Environmental Resource Management B.A.

Environmental Resource Management Major

The Environmental Resource Management major is aimed at students searching for career options in the broadly-defined 'outdoor environment' that are related to natural resources, environmental systems, and sustainable development. This program will prepare students for careers in the environmental and human management of public and private spaces across differing categories of environmental systems - from public parks and lands to conservancy units managed by governmental and other non-profit agencies and organizations. This program aims to serve those students who do not wish to pursue careers as environmental scientists per se from more tightly focused 'environmental science' programs.

• STUDENTS ARE REQUIRED TO TAKE THE CORE REQUIREMENTS (31 HOURS) AND MAY CHOOSE ONLY ONE OF THE FOUR SPECIALIZATION TRACKS (30-32 HOURS).
• Each track is composed of clusters of courses with a specific concentration, each of which has a separate hourly requirement.
• For purposes of this degree program, those prerequisite courses required by BIOL, EARTHSCI, GEOG, and RTNL for mid/upper-level courses in each Track THAT ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THE CORE REQUIREMENTS will normally be waived by the appropriate departments.
• The separate tracks allow students to specialize in the area of most general interest while the primary & secondary foci within each track make sure students also are exposed to a wide range of important auxiliary coursework.
• A student with a major in the interdisciplinary B.A. Environmental Resource Management: Ecosystems Track may not declare another major or minor in biology.
• By permission of the Provost’s Office, students enrolled in the B.A. Environmental Resource Management major will be considered majors in all four of the participating departments.

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For students pursuing the Environmental Resource Management B.A. degree, the Department of Biology will waive the BIOL 2052 and CHEM 1120 prerequisites for enrollment into BIOL 3100.

Encouraged Certificates: Certificate programs that are appropriate to couple with the ERM major and help to expand specific, relevant experiences for students.

    - GIS & Cartography (Department of Geography)

    - Sustainability (Interdisciplinary)

    - Outdoor Leadership and Education (Department of Learning, Leadership, and Community)

    - Tourism (Department of Learning, Leadership, and Community)

    - Nonprofit Leadership (Department of Learning, Leadership, and Community)

    - Public History (Department of History)

Ecosystems Track

A total of 31-32 hours are needed for this track. There are 11-12 hours of required courses. In addition, student select courses from all three elective categories (A, B, & C) to accumulate to a minimum of 20 hours. At least one course must be taken from each elective category.

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 For students pursuing the Environmental Resource Management B.A. degree, the Department of Biology will waive BIOL 2052 and CHEM 1120 for BIOL 3000-level courses.

**

For students pursuing the Environmental Resource Management B.A. degree, the Department of Biology will waive BIOL 3140 as a prerequisite for BIOL 4000-level courses.

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Students pursuing the Ecosystems track can take CHEM 1110 and CHEM 1120 (8 credits) OR CHEM 1130 (5 credits). CHEM 1130 is designed for students with exceptional preparation in Chemistry. Taking CHEM 1130 changes the total degree requirement from 62-63 credit hours to 59-60 credit hours.

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These courses have additional prerequisites as follows:

ENGLISH 4785/5785 has prerequisites of ENGLISH 2770 or consent of instructor; junior standing.

GEOG 3220 has a prerequisite of GEOG 1120 or GEOG 1210 or GEOG 2210 or GEOG 1110 or consent of instructor.

GEOG 4240/5240 has prerequisites of GEOG 1210; GEOG 2210; EARTHSCI 1300; or consent of instructor; junior standing.

MGMT 3183 has a prerequisite of MGMT 3965/5965.

GEOG 3179 has prerequisites of 15 hours of geography at UNI; cumulative GPA of 2.50; junior standing; consent of department.

RTNL 4320 has prerequisites of three (3) credit hours of RTNL 31XX; junior standing. For students pursuing the Environmental Resource Management major, Department of Health, Recreation and Community Services will waive the prerequisites of 3 hours of RTNL 31XX.

RTNL 4510 has prerequisites of senior standing; consent of Internship Coordinator and a corequisite of RTNL 4520. For students pursuing the Environmental Resource Management major, Department of Health, Recreation and Community Services will waive this corequisite.

PH 4180 has prerequisites of PH 3170; senior standing; 2.50 cumulative GPA; consent of Division of Health Promotion and Education Coordinator of Student Field Experiences.

Geosystems Track

A total of 30 hours are needed for this track, with a minimum of 21 hours from the Primary Focus group and 9 hours from the Secondary Focus group.

