands and grasslands for optimum livestock production and environmental benefits for society. Students will cover land management fields, the work of agencies and the private sector, as well as ranching operations.
- Soil Science - Soil Science is the study of the soil as a component of natural and man-made systems. It is the key factor in food production and is at the forefront of environmental and natural resource issues such as land use, soil contamination, ground water quality and waste disposal.
- Water, Habitat, and Environmental Management - Focuses in an interdisciplinary way on the environmental management of ecosystems. This emphasis area teaches basic and hands-on principles in the management of water, habitat (animals and plants), and the environment as a whole.
THE FACULTY
Our faculty come from across the School of Natural Resource Sciences and are dedicated to providing quality instruction and advising.
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
NRM graduates are prepared with the skills and knowledge for facing complex problems in natural resources, agriculture, and the environment. Common career options include natural resources jobs with government agencies at the federal, state, or local level; agricultural, conservation and environmental non-profit organizations, extension and outreach positions, and private sector employment, including consulting in addition to preparation for advanced degrees.
Sample Program Guide
IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: This guide is not an official curriculum. This guide is a sample four-year degree plan of how students might plan this major with other degree requirements to complete their education in four years.Student plans will vary from this sample due to a variety of factors, such as, but not limited to, start year, education goals, transfer credit, and course availability. To ensure proper degree completion, enrolled students should utilize Degree Map and Schedule Planner in Campus Connection and consult regularly with academic advisors to ensure graduation requirements are being met.
