Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources Environmental Science
Description
An important facet of environmental science is restoration activities that initiate or accelerate the recovery of an ecosystem that has been degraded, damaged, or contaminated by human activity or natural agents. Restoration begins with a thorough understanding of the soil-water environment. Students interested in environmental science must declare an option and can choose between:
- Climate Science Option
- Soil Science Option
- Water Science Option
College Requirements
College Admission
Requirements for admission into the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources (CASNR) are consistent with general University admission requirements (one unit equals one high school year): 4 units of English, 4 units of mathematics, 3 units of natural sciences, 3 units of social sciences, and 2 units of world language. Students must also meet performance requirements: a 3.0 cumulative high school grade point average OR an ACT composite of 20 or higher, writing portion not required OR a score of 1040 or higher on the SAT Critical Reading and Math sections OR rank in the top one-half of graduating class; transfer students must have a 2.0 (on a 4.0 scale) cumulative grade point average and 2.0 on the most recent term of attendance.
Admission Deficiencies/Removal of Deficiencies
Students who are admitted to CASNR with core course deficiencies must remove these deficiencies within the first 30 credit hours at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, or within the first calendar year at Nebraska, whichever takes longer. College-level coursework taken to remove deficiencies may be used to meet degree requirements in CASNR.
Deficiencies in the required entrance subjects can be removed by the completion of specified courses in the University or by correspondence.
The Office of Admissions, Alexander Building (south entrance), City Campus, provides information to new students on how deficiencies can be removed.
College Degree Requirements
Curriculum Requirements
The curriculum requirements of the College consist of three areas: ACE (Achievement-Centered Education), College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources Core, and Degree Program requirements and electives. All three areas of the College Curriculum Requirements are incorporated within the description of the Major/Degree Program sections of the catalog. The individual major/degree program listings of classes ensure that a student will meet the minimum curriculum requirements of the College.
World Languages/Language Requirement
Two units of a world language are required. This requirement is usually met with two years of high school language.
Experiential Learning
All undergraduates in the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources must take an Experiential Learning (EL) designated course. This may include 0-credit courses designed to document co-curricular activities recognized as Experiential Learning.
Minimum Hours Required for Graduation
The College grants the bachelors degree in programs associated with agricultural sciences, natural resources, and related programs. Students working toward a degree must earn at least 120 semester hours of credit. A minimum cumulative grade point average of C (2.0 on a 4.0 scale) must be maintained throughout the course of studies and is required for graduation. Some degree programs have a higher cumulative grade point average required for graduation. Please check the degree program on its graduation cumulative grade point average.
Grade Rules
Removal of C-, D, and F Grades
Only the most recent letter grade received in a given course will be used in computing a student’s cumulative grade point average if the student has completed the course more than once and previously received a grade or grades below C in that course.
The previous grade (or grades) will not be used in the computation of the cumulative grade point average, but it will remain a part of the academic record and will appear on any transcript.
A student can remove from their cumulative average a course grade of C-, D+, D, D-, or F if the student repeats the same course at the University of Nebraska and receives a grade other than P (pass), I (incomplete), N (no pass), W (withdrew), or NR (no report). If a course is no longer being offered, it is not eligible for the revised grade point average computation process.
For complete procedures and regulations, see the Office of the University Registrar website at http://www.unl.edu/regrec/course-repeats.
Pass/No Pass
Students in CASNR may take any course offered on a Pass/No Pass basis within the 24-hour limitation established by the Faculty Senate. However, a department may specify that the Pass/No Pass status of its courses be limited to non-majors or may choose to offer some courses for letter grades only.
GPA Requirements
A minimum cumulative grade point average of C (2.0 on a 4.0 scale) must be maintained throughout the course of studies and is required for graduation. Some degree programs have a higher cumulative grade point average required for graduation. Please check the degree program on its graduation cumulative grade point average.
Transfer Credit Rules
To be considered for admission a transfer student, Nebraska resident or nonresident, must have an accumulated average of C (2.0 on a 4.0 scale) and a minimum C average in the last semester of attendance at another college. Transfer students who have completed less than 12 credit hours of college study must submit either ACT or SAT scores.
Ordinarily, credits earned at an accredited college are accepted by the University. The College, however, will evaluate all hours submitted on an application for transfer and reserves the right to accept or reject any of them. Sixty (60) is the maximum number of hours the University will accept on transfer from a two-year college. Ninety (90) is the maximum number of hours the University will accept from a four-year college. Transfer credit in the degree program must be approved by the degree program advisor on a Request for Substitution Form to meet specific course requirements, group requirements, or course level requirements in the major. At least 9 hours in the major field, including the capstone course, must be completed at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln regardless of the number of hours transferred.
