Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources Environmental Studies (CASNR)

Description

Website: 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. Environmental studies is focused on solutions. Solutions to challenges such 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 provides 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.

Minor Program Opportunities

Students interested in environmental studies may choose to minor in it through the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, or use the environmental education minor or sustainability studies minor as alternatives to pursuing their interests in environment and sustainability. 

Options 

Students may choose to focus their advanced coursework in ways that meet their specific interests and career goals. All students complete a core set of requirements and can determine in consultation with faculty and their academic advisor which specific option to follow. The option will be documented on the final transcript.

Environmental Studies Standard Option

To provide depth within a particular discipline within the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural (CASNR) resources, the standard option is to choose a minor from a disciplinary area within CASNR.  Students will select one course from the Policy area and one course from the Law area, with at least 3 credits at the 300 or 400 level.

Natural Resources Option

This option provides disciplinary knowledge and proficiency in the collection, synthesis, and interpretation of information/data in the disciplines represented in the School of Natural Resources courses (NRES, WATS, SOIL, RNGE). Three of the courses need to be at the 300 level or above. Students will select one course from the Policy area and one course from the Law area, with at least 3 credits at the 300 or 400 level. 

 Accelerated Program

Choose from one of three collaborative programs – Public Health, Law, or Community and Regional Planning. These course sequences are designed for students interested in pursuing post-undergraduate degrees. Select in consultation with an academic advisor. 

Customized Environmental Studies

This provides students with the opportunity to pursue their passion and interests in the rapidly changing field of environment, sustainability, and resilience. Students have the opportunity to design their own degree program that has its foundation in an existing degree program. As an alternative to a traditional option, this individualized program of study allows students to pursue their academic and professional goals in concentration areas not available within existing curricula.
 

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, excluding foreign languages. Students have up to 60 credit hours to remove world language deficiencies. 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 ensures 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 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. 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 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. 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 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 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. 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.
3. 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 humans influence them.
4. Demonstrate the ability to critically assess environmental and sustainability issues from the local to global scale considering a range of perspectives.
5. Identify, explain, and evaluate problems/questions/issues using relevant data, resources and reasoning to form carefully considered conclusions.
6. 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.
7. Effectively work in teams and groups from various backgrounds and perspectives to address environmental challenges.
8. 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.

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 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
Total Credit Hours		18

