Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources Environmental Studies (CASNR)

Description

Website: http://esp.unl.edu/

The environmental studies major is designed for students who want to make a difference and contribute to solving environmental challenges on a local to global scale. Solutions to challenges as climate change, pollution, and resource conservation require individuals who have a broad-based knowledge in the natural and social sciences, as well as strength in a specific discipline. The environmental studies major will provide the knowledge and skills needed for students to work across disciplines and to be competitive in the job market. The environmental studies program uses a holistic approach and a framework of sustainability. This framework recognizes the necessity of meeting current resource needs without compromising the environment or the ability of future generations to meet their needs.

The degree program consists of four required components:

1. Environmental studies core courses introduce students to the major (ENVR 101 Environmental Studies Orientation) and provide a foundation in the scientific and human dimensions of environmental challenges (ENVR 201 Science, Systems, Environment and Sustainability and ENVR 249 Individual and Cultural Perspectives on the Environment). Students will have the opportunity to work with individuals and organizations involved in environmental challenges within the community (ENVR 319 Environmental Engagement and the Community). The required internship course (ENVR 495 Internship in Environmental Studies) provides the opportunity to gain work experience related to academic and career objectives. The "capstone" senior thesis series (ENVR 499A Environmental Studies Senior Thesis I and ENVR 499B Environmental Studies Senior Thesis II) provides an opportunity to complete a scholarly creative or research product.
2. General collateral courses in Earth and Environmental Systems, Human Dimensions, and Economics and Policy: Earth and environmental systems courses provide the opportunity to explore Earth's four major spheres (land, water, living things, air) and the influence humans have had on their variability over space and through time. Human dimensions courses allow an exploration of human factors driving environmental change: law, politics, ethics, human behavior, cultural diversity, decision-making, and communication. Economics and Policy courses provide an additional lens to view environmental challenges. In addition, students will use and apply relevant research methods, tolls, and technologies to address environmental challenges in an ethical manner.
3. Ancillary requirements in natural sciences (biology, chemistry and physics), mathematics, and statistics.
4. Emphasis area courses. To provide depth within a particular discipline, completion of an emphasis area is required. Three options are available to the students—Natural Resources, Public Health, or completion of a CASNR minor. Students are also encouraged to complete an additional 6 credit hours of discipline specific course work at the 300 level or higher.

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 studies, and 2 units of foreign language. Students must also meet performance requirements (ACT composite of 20 or higher OR combined SAT score of 950 or higher 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. For students entering the PGA Golf Management degree program, a certified golf handicap of 12 or better (e.g., USGA handicap card) or written ability (MS Word file) equivalent to a 12 or better handicap by a PGA professional or high school golf coach is required. For more information, please visit: http://pgm.unl.edu/requirements.

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 UNL, or within the first calendar year at UNL, whichever takes longer, excluding foreign languages. Students have up to 60 credit hours to remove foreign language deficiencies. College-level course work taken to remove deficiencies may be used to meet degree requirements in CASNR.

Deficiencies in the required entrance subjects can be removed by 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 insures that a student will meet the minimum curriculum requirements of the College.

Foreign Languages/Language Requirement

Two units of a foreign language are required. This requirement is usually met with two years of high school language.

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.

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 his/her 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.

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 is the maximum number of hours UNL will accept on transfer from a two-year college. Ninety is the maximum number of hours UNL 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 UNL 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 UNL.

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 requirements for a bachelor of science degree in CASNR. Cooperative programs result in a single degree from either UNL 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 course work. 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 UNL, 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
• 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 UNL 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 complete the “Application for Degree” form and provide transcripts to the Credentials Clerk, Office of the University Registrar, 107 Canfield Administration Building, UNL. Students should discuss these degree programs with their academic advisor.

Cooperative Degree Programs

Academic credit from UNL and a cooperating institution is applied towards a four-year degree from either UNL (UNL degree-granting program) or the cooperating institution (non UNL degree-granting program). All have approved programs of study.