The College will accept no more than 10 semester hours of C-, D+, D, and D- grades from other schools. The C-, D+, D, and D- grades can only be applied to free electives. This policy does not apply to the transfer of grades from UNO or UNK to the University of Nebraska–Lincoln.
Joint Academic Transfer Programs
The College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources has agreements with many institutions to support joint academic programs. The transfer programs include dual degree programs and cooperative degree programs. Dual degree programs offer students the opportunity to receive a degree from a participating institution and also to complete the requirements for a bachelor of science degree in CASNR. Cooperative programs result in a single degree from either the University of Nebraska–Lincoln or the cooperating institution.
Dual Degree Programs
A to B Programs
The A to B Program, a joint academic program offered by the CASNR and participating community colleges, allows students to complete the first two years of a degree program at the participating community college and continue their education and study in a degree program leading toward a bachelor of science degree.
The A to B Program provides a basic knowledge plus specialized coursework. Students transfer into CASNR with junior standing.
Depending on the community college, students enrolled in the A to B Program may complete the requirements for an associate of science at the community college, transfer to the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, and work toward a bachelor of science degree.
Participating community colleges include:
- Central Community College
- Metropolitan Community College
- Mid-Plains Community College
- Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture
- Nebraska Indian Community College
- Northeast Community College
- Southeast Community College
- Western Nebraska Community College
3+2 Programs
Two specialized degree programs in animal science and veterinary science are offered jointly with an accredited college or school of veterinary medicine. These two programs permit CASNR animal science or veterinary science students to receive a bachelor of science degree from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln with a degree in animal science or veterinary science after successfully completing two years of the professional curriculum in veterinary medicine at an accredited veterinary school. Students who successfully complete the 3+2 Program, must provide transcripts and complete the Application for Degree form via MyRED. Students without MyRED access may apply for graduation in person at Husker Hub in the Canfield Administration Building, or by mail. Students should discuss these degree programs with their academic advisor.
Cooperative Degree Programs
Academic credit from the University and a cooperating institution are applied towards a four-year degree from either the University of Nebraska–Lincoln (University degree-granting program) or the cooperating institution (non-University degree-granting program). All have approved programs of study.
UNL Degree-Granting Programs
A University of Nebraska–Lincoln degree-granting program is designed to provide students the opportunity to complete a two-year program of study at one of the four-year institutions listed below, transfer to CASNR, and complete the requirements for a bachelor of science degree.
Chadron State College. Chadron State College offers a 2+2 program leading to a grassland ecology and management degree program and a transfer program leading to a bachelor of science in agricultural education in the teaching option.
Wayne State College. Wayne State College offers a 3+1 program leading to a bachelor of science in plant biology in the ecology and management option and a 3+1 program leading to a bachelor of science in Applied Science.
University of Nebraska at Kearney. Transfer programs are available for students pursuing degree programs leading to a bachelor of science degree.
University of Nebraska at Omaha. Transfer programs are available for students pursuing degree programs leading to a bachelor of science degree.
Non University of Nebraska–Lincoln Degree-Granting Programs
CASNR cooperates with other institutions to provide coursework that is applied towards a degree at the cooperating institution. Pre-professional programs offered by CASNR allow students to complete the first two or three years of a degree program at the University prior to transferring and completing a degree at the cooperating institution.
Chadron State College–Range Science. The 3+1 Program in range science allows Chadron State College students to pursue a range science degree through Chadron State College. Students complete three years of coursework at Chadron State College and one year of specialized range science coursework (32 credit hours) at CASNR.
Dordt College (Iowa)–Agricultural Education: Teaching Option. This program allows students to pursue an Agricultural Education Teaching Option degree leading toward a bachelor of science in agricultural education. Students at Dordt College will complete 90 credit hours in the Agricultural Education: Teaching Option Transfer Program.
Residency
Students must complete at least 30 of the total hours for their degree using University of Nebraska–Lincoln credits. At least 18 of the 30 credit hours must be in courses offered through CASNR1 (>299) including the appropriate ACE 10 degree requirement or an approved ACE 10 substitution offered through another Nebraska college and excluding independent study regardless of the number of hours transferred. Credit earned during education abroad may be used toward the residency requirement if students register through the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and participate in prior-approved education abroad programs. The University of Nebraska–Lincoln open enrollment and summer independent study courses count toward residence.
- 1
Includes courses taught by CASNR faculty through interdisciplinary prefixes (e.g., LIFE, MBIO, ENVR, SCIL, EAEP, HRTM, ENSC) and CASNR crosslisted courses taught by non-CASNR faculty.
Online and Distance Education
There are many opportunities to earn college credit online through the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. Some of these credits may be applicable not only as elective credits but also toward the fulfillment of the College’s education requirements. Credits earned online may count toward residency. However, certain offerings may not be counted toward scholarship requirements or academic recognition criteria.
