Environmental Conservation and Sustainability Major (B.S.)

https://colsa.unh.edu/natural-resources-environment/program/bs/environmental-conservation-sustainability-major

The ECS major curriculum is comprised of core requirements providing integrative courses in both environmental conservation and sustainability, along with a foundation in biology, ecology, physical and social science, and the basic tools and skills applied to problem solving. These core requirements are typically fulfilled in the first two years. Beginning in their junior year, ECS students, in consultation with their advisers, create a course focus area based on an ecological system or natural resource of their choosing. The focus area provides advanced study in ecology and natural resources; social sciences; tools, skills, and/or natural history and should reflect the student's interests and future goals. Additionally, each ECS student completes a practicum experience and a capstone option.

The ECS major provides the opportunity for students to gain a common foundation of knowledge and skills emphasizing integration and critical thinking, while allowing for sufficient flexibility to pursue their interests and passions within a large and complex field of study. The design of the curriculum will allow each student at least four, and as many as six, free electives, which they may fulfill as they choose. Many students pursue international experiences, such as the UNH EcoQuest program in New Zealand, add a minor or dual degree (such as the dual degree in global studies), and/or pursue research opportunities with our faculty or through another of UNH's undergraduate research opportunity programs.

Degree Requirements

Minimum Credit Requirement: 128 credits
Minimum Residency Requirement: 32 credits must be taken at UNH
Minimum GPA: 2.0 required for conferral*
Core Curriculum Required: Discovery & Writing Program Requirements
Foreign Language Requirement: No

All Major, Option and Elective Requirements as indicated.
*Major GPA requirements as indicated.

Major Requirements

Core Requirements
Foundational Courses:
Contemporary Conservation Issues and Environmental Awareness
Principles of Sustainability
Natural Science:
Biology:
Introductory Biology: Evolution, Biodiversity and Ecology
Environmental Biology
Ecological Principles: Select one of the following4
Ecology
Forest Ecology
Agroecology
Physical Science: Select one of the following4
Introduction to Environmental Science
General Chemistry I
Energy and Environment
Geology and the Environment
Environmental Pollution and Protection: A Global Context
Introduction to Physics I
Social Science:
Resource Economics:
Environmental and Resource Economics Perspectives
Environmental Ethics and Values: Select one of the following4
Sustainable Living - Global Perspectives
Environment and Society
Natural Resources Policy: Select one of the following4
Natural Resources and Environmental Policy
Environmental Policy, Planning and Sustainability in New Zealand
Essential Tools and Skills:
Field Methods:
Natural Resources Field Methods
Statistics: Select one of the following4
Applied Biostatistics I
Statistical Methods and Applications
Geospatial Analysis:
Introduction to Geographic Information Systems
Writing Skills: Select one of the following4
Professional and Technical Writing
Persuasive Writing
Nature Writers
Presentation Skills: Select one of the following4
Communicating Science
Public Speaking
Storytelling, Story Theatre, and Involvement Dramatics
Introduction to Puppetry
Theatre for Young Audiences
Focus Area
Select seven total courses to create a focus area addressing an environmental issue, ecological system, or natural resource (see below) 128
Ecology and Natural Resources:
Select one to four courses: no more than one course may be at the 400 or 500 level. Additional courses must be at the 600 or 700 levels.
Wildlife Ecology
Studio Soils
Forest Ecosystems and Environmental Change
Freshwater Resources
Landscape Ecology
Wildlife Population Ecology
Introduction to Biogeography
Principles of Conservation Biology
Ecology and Biogeography of New Zealand
Restoration Ecology and Ecosystem Management in New Zealand
Applied Directed Research in New Zealand
Conservation Genetics and Applied Evolution
Soil Ecology
Terrestrial Ecosystems
Tropical Ecology
Addressing Arctic Challenges
Biogeochemistry
Aquatic Ecosystems
Environmental Soil Chemistry
Community Ecology
Forest Health in a Changing World
Global Environmental Change
Marine Invertebrate Evolution and Ecology
Ecology and Marine Environment
Sustainable Marine Fisheries
Marine Ecology
Fisheries Biology: Conservation and Management
Aquatic Plants in Restoration/Management
Biological Oceanography
Agroecology and Sustainable Land Management in Aotearoa New Zealand
Insect Pest Management
Stream Ecology
Conservation Behavior
Social Sciences
Select two to five courses: no more than one course may be at the 400 or 500 level. Additional courses must be at the 600 or 700 levels.
Community Development Perspectives
Applied Community Development
Introduction to our Energy System and Sustainable Energy
International Energy Topics
Economics of Sustainability
Economics of Forestry
Environmental Policy, Planning and Sustainability in New Zealand
International Environmental Politics and Policies for the 21st Century
Resolving Environmental Conflicts
Sustainable Living - Global Perspectives
Advanced Topics in Sustainable Energy
Globalization and Global Population Health
Fundamentals of Planning
Green Real Estate
Intermediate Microeconomic Analysis
International Economics
Economics of Climate Change
Introduction to Natural Resource Economics
Land Economics Perspectives: Uses, Policies, and Taxes
Community Economics
Agricultural and Food Policy
Environmental Economics
Rural and Regional Economic Development
Political Ecology
American Environmental History
Introduction to Marine Policy: Understanding US Ocean, Coastal and Great Lakes Policy
Comparative Environmental Politics and Policy
Pathways to Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems in Aotearoa New Zealand
Agricultural Production and Business Practice in Aotearoa New Zealand
Environmental Sociology
Communities and the Environment
Introduction to Tourism
Advanced Tools & Skills and Natural History
Select at least one course
Field Dendrology
Watershed Water Quality Management
Environmental Modeling
Mammalogy
Quantitative Ecology
Silviculture
Forest Management
Forest Inventory and Modeling
Remote Sensing of the Environment
Digital Image Processing for Natural Resources
Geographic Information Systems in Natural Resources
Systems Thinking for Sustainable Solutions
New England Mushrooms: a Field and Lab Exploration
Topics in Community Planning
Systems Thinking: Land Use Capability and Sustainability in Aotearoa New Zealand
Methods of Social Research
Social Impact Assessment
Ornithology
Senior Capstone Options
The ECS major capstone experience may be filled by any one (1) of the following options:4
Option 1:
Leadership for Sustainability
Option 2: Both seminars must be scheduled. At least one must be taken in the senior year.
Critical Issues in Sustainability: Sustainability as an Abundance Paradigm
and Critical Issues in Sustainability: Sense of Place
Option 3:
Applied Directed Research in New Zealand (NZ Directed projects, if taken in the senior year) 2
Option 4:
Directed projects fulfilling one of the following: NR 799, McNair Research Theses, Hamel Center Programs (IROP, SURF USA, SURF Abroad, etc.) may be applied in consultation with the adviser and ECS program coordinator.
Work Experience
Work Experience 3
Total Credits60
1

