Degrees type: Associate, Bachelor

Main Campus

A degree in natural resource management seeks to harness the coming wave of jobs in environmental conservation, restoration, and industrial and mining mitigation as we transition towards green power and away from fossil fuels through the incorporation of theoretical ecology and biology along with coursework in applied management practices. Our beautiful 193-acre campus is surrounded by an amazing landscape that will be utilized during your studies.

Three students in the woods doing research

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Program Highlights

Associates or Bachelors Degree options
2+2 Pathway

Career Opportunities

Conservation Officer
Environmentalist
Forester
Environmental or Science Educator
Field Researchers
Forest/Wildlife Ecologist
Land Use Planner
Naturalist
Wetlands Restoration Specialist
Conservation Biologist

Courses

BIOL 102 – Biology II: Evolution and Ecology 3 Lecture / 2 Lab / 4 Credits
BIOL 103 – Biology III: Organismal Anatomy and Physiology 3 Lecture / 2 Lab / 4 Credits
BIOL 210 – Microbiology 3 Lecture / 2 Lab / 4 Credits
BIOL 305 – Ecology 3 Lecture / 2 Lab / 4 Credits
BIOL 355 – Animal Physiology 3 Lecture / 2 Lab / 4 Credits
BIOL 375 – Botany 3 Lecture / 2 Lab / 4 Credits
BIOL 398 – Independent Research 3-9 Lab / 1-3 Credits (Only need 1 credit of BIOL 398)
or
BIOL 400 – Biology Internship 3-12 Credits (Only need 1 credit of BIOL 400)

BIOL 406 – Water Ecology 3 Lecture / 2 Lab / 4 Credits
ENVS 200 – Introduction to Wildlife Management 3 Credits
ENVS 301 – Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration and Management 3 Credits
ENVS 320 – Upland Ecosystem Restoration and Management 3 Lecture / 2 Lab / 4 Credits
ENVS 360 – Environmental Science 3 Credits
GEOL 125 – Introduction to Geology 3 Credits
NASC 300 – Ethics of Science in the Modern World 1 Credit
NASC 310 – Science Research Practices 2 Credits
PLSC 440 – The Legislative Process 3 Credits
or
PLSC 366 – Bureaucracy/Public Policy and Administration 3 Credits

Job Outlook

The demand for Conservation scientists and Foresters is expected to rise 6% from 2016 to 2026, an increase of 2,000 jobs.* The average median wage for a Conservation Scientist in the state of Pennsylvania is $52,550.* The average median wage for a Forester in the state of Pennsylvania is $68,530.*

*Bureau of Labor Statistics

Program Goals & Learning Outcomes

Demonstrate effective use of ecological principles in a natural resource management setting for both upland (terrestrial) and aquatic ecosystems.
Communicate clearly and effectively in both oral and written formats for both professional and lay audiences.
Conduct research and critically evaluate the results of that research in a natural resource management context.
Demonstrate expertise in the use of appropriate technologies (e.g., GPS, ArcGIS) common to the field.
Demonstrate an awareness of local and global political concerns and ethical issues associated with the field of natural resource management.