Natural Resources Technology, Associate
Program Description
The Natural Resources Technology (NRT) program stresses acquisition of the theoretical foundations of natural resources management and conservation, as well as essential skills that equip students to succeed in a natural resources agency or organization. Courses in the NRT program emphasize relationships among the natural resource base, society, economics, policy, and field, technical, and communication skills. The NRT program can be completed as a stand-alone two-year program, or it can be the core of the 4-year Conservation Biology, Fish and Wildlife Management, or Outdoor Recreation and Leadership programs. All NRT students are strongly encouraged to participate in at least one summer of work or volunteer experience in the natural resource field to gain the professional experience and contacts they will need to begin their careers.
Continuing education to a bachelor’s degree program — Competition in the natural resource field makes the pursuit of a bachelor’s degree highly desirable. The NRT program was created to serve as the core of the B.S. Conservation Biology, Fish and Wildlife Management, and Outdoor Recreation and Leadership programs, making these ideal choices for students seeking a 4-year degree in the natural resources field. These programs lead to careers such as conservation officer, environmental educator, expedition leader, field biologist, fisheries or wildlife technician, or park naturalist, and prepare students for graduate school.
Program Learning Outcomes
- Knowledge – NRT Graduates have working knowledge of basic tenets of natural resource management.
- Skills – NRT Graduates are able to demonstrate competency in skills necessary to collect natural resource information.
Degree Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Requirements | ||
| NRES 101 | Dev Sense Place Gr Lakes Reg | 3 |
| NRES 103 | Fund of Natural Resources | 3 |
| BIOL 132 | General Biology: Organisms | 4 |
| NRES 250 | Quantitative Ecology | 3 |
| NRES 284 | Principles Forest Conservation | 4 |
| NRES 286 | Principles of Watersheds | 3 |
| BIOL 337 | General Ecology | 3 |
| NRES 350 | Eco Data Analysis & Interpret | 3 |
| EVRN 131 | Introduction to GIS and GPS | 3 |
| MATH 111 | College Algebra | 3 |
| CHEM 108 & CHEM 109 | Applied Chemistry and Applied Chemistry Lab | 4-5 |
| or CHEM 115 | General Chemistry I | |
| Resource Management | ||
| Select six credits from the following: | 6 | |
| Introduction to Soil Science | ||
| Conservation Biology | ||
| The Human Environment | ||
| Limnology | ||
| Gr Lakes Region: Geology & Res | ||
| Environmental Science | ||
| Environmental Science Lab | ||
| Environmental Law | ||
| Human Impacts on Environment | ||
| Physical Geology | ||
| Earth History | ||
| Earth Materials | ||
| Hydrologic Sys: Sur/Grd Water | ||
| Int Recreation/Leisure Service | ||
| Land Mgmt Recreation Purposes | ||
| National Park/Monument/Culture | ||
| Skills/Certification | ||
| Select six credits from the following: | 6 | |
| Plant Science: Ident/Diversity | ||
| Introduction to Data Science | ||
| Business Communications | ||
| Applied Electricity | ||
| Social Media Marketing | ||
| Fld Bio Fish Wldlife Ecol/Iden | ||
| Ichthyology | ||
| Mammalogy | ||
| Ornithology | ||
| Intermediate GIS | ||
| Geospatial Analysis | ||
| Wildland/Rural Fire Control | ||
| Outdoor Recreation | ||
| Facilitation & Interpretation | ||
| Expedition Management | ||
| Grantwriting | ||
| EMED 188 | Wilderness First Responder | 2-3 |
| or EMED 189 | Medical First Responder | |
| Free Electives | ||
| Total Hours | 50-52 | |
General Education: All LSSU Associate’s degree candidates must complete the LSSU General Education Requirements.
A minimum of 62 credits (at the 100 level or higher) must be earned for graduation with a cumulative gpa of 2.00 or higher. A gpa of 2.00 or higher is also required in your Major, as well as in your General Education Requirements.