The focus area is based upon at least one course in the ecology and natural resources category, along with a combination of courses in the social sciences; tools, skills, and natural history categories; and any additional courses from the ecology and natural resources category reflecting the student's interests and future direction. Focus areas should be designed in close consultation with the adviser. Courses used to fulfill core requirements may not be used in the focus area.

2

If NR 663 Applied Directed Research in New Zealand is taken in the junior year or earlier, then one Critical Issues seminar (2cr) or Leadership for Sustainability must be taken in the senior year to fulfill the capstone requirement.

3

Each ECS major will engage in a practical experience reflecting their interests and goals. The choice of the experience will be made in conjunction with the adviser and may occur any time beginning with the sophomore year.

Sample Course Sequence

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
FallCredits
BIOL 412 Introductory Biology: Evolution, Biodiversity and Ecology (Inquiry, Disc BS) 4
NR 435 Contemporary Conservation Issues and Environmental Awareness (Disc ETS) 4
EREC 411 Environmental and Resource Economics Perspectives (or Discovery Course, not SS or ETS) 4
ENGL 401 or Discovery Course 4
 Credits16
Spring
NR 437 Principles of Sustainability 4
NR 439 Environmental Biology 4
EREC 411 Environmental and Resource Economics Perspectives (or Discovery Course, not SS or ETS) 4
ENGL 401 or Discovery Course 4
 Credits16
Second Year
Fall
NR 415 Natural Resources Field Methods 2
Ecological Principles 1 4
Physical Science (Disc PS) 2 4
Presentation Skills (possible Disc FPA) 2 4
Practicum 3 0
Elective 4
 Credits18
Spring
Statistics (Disc QR) 2 4
Writing Skills (Univ. writing req.) 2 4
NR 658 Introduction to Geographic Information Systems 4
NR 602 or Discovery Course 4
 Credits16
Third Year
Fall
NR 602 or Discovery Course 4
Ethics/Values Requirement 4
Focus Area Courses 8
OR Electives
 
OR any remaining Discovery or WI requirement
 
OR Capstone 4
 
 Credits16
Spring
Focus Area Courses 5 16
OR Electives
 
OR any remaining Discovery or WI requirements
 
OR Capstone 4
 
 Credits16
Fourth Year
Fall
Capstone Requirement 5 2-4
Focus Area Courses 12
OR Electives
 
OR any remaining Discovery of WI requirements
 
 Credits14-16
Spring
Capstone Requirement 5 2-4
Focus Area Courses 12
OR Electives
 
OR any remaining Discovery of WI requirements
 
 Credits14-16
 Total Credits126-130
1

All choices for the Ecological Principles requirement except for SAFS 502 are fall courses.

2

The Statistics, Physical Science, Writing Skills and Presentation Skills requirements may be taken in either the Fall or Spring Semester of the second year.

3

Work experience, internship, etc may be scheduled any time beginning in the second year.

4

One of the 2 credit capstone seminars may be taken in either the fall or spring of the junior year.

5

One 2 credit seminar may be taken in each of the Fall and Spring semesters of the Senior Year OR NR 786 may be taken in the Fall semester of the Senior Year.

Students will be able to:

  • Describe and explain the interactions among physical, biological, chemical, and human components of the environment;
  • Formulate tests of environmental questions, acquire data, and apply scientific methods to answer these questions;
  • Describe and explain the ecological and societal value of biodiversity, sustainability, and environmental stewardship;
  • Use principles of ecology, economics, sustainability, and policy science to solve real-world environmental problems;
  • Communicate effectively to peers within the environmental community and with audiences outside of the discipline.