For further information, contact:
Office of Online and Distance Education
University of Nebraska–Lincoln
305 Brace Labs
Lincoln, NE 68588-0109
402-472-4681
http://online.unl.edu/
Independent Study Rules
Students wishing to take part in independent studies must obtain permission; complete and sign a contract form; and furnish copies of the contract to the instructor, advisor, departmental office, and the Dean’s Office. The contract should be completed before registration. Forms are available in 103 Agricultural Hall or online at the CASNR website.
Independent study projects include research, literature review or extension of coursework under the supervision and evaluation of a departmental faculty member.
Students may only count 12 hours of independent study toward their degrees and no more than 6 hours can be counted during their last 36 hours earned, excluding senior thesis, internships, and courses taught under an independent study number.
Other College Degree Requirements
Capstone Course Requirement
A capstone course is required for each CASNR degree program. A capstone course is defined as a course in which students are required to integrate diverse bodies of knowledge to solve a problem or formulate a policy of societal importance.
ACE Requirements
All students must fulfill the Achievement Centered Education (ACE) requirements. Information about the ACE program may be viewed at ace.unl.edu.
The minimum requirements of CASNR reflect the common core of courses that apply to students pursuing degrees in the college. Students should work with an advisor to satisfy ACE outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 10 with the college requirements.
Catalog Rule
Students must fulfill the requirements stated in the catalog for the academic year in which they are first admitted to the University of Nebraska–Lincoln or when they were first admitted to a Joint Academic Transfer Program. Students transferring from a community college, but without admission to a Joint Academic Transfer Program, may be eligible to fulfill the requirements as stated in the catalog for an academic year in which they were enrolled at the community college prior to attending the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. This decision should be made in consultation with academic advisors, provided the student a) was enrolled in a community college during the catalog year they are utilizing, b) maintained continuous enrollment at the previous institution for 1 academic year or more, and c) continued enrollment at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln within 1 calendar year from their last term at the previous institution. In consultation with advisors, a student may choose to follow a subsequent catalog for any academic year in which they are admitted to and enrolled as a degree-seeking student at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources. Students must complete all degree requirements from a single catalog year. The catalog which a student follows for degree requirements may not be more than 10 years old at the time of graduation.
Learning Outcomes
Graduates of environmental science will be able to:
1. Demonstrate a broad range of knowledge of basic and applied science, and ability to synthesize information from multiple disciplines and across temporal and spatial scales to propose solutions within the realm of environmental sciences, particularly concerning problems associated with soils and soil health, water quality and quantity and climatic and land use changes.
2. Develop sound arguments based on technical knowledge and multiple stakeholder perspective-taking to communicate ideas using effective written and oral presentation skills.
3. Understand the implementation of the scientific method including hypothesis development, experimental design, data collection and analysis, result interpretation and the formulation of sound conclusions and critically evaluate studies from multiple disciplines to carry out job functions and/or work in an interdisciplinary setting.
Major Requirements
College Core Requirements
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Natural Resources Core | ||
| SCIL 101 | Science and Decision-Making for a Complex World (ACE 8) | 3 |
| NRES 115 | Introduction to Environmental Science | 4 |
| NRES 208 | Climate Literacy in Natural Resources | 3 |
| NRES 218 | Introduction to Geospatial Technologies | 3 |
| NRES 220 | Principles of Ecology | 3 |
| NRES 281 | Introduction to Water Science | 3 |
| or GEOL 372 | Water & Earth Connections | |
| SOIL 153 / PLAS 153 | Soil Resources | 4 |
| Credit Hours Subtotal: | 23 | |
| Natural Sciences (ACE 4) | ||
| Select one CASNR approved Life Sciences sequence from the following: | 4 | |
| General Biology and General Biology Laboratory | ||
| Fundamentals of Biology I and Fundamentals of Biology I laboratory | ||
| Plant Science and Horticultural Plant Science Laboratory | ||
| Plant Science and Plant Sciences Laboratory | ||
| Chemistry | 4 | |
| General Chemistry I and General Chemistry I Laboratory 1 | ||
| Credit Hours Subtotal: | 8 | |
| Mathematics and Statistics | ||
| STAT 218 | Introduction to Statistics (ACE 3) | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3-5 | |
| Trigonometry | ||
| College Algebra and Trigonometry | ||
| Applied Calculus | ||
| Calculus I 2 | ||
| Credit Hours Subtotal: | 6-8 | |
| Communications | ||
| Select any approved ACE 1 Written Communication | 3 | |
| Select any approved ACE 2 Oral Communication | 3 | |
| Communication/Interpersonal Skills elective | 3 | |
| Select one of the following: | ||
| Any additional UNL approved ACE 1 or ACE 2 course or from course list below: | ||
| Fundamentals of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Communication | ||
| Communicating Science with Public Audiences | ||
| Presentation Strategies to Communicate Agricultural and Environmental Sciences | ||
| Principles of Mass Media | ||
| Basic Leadership and Leadership and Teamwork | ||
| Leadership and Problem Solving | ||
| Credit Hours Subtotal: | 9 | |
| Economics (ACE 6) | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Introduction to the Economics of Agriculture | ||
| Economic Essentials and Issues | ||
| Principles of Macroeconomics | ||
| Principles of Microeconomics | ||
| Select one course each from ACE outcomes 5, 7, and 9 | 9 | |
| Credit Hours Subtotal: | 12 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 58-60 | |
- 1
CHEM 110A and CHEM 110L are required for Soil Science and Water Science Options.