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 * For students pursuing the Geosystems Track, the Geography Department will accept GEOG 1210 and GEOG 1211 or EARTHSCI 1300 as the prerequisite for enrollment into all listed Geography courses except GEOG 4310/5310 and GEOG 4320/5320.

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 ** The Biology Department will waive BIOL 3140 as a prerequisite for BIOL 4105/5105 and BIOL 4180/5180.

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 *** The Earth and Environmental Sciences Department will accept GEOG 1210 and GEOG 1211 as substitutes for courses that require EARTHSCI 1300.

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 **** The Earth and Environmental Sciences Department will waive the requirement of EARTHSCI 1320 for EARTHSCI 3325/5325.

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 # The Department of Health, Recreation and Community Services will waive RTNL 2120 as a prerequisite for RTNL 4776/5776.

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 ^ These courses have additional prerequisites as follows:

EARTHSCI 3322 has a prerequisite of EARTHSCI 1300.

EARTHSCI 3350/5350 has prerequisites of EARTHSCI 1300; junior standing.

GEOG 3220 has a prerequisite of GEOG 1120 or GEOG 1210 or GEOG 2210 or GEOG 1110 or consent of instructor.

ECON 3225/5225 has prerequisites of ECON 1041, ECON 1051; junior standing.

ENGLISH 4785/5785 has prerequisites of ENGLISH 2770 or consent of instructor; junior standing.

GEOG 4310/5310 has prerequisites of GEOG 2410; junior standing.

GEOG 4320/5320 has prerequisites of GEOG 2410 or consent of instructor; junior standing.

POLSCI 3172 has prerequisites of POLSCI 1014; POLSCI 1048.

GEOG 3179 has prerequisites of 15 hours of geography at UNI; cumulative GPA of 2.50; junior standing; consent of department.

RTNL 4510 has prerequisites of senior standing; consent of Internship Coordinator and a corequisite of RTNL 4520. For students pursuing the Environmental Resource Management major, the Department of Health Recreation and Community Services will waive this corequisite.

PH 4180 has prerequisites of PH 3170; senior standing; 2.50 cumulative GPA; consent of Division of Health Promotion and Education Coordinator of Student Field Experiences.

Resource Administration Track

A total of 30 hours are needed for this track, with a minimum of 21 hours from the Primary Focus group and 9 hours from the Secondary Focus group.

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 * The Biology Department will waive BIOL 3140 as a prerequisite for BIOL 4167/5167.

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 ** The Geography Department and the Department of Health, Recreation and Community Services will waive RTNL 2120 as a prerequisite for enrollment into RTNL 4310/5310.

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 ^ These courses have additional prerequisites as follows:

RTNL 4776/5776 has prerequisites of RTNL 2120 or consent of instructor; junior standing.

ENGLISH 4775/5775 has prerequisites of MGMT 2080 or ENGLISH 2770 or consent of instructor; junior standing.

ENGLISH 4785/5785 has prerequisites of ENGLISH 2770 or consent of instructor; junior standing.

POLSCI 3172 has prerequisites of POLSCI 1014; POLSCI 1048.

GEOG 3179 has prerequisites of 15 hours of geography at UNI; cumulative GPA of 2.50; junior standing; consent of department.

RTNL 4510 has prerequisites of senior standing; consent of Internship Coordinator and a corequisite of RTNL 4520. For students pursuing the Environmental Resource Management major, the Department of Health, Recreation and Community Services will waive this corequisite.

PH 4180 has prerequisites of PH 3170; senior standing; 2.50 cumulative GPA; consent of Division of Health Promotion and Education Coordinator of Student Field Experiences.

Environmental Compliance Track

A total of 32 hours need for this focus area, with 15 hours of required courses, a minimum of 10 hours from the Primary Focus group and 7 hours from the Secondary Focus group.

Four-Year Plan

Environmental Resource Management: Ecosystems, B.A.

This is a sample plan of study with a suggested sequencing of classes for the major.  University electives may be applied to earn additional academic majors, minors, or certificates.  Students should regularly meet with their academic advisor to plan their specific semester schedule to include UNIFI/General Education program and/or university elective hours required.

Environmental Resource Management: Geosystems, B.A.

This is a sample plan of study with a suggested sequencing of classes for the major.  University electives may be applied to earn additional academic majors, minors, or certificates.  Students should regularly meet with their academic advisor to plan their specific semester schedule to include UNIFI/General Education program and/or university elective hours required.

Environmental Resource Management: Resource Administration, B.A.

This is a sample plan of study with a suggested sequencing of classes for the major.  University electives may be applied to earn additional academic majors, minors, or certificates.  Students should regularly meet with their academic advisor to plan their specific semester schedule to include UNIFI/General Education program and/or university elective hours required.

