Getting Started

College: CNS

Information below is meant to guide first year students in getting started with this major and choosing appropriate courses. More advanced students interested in this major would also likely start with proposed foundation/pre-requisite courses. Please refer to the Major Page located in the left menu bar to learn about the full major requirements.

How to Explore the Major

Suggested General Education Courses

All Undergraduates are required to satisfy the General Education Requirements. Guidelines for students are available at www.umass.edu/gened. Students should choose a wide variety of Gen Ed courses, providing breadth of experience.

Suggested Major and Pre-requisite Courses

For the Environmental Conservation, Fisheries Ecology & Conservation, Water Resources and Wildlife Ecology & Conservation Concentrations

Fall
NRC 100 (SI) Environment & Society
BIOLOGY 151 or STOCKSCH 108 (BS) (a grade of “C” or better in BIOL 151 is required to enroll in BIOL 152 and BIOL 153)
MATH 104 (R1) – Also accepted MATH 101-102 (determined by placement test and student’s choice)
Earth Science elective – Recommendations: GEOLOGY 101, 103 (for Fisheries Conc.), Geography 110 or STOCKSCH 105

Spring
NRC 225 or 261
BIOLOGY 152 with optional BIOLOGY 153 lab recommended or BIOLOGY 110 (BS)
ENGLWRIT 112 (CW)
Gen Ed (AL or AT, HS, + DU or DG)

For the Forest Ecology & Conservation Concentration

Fall
NRC 100 (SI) Environment & Society
STOCKSCH 108 recommended, BIOLOGY 151 accepted (BS)
MATH 104 – Also accepted: MATH 101-102 (determined by placement test and student’s choice)
Gen Ed (AL or AT, HS, + DU or DG)

Spring
MATH 121 (R2)
BIOLOGY 110 (BS) recommended, BIOLOGY 152 accepted
ENGLWRIT 112 (CW)
STOCKSCH 105 or NRC 225

For the Urban Forestry & Arboriculture Concentration

Fall
NRC 100 Environment & Society (SI)
STOCKSCH 108 Intro. Botany
NRC 232 Principles of Arboriculture
MATH 104 (R1) – Also accepted: MATH 101-102 (determined by placement test and student’s choice)

Spring
NRC 191A Seminar in A&CF
ENGLWRIT 112 (CW)
STOCKSCH 105 Soils
NRC 225 Forests and People
Gen Ed (AL or AT, HS, + DU or DG)

How to Declare/Change into the Major

For current and admitted students: This major is unrestricted, which means any student may declare the major. Unrestricted majors may still have an entry process such as meeting with an advisor or attending an informational meeting. Students are required to meet with the Chief Undergraduate Advisor as soon as possible to discuss the concentration options in Natural Resources Conservation and to establish a curriculum plan in the major.

Summary of Requirements for the Major

Refer to the Major page located in the left menu bar to learn more.

Minimum total of credits required: 90-93 (including general education/foundation courses in other departments)

Is there a minor? If so, what are the requirements?
Yes - A minor is available! See the NRC website for information on this 15-credit minor.

For further information, contact:
Dr. Meg Graham MacLean
Chief Undergraduate Advisor
218 Holdsworth Hall, 413-545-3114
mgmaclean@umass.edu