- 2
MATH 106 is required for students in the Climate Science Option
Specific Major Requirements
Climate Science Option
This option is to provide a higher level of understanding in climatology in order to understand complex climate-based problems and their interrelationships with natural resources and ecosystem management issues that are pervasive today and will become even more important in the future. Issues such as natural hazard management, climate change, climate variability, changing frequency and severity of extreme climate events, environmental degradation, deforestation, and increased demand for water and other natural resources are at the root of this increased demand for applied climate professionals.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Climate Science Option Requirements | ||
| PHYS 211 | General Physics I 1 | 4 |
| METR 100 | Weather and Climate | 4 |
| METR 153 | Introduction to Scientific Programming in Atmospheric Science | 3 |
| or CSCE 155A | Computer Science I | |
| or CSCE 155E | Computer Science I: Systems Engineering Focus | |
| or CSCE 155H | Honors: Computer Science I | |
| or CSCE 155N | Computer Science I: Engineering and Science Focus | |
| or CSCE 155T | Computer Science I: Informatics Focus | |
| METR 205 | Introduction to Atmospheric Science | 4 |
| NRES 104 | Climate in Crisis | 3 |
| NRES 370 | Applied Climatology | 3 |
| NRES 408 | Microclimate: The Biological Environment | 3 |
| NRES 452 | Climate and Society | 3 |
| NRES 469 | Bio-Atmospheric Instrumentation | 3 |
| NRES 478 | Regional Climatology | 3 |
| NRES 479 | Hydroclimatology | 3 |
| ACE 10 | 3-4 | |
| Investigations in Applied Science | ||
| Ecosystem Ecology | ||
| Environmental Studies Senior Thesis I | ||
| Honors: Environmental Studies Senior Thesis I | ||
| Environmental Studies Senior Thesis II | ||
| Honors: Environmental Studies Senior Thesis II | ||
| Advanced Synoptic Meteorology-Climatology | ||
| The Climate System: Analysis and Prediction | ||
| Soils, Water, and Environmental Chemistry | ||
| Limnology | ||
| Water Quality Strategy | ||
| Credit Hours Subtotal: | 39-40 | |
| Climate Science - ENVS Option Electives | ||
| Select a minimum of two courses from ENVS option electives (minimum 5 hours): | 5-9 | |
| Resource and Environmental Economics I | ||
| Thermodynamics of Living Systems | ||
| Principles of Environmental Engineering | ||
| Introduction to Ecological Engineering | ||
| Environmental Planning and Policy | ||
| Environmental Impact Assessment | ||
| Hazard Mitigation Planning | ||
| Urbanization of Rural Landscapes | ||
| Energy in Perspective | ||
| Introduction to Energy Systems | ||
| Energy and the Environment: Economics and Policy | ||
| Science, Systems, Environment and Sustainability | ||
| Individual and Cultural Perspectives on the Environment | ||
| Environmental Engagement and the Community | ||
| Psychology of Environmental Sustainability | ||
| Water & Earth Connections | ||
| Geochemistry | ||
| Biogeochemical Cycles | ||
| Earth and Environmental Microbiology | ||
| Field Techniques in Hydrogeology | ||
| Water in Geosciences | ||
| Calculus I | ||
| Calculus II | ||
| Weather and Climate | ||
| Severe and Unusual Weather | ||
| Climate Change, Energy, and the Environment | ||
| Global warming: Science, Impacts, Solutions | ||
| Physical Climatology | ||
| Earth's Climate: Past, Present, Future | ||
| Climate in Crisis | ||
| Water in Society | ||
| Introduction to Conservation Biology | ||
| Introduction to Grassland Ecology and Management | ||
| Biological Invaders | ||
| Special Topics | ||
| Toxins in the Environment | ||
| Fundamentals of Environmental Sampling | ||
| Fundamentals of Environmental Sampling Laboratory | ||
| Natural Resources Policy | ||
| Environmental Health | ||
| Soils, Environment and Water Quality | ||
| Applied Climatology | ||
| Independent Research | ||
| Aquatic Insects | ||
| Microclimate: The Biological Environment | ||
| Environmental Leadership | ||
| Introduction to Remote Sensing | ||
| Chemistry of Natural Waters | ||
| Applications of Remote Sensing in Agriculture and Natural Resources | ||
| Field Techniques in Remote Sensing | ||
| Agroecology | ||
| Grassland Conservation: Planning and Management | ||
| Great Plains Ecosystem | ||
| Wildland Plants | ||
| Global Change & Ecosystems | ||
| Ecosystem Monitoring and Assessment | ||
| Soils, Water, and Environmental Chemistry | ||
