Natural Resources

In the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences .

Faculty
The Future for Natural Resources Majors
Curriculum
Areas of Concentration within the Major
Research and Work Opportunities for Undergraduates

Natural Resources is an interdisciplinary major that allows students to obtain an integrated view of the biological, ecological, and social dimensions of environmental problems. It focuses on the fundamental knowledge and analytical tools required to conserve, restore, and manage the Earth’s biodiversity and ecosystem services in sustainable ways. The curriculum draws on relevant knowledge from biology, ecology and evolutionary biology, chemistry, mathematics, sociology, economics, law, and ethics. A large number of field courses provide direct experience working in forests, wetlands, streams, lakes, and policy-making arenas. Courses address pressing environmental issues such as global climate change, landscape transformation, endangered and invasive species, human alteration of biogeochemical cycles, “green” markets and other environmental strategies, environmental justice, bio-cultural and biological diversity, and international conservation. Concentrations include applied ecology, resource policy and management, and environmental studies.

The major allows students flexibility to pursue a variety of paths to understand the biological, ecological, ethical, and societal basis for biodiversity conservation, sound resource management, and sustainable development.

Faculty

M. E. Krasny, chair (118 Fernow Hall, (607) 255-2822); M. B. Bain, B. L. Bedford, J. Bernardo, B. Blossey, S. R. Broussard-Allred, L. E. Buck, B. F. Chabot, E. Cooch, P. Curtis, D. J. Decker, J. L. Dickinson, T. J. Fahey, W. L. Fisher, A. K. Fuller, M. P. Hare, J. R. Jackson, K. S. Kassam, B. A. Knuth, C. E. Kraft, J. P. Lassoie, T. B. Lauber, S. Morreale, L. G. Rudstam, R. L. Schneider, P. J. Smallidge, C. R. Smith, R. C. Stedman, P. J. Sullivan, J. A. Tantillo, D. A. Weinstein, M. Whitmore, S. A. Wolf, J. B. Yavitt

The Future for Natural Resources Majors:

Most students entering the major have a strong interest in the natural world and in contributing to greater harmony between society and the environment. An undergraduate degree in natural resources gives students the concepts and tools needed to participate intelligently and effectively in decisions that determine the future of our environment, either as professionals within a diverse array of environmental careers, or as informed citizens working in other professions.

Graduates with a major in natural resources have the flexibility to pursue a number of different careers because of the interdisciplinary nature of the curriculum. The major prepares students for graduate school in numerous fields, and for entry-level positions in natural resources and environmental management agencies at local, state, federal, and international levels, or for jobs in the private for-profit (e.g., environmental consulting firms) or nonprofit (e.g., conservation organizations) sectors. Many students ultimately pursue graduate studies in environmentally related fields including the biological, physical, and chemical sciences; forest, wetland, stream, wildlife, or fisheries management; and environmental law and public policy. Graduates often assume leadership positions in government, colleges and universities, national and international conservation organizations, environmental consulting firms, environmental divisions of private industry, and organizations involved in environmental education or communication.

Curriculum:

Natural resources is a flexible major, and free electives can account for as many as 45 of the total of 120 credits required for graduation. Students complete a set of courses in biology, ecology, chemistry, mathematics, economics, ethics, and written and oral expression; many of these courses also meet the college’s distribution requirements for graduation. Freshmen and sophomores complete a series of five foundation courses in the major: Introduction to the Field of Natural Resources, Environmental Conservation, Introductory Field Biology, Society and Natural Resources and DNA, Genes and Genetic Diversity. Juniors complete three core courses: Applied Population Ecology, General Ecology, and Natural Resources Management and Planning. These foundation and core courses introduce the critical environmental and natural-resource issues confronting society, and develop the conceptual and methodological tools that students will use in upper-division courses.

Juniors and seniors may specialize in one of three concentrations: applied ecology, resource policy and management, or environmental studies. Through course work in these concentrations, students gain in-depth understanding of key principles, concepts, and practices. All students also have the flexibility to gain exposure to a wide variety of environment-related courses offered by Natural Resources and other departments throughout Cornell. Many students elect to conduct a research honors thesis.

Areas of Concentration within the Major:

Applied ecology is designed as a foundation for those who wish to pursue careers or advanced study in science-based conservation or management of fish and wildlife populations and their habitats, conservation biology, control of invasive and overabundant species, watershed and landscape management, quantitative population dynamics, resource inventory and information management, global ecology, or applied ecology and biogeochemistry of forests, wetlands, and streams. This concentration also may interest students seeking a biologically based approach to environmental science or global studies. Students who select this concentration typically focus their course work in the areas of species biology and applied ecosystem ecology, including quantitative analysis of fish, wildlife, and plant populations, ecosystems, and landscapes. They complement their course work within the department with courses in other departments, such as Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Microbiology, Geology, Crop and Soil Science, Atmospheric and Earth Sciences, and Plant Biology.

Resource policy and management provides a foundation for students who wish to pursue careers or advanced study in the social science or policy aspects of natural resource conservation and management, environmental sociology, international conservation, environmental law, environmental policy analysis, or environmental communication. Students who select this concentration typically focus on courses related to the development of environmental policy, management strategies for particular species or ecosystems, natural resource planning, resource economics, or programs in environmental communication and education. They complement their course work within the department with courses in other departments such as Government, Development Sociology, Communications, Applied Economics and Management, City and Regional Planning, and Policy Analysis and Management.

Environmental studies is intended for those who wish to pursue a broad and synthetic approach to understanding and participating in (re)structuring the interactions between society and environment. This concentration emphasizes developing an ability to think critically about these interactions. Building on a foundation of courses required for the natural resources major, during years three and four, each student will design a cohesive sequence of six upper-division courses with help from their departmental advisor. These six courses should include two courses from each of three categories: (1) natural science; (2) social science and analytic skills (e.g., economics, political economy, logic, computer programming, GIS, statistics); and (3) humanities (e.g., history, philosophy, literature, arts, foreign language). This self-defined environmental theme ensures development of specific competencies linked to personal and professional ambitions of the individual student. Example themes include environmental law, environmental education, “green” business, sustainable agriculture, and environmental communication. Students are expected to take advantage of internship, independent study, and honors thesis opportunities, as appropriate.

Research and Work Opportunities for Undergraduates:

The department offers many opportunities for field-oriented studies, independent research, internships, and jobs. These include several field-based courses and access for research at the Arnot Teaching and Research Forest near Ithaca, the Little Moose Field Station in the Adirondacks, the Cornell Biological Field Station on Oneida Lake near Syracuse, and the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest in New Hampshire, as well as numerous natural areas near campus. Part-time jobs in the research and extension programs of many faculty members offer students opportunities for career-related work experience. A research honors program is available for qualified students.