UNL Degree-Granting Programs

A UNL 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.

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. The University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) cooperates with CASNR in providing four-semester pre-agricultural sciences, pre-natural resources, pre-food science and technology, pre-horticulture and pre-turfgrass and landscape management transfer programs.

A student enrolled in these programs may transfer all satisfactorily completed academic credits identified in the suggested program of study, and enter CASNR to study toward a degree program leading to a bachelor of science degree. The total program would require a minimum of four years or eight semesters (16 credit hours/semester or 120 credit hours).

UNL CASNR faculty teach horticulture and food science and technology courses at UNO to assist an urban population in better understanding the food processing, horticulture, and landscape horticulture industries.

For more information, contact the CASNR Dean’s Office, 800-472-8800, ext. 2541.

Non UNL Degree-Granting Programs

The CASNR cooperates with other institutions to provide course work 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 UNL 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 course work at Chadron State College and one year of specialized range science course work (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 UNL 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 UNL 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 UNL and participate in prior-approved education abroad programs. UNL 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 course work under 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 www.ace.unl.

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 UNL or when they were first admitted to a Joint Academic Transfer Program. 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 UNL 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

Majors in environmental studies will be able to:

1. Explain and apply appropriately the systemic principle of sustainability for the development of solutions to environmental and natural resource issues.
2. Describe the Earth’s four major spheres: land, water, living things, and air in the context of physical, geological, and biological processes, their variability over space and time, and the extent to which human’s influence them.
3. Demonstrate the ability to critically assess environmental and sustainability issues from the local to global scale considering a range of perspectives.
4. Identify, explain, and evaluate problems/questions/issues using relevant data, resources and reasoning to form carefully considered conclusions.
5. Communicate effectively to a range of audiences through the preparation of written documents along with oral and visual presentations that are consistent with professional standards.
6. Effectively work in teams and groups from various backgrounds and perspectives to address environmental challenges.
7. Demonstrate improvement in professional and interpersonal skills such as collaboration, critical thinking, problem solving, empathy, and teamwork so they can effectively operate in society and the professional world.
8. Organize, plan, and satisfactorily complete a senior project through scholarly creativity and/or in depth research that uses appropriate technical knowledge, field, laboratory, geospatial, and/or social science research methodologies.