| Climate and Society | ||
| Hydrology | ||
| Ecological Interactions | ||
| Soil Chemistry and Mineralogy | ||
| Limnology | ||
| Soil Physics | ||
| Global Climate Change | ||
| Wetlands | ||
| Lake and Reservoir Restoration | ||
| Water Quality Strategy | ||
| Great Plains Field Pedology | ||
| Regional Climatology | ||
| Hydroclimatology | ||
| Stream and River Ecology | ||
| Water Resources Seminar | ||
| Introduction to Landscape Ecology | ||
| Groundwater Geology | ||
| Independent Study | ||
| Career Experiences in Natural Resource Sciences | ||
| Climate Change: Policy and Politics | ||
| Range Management and Improvement | ||
| Environmental Sociology | ||
| Soil and Society | ||
| Principles of Soil Management | ||
| Soil Evaluation | ||
| Soil Conservation and Watershed Management | ||
| Advanced Soil Evaluation | ||
| Urban Soil Properties and Management | ||
| Soil Microbial Ecology | ||
| Applied Soil Physics | ||
| Credit Hours Subtotal: | 5-9 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 44-49 | |
- 1
PHYS 211 is required for Climate Science Option
Soil Science Option
This option provides students with an understanding of soil as a natural resource and component of all terrestrial ecosystems. The student will learn how soils influence ecological processes that take place above and below ground. Understanding these processes will enable the student to deal with environmental management problems such as groundwater protection, natural resource management, urban and rural development issues, waste management, and pollution abatement. Careers focus on environmental assessment, soil conservation, and remediation of soil contamination. Students interested in preparing for graduate work in soils can aim toward various special areas including soil microbiology, chemistry, physics, mineralogy, and morphology.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Soil Science Option Requirements | ||
| CHEM 110A & CHEM 110L | General Chemistry II and General Chemistry II Laboratory | 4 |
| Select one Physics course from the following: | ||
| AGST 109 | Physical Principles in Agriculture and Life Sciences | 4-5 |
| or PHYS 141 | Physics for Life Sciences I | |
| or PHYS 151 | Elements of Physics | |
| or PHYS 211 | General Physics I | |
| Select one Geology course from the following: | 3-4 | |
| Introduction to Geology | ||
or GEOL 101 | Dynamic Earth | |
or GEOL 106 | Environmental Geology | |
or GEOL 109 | Oceanography | |
or GEOL 120 | Geology of National Parks and Monuments | |
or GEOG 155 | Elements of Physical Geography | |
| AECN 357 / NREE 357 | Natural Resource and Environmental Law | 3 |
| or NRES 323 | Natural Resources Policy | |
| NRES 255 | Soil Health and Environment | 3 |
| NRES 279 / PLAS 279 / SOIL 279 | Soil Evaluation | 2 |
| NRES 300 / BIOS 300 / ENTO 300 | Toxins in the Environment | 3 |
| or NRES 330 | Environmental Health | |
| NRES 319 & NRES 320 | Fundamentals of Environmental Sampling and Fundamentals of Environmental Sampling Laboratory | 3 |
| NRES 453 | Hydrology | 3 |
| or NRES 488 | Groundwater Geology | |
| NRES 361 / GEOL 361 / PLAS 361 / SOIL 361 | Soils, Environment and Water Quality | 3 |
| NRES 477 / GEOG 467 / PLAS 477 / SOIL 477 | Great Plains Field Pedology | 4 |
| SOIL 354 / AGST 354 | Soil Conservation and Watershed Management | 3 |
| ACE 10 | 3-4 | |
| Soils, Water, and Environmental Chemistry | ||
| Water Quality Strategy | ||
| Credit Hours Subtotal: | 41-44 | |
| ENVS Option Electives | ||
| Select a minimum of two courses from ENVS option electives. Courses may not apply to both major and option. (minimum 5 hours) | 5-9 | |
| Resource and Environmental Economics I | ||
| Thermodynamics of Living Systems | ||
| Principles of Environmental Engineering | ||
| Introduction to Ecological Engineering | ||
| Environmental Planning and Policy | ||
| Environmental Impact Assessment | ||
| Hazard Mitigation Planning | ||
| Urbanization of Rural Landscapes | ||
| Energy in Perspective | ||
| Introduction to Energy Systems | ||
| Energy and the Environment: Economics and Policy | ||
| Science, Systems, Environment and Sustainability | ||
| Individual and Cultural Perspectives on the Environment | ||
| Environmental Engagement and the Community | ||
| Psychology of Environmental Sustainability | ||
| Water & Earth Connections | ||
| Geochemistry | ||
| Biogeochemical Cycles | ||
| Earth and Environmental Microbiology | ||
