Degrees type: Associate, Bachelor
Main Campus
Interested in the environment? Curious about the various ecological issues facing our globe? Looking for a job in renewable energy, restoration, conservation, as a park ranger or with the DCNR?
A degree in natural resource management from Mount Aloysius College will help you along your path.
This degree, which you can complete in as little as two years, prepares students for their careers by helping them understand a mixture of biology, ecology, and management practices.
Program Highlights
Associates or Bachelors Degree options
2+2 Pathway
- Conservation Officer
- Environmentalist
- Forester
- Environmental or Science Educator
- Field Researchers
- Forest/Wildlife Ecologist
- Land Use Planner
- Naturalist
- Wetlands Restoration Specialist
- Conservation Biologist
- 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
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.*
- 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.
Learn Beyond the Classroom with Hands-On Fieldwork
Lake Inventory
Students travel to a local lake, where they use seine netting to perform lake inventory.
Animal Conservation
Students installed bat boxes at a local park and on campus to assist with the conservation of the local bat population.
Study Insect-Borne Disease
Students harvest ticks in the woods on-campus for research into Lyme disease.
Water Quality Assessments
Students get to travel to a local abandoned mine drainage field to assess and test the water quality in the area.
Watch a video with Dr. John Whitlock, a professor in the science and mathematics department, talking about new biology opportunities at the Mount.
Watch a video with Dr. Merrilee Anderson, a professor in the science and mathematics department, talking about earth day.
Watch a video with Dr. Merrilee Anderson, a professor in the science and mathematics department, talking about the living classroom.
Watch a video with alum Patrick McKee talking about learning sustainability at the Mount.
Watch Dr. John Whitlock, a professor in the science and mathematics department, discuss sauropods.
Watch a video about what to expect when visiting Mount Aloysius.
Faculty & Staff
Merrilee Anderson
Professor of Science and Mathematics
Juan Diaz, Jr.
Associate Professor of Science and Mathematics
Mike Engle
Dept. Chair/Assoc. Professor Science & Mathematics
Crystal Goldyn
Associate Professor of Science and Mathematics
Laura Michaels
Associate Professor of Science and Mathematics
Sandra Nypaver
Associate Professor of Science and Mathematics
Penny O'Connor
Professor of Science and Mathematics
John Whitlock
Associate Professor of Science & Mathematics
Upcoming Admissions Events
Still have questions?
A member of the admissions team would love to get connected with you!
Admissions Office
Main Administration Building
7373 Admiral Peary Highway
Cresson, PA 16630
(814) 886-6383
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