Major Requirements

Course List

Code	Title	Credit Hours
College Core Requirements
College Integrative Course
SCIL 101	Science and Decision-Making for a Complex World	3
Communications
Select one Written Communication (ACE 1) course of the following:		3
ENGL 150	Writing and Inquiry
ENGL 151	Writing and Argument
ENGL 254	Writing and Communities
JGEN 120	Basic Business Communication
JGEN 200	Technical Communication I
Select one Oral Communication (ACE 2) course of the following:		3
ALEC 102	Interpersonal Skills for Leadership
COMM 109	Fundamentals of Human Communication
COMM 209	Public Speaking
COMM 286	Business and Professional Communication
NRES 301	Environmental Communication Skills
Select one Communication and Interpersonal Skills elective of the following:		3
Any ACE 1 course
Any ACE 2 course
ALEC 202	Foundations of Leadership Theory and Practice
NRES 301	Environmental Communication Skills
Humanities & Social Science
Select one ACE 5 Humanities		3
Select one ACE 7 Arts		3
Credit Hours Subtotal:		18
Specific Major Requirements
Environmental Studies Core (BS Degree)
ENVR 101	Environmental Studies Orientation	1
ENVR 201	Science, Systems, Environment and Sustainability	3
ENVR 249	Individual and Cultural Perspectives on the Environment	3
ENVR 319	Environmental Engagement and the Community	2
ENVR 495	Internship in Environmental Studies	1
ENVR 499A	Environmental Studies Senior Thesis I 1	1
ENVR 499B	Environmental Studies Senior Thesis II 1	2
Earth and Environmental Systems (BS Degree)
Ecology
NRES 220 / BIOS 220 & NRES 222 / BIOS 222	Principles of Ecology and Ecology Laboratory (Recommended)	4
Soil
SOIL 153 / AGRO 153 / HORT 153	Soil Resources	4
Climate
Select one of the following:		3-4
NRES 104	Climate in Crisis
METR 100	Weather and Climate
METR 180	Environment, Energy, and Climate Change
NRES 208	Applied Climate Sciences
Water
Select one of the following:		3
ENVR 189H	University Honors Seminar
SCIL 109	Water in Society
WATS 281 / GEOG 281 / NRES 281	Introduction to Water Science
Earth Systems
Select one of the following:		3-4
NRES 108	Earth's Natural Resource Systems Laboratory
ENSC 110	Energy in Perspective
GEOL 101	Dynamic Earth
GEOL 106	Environmental Geology
GEOL 109	Oceanography
GEOL 120	Geology of National Parks and Monuments
GEOL 125	Frontiers in Antarctic Geosciences
GEOG 155	Elements of Physical Geography
GEOG 181	Quality of the Environment
Geospatial Science
Select one of the following:		3-4
GEOG 419 / AGRO 419 / GEOL 419 / NRES 420	Applications of Remote Sensing in Agriculture and Natural Resources
NRES 312 / GEOG 312	Introduction to Geospatial Information Sciences
NRES 412 / GEOG 412	Introduction to Geographic Information Systems
NRES 418 / GEOG 418	Introduction to Remote Sensing
CRPL 433	GIS in Environmental Design and Planning
Human Dimensions Electives
Select two courses from two different departments of the following:		6
AECN 256	Legal Aspects in Agriculture
AECN 276 / SOCI 241	Rural Sociology
AECN 346	World Food Economics
AECN 357 / NREE 357	Natural Resource and Environmental Law
AECN 376	Rural Community Economics
AECN 456 / NREE 456	Environmental Law
AECN 457 / NREE 457 / WATS 457	Water Law
ALEC 125	Land, Food and People
ALEC 202	Foundations of Leadership Theory and Practice
ALEC 388 / AECN 388	Ethics in Agriculture and Natural Resources
ALEC 393	Digital Imaging and Storytelling in Agriculture and Natural Resources
ALEC 410 / NRES 413	Environmental Leadership
ANTH 110	Introduction to Anthropology
ANTH 130	Anthropology of the Great Plains
ANTH 170 / GEOG 170 / GPSP 170 / NRES 170 / SOCI 170	Introduction to Great Plains Studies
ANTH 212 / ETHN 212	Introduction to Cultural Anthropology
ANTH 261 / POLS 261 / SOCI 261	Conflict and Conflict Resolution
ANTH 351 / ETHN 351	Indigenous Peoples of North America
ANTH 454	Ethnographic Field School
ANTH 473	Ecological Anthropology
ANTH 476	Human Rights, Environment, and Development
BLAW 300	Business, Government & Society
COMM 101	Communication in the 21st Century
COMM 210	Communicating in Small Groups
COMM 211 / ETHN 211	Intercultural Communication
COMM 220	Public Advocacy and Civic Engagement
COMM 271	Organizing Social Change