| Field Techniques in Hydrogeology | ||
| Water in Geosciences | ||
| Calculus I | ||
| Calculus II | ||
| Weather and Climate | ||
| Severe and Unusual Weather | ||
| Climate Change, Energy, and the Environment | ||
| Global warming: Science, Impacts, Solutions | ||
| Physical Climatology | ||
| Earth's Climate: Past, Present, Future | ||
| Climate in Crisis | ||
| Water in Society | ||
| Introduction to Conservation Biology | ||
| Introduction to Grassland Ecology and Management | ||
| Biological Invaders | ||
| Special Topics | ||
| Toxins in the Environment | ||
| Fundamentals of Environmental Sampling | ||
| Fundamentals of Environmental Sampling Laboratory | ||
| Natural Resources Policy | ||
| Environmental Health | ||
| Soils, Environment and Water Quality | ||
| Applied Climatology | ||
| Aquatic Insects | ||
| Microclimate: The Biological Environment | ||
| Environmental Leadership | ||
| GIS for Agriculture and Natural Resources | ||
| Introduction to Remote Sensing | ||
| Chemistry of Natural Waters | ||
| Applications of Remote Sensing in Agriculture and Natural Resources | ||
| Field Techniques in Remote Sensing | ||
| Agroecology | ||
| Grassland Conservation: Planning and Management | ||
| Great Plains Ecosystem | ||
| Wildland Plants | ||
| Global Change & Ecosystems | ||
| Ecosystem Monitoring and Assessment | ||
| Soils, Water, and Environmental Chemistry | ||
| Climate and Society | ||
| Hydrology | ||
| Ecological Interactions | ||
| Soil Chemistry and Mineralogy | ||
| Limnology | ||
| Soil Physics | ||
| Global Climate Change | ||
| Wetlands | ||
| Lake and Reservoir Restoration | ||
| Water Quality Strategy | ||
| Great Plains Field Pedology | ||
| Regional Climatology | ||
| Hydroclimatology | ||
| Stream and River Ecology | ||
| Water Resources Seminar | ||
| Introduction to Landscape Ecology | ||
| Groundwater Geology | ||
| Career Experiences in Natural Resource Sciences | ||
| Independent Research | ||
| Independent Study | ||
| Thesis Research | ||
| Climate Change: Policy and Politics | ||
| Range Management and Improvement | ||
| Environmental Sociology | ||
| Soil and Society | ||
| Principles of Soil Management | ||
| Soil Evaluation | ||
| Soil Conservation and Watershed Management | ||
| Advanced Soil Evaluation | ||
| Urban Soil Properties and Management | ||
| Soil Microbial Ecology | ||
| Applied Soil Physics | ||
| Free Electives | 7-16 | |
| Credit Hours Subtotal: | 12-25 | |
| Requirements | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 53-69 | |
Water Science Option
This option is designed for the student will learn the important biotic, physical, and chemical processes that occur within lakes and streams and be prepared to environmentally manage problems related to water quality. Students will also be prepared to implement pollution abatement procedures or management practices associated with lake and stream restoration. Careers focus on environmental assessment, water conservation, and freshwater remediation. Completion of this program also provides excellent preparation for graduate study.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Water Science Option Requirements | ||
| CHEM 110A & CHEM 110L | General Chemistry II and General Chemistry II Laboratory | 4 |
| Select one Physics course from the following: | 4-5 | |
| Physical Principles in Agriculture and Life Sciences | ||
| Physics for Life Sciences I | ||
| Elements of Physics | ||
| General Physics I | ||
| Select one from: | 3-4 | |
| Introduction to Geology | ||
| Dynamic Earth | ||
| Environmental Geology | ||
| Oceanography | ||
| Geology of National Parks and Monuments | ||
| Elements of Physical Geography | ||
| NREE 357 / AECN 357 | Natural Resource and Environmental Law | 3 |
| or NRES 323 | Natural Resources Policy | |
| NRES 319 & NRES 320 | Fundamentals of Environmental Sampling and Fundamentals of Environmental Sampling Laboratory | 3 |
| NRES 361 / GEOL 361 / PLAS 361 / SOIL 361 | Soils, Environment and Water Quality | 3 |
| NRES 453 | Hydrology | 3 |
| NRES 459 / BIOS 459 | Limnology | 4 |
| NRES 468 / BIOS 458 | Wetlands | 4 |
| NRES 481K | Stream and River Ecology | 4 |
| NRES 484 | Water Resources Seminar | 1 |
| SOIL 354 / AGST 354 | Soil Conservation and Watershed Management | 3 |
| ACE 10 | 3-4 | |
| BIOS 457 | Ecosystem Ecology | 4 |
| NRES 451 | Soils, Water, and Environmental Chemistry | 4 |
| SOIL 475 / NRES 475 / PLAS 475 | Water Quality Strategy | 3 |