  Specific Major Requirements

Course List

Code	Title	Credit Hours
Environmental Studies Core
ENVR 101	Environmental Studies Orientation	1
ENVR 201	Science, Systems, Environment and Sustainability	3
ENVR 249 / NRES 249	Individual and Cultural Perspectives on the Environment	3
ENVR 319	Environmental Engagement and the Community	2
ENVR 334 / PSYC 334	Psychology of Environmental Sustainability	3
ENVR 489A	Environmental Studies Senior Thesis I 1	1
ENVR 489B	Environmental Studies Senior Thesis II 1	2
ENVR 495	Internship in Environmental Studies	1
Credit Hours Subtotal:		16
Earth and Environmental Systems
Ecology
Select one of the following:		3-4
BIOS 207	Ecology and Evolution
NRES 220 & NRES 222	Principles of Ecology and Ecology Laboratory (Recommended)
Soil
SOIL 153 / PLAS 153	Soil Resources	4
Climate
Select one of the following:		3-4
METR 100	Weather and Climate
METR 180	Climate Change, Energy, and the Environment
NRES 104	Climate in Crisis
NRES 208	Climate Literacy in Natural Resources
Earth Systems
Select one of the following:		3-4
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	Global Environmental Issues
NRES 108	Earth's Natural Resource Systems Laboratory
Water
Select one of the following:		3
SCIL 109 / AECN 109 / ENVR 109 / GEOG 109 / NRES 109	Water in Society
WATS 281 / GEOG 281 / NRES 281	Introduction to Water Science
Geospatial Science
Select one of the following:		3-4
CRPL 433	GIS in Environmental Design and Planning
NRES 218	Introduction to Geospatial Technologies
NRES 412 / GEOG 412	Introduction to Geographic Information Systems
Credit Hours Subtotal:		23
Human Behavior, Leadership and Change 3
Select three courses. One course from each of the two following areas, with at least 6 hours at the 300 or 400 level.		9
Human Behavior
ANTH 130	Anthropology of the Great Plains
ANTH 170 / GEOG 170 / GPSP 170 / NRES 170 / SOCI 170	Introduction to Great Plains Studies
ANTH 473	Ecological Anthropology
ANTH 476	Human Rights, Environment, and Development
ENSC 230	Energy and the Environment: Economics and Policy
ENVR 189H	University Honors Seminar
ENVR 387
NRES 315	Human Dimensions of Fish and Wildlife Management
NRES 409 / GEOG 409	Human Dimensions of Natural Resources
GEOG 181	Global Environmental Issues
GEOG 334	Historical Geography of the Great Plains
GEOG 406	Spatial and Environmental Influences in Social Systems
PHIL 225	Environmental Ethics
SOCI 346	Environmental Sociology
Leadership and Change
AECN 256	Legal Aspects in Agriculture
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
COMM 271	Organizing Social Change
COMM 283	Interpersonal Communication
COMM 371	Communication in Negotiation and Conflict Resolution
ENVR 434	Environmental Education and Interpretation
NRES 301	Environmental Communication Skills
Credit Hours Subtotal:		9
Economics
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
Credit Hours Subtotal:		3
Ancillary Courses 2
Mathematics
MATH 102	Trigonometry (or higher)	3-5
Statistics
STAT 218	Introduction to Statistics (or equivalent)	3
Biological Sciences
Select one sequence from the following:		4
BIOS 101 & BIOS 101L	General Biology and General Biology Laboratory
PLAS 131 & PLAS 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 from the following:		4
CHEM 105A & CHEM 105L	Chemistry in Context I and Chemistry in Context I Laboratory
CHEM 109A & CHEM 109L	General Chemistry I and General Chemistry I Laboratory
CHEM 113A & CHEM 113L	Fundamental Chemistry I and Fundamental Chemistry I Laboratory
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
College Core Requirements		18
Program Option Area		30
Credit Hours Subtotal:		69
Total Credit Hours		120

¹

ENVR 489A & ENVR 489B are the capstone courses for environmental studies majors.

ENVR 489H is the capstone course for Honor students.

²

For students in pre-professional tracks or considering graduate studies, MATH 104 or MATH 106, CHEM 109A/CHEM 109L & CHEM 110A/CHEM 110L, PHYS 141, and LIFE 120 & LIFE 120L, plus LIFE 121 & LIFE 121L are the recommended courses.

³

Human Dimension requirements are not required for Customized Environmental Studies.

Environmental Studies Options

Environmental Studies Standard Option

The standard option is to choose a minor from a disciplinary area within CASNR.  Students will select one course from the Policy area and one course from the Law area, with at least 3 credits at the 300 or 400 level.

Course List

Code	Title	Credit Hours
Policy and Law
Policy
Select one from the following:		3
AECN 345	Policy Issues in Agriculture and Natural Resources
CRPL 470	Environmental Planning and Policy
CRPL 472	Hazard Mitigation Planning
ENSC 230	Energy and the Environment: Economics and Policy
NRES 323	Natural Resources Policy
NRES 423	Integrated Resources Management
NRES 475 / CIVE 475 / CRPL 475 / GEOL 475 / MSYM 475 / PLAS 475 / POLS 475 / SOCI 475 / SOIL 475 / WATS 475	Water Quality Strategy
POLS 235	Public Policy: Concepts and Processes
POLS 236	Public Policy Analysis: Methods and Models
POLS 332	Climate Change: Policy and Politics
Law
Select one course from the following:		3
AECN 357 / NREE 357	Natural Resource and Environmental Law
AECN 456 / NREE 456	Environmental Law
AECN 457 / NREE 457 / WATS 457	Water Law
Free electives		6-12
Choose a CASNR Minor or second major. Select in consultation with an academic advisor.		12-18
Credit Hours Subtotal:		30
Total Credit Hours		30

Natural Resources Option

The Natural Resources option provides disciplinary knowledge and proficiency in the collection, synthesis, and interpretation of information/data in the disciplines represented in the School of Natural Resources courses (NRES, WATS, SOIL, RNGE). Three of the courses need to be at the 300 level or above. Students will select one course from the Policy area and one course from the Law area, with at least 3 credits at the 300 or 400 level.

