Natural Resources Specialty Options
The Specialty Option is not optional! Rather, it is designed to allow you to tailor your Natural Resources degree toward your personal and career interests.
The options available vary according to where you are taking the program (Corvallis Campus, Cascades Campus, or Ecampus) so be sure to discuss your option choice with your advisor. Students may also design their own Individualized Specialty Option (ISO) with the guidance of their academic advisor.
Agroforestry
Arid Land Ecology
Fish and Wildlife Conservation (Ecampus)
Forest Ecosystems
Geosciences and
Natural Resources
Human Dimensions in Natural Resources (Ecampus)
Law Enforcement in Natural Resources
Native Americans and Natural Resources
Natural Resource Education
Natural Resource Policy (Ecampus)
Soil Resources
Watershed Management
Individualized Specialty Option
Agroforestry
Goal of Specialty Option:
To develop skills and knowledge necessary to design and manage integrated sustainable land management systems involving co-production of woody plants and agricultural plants and animals.
Knowledge Gained:
- Background in basic biological, physical, and social sciences which underlie agroforestry systems.
- Understanding of ecological, social, and economic principles and relationships relevant to natural resource management.
- Insight into structure and function of sustainable agroecosystems
Skills Learned:
- Ability to integrate social, biological, and economic aspects of natural resource management.
- Ability to design, manage, and evaluate agroforestry systems for the temperate zone.
- Ability to communicate clearly and to work cooperatively with others.
Employment Opportunities:
- Curriculum prepares students to work for public land management agencies, environmental consulting firms, and environmental groups.
- Meets minimum qualifications for US government positions as General Biological Science, Ecologist, and Natural Resources Specialist.
- International orientation of the curriculum should make students with appropriate language skills employable by Peace Corps and other governmental and private international development groups.
The Agroforestry curriculum can be found in the OSU General Catalog.
Arid Land Ecology
Goal of Specialty Option:
To develop skills and knowledge necessary to manage natural resources in the arid lands of Western North America.
Knowledge Gained:
- An understanding of ecological principles and relationships.
- Insight into functions of arid land ecosystems.
- Means to manage arid land ecosystems in a sustainable fashion.
Skills Learned:
- Ability to communicate with users of arid ecosystems.
- Ability to analyze and solve natural resource problems of arid lands.
- Ability to develop resource management plans which integrate plant ecology, climatology, geology, grazing, and land restoration practices, with societal concerns and conflict resolution approaches.
Employment Opportunities:
- Curriculum prepares students to work for state, federal, and private organizations.
- Students meet requirements for federal positions of General Biological Science and Natural Resource Specialist.
- Students may qualify as a Range Management Specialist, Soil Conservationist, or Natural Resource Specialist with the federal government. However, to maximize placement opportunities additional courses may be required.
The Arid Land Ecology curriculum can be found in the OSU General Catalog.
Fish and Wildlife Conservation
Goal of Specialty Option:
To prepare the student for a career in the broad arena of natural resource and wildlife conservation, with an emphasis on understanding of the relationship between animal species and their habitat requirements and the ability to apply this knowledge to the management of ecosystems as a means of conserving fish and wildlife.
Knowledge Gained:
- Background in basic biological, physical, and social sciences which underlie sound management and conservation of the nation’s natural resources, with emphasis on fish and wildlife.
- Understanding of how humans have impacted the environment and the implications of these impacts for current and future management of fish and wildlife species and their habitats.
- Understanding of ecological, social, and political principles, relationships and perspectives relevant to the conservation of fish and wildlife resources.
Skills Learned:
- Ability to integrate biological, physical, social, and political aspects of natural resources with the conservation of these resources in ecosystems that provide habitat for fish and wildlife species.
- Ability to apply management principles to the effective interaction of scientific and social components of natural resource conservation approaches especially as these pertain to fish and wildlife.
- Ability to communicate clearly and to work cooperatively with others, especially within the context of fish and wildlife resource management on public and private lands.
Employment Opportunities:
- The emphasis on biological and ecological components of natural resource conservation and management will qualify graduates for employment positions with public agencies at municipal, state and federal levels.
- Graduates will also be qualified to work with environmental and natural history educational groups.
- With proper selection of elective courses, curriculum may meet minimum qualifications for US government positions in the following series: general biological science, ecology, wildlife refuge management, fish and wildlife administration.
The Fish and Wildlife Conservation curriculum can be found in the OSU General Catalog.
Forest Ecosystems
Goal of Specialty Option:
To help students understand the nature of forest ecosystems and the processes by which they function. Includes an understanding of the multiple resources and values associated with forest ecosystems and some of the techniques involved in managing them.
Knowledge Gained:
- An understanding of important components and processes that occur in forested ecosystems.
- An understanding of why and how humans manage forest ecosystems to accomplish a variety of important objectives.
- An understanding of how knowledge of forest ecosystems and associated management techniques are reflected in and affected by forest policy.
- An understanding of some impacts of human activities on forest ecosystems.
Skills Learned:
- Students will learn to identify, describe, and discuss the importance of the major components and processes that occur in forested ecosystems. Included will be knowledge of how forest systems respond to human and other natural disturbances.
- Students will learn to interpret, assess, and implement management plans that maintain the ecological integrity of forest ecosystems.
Employment Opportunities:
- Prepares students to work for state, federal, and private organizations and agencies that manage forest ecosystems.
- With wise use of electives, students in this specialty could qualify for at least the following federal job categories (GS-5): General Biological Science, Agricultural Extension, Ecology (with some additional math and physical sciences), Soil Conservation, General Fish and Wildlife Administration, and Forestry.
- Graduates will also be prepared for involvement with forest research and the development and evaluation of public forest policy.
The Forest Ecosystems curriculum can be found in the OSU General Catalog.
Geosciences and Natural Resources
Goal of Specialty Option:
To provide the student with a basic grounding in Geosciences and a more specialized knowledge of monitoring environmental changes related to natural resources management.
Knowledge Gained:
- Fundamentals of surficial and subsurface processes as they relate to natural resources.
- Fundamentals of natural resources and their management.
- Concepts about and application of cartographic and remotely sensed data to natural resources management.
Skills Learned:
- Map interpretation and application of computerized cartography.
- Photo interpretation and remote sensing.
- