Natural resource science courses

As you earn the 16 credits required for the natural resources minor, you can choose from courses like these:

• Introduction to Natural Resources Management
• Introduction to Wildlife Management
• Natural Resource Ecology
• Natural Resources and Society
• Forest Plants and Ecosystems
• Arid Land Plants and Ecosystems
• Natural Resource Economics
• Conservation Biology
• Restoration Ecology
• Soil as a Living System

There are many more to choose from; the natural resources program is flexible, so you can tailor it to fit your interests.

Note: See the WSU Catalog for degree requirements and talk with your academic advisor about planning and scheduling your courses. All students must meet requirements as outlined in the catalog in order to graduate.

Washington State University awards millions of dollars in financial aid and scholarships to students every year based on financial need, academic merit, or a combination of the two.

For natural resource science majors

The Department of Natural Resource Sciences offers a number of scholarships for undergraduate students, including the E.H. Steffen, Frank and Ethel Lenzie, Elmer Kegel Memorial, Keith Henrickson Memorial, Norman and Linda Baer, Wildlife Conservation Conclave, and Safari Club International scholarships.

Natural resource science majors are also eligible to apply for scholarships from the College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences, which awards roughly $600,000 to students annually.

For all students at WSU

A variety of state, federal, and university-sponsored programs are available to help students with education costs.

To be eligible for scholarship consideration, all students need to complete the Washington State University general scholarship application by January 31. Also be sure to fill out the FAFSA by February 15 to ensure your eligibility for the widest range of scholarships and need-based financial aid.

For information or to apply for financial aid and scholarships from WSU, see the Scholarships and Finances section of the WSU website.

Students who become natural resource science majors often enjoy:

• The outdoors and working outside
• Science, especially biology/life sciences
• Hands-on learning
• Applying analytical techniques to solving problems
• Finding practical solutions to problems
• Making a difference in the real world

High school preparation should emphasize biological/physical sciences, mathematics, communication, reading/reasoning, and computer literacy.

Transfer preparation

If you plan to transfer from another college, completion of pre-calculus mathematics, one semester of general chemistry, one semester of microeconomics, one year of general biology, and a one-year English composition/communication sequence is recommended. Taking these courses in advance will help minimize the time it takes to complete the natural resource curriculum at WSU.

You're welcome to contact the Department of Natural Resource Sciences for transfer planning advice.

Highly trained and motivated natural resource science professionals are in demand. WSU graduates are valued by employers, who know that our natural resources majors are prepared to evaluate, study, and manage the complex demands society places on our forests, wildlife habitat, rangeland, and related natural resources.

You can find rewarding employment in a variety of areas:

• Private consulting firms
• County and state government and various non-governmental organizations
• Federal land management agencies, such as the BLM, U.S. Forest Service, and Army Corps of Engineers
• Natural resource law, law enforcement, or the political arena

A major in natural resources also can be ideal preparation for graduate programs in environmental science, natural resource sciences, or veterinary medicine.

Career options are diverse. Examples include foresters, range conservationists, wildlife biologists, wildlife ecologists, park managers, information specialists, environmental educators, Peace Corps workers, policy advisors, land restoration specialists, environmental consultants, and environmental lawyers.