COMM 283	Interpersonal Communication
COMM 334 / POLS 334	Polls, Politics and Public Opinion
COMM 465	Communication and Social Identity
COMM 371	Communication in Negotiation and Conflict Resolution
COMM 375	Theories of Persuasion
CRPL 470	Environmental Planning and Policy
CYAF 460	Human Dimensions of Sustainability
ENSC 230	Energy and the Environment: Economics and Policy
GEOG 140	Introductory Human Geography
GEOG 181	Quality of the Environment
GEOG 272	Geography of World Regions
GEOG 283	Space, the Environment and You
GEOG 334	Historical Geography of the Great Plains
GEOG 361	Urban Geography
GEOG 406	Spatial and Environmental Influences in Social Systems
GEOG 447	Political Geography
MNGT 300	Management Essentials For Contemporary Organizations
NRES 111	Natural Resource Conservation in Society
NRES 301	Environmental Communication Skills
NRES 409 / GEOG 409	Human Dimensions of Natural Resources
NRES 423	Integrated Resources Management
NRES 434 / ENVR 434	Environmental Education and Interpretation
NRES 475 / AGRO 475 / CIVE 475 / CRPL 475 / GEOL 475 / MSYM 475 / POLS 475 / SOCI 475 / SOIL 475 / WATS 475	Water Quality Strategy
PHIL 225	Environmental Ethics
POLS 104	Comparative Politics
POLS 130	News Literacy, The Public, and Politics
POLS 150	Introduction to Biology, Psychology, and Politics
POLS 160 / GLST 160	International Relations
POLS 221	Politics in State and Local Governments
POLS 232	Public Issues in America
POLS 250	Genetics, Brains, and Politics
POLS 260	Problems in International Relations
POLS 268	Threats to World Order
POLS 334 / COMM 334	Polls, Politics and Public Opinion
POLS 350	Issues in Biology, Psychology, and Politics
POLS 362	Globalization, Human Rights and Diversity
POLS 459	International Political Economy
POLS 470	International Human Rights
PSYC 181	Introduction to Psychology
PSYC 288	The Psychology of Social Behavior
PSYC 330	Psychology of Diversity
SOCI 101	Introduction to Sociology
SOCI 241 / AECN 276	Rural Sociology
SOCI 346	Environmental Sociology
Select two courses of the following:		6
AECN 456 / NREE 456	Environmental Law
AECN 457 / NREE 457 / WATS 457	Water Law
AGRO 435 / HORT 435 / NRES 435	Agroecology
ALEC 410 / NRES 413	Environmental Leadership
ANTH 473	Ecological Anthropology
CRPL 300	The Community and the Future
CRPL 471	Environmental Impact Assessment
CYAF 460	Human Dimensions of Sustainability
ENGL 317	Literature and the Environment
NRES 409 / GEOG 409	Human Dimensions of Natural Resources
NRES 434 / ENVR 434	Environmental Education and Interpretation
POLS 361	The United Nations and World Politics
POLS 362	Globalization, Human Rights and Diversity
PSYC 334 / ENVR 334	Psychology of Environmental Sustainability
Economics and Policy
Select one of the following:		3
AECN 141	Introduction to the Economics of Agriculture
ECON 200	Economic Essentials and Issues
ECON 211	Principles of Macroeconomics
ECON 212	Principles of Microeconomics
Select one of the following:		3
AECN 345	Policy Issues in Agriculture and Natural Resources
AECN 346	World Food Economics
AECN 457	Water Law
CRPL 470	Environmental Planning and Policy
NRES 323	Natural Resources Policy
Ancillary Courses 2
Mathematics
MATH 102	Trigonometry (or higher)	2-5
Statistics
STAT 218	Introduction to Statistics (or equivalent)	3
Biological Sciences
Select one sequence of the following:		4
BIOS 101 & BIOS 101L	General Biology and General Biology Laboratory
AGRO 131 & AGRO 132	Plant Science and Agronomic Plant Science Laboratory
LIFE 120 & LIFE 120L	Fundamentals of Biology I and Fundamentals of Biology I laboratory
Chemistry
Select one sequence of the following:		8
CHEM 105 & CHEM 106	Chemistry in Context I and Chemistry in Context II
CHEM 109 & CHEM 110	General Chemistry I and General Chemistry II
CHEM 113 & CHEM 114	Fundamental Chemistry I and Fundamental Chemistry II
Physics
Select one of the following:		3-5
PHYS 115	Descriptive Physics
PHYS 141	Elementary General Physics I
PHYS 151	Elements of Physics
MSYM 109	Physical Principles in Agriculture and Life Sciences
Credit Hours Subtotal:		79
Program Emphasis Areas
Select one of four options		18-33
Credit Hours Subtotal:		23
Total Credit Hours		120