Course List

Code	Title	Credit Hours
Policy and Law
Policy
Select one from the following:		3
AECN 345	Policy Issues in Agriculture and Natural Resources
CRPL 470	Environmental Planning and Policy
CRPL 472	Hazard Mitigation Planning
ENSC 230	Energy and the Environment: Economics and Policy
NRES 323	Natural Resources Policy
NRES 423	Integrated Resources Management
NRES 475 / CIVE 475 / CRPL 475 / GEOL 475 / MSYM 475 / PLAS 475 / POLS 475 / SOCI 475 / SOIL 475 / WATS 475	Water Quality Strategy
POLS 235	Public Policy: Concepts and Processes
POLS 236	Public Policy Analysis: Methods and Models
POLS 332	Climate Change: Policy and Politics
Law
Select one from the following:		3
AECN 357 / NREE 357	Natural Resource and Environmental Law
AECN 456 / NREE 456	Environmental Law
AECN 457 / NREE 457 / WATS 457	Water Law
Free electives		6-12
Natural Resources Courses: Six courses and a minimum of 18 hours of coursework in natural resources courses (NRES, WATS, SOIL, RNGE). Three of the courses need to be at the 300 level or above.		18
Credit Hours Subtotal:		30
Total Credit Hours		30

Accelerated Program

Choose from one of three collaborative programs – Public Health, Law, or Community and Regional Planning. These course sequences are designed for students interested in pursuing post-undergraduate degrees. Select in consultation with academic advisor. 

Course List

Code	Title	Credit Hours
Public Health – Collaborative Program with University of Nebraska Medical Center		18
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 I (Will generally substitute for STAT 218 or equivalent)
Free Electives		12
Total Credit Hours		30

Pre-Law (Year 4) - Nebraska College of Law 

An applicant will be accepted into the 3-3 Program (Accelerated Program) at the College of Law if the applicant:

1. Has an LSAT score of at least 156;
2. Has a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3 .6 or higher as calculated by the Law School Admission Council;
3. Will have successfully completed at least 75% of the course credits required for his or her undergraduate degree, along with all other requirements of his or her undergraduate degree program, by the date of matriculation at the College of Law. Course credits may include no more than 6 credit hours of Pass/No Pass coursework;
4. Has submitted on time the materials required of all applicants to the College of Law, including a completed application, satisfactory letters of recommendation, a personal statement, and records of the required course credits;
5. Has not been on academic probation at any undergraduate institution;
6. Has provided the College of Law with a letter from the relevant Dean, or other administrator of equivalent authority, of the applicant's undergraduate institution stating that the applicant has completed all institutional requirements for participation in the 3-3 Law College Program and that the institution will grant the applicant an undergraduate degree upon the applicant's successful completion of the first year College of Law coursework. 

If the above requirements are satisfied, the applicant will automatically be accepted into the 3-3 Law Program unless there is information concerning the applicant that reflects adversely on the applicant’s character and fitness, including criminal citations, pending criminal charges, or criminal convictions. In such cases, the application will be individually reviewed by the College of Law Admissions Committee.
 

Course List

Code	Title	Credit Hours
Year 1 College of Law
Select 30 credits from the following list of courses:		30
LAW 501	Contracts I
or LAW 501G	Contracts I
LAW 503	Torts I
LAW 505	Property I
or LAW 505G	Property I
LAW 508	Criminal Law
or LAW 508G	Criminal Law
LAW 513 & LAW 514	Legal Analysis, Writing and Research (LAWR) and Legal Analysis, Writing and Research (LAWR)
LAW 513G & LAW 514G	Legal Analysis, Writing and Research (LAWR) and Legal Analysis, Writing and Research (LAWR)
LAW 516	Civil Procedure I
or LAW 516G	Civil Procedure I
LAW 518 / LAW 518G	International Perspectives in U.S. Legal System: Practicing Law in a Global Legal Environment
Credit Hours Subtotal:		30

