Natural Resource Conservation

Undergraduate Major
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.

NRC Curriculum Plan:
2018 and earlier

NRC Curriculum Plan:
2019 and later

NRC Brochure

Help Choosing NRC Electives

NRC Capstone Approval Process

*Students interested in environmental education may wish to utilize the biology teacher certification or environmental education individualized program.

The NRC curriculum is built upon the following nine core categories that all NRC students are required to complete:

  • Professional Seminar
  • Ecology
  • Quantitative Analysis and Assessment
  • Natural History
  • Human Dimensions
  • Policy and Economics
  • Field Applications
  • Spatial Analysis
  • Capstone Experience

These categories 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 nine core courses, 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.

Admission information

Admissions

Information on joining the NRC major.

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Student Groups

Organizations of students like you!

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Careers

Future prospects for NRC majors.

Find a Faculty Advisor

(SFRC or WEC)

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:

For information on applying to our programs, see How to Apply.

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