1	ENVR 499A Environmental Studies Senior Thesis I (1 cr) & ENVR 499B Environmental Studies Senior Thesis II (2 cr) are the capstone courses for environmental studies majors. ENVR 499H Honors: Environmental Studies Senior Thesis I & II (3 cr) is the capstone course for UNL Honor Students.
2	For students in pre-professional tracks or considering graduate studies, MATH 104 or MATH 106, CHEM 109 & CHEM 110, PHYS 141, and LIFE 120 & LIFE 120L, plus LIFE 121 & LIFE 121L are the recommended courses.

Program Emphasis Areas

Option 1. Any CASNR Minor or second major, selected in consultation with academic advisor – 18 cr

Students are strongly encouraged to add 6 additional credits at the 300 level or higher of discipline-specific courses, especially if they are considering graduate work.

Option 2. Natural Resources – 19-25 cr

The Natural Resources emphasis area has been designed to allow a student to tailor their course work to meet their learning and career objectives. By the end of their sophomore year, the student will work with the environmental studies academic advising team to develop an individual study plan for approval. Their plan of study must include at least 7 courses and a minimum of 19 hours of course work in natural resources courses (NRES, WATS, SOIL, RNGE). Three of the courses need to be at the 300 level or above. A rationale for the courses they have chosen as they relate to learning or career objectives will be submitted with their study plan. The plan can be changed at any time, but must receive appropriate approval.

Option 3. Public Health – 18 cr

The Public Health emphasis is a collaborative program between the bachelor of science in environmental studies (BSES) at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln (UNL) and the master of public health (MPH) with a concentration in environmental and occupational health (EOH) at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) (http://www.unmc.edu/publichealth/programs/mphdualdegree/bses-mph.html). The program provides students in the environmental studies program at UNL an option to complete the undergraduate degree in environmental studies and the MPH in EOH in about five years. The collaborative program is designed for dedicated undergraduate students who are motivated and willing to take on the challenges and opportunities related to professional education. The collaborative BSES and MPH in EOH involves intensive study, a senior thesis, service learning, and capstone courses in EOH.

The collaborative program is a 147-155 credit hour undergraduate/professional option allowing eligible students to work toward the EOH concentration in the MPH program requirements while completing their undergraduate degree. Students interested in this option will work closely with their advisors to develop an integrated plan of study. The plan will cover the entire undergraduate and professional program and will be reviewed each semester with the student’s advisors. A maximum of 18 credits from the MPH program (of the required 45 graduate credits for the MPH degree) will be counted toward the undergraduate degree. The student will receive a BS in environmental studies with an emphasis in public health and an MPH with a concentration in environmental and occupational health. Students with sophomore standing and at least 45 hours of completed course work in their undergraduate degree program may apply for admission to the collaborative BSES and MPH in EOH. See the environmental studies program coordinator or the UNMC graduate studies bulletin for pre-requisite and admission process details.
 

The Public Health courses from the UNMC Master of Public Health program are:

• CPH 500 Foundations of Public Health
• CPH 501 Human Health Behavior
• CPH 502 Health Services Administration
• CHP 503 Public Health, Environment and Safety
• CHP 504 Epidemiology in Public Health
• CHP 506 Biostatistics I¹

Option 4. Pre-Law (Year 4) - Nebraska College of Law – 33 cr

Students interested in this option must adhere to the following process and set of requirements:

1. An LSAT score of at least 156.
2. A cumulative GPA of 3.6 or higher (as calculated by the Law School Admission Council).
3. Successful completion of 75% of undergraduate course requirements including no more than 6 credit hours of P/N.
4. Satisfaction of all standard law school application requirements with timely submissions.
5. No information reflecting adversely on the applicant's character including academic probation.
6. Provision of letter from the Dean or equivalent authority outlining suitable eligibility for application.

