BS in Natural Resource Science and Management with Emphasis in Terrestrial Ecosystems

Degree Program Description

The Natural Resource Science and Management degree with an emphasis in Terrestrial Ecosystems combines interests in wildlife management, conservation, and forestry focusing on basic and applied concepts important in land management and species conservation.  Students with degrees in Natural Resource Science and Management with an emphasis in Terrestrial Ecosystems are accredited by the Society of American Foresters and may find employment as conservation biologists, ecologists, land stewards, and resource foresters.

Major Program Requirements

In addition to completing major program requirements, students must complete the following additional emphasis area requirements:

Degree Program Requirements-Emphasis Area
F_W 1100Introductory Zoology with Laboratory5
or BIO_SC 1500 Introduction to Biological Systems with Laboratory
FOREST 4375Forest Stand Dynamics3
or ENV_SC 4560 Observing the Earth from Space
F_W 2900Principles of Wildlife Management4
FOREST 2541Forest Utilization1
FOREST 2542Forest Measurement and Inventory1
FOREST 2544Introduction to Silviculture and Management1
FOREST 3207Forest Fire Control and Use3
FOREST 3212Forest Health and Protection4
FOREST 4330Practice of Silviculture4
FOREST 4350Forest Economics3
FOREST 4390Watershed Management and Water Quality3
or NAT_R 3400 Water Quality and Natural Resource Management
F_W 2600Ornithology4-5
or F_W 3660 Mammalogy
or PLNT_SCI 3710
PLNT_SCI 3715
Introductory Entomology
and Insect Diversity
FOREST 4340Tree Physiology3
or PLNT_SCI 2125 Plant Structure and Function
Total Credits39-40

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Semester Plan

Below is a sample semester plan for the Terrestrial Ecosystems Emphasis Area.  Please consult with your advisor prior to registering for courses.

First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits 
BIO_SC 12005F_W 11005 
ENGLSH 10003Missouri State Law Requirement3 
NAT_R 10703MATH 11003 
ATM_SC 10503NAT_R 23253 
 14 14  
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
FOREST 21514SOIL 21003FOREST 25411
FOREST 43205ABM 21233FOREST 25421
Humanities & Fine Arts3SOIL 21062FOREST 25441
F_W 29004FOREST 32073F_W 4940 or FOREST 49403
 CHEM 13204 
 16 15 6
Third Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits 
Humanities & Fine Arts3FOREST 43503 
ABM 10413F_W 2600 or 36605 
NAT_R 41104FOREST 32124 
MATH 14003FOREST 32902 
F_W 4600W3  
 16 14  
Fourth Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits 
FOREST 43304NAT_R 43533 
FOREST 4390 or NAT_R 34003PRST 32313 
FOREST 43603F_W 46504 
Social/Behavioral Elective3Professional Elecitve 3 
Humanities & Fine Arts WI3  
 16 13  
Total Credits: 124

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Degree Audit

The degree audit is an automated report reflecting a student’s academic progress toward the completion of a degree. 

MU students can request a degree audit by logging in to myDegreePlanner.  Students may also access myDegreePlanner via myZou, in the Student Center, click on the Academic Progress Tile, then select Request Degree Audit. The audit automatically pulls in the student’s MU course work, transfer courses and courses in progress.  This is available to current students, admitted students, and those who last attended less than three terms ago.

Past MU students can request a degree audit by contacting the Academic Advising Unit of the division in which they were last enrolled at MU. For contact information, go to https://advising.missouri.edu/contact/.

Prospective students, can access a preliminary MU degree audit via https://www.transferology.com. Information on the college credits already earned will have to be manually entered before it can be evaluated against current degree requirements.

For additional details on degree audits, go to https://registrar.missouri.edu/degrees-audits/degree-audits/.

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Major and Career Exploration

The University of Missouri has many resources to assist you in exploring majors and career possibilities.  For guidance, visit the Majors and Careers website or view specific resources below.

  • If you are considering a change of major or are exploring multiple majors, schedule an appointment with an advisor in the Discovery Center by calling (573)884-9700 or through MU Connect Discovery Center service in you success network.

  • If you have decided on a major, visit an academic advisor in the School or College that you are interested in to discuss the process of declaring the major

  • If you would like to learn more about your career interests, abilities, values and talents, visit the MU Career Center.  No Appointment is necessary to explore career options with one of our staff members.

For additional major and career exploration resources, visit Major & Career Exploration in the catalog.

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