Undergraduate Programs
Four-Year Degree Programs (leading to a B.S. degree)
Many students who are interested in conservation and natural resources are at first confused about the variety of majors that are available at UMass Amherst. There are four undergraduate majors within NRC, with choices of tracks in some of those majors. Natural Resource Studies, Wildlife and Fisheries Conservation, and the Forest Conservation track of Forestry have similar requirements in the first two years, and share the same set of core courses including ecology, policy, human dimensions, mapping, field methods, and ecosystem management. This means that switching among these majors is easy in the first or second year. The other programs (Building Materials and Wood Technology, and the Urban Forestry / Arboriculture track of Forestry) have greater differences. All of these programs are explained briefly below, and links are given to pages that describe the details of the course requirements and career opportunities of each major. Each program also offers a minor.
Building Materials and Wood Technology
The Building Materials and Wood Technology major provides students with a technical and scientific understanding that promotes the development of sustainable human habitat. Students explore the mechanical, physical and ecological properties of building materials and wood products used in building construction as these materials are processed, distributed, and put into service. Students also develop critical management and marketing skills preparing them for leadership roles in the building materials industry. The major provides thoughtful preparation for careers in the Building Materials, Construction, and Wood-Products Industry. Upper-level students develop a professional focus with electives in areas like engineering, economics, project management, and business administration.
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Environmental Science
The environmental science major provides an understanding of the biological and physical sciences and their application to environmental problems. Our majors follow a rigorous interdisciplinary approach that prepares them to respond to urgent environmental challenges. Students learn the basic theories and techniques needed to monitor environmental quality, to interpret the impact of human actions on terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, and to develop strategies for ecosystem restoration. Our majors also learn how to apply scientific data to develop policies and regulations for protecting the environment.
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Forestry/Urban Forestry/ Arboriculture
The Forestry major has two distinct tracks: 1) Forest Conservation includes a background in forest ecology and the forest environment, plus professional courses in silviculture, inventory and mapping, resource policy, fire control, wildlife habitat, and related fields, which deal directly with the management of forests. This track is accredited by the Society of American Foresters. 2) Urban Forestry / Arboriculture focuses on the biology and management of shade trees, urban parks, and community forestry and on working with the people, agencies, and businesses in this field. Graduates of this program are prepared for careers in the urban tree service industry and in city, town, and park agencies. Students in this track generally begin by taking the courses in the two-year Arboriculture and Community Forest program (see below).
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Natural Resource Studies
The Natural Resource Studies major (often called NAREST) is for students who want to develop an interdisciplinary program that fits their own particular education and career goals, especially where the other NRC majors do not meet their needs. NAREST students have the same core course requirements as other NRC majors, but design their own concentrations which include courses and minors from a range of departments (for example, legal studies, education, journalism, political science, as well as the other NRC programs).
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Wildlife & Fisheries Conservation
The Wildlife and Fisheries Conservation major encompasses the science and art of studying, managing, conserving, and protecting wild animal populations and the ecosystems on which living things depend. NRC courses in the major include wetlands, habitat management, wildlife population dynamics, and fish ecology and management, as well as Biology courses on identification, behavior, physiology, and evolution of birds, mammals, fish, reptiles, and amphibians. Students specialize in either the Fisheries Conservation or the Wildlife Conservation track. Summer internships are very important for gaining practical field experience, to prepare students for careers in state and federal fish and wildlife agencies and non-governmental conservation organizations.
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Two-year Degree Program (leading to an A.S. degree in the Stockbridge School)
Arboriculture and Community Forest Management is one of the six majors in the Stockbridge School. The specialized courses and faculty advisors for this major are part of NRC. Students learn the principles and practices of tree planting, tree removal, control of insects and diseases, and other aspects of the arborist’s profession–and they get first-hand experience with all of these practices. Arborists are employed by cities and towns, commercial tree care services, utility companies, public parks, and golf courses. This program has been approved by arborist associations at the state and national levels.
Conservation Law Enforcement Course
A special program in Conservation Law Enforcement Officer Training is given each year in NRC. This is a year-long course of the UMass Division of Continuing Education, provides six undergraduate credits, meets mainly on weekends. This course can be taken by students in any major, and qualifies graduates for seasonal law enforcement positions in national, state, and local parks.