Students who cannot satisfy all six of the criteria for automatic admission can still gain admission to the College of Law component of the 3+3 Program; however, they must gain admission via a law college admissions committee review.  If unsuccessful in this effort, a student is welcome to reapply whereby prior applications will not factor into the College of Law's admission decision.  However, the intended program of study will have been disrupted and a secondary plan for year four of the undergraduate study must be employed.
 

NOTE:  Students completing Option 4 will have 5-10 hours of elective course work to reach 120 hours for undergraduate graduation.
 

Course List

Code	Title	Credit Hours
Year 1 College of Law
Select 33 credits from the following list of courses:		33
LAW 501 & LAW 502	Contracts I and Contracts II
LAW 501G & LAW 502G	Contracts I and Contracts II
LAW 503	Torts I
LAW 505 & LAW 506	Property I and Property II
LAW 505G & LAW 506G	Property I and Property II
LAW 508	Criminal Law
or LAW 508G	Criminal Law
LAW 513 & LAW 514	Legal Research and Writing and Legal Research and Writing
LAW 513G & LAW 514G	Legal Research and Writing and Legal Research and Writing
LAW 516 & LAW 517	Civil Procedure I and Civil Procedure II
LAW 516G & LAW 517G	Civil Procedure I and Civil Procedure II
LAW 518 / LAW 518G	International Perspectives in U.S. Legal System: Practicing Law in a Global Legal Environment
Credit Hours Subtotal:		33

1	CHP 506 Biostatistics will generally substitute for STAT 218 Introduction to Statistics or equivalent.

Additional Major Requirements

Grade Rules

C- and D Grades

Environmental studies majors must earn a C or P in all major core courses with the exception of ancillary courses.

Pass/No Pass

No environmental studies (ENVR) core courses, unless offered Pass/No Pass, or discipline-specific emphasis area courses may be taken Pass/No Pass.

Requirements for Minor Offered by Department

Environmental Studies Minor

Minimum of 18 hours with 6 hours at 300 level or above are required.
 

Course List

Code	Title	Credit Hours
Required Environmental Studies Courses
ENVR 101	Environmental Studies Orientation	1
ENVR 201	Science, Systems, Environment and Sustainability	3
ENVR 249	Individual and Cultural Perspectives on the Environment	3
ENVR 319	Environmental Engagement and the Community	2
Credit Hours Subtotal:		9
Earth and Environmental Systems
Select one course from the Earth and Environmental Systems section of the major		3
Credit Hours Subtotal:		3
Human Dimensions
Select one course from the Human Dimensions Electives section of the major		3
Credit Hours Subtotal:		3
Economics and Policy
Select one course from the Economics and Policy section of the major		3
Credit Hours Subtotal:		3
Total Credit Hours		18

Environmental Education Minor

A minor in environmental education is designed to provide additional qualifications for students interested in pursuing a career in the field of environmental and natural resources education. Career options for students pursuing an environmental education minor include working in formal and non-formal educational settings; employment in the public or private sector; and serving as educational specialists, extension educators, and program leaders. Courses selected for the minor’s curriculum were chosen for their holistic perspective and interdisciplinary approach to environmental and natural resources studies. A number of the courses focus regionally on the environment of the Great Plains.

The 18-hour minor includes lower and upper division courses.
 

Course List

Code	Title	Credit Hours
Foundations of Environmental Education
NRES 301	Environmental Communication Skills	3
NRES 434 / ENVR 434	Environmental Education and Interpretation	3
Credit Hours Subtotal:		6
Systems Approach to Earth and Ecological Processes
Select one of the following:		3
ENVR 201	Science, Systems, Environment and Sustainability
NRES 220 / BIOS 220	Principles of Ecology
Credit Hours Subtotal:		3
Learning Characteristics and Outdoor Leadership Experiences
Select three of the following:		3
ODED 100A	Canoeing
ODED 100N	Challenge Course: Instructor
ODED 107B	Back-country Camping
ODED 109B	Wilderness First Aid
ODED 110B	Wilderness: First Responder
EDPS 250	Fundamentals of Child Development for Education	3
or EDPS 251	Fundamentals of Adolescent Development for Education
Credit Hours Subtotal:		6
Implementation of Outdoor Educational Experiences
Select one of the following:		3
SCIL 300	Experiential Learning in Food, Energy and Water Systems I
ENVR 495	Internship in Environmental Studies
ENVR 496	Independent Study
ENVR 499A & ENVR 499B	Environmental Studies Senior Thesis I and Environmental Studies Senior Thesis II
Credit Hours Subtotal:		3
Total Credit Hours		18

