Our Forest Resources & Conservation, Geomatics, and interdisciplinary Natural Resource Conservation programs offer practical, hands-on training in forestry, natural resource management, recreation, surveying and mapping, as well as biology and genetics.
Natural Resource Conservation Major
NRC students build their own curriculum along with a faculty advisor who shares similar interests. NRC curricula can vary from very focused and specific to broad and multi-disciplinary depending on the students’ interests and career goals.
- FOR3200C Foundations in Natural Resource Conservation
- FNR3131C Dendrology/Forest Plants -OR- WIS3402/L Wildlife of Florida/Lab -OR- ZOO4205C Invertebrate Biodiversity -OR- FAS4932 Field Ecology of Aquatic Organisms
- FNR3410C Natural Resource Sampling
- FNR4660 Natural Resource Policy & Economics
- FNR4623C Integrated Natural Resource Management
- FOR3153C Forest Ecology -OR- WIS3404 Natural Resource Ecology
- FOR3202 Society and Natural Resources
- FNR4324C Field Operations for Management of Ecosystems
These courses are designed to give students a broad understanding of natural resources, their management, and the policies that influence management activities. Students should follow the instructions outlined in the Curriculum Plan form to develop their individual plans of study.
All NRC majors are required to complete eight core courses in plant identification, communications, natural resource measurements, environmental policy, and integrated resource management, as well as planned courses from the natural resource academic units on campus (School of Forest Resources & Conservation and the Department of Wildlife Ecology). Additional courses can be selected from any other unit on campus, with guidance from the faculty adviser. Students must complete a curriculum plan and have it approved by the SFRC undergraduate coordinator by the time they reach 70 credits.
Graduates of this major are successful professionals in a wide diversity of fields. According to a 2014 survey of alumni, 71% find full-time employment in the field within one year. Over their entire career, 65% of alumni work for a government agency, 48% work for an academic institution, 39% work for a private company, and 13% work for a non-profit/non-governmental organization. Responding to the question “how well did your degree prepare you for your career?”, 78% indicated “well prepared” or “excellently prepared”.
This major is also offered at the West Florida Research and Education Center in Milton, FL. Ideal for place-bound students, this version of the NRC major provides a broad ecology/environmental management curriculum.
Find a Faculty Advisor
Natural Resource Conservation Electives
Students in the NRC major may choose courses from any program or department at the University of Florida as electives. These must be chosen and included in your Curriculum Plan, which is approved by your advisor. The goal is to have flexibility in your focus while still maintaining a coherent program that will serve your future goals.
For help finding appropriate courses, visit:
- SFRC Course Listings
- UF Schedule of Courses
- “Ask Your Advisor” link on the left menu
For information on applying to our programs, see How to Apply.