Getting Started (Majors Guide)

College: CNS

 (Revised Spring 2018)  

How to Explore/Get Started in the Major

Suggested General Education Courses

Under the new guidelines students are still required to take two courses, one in U.S. Diversity and one in Global Diversity. Students entering in Fall 2018 are expected to take one of these diversity courses, either U.S. or Global, in their first year on campus.  For Fall 2018 Registration, look for courses with DU (formerly U) and DG (formerly G) to help students stay on track.  Any course labled DU will satisfy the requirement for a U.S. diversity course and any course labeled DG will satisfy the the requirement for Global diversity course. Course planning guidelines, including guidelines for students, are available at www.umass.edu/gened.

Suggested Major and Pre-requisite Courses

For the Environmental Conservation, Fisheries Ecology & Conservation, Water Resources and Wildlife Ecology & Conservation Concentrations

Fall
NRC 100 (SI)
BIOLOGY 151 or STOCKSCH 108 (BS) (a grade of “C” or better in BIOL 151 is required to enroll in BIOL 152 and BIOL 153)
MATH 104 (R1) – Also accepted MATH 101-102
Earth Science elective – Recommendations: GEOLOGY 101, 103 (for Fisheries Conc.), 105, 201 or STOCKSCH 105

Spring
NRC 225
BIOLOGY 152 with optional BIOLOGY 153 lab recommended or BIOLOGY 110 (BS)
ENGLWRIT 112 (CW)
Gen Ed (AL or AT, HS, + DU or DG)

For the Forest Ecology & Conservation Concentration

Fall
NRC 100 (SI)
BIOLOGY 151 or STOCKSCH 108 (BS)
MATH 104 – Also accepted: MATH 101-102
Gen Ed (AL or AT, HS, + DU or DG)

Spring
MATH 121 (R2)
BIOLOGY 152 with optional BIOLOGY 153 lab recommended or BIOLOGY 110 (BS)
ENGLWRIT 112 (CW)
STOCKSCH 105 or NRC 225

For the Urban Forestry & Arboriculture Concentration

Fall
NRC 100 Environment & Society (SI)
STOCKSCH 108 Intro. Botany
NRC 232 Principles of Arboriculture
MATH 104 (R1) – Also accepted: MATH 101-102

Spring
NRC 191A Seminar in A&CF
ENGLWRIT 112 (CW)
STOCKSCH 105 Soils
NRC 225 Forests and People
Gen Ed (AL or AT, HS, + DU or DG)

How to Declare the Major

Students can declare at any time and are encouraged to meet with the Chief Undergraduate Advisor as soon as possible to better plan and understand the concentration options in Natural Resources Conservation.

Summary of Requirements for the Major

Minimum total of credits required: 90-93 (including gen eds/foundation courses in other departments)

All NRC majors are required to choose one of six concentrations, preferably by the end of their freshman year: Environmental Conservation, Fisheries Ecology & Conservation, Forest Ecology & Conservation, Urban Forestry & Arboriculture, Water Resources, and Wildlife Ecology & Conservation. Each concentration requires additional courses in addition to the basic science, mathematics and core requirements.

Is there a minor? If so, what are the requirements?
Yes. See the NRC website for information on this 15-credit minor.

For further information, contact:
Lena Fletcher
302a Holdsworth Hall, 413-545-1799
lfletche@eco.umass.edu