Course List

Code	Title	Credit Hours
Community and Regional Planning: Collaborative Program with University of Nebraska – Lincoln, College of Architecture
Undergraduate Courses (6 Credit Hours): Choose from the following:		6
CRPL 432	Advanced Spatial Analysis with GIS
CRPL 467	Active and Healthy Community Development
CRPL 471	Environmental Impact Assessment
CRPL 472	Hazard Mitigation Planning
CRPL 489	Urbanization of Rural Landscapes
Other CRPL 400-level courses recommended by advisor
Graduate Courses (12 Credit Hours)		12
No more than 12 credit hours may count toward the bachelor’s degree. Dual-listed courses (400/800) are acceptable, but not required.
CRPL 800	Introduction to Planning
CRPL 830	Planning with GIS
or CRPL 833	GIS in Environmental Design and Planning
CRPL 895	Planning Internship
CRPL 870	Environmental Planning and Policy
Free Electives		12
Credit Hours Subtotal:		30

Customized Environmental Studies

Requirements

1. 120 credit hour minimum requirement (30 hours must be at the 300 level or above).
2. Must complete 79-90 hours that include, as defined above, college core courses, ancillary requirements, Environmental Studies Core Courses, Earth and Environmental Systems courses, and economics in the environmental studies major.
3. Remaining credits, 30-41 hours, are to be determined by student, advisor and committee.
4. Achieve a grade of C or better in all courses.

Process for Student

1. Explore and articulate your interests, strengths, and abilities. Establish career goals. Research the types of career opportunities and employers of interest.
2. Consult with program director, faculty member and/or professional advisor to determine if an existing degree program satisfies your personal and professional interests.
3. Think about the academic skills and background needed for your career choice. Consider future education plans, including graduate school and professional programs.
4. Identify a faculty member from the ESCC to help you design your program of study. The advisory committee will be comprised of the ENVR Director, ESCC member, and academic advisor with the ESCC member designated as the major advisor. The major advisor must be a faculty member of the ESCC. Additional committee members can be included.
5. Develop a proposal that includes the degree program focus, what you hope to accomplish by completing this program, how your individualized program of study connects different disciplines, and the relationship between your career goals and your program of study. Also include a list of all courses taken as part of your degree along with a semester-by-semester plan of study. The selection of courses must be consistent with your personal, academic and professional interests and goals.
6. Schedule a meeting with your advisory committee to present your proposal. Once the faculty advisory committee approves the core concentration areas and program of study, the Advisory Committee Approval (ACA) form should be completed. The ACA form is available through the CASNR Dean’s Office.
7. Submit the proposal and accompanying ACA form to the Environmental Studies Coordinating Committee. The committee must approve the degree program before the student completes 60 of the 120 applicable hours of the degree.
8. Students pursuing this degree are required to have a meeting with their faculty advisor at the start of each semester (must be completed by the first week of the semester). The purpose of this meeting is to review the program of study and progress towards degree completion, along with discussing the student’s professional development and career plans.

Any changes to the approved program of study must be recommended by the advisory committee and approved by the ESCC.