| Water Science ENVS option electives: | ||
| Select a minimum of two courses for Water Science ENVS option electives: | 5-9 | |
| Resource and Environmental Economics I | ||
| Water Law | ||
or NREE 457 | Water Law | |
| Resource and Environmental Economics II | ||
or NREE 465 | Resource and Environmental Economics II | |
| Irrigation Systems Management | ||
or PLAS 452 | Irrigation Systems Management | |
| Thermodynamics of Living Systems | ||
| Principles of Environmental Engineering | ||
| Introduction to Ecological Engineering | ||
| Environmental Planning and Policy | ||
| Environmental Impact Assessment | ||
| Hazard Mitigation Planning | ||
| Urbanization of Rural Landscapes | ||
| Energy in Perspective | ||
| Introduction to Energy Systems | ||
| Energy and the Environment: Economics and Policy | ||
| Science, Systems, Environment and Sustainability | ||
| Individual and Cultural Perspectives on the Environment | ||
| Environmental Engagement and the Community | ||
| Psychology of Environmental Sustainability | ||
| Water & Earth Connections | ||
| Geochemistry | ||
| Chemistry of Natural Waters | ||
| Biogeochemical Cycles | ||
| Earth and Environmental Microbiology | ||
| Field Techniques in Hydrogeology | ||
| Water in Geosciences | ||
| Calculus I | ||
| Calculus II | ||
| Weather and Climate | ||
| Severe and Unusual Weather | ||
| Climate Change, Energy, and the Environment | ||
| Global warming: Science, Impacts, Solutions | ||
| Physical Climatology | ||
| Earth's Climate: Past, Present, Future | ||
| Climate in Crisis | ||
| Water in Society | ||
| Introduction to Conservation Biology | ||
| Introduction to Grassland Ecology and Management | ||
| Biological Invaders | ||
| Special Topics | ||
| Toxins in the Environment | ||
| Fundamentals of Environmental Sampling | ||
| Fundamentals of Environmental Sampling Laboratory | ||
| Natural Resources Policy | ||
| Environmental Health | ||
| Soils, Environment and Water Quality | ||
| Applied Climatology | ||
| Independent Research | ||
| Aquatic Insects | ||
| Microclimate: The Biological Environment | ||
| Environmental Leadership | ||
| GIS for Agriculture and Natural Resources | ||
| Introduction to Remote Sensing | ||
| Chemistry of Natural Waters | ||
| Applications of Remote Sensing in Agriculture and Natural Resources | ||
| Field Techniques in Remote Sensing | ||
| Agroecology | ||
| Grassland Conservation: Planning and Management | ||
| Great Plains Ecosystem | ||
| Wildland Plants | ||
| Global Change & Ecosystems | ||
| Ecosystem Monitoring and Assessment | ||
| Soils, Water, and Environmental Chemistry | ||
| Climate and Society | ||
| Hydrology | ||
| Ecological Interactions | ||
| Soil Chemistry and Mineralogy | ||
| Limnology | ||
| Soil Physics | ||
| Global Climate Change | ||
| Wetlands | ||
| Lake and Reservoir Restoration | ||
| Water Quality Strategy | ||
| Great Plains Field Pedology | ||
| Regional Climatology | ||
| Hydroclimatology | ||
or METR 479 | Hydroclimatology | |
or BSEN 479 | Hydroclimatology | |
| Stream and River Ecology | ||
| Water Resources Seminar | ||
| Introduction to Landscape Ecology | ||
| Groundwater Geology | ||
| Independent Study | ||
| Career Experiences in Natural Resource Sciences | ||
| Special Topics in Natural Resources | ||
| Thesis Research | ||
| Honors Thesis | ||
| Climate Change: Policy and Politics | ||
| Range Management and Improvement | ||
| Environmental Sociology | ||
| Soil and Society | ||
| Principles of Soil Management | ||
| Soil Evaluation | ||
| Soil Conservation and Watershed Management | ||
| Advanced Soil Evaluation | ||
| Urban Soil Properties and Management | ||
| Soil Microbial Ecology | ||
| Applied Soil Physics | ||
| Credit Hours Subtotal: | 58-65 | |
Requirements for Minor Offered by Department
Environmental Science Minor
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Category 1 – Required Courses | ||
| NRES 281 / GEOG 281 | Introduction to Water Science | 3 |
| SOIL 153 / PLAS 153 | Soil Resources | 4 |
| SOIL 361 / GEOL 361 / NRES 361 / PLAS 361 | Soils, Environment and Water Quality | 3 |
| SOIL 477 / GEOG 467 / NRES 477 / PLAS 477 | Great Plains Field Pedology | 4 |
| or NRES 468 / BIOS 458 / BSEN 468 | Wetlands | |
| or NRES 481K / BIOS 481 | Stream and River Ecology | |
| Credit Hours Subtotal: | 14 | |
| Category 2 – Advanced Courses | ||
| Select 6 hours from the following: | 6 | |
| Fundamentals of Environmental Sampling | ||
