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UMA Undergraduate Guide 2012-2013
 Environmental Conservation Academic Departments and Programs Natural Resources Conservation The Major
The Major
Conservation of the Earth’s natural resources requires broad knowledge and experiences as well as a strong personal commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainability. Students must select one of six NRC concentrations: Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, Fisheries Ecology and Conservation, Forest Ecology and Conservation, Urban Forestry and Arboriculture, Water Conservation or Environmental Conservation. All NRC majors take a series of foundation courses in the conservation, natural and social sciences, and mathematics. Students take specialized courses designed to provide them with the knowledge and skills necessary for entry-level employment, graduate training, and professional certification. Many students in the department seek professional employment with conservation organizations, environmental consulting firms, and the green industry, while others choose the NRC major because of their personal commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainability. Requirements Basic science and math requirements One course from among the following: Required NRC Courses All NRC majors are also required to declare a concentration, which provides them with professional training in one of six specialized areas listed below. Each of these concentrations requires additional courses beyond the basic science, mathematics, and core requirements listed above. Environmental Conservation—for students seeking to develop a focused program of study in one of the many areas of the environment and conservation not directly covered by other concentrations in the NRC major. Students select from a wide range of courses from a variety of different disciplines and departments, including the social and physical sciences, and may be able to complement them with courses in the arts, humanities, business and education. Students are encouraged to take advantage of the Domestic Exchange and Education Abroad programs, as well as seasonal internship programs, to enhance their degree. Additional required courses Additional required courses Forest Ecology and Conservation—focuses on all aspects of the conservation and management of the forest vegetation covering 40 percent of the earth’s land surface. Forest ecosystems are vital in providing wildlife habitat and outdoor recreation areas, protecting watersheds, preserving wilderness areas, maintaining biodiversity of plants and animals, sustainably producing wood, paper, and fiber products to meet societal needs, and controlling global climate. The study of forestry is based on an understanding of the ecological interactions of trees and other plants, animals, soils, water, and climate. The concentration emphasis is on conservation challenges unique to the urbanized northeast, where dense human populations depend on ecosystem services from forests owned by a complex matrix of private families, individuals, non-profit conservation organizations, and state and local governments. The goal of forestry, especially in this complex social environment, is to sustain the provision of the full suite of benefits into the future. This concentration is nationally accredited by the Society of American Foresters. Additional required courses Urban Forestry and Arboriculture—involves the management of trees in cities and suburbs, where more than 80 percent of people in the United States live. More than half of the world’s population lives in cities and suburbs, which are the fastest growing communities in the country. As this trend continues, arborists and urban foresters strive to preserve trees during construction and replace trees that have to be removed. Trees take on special importance in urban areas, where their greatest value is for aesthetics, climate modification, and habitat for urban wildlife. Urban, residential, and park environments are especially challenging for trees because of compacted soils, pavement, utility lines, and buildings. Urban foresters and arborists work to ensure healthy tree populations to provide sustained benefits to billions of people. Students in the Urban Forestry and Arboriculture concentration are qualified for professional credentials through examination by both the Massachusetts Arborist Association and the International Society of Arboriculture. Additional required courses Water Resources—engages students in coursework on developing ecologically sound and economically efficient water management policies and programs. Essential to life, water is a critical resource that needs careful management to sustain human populations and ecosystems. Students develop skills in understanding and applying concepts to manage water resources with applications related to ecosystem impacts, water quality, climate change, storm water, and water supply. A problem-solving approach is used to develop a systems-based and multidisciplinary perspective. Students gain in-depth understanding and skills related to water quantity and quality, hydrology, economics, and management. Water issues and approaches related to local, regional, and global scales are explored. Additional required courses Wildlife Ecology and Conservation—provides students with the essential conservation science education to assess, conserve, and protect wildlife populations, and land and water environments. This involves learning about the biology and ecology of wildlife; how to manage, conserve, and restore wildlife populations and their habitats; how to resolve human-wildlife conflict and wildlife disease problems; and how to conserve and enhance biological diversity. Becoming a wildlife professional requires talent, personal commitment, enthusiasm, sound technical training, and special skills. An essential component of the concentration involves obtaining hands-on field skills and field experiences from summer jobs, internships, and cooperative education positions with state, federal, and international conservation organizations. The curriculum provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary for entry-level employment in wildlife conservation professions or preparation for graduate training in wildlife ecology and conservation biology. This concentration also provides the training and coursework required to qualify graduates for professional certification by The Wildlife Society. Additional required courses |
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