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 option 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 of the following:		3-4
BIOS 207	Ecology and Evolution
CRPL 433	GIS in Environmental Design and Planning
ENSC 110	Energy in Perspective
GEOG 155	Elements of Physical Geography
GEOG 181	Global Environmental Issues
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
METR 100	Weather and Climate
METR 180	Climate Change, Energy, and the Environment
NRES 104	Climate in Crisis
NRES 108	Earth's Natural Resource Systems Laboratory
NRES 208	Climate Literacy in Natural Resources
NRES 220 & NRES 222	Principles of Ecology and Ecology Laboratory (Recommended)
NRES 218	Introduction to Geospatial Technologies
NRES 412 / GEOG 412	Introduction to Geographic Information Systems
POLS 332	Climate Change: Policy and Politics
SCIL 109 / AECN 109 / ENVR 109 / GEOG 109 / NRES 109	Water in Society
SOIL 153 / PLAS 153	Soil Resources
WATS 281 / GEOG 281 / NRES 281	Introduction to Water Science
Credit Hours Subtotal:		3
Human Dimensions
Select one course from the following:		3
AECN 256	Legal Aspects in Agriculture
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
PLAS 435 / NRES 435	Agroecology
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
ANTH 351 / ETHN 351	Exploring Cross Cultural Diversities
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 220	Public Advocacy and Civic Engagement
COMM 271	Organizing Social Change
COMM 283	Interpersonal Communication
COMM 311 / ETHN 311	Intercultural and Intergroup Communication
COMM 371	Communication in Negotiation and Conflict Resolution
COMM 375	Theories of Persuasion
COMM 465	Communication and Social Identity
CRPL 300	The Community and the Future
CRPL 470	Environmental Planning and Policy
CRPL 471	Environmental Impact Assessment
CRPL 472	Hazard Mitigation Planning
ENGL 317	Literature and the Environment
ENSC 110	Energy in Perspective
ENSC 220	Introduction to Energy Systems
ENSC 230	Energy and the Environment: Economics and Policy
ENVR 189H	University Honors Seminar
GEOG 140	Introductory Human Geography
GEOG 181	Global Environmental Issues
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
JOMC 222	Social Justice, Human Rights and the Media
JOMC 491	Special Topics (Climate Change Magazine Production is the course that is applicable)
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 / CIVE 475 / CRPL 475 / GEOL 475 / MSYM 475 / PLAS 475 / POLS 475 / SOCI 475 / SOIL 475 / WATS 475	Water Quality Strategy
NSST 375	Writing and Briefing for the National Security Enterprise
NSST 376	Analysis for the National Security Establishment
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	Polls, Politics and Public Opinion
POLS 350	Issues in Biology, Psychology, and Politics
POLS 361	The United Nations and World 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
PSYC 334 / ENVR 334	Psychology of Environmental Sustainability
SOCI 101	Introduction to Sociology
SOCI 241 / AECN 276	Rural Sociology
SOCI 346	Environmental Sociology
Credit Hours Subtotal:		3
Economics and Policy
Select one of the following:		3
AECN 141	Introduction to the Economics of Agriculture
AECN 345	Policy Issues in Agriculture and Natural Resources
AECN 346	World Food Economics
AECN 357 / NREE 357	Natural Resource and Environmental Law
AECN 457 / NREE 457 / WATS 457	Water Law
CRPL 470	Environmental Planning and Policy
ECON 200	Economic Essentials and Issues
ECON 211	Principles of Macroeconomics
ECON 212	Principles of Microeconomics
NRES 323	Natural Resources Policy
Credit Hours Subtotal:		3
Total Credit Hours		18

Sustainability Studies Minor

The sustainability studies 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 skill sets to employ a systems approach to managing the growth of our habitats, and at the same time 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.
 

Learning Outcomes: The University of Nebraska–Lincoln undergraduate minor, sustainability studies, introduces students to the concepts, principles, and issues that inform the paradigm of sustainability and the efficient and sustainable use of environmental, financial, and human resources. The curriculum integrates classroom learning and community-based learning and research in a program that prepares students for future endeavors.

Upon completion of the requirements for the Society and the Environment, students will be able to:

• Explain the relationship among social, economic, and environmental systems for the development of solutions for global environmental and natural resource issues. 
• Employ concepts of sustainability to the campus and community by engaging in the challenges and solutions of applied sustainability.
• Utilize problem-solving skills to address real world opportunities to help create healthier ecosystems and communities.
• Demonstrate the ability to effectively communicate to a range of audiences through the preparation of written documents along with oral and visual presentations that are consistent with professional standards.

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 prerequisites 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 Built 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 / GEOG 200 / PLAS 200	Landscape and Environmental Appreciation (ACE 7 & 9)
CIVE 321 / BSEN 321	Principles of Environmental Engineering 1
CIVE 491	Special Topics in Civil Engineering
ARCH 333	Building Environmental Technical Systems I 1
CONE 450	Sustainable Construction
NRES 409 / GEOG 409	Human Dimensions of Natural Resources
Track 2: Community Development
Select 9 credits of the following:
AECN 376	Rural Community Economics 1
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
LARC 200 / GEOG 200 / PLAS 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:
PLAS 435 / NRES 435	Agroecology (ACE 10)
PLAS 326	Landscape Solutions 1
Any 400-level PLAS course
AECN 346	World Food Economics (ACE 9) 1
Credit Hours Subtotal:		9
Total Credit Hours		18

¹

Prerequisites required and need to be addressed during the 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.

Environmental Studies - Natural Resources

Career Information

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