Program Details -
Natural Resources & Environmental Science
Contact name: Kurt Pregitzer
Phone number: 775-784-4020
Fax Number: 775-784-4583
Email address: ksp@cabnr.unr.edu
Website: www.ag.unr.edu/nres
Program description: The University of Nevada's Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Science (NRES) provides students with an exciting, pre-professional undergraduate program that will give them the academic preparation necessary to pursue graduate studies and careers related to natural resources and the environment. Graduates of the School become research scientists, policy-makers, lawyers, educators, park rangers, foresters, consultants and resource managers, all of whom play a significant role in shaping the future and solving critical resource problems.
NRES offers three majors:
- The Environmental Science major is for students interested in the human impacts on the environment, and the preservation of the earth and its ecosystems through sustainable resource management and development. This major provides the course work and experiences necessary to prepare students for careers that address the complex and multi-faceted local, regional and global environmental issues facing society. With this major, offered through the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Science, students will acquire a strong background in the basic sciences (i.e. chemistry, biology, geology) and take Environmental Science courses that address such issues as air and water pollution, ecological and human health risk assessment, hazardous waste management, environmental systems management, and environmental policymaking. Within the environmental science major, the student has the opportunity to take electives in topics of special interest to the student such as ecological toxicology, environmental pollution, risk assessment, risk management, and local, regional and global environmental issues. Within this major, the Watershed Science option is designed for those students interested in pursuing careers focused on assessing and managing water quality and quantity. In addition to basic science and environmental science classes, courses that address hydrologic principles associated with ground and surface waters are required. Course-work will develop those skills that students need to determine the impact of land and water management activities on surface and groundwater resources. Students are taught how to analyze water movement, assess watershed characteristics such as soils, land use and precipitation, assess the effects of pollutants on water quality, and other significant techniques of watershed management, including modeling and monitoring approaches.
- The Forest and Rangeland Management major is offered through the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Science (NRES). The curriculum provides a solid, multidisciplinary foundation for science-based decision making in natural resource management. Students will acquire a strong background in the basic sciences (e.g., biology, chemistry, and mathematics) as well as a strong background in courses addressing critical issues in vegetation ecology and management, sustainability and restoration of forest and rangeland resources, watershed integrity, wildlife habitat, forage and wood production, and conservation of natural ecosystems. This major is designed for those students interested in pursuing careers that are focused on the ecology and management of forest and rangeland resources. Course-work will develop those skills students need to determine and evaluate the impact of resource management activities on natural resource ecosystems.
- The Wildlife Ecology and Conservation major is offered through the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Science (NRES). The curriculum provides a solid, multidisciplinary foundation for science-based decision making in wildlife ecology and conservation biology. Students acquire a strong background in basic science (e.g., biology, chemistry, and mathematics) as well as courses addressing critical issues in management, restoration and conservation of wildlife and other biological resources. This major is designed for students interested in pursuing careers focused on the ecology and management of wildlife and other biota. Coursework will develop skills needed to evaluate impacts of human activities on natural and managed biological systems.