Environmental Resource Management: Environmental Compliance, B.A.

This is a sample plan of study with a suggested sequencing of classes for the major.  University electives may be applied to earn additional academic majors, minors, or certificates.  Students should regularly meet with their academic advisor to plan their specific semester schedule to include UNIFI/General Education program and/or university elective hours required.

Learning Outcomes

Environmental Resource Management: Ecosystems Track, B.A.

Goals: Students will gain an understanding of major themes in biology related to ecosystems (organization of life, diversity and its causes) along with deeper exposure to and advanced competency in topics related to ecosystems and their management. Students will be able to think critically and communicate effectively on these discipline-specific topics.

Outcomes:

• Students will show proficiency in advanced content from the fields of ecology, evolution, and organismal biology that will allow students to evaluate issues important to modern ecosystem management.
• Students will communicate effectively using discipline-specific vocabulary and standard written and oral scientific communication skills.
• Students will think critically about discipline-specific content as evidenced by an ability to interpret data, to effectively critique arguments, and/or to solve problems relating to natural systems.

Environmental Resource Management: Geosystems, B.A.

Goal 1 - Critical Thinking & Data Analysis: Our students will use concepts from Earth, Space, or Environmental Science to critically analyze and interpret scientific data.

• Outcome 1.1 - Analyze and interpret scientific data to formulate an evidence-based conclusion
• Outcome 1.2 - Use a variety of mathematical tools and computer software to describe scientific phenomena and answer scientific questions

Goal 2 - Communication: Our students will be able to communicate concepts from Earth, Space, or Environmental Science.

• Outcome 2.1 - Create a well-written report or paper that summarizes scientific data and draws evidence-based conclusions
• Outcome 2.2 - Create and deliver a well-constructed oral report that summarizes scientific data and draws evidence-based conclusions

Goal 3 - Content Knowledge and Skills: Our students will apply concepts and theories from Earth, Space, or Environmental Science to the real world.

• Outcome 3.1 - Describe fundamental theories and concepts in Earth, Space, or Environmental Science
• Outcome 3.2 - Use concepts and theories from Earth, Space, or Environmental Science to create a model of a complex system
• Outcome 3.3 - Use concepts and theories from Earth, Space, or Environmental Science to solve a real-world problem
• Outcome 3.4 - Use scientific equipment to collect valid scientific data.  

Environmental Resource Management: Resource Administration, B.A.

Communication

• SLO 3: Demonstrate effective written and oral communication skills related to geographic knowledge.

Critical Thinking

• SLO 2: Demonstrate abilities in critical thinking and intellectual synthesis including synthesis of Geography’s multidisciplinary focus. This includes, but is not limited to, examples of human-environmental interaction, location theory, and transition models along with their past, present, and future impacts.
• SLO 4: Display evidence of professional, career skills such as independent problem solving, exhibiting professional judgment, and dependability.
• SLO 5: Conduct research through the development of a research question, identification and integration of relevant literature, select appropriate research methods, and execution of data collection, analysis, and interpretation.

Content Knowledge & Skills

• SLO 1: Identify patterns and processes of spatial relationships and interactions, movement, diffusion, and scale to explain their causes and significance, and to understand analytical methods to study them.

Environmental Resource Management: Environmental Compliance, B.A.

Goal 1 - Critical Thinking & Data Analysis: Our students will use concepts from Environmental Science to critically analyze and interpret scientific data.

• Outcome 1.1 - Analyze and interpret scientific data to formulate an evidence-based conclusion
• Outcome 1.2 - Use a variety of mathematical tools and computer software to describe scientific phenomena and answer scientific questions

Goal 2 - Communication: Our students will be able to communicate concepts from Environmental Science.

• Outcome 2.1 - Create a well-written report or paper that summarizes scientific data and draws evidence-based conclusions
• Outcome 2.2 - Create and deliver a well-constructed oral report that summarizes scientific data and draws evidence-based conclusions

Goal 3 - Content Knowledge and Skills: Our students will apply concepts and theories from Environmental Science to the real world.

• Outcome 3.1 - Describe fundamental theories and concepts in Environmental Science
• Outcome 3.2 - Use concepts and theories from Environmental Science to create a model of a complex system
• Outcome 3.3 - Use concepts and theories from Environmental Science to solve a real-world problem
• Outcome 3.4 - Describe the interactions of a variety of societal institutions on the environment, and develop solutions to address the issues that arise.

Related Programs

• Biology Minor
• Earth Science Minor