| Fundamentals of Environmental Sampling Laboratory | ||
| Soils, Water, and Environmental Chemistry | ||
| Great Plains Field Pedology (if not taken in Category 1) | ||
| Soil Conservation and Watershed Management | ||
| Urban Soil Properties and Management | ||
| Soil Chemistry and Mineralogy | ||
| Soil Microbial Ecology | ||
| Soil Physics | ||
| Water Quality Strategy | ||
| Credit Hours Subtotal: | 6 | |
| Category 3 – Related Courses | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3-4 | |
| Introduction to Ecological Engineering | ||
| Principles of Environmental Engineering | ||
| Principles of GIS | ||
| Introduction to Geospatial Technologies | ||
| Hydrology | ||
| Limnology | ||
| Wetlands (if not taken in Category 1) | ||
| Stream and River Ecology | ||
| Credit Hours Subtotal: | 3-4 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 23-24 | |
Water Science Minor
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| AGST 354 / SOIL 354 | Soil Conservation and Watershed Management | 3 |
| NRES 281 / GEOG 281 | Introduction to Water Science | 3 |
| Credit Hours Subtotal: | 6 | |
| Advanced Courses | ||
| Law, Policy and Management | ||
| Select at least one of the following: | 3-6 | |
| Resource and Environmental Economics I | ||
| Natural Resource and Environmental Law | ||
| Water Law | ||
| Resource and Environmental Economics II | ||
| Environmental Planning and Policy | ||
| Natural Resources Policy | ||
| Water Quality Strategy | ||
| Water Resources Seminar | ||
| Science and Technology | ||
| Select at least two of the following: | 6-9 | |
| Irrigation Systems Management | ||
| Chemistry of Natural Waters | ||
| Fundamentals of Environmental Sampling | ||
| Fundamentals of Environmental Sampling Laboratory | ||
| Soils, Environment and Water Quality | ||
| Microclimate: The Biological Environment | ||
| Soils, Water, and Environmental Chemistry | ||
| Hydrology | ||
| Limnology | ||
| Wetlands | ||
| Fisheries Science and Fisheries Science Lab | ||
| Stream and River Ecology | ||
| Water Resources Seminar | ||
| Groundwater Geology | ||
| Credit Hours Subtotal: | 12 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 18 | |
Applied Climate Science Minor
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| NRES 104 | Climate in Crisis | 3 |
| or METR 100 | Weather and Climate | |
| or METR 180 | Climate Change, Energy, and the Environment | |
| NRES 208 | Climate Literacy in Natural Resources | 3 |
| NRES 370 / METR 370 | Applied Climatology | 3 |
| Select 6 hours from the following: | 6 | |
| Energy in Perspective | ||
| Introduction to Energy Systems | ||
| Energy and the Environment: Economics and Policy | ||
| Frontiers in Antarctic Geosciences | ||
| Climate Change, Energy, and the Environment | ||
| Climate Change: Policy and Politics | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Hydroclimatology | ||
| Climate and Society | ||
| Regional Climatology | ||
| Credit Hours Subtotal: | 18 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 18 | |
PLEASE NOTE
This document represents a sample 4-year plan for degree completion with this major. Actual course selection and sequence may vary and should be discussed individually with your college or department academic advisor. Advisors also can help you plan other experiences to enrich your undergraduate education such as internships, education abroad, undergraduate research, learning communities, and service learning and community-based learning.
Environmental Science - Soil Science
Critical - Performance Measure: 2.00 GPA required for graduation.
- ***Total Credits Applying Toward 120 Total Hours***
Environmental Science - Water Science
Critical Graduation Requirements
- Performance Measure: 2.00 GPA required for graduation.
- ***Total Credits Applying Toward 120 Total Hours***
Career Information
The following represents a sample of the internships, jobs and graduate school programs that current students and recent graduates have reported.
Jobs of Recent Graduates
- Technical Sales, LI-COR Biosciences - Lincoln, NE
- Soil Scientist, USDA-NRCS - Powell, WY
- Integrated Water Management Planner, Nebraska Department of Natural Resources - Lincoln, NE
- Soil Conservationist, Natural Resource Conservation Service - Central City, NE
- Ecologist, Forest Preserve District - Springfield, IL
- Young for Preventative Maintenance Associate, University of Nebraska-Lincoln - Lincoln, NE