Society and the Environment Minor

The society and the environment minor will prepare students to contribute solutions for current and future local, regional, and global environmental challenges. Stewardship and the efficient, sustainable use of environmental, financial, and human resources will be the foundational concepts for this minor. More specifically, the educational component of this minor will provide students with explicit opportunities to engage in the community and develop skills sets to employ a systems approach to achieve a balance of economic development with the conservation of the earth's natural system. This minor will be available to all University of Nebraska–Lincoln students upon approval of individual colleges.

Minor Description

The 18-credit-hour minor includes 9 credit hours of core courses. Each student chooses an additional 9 credit hours of elective courses from one of three tracks. These elective hours should include at least one 300 level and one 400-level course. Students and advisors need to be aware that prequisites may be required for some courses. These need to be addressed during advising process.
 

Course List

Code	Title	Credit Hours
Core Courses
ARCH 107	Sustainability Basics and the Build Environment (ACE 8)	3
ENVR 201	Science, Systems, Environment and Sustainability (ACE 8)	3
ENVR 319	Environmental Engagement and the Community	2
ENVR 495	Internship in Environmental Studies	1
Credit Hours Subtotal:		9
Elective Courses
Select one track of the following:		9
Track 1: Built Environment
Select 9 credits of the following:
LARC 200 / HORT 200 / GEOG 200	Landscape and Environmental Appreciation (ACE 7 & 9)
CIVE 326 / BSEN 326	Introduction to Environmental Engineering 1
ARCH 333	Building Environmental Technical Systems I 1
CONE 450	Sustainable Construction
CYAF 460	Human Dimensions of Sustainability (ACE 8)
NRES 409 / GEOG 409	Human Dimensions of Natural Resources
Track 2: Community Development
Select 9 credits of the following:
AECN 376	Rural Community Economics 2
CRPL 400	Introduction to Planning (ACE 8)
CRPL 433	GIS in Environmental Design and Planning
CRPL 470	Environmental Planning and Policy
CRPL 471	Environmental Impact Assessment
CRPL 472	Hazard Mitigation Planning
CYAF 460	Human Dimensions of Sustainability (ACE 8)
LARC 200 / HORT 200 / GEOG 200	Landscape and Environmental Appreciation
NRES 409 / GEOG 409	Human Dimensions of Natural Resources
SOCI 346	Environmental Sociology
Track 3: Food, Environment, and the Landscape
Select 9 credits of the following:
ALEC 125	Land, Food and People (ACE 8)
HORT 429A / AGRO 429A / ANTH 429A / NUTR 429A / NRES 429A	Food Security: A Global Perspective
AGRO 435	Agroecology (ACE 10)
HORT 326 / AGRO 326 / TLMT 326	Landscape Solutions 2
HORT 467 / ARCH 467 / LARC 467	Planting Design 2
HORT 470 / AGRO 470 / TLMT 470	Critical Thinking in Landscape Management 2
HORT 4XX TBA
AECN 346	World Food Economics (ACE 9) 2
Credit Hours Subtotal:		9
Total Credit Hours		18

1	Prerequisites required and need to be addressed during advising process—ARCH and ENGR.
2	Prerequisites required and need to be addressed during advising process.

Grade Rules

C- and D Grades

A grade of C or above is required for all courses in the minor.

Pass/No Pass

No course taken Pass/No Pass will be counted toward the minor.

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.

Career Information

The following represents a sample of the internships, jobs and graduate school programs that current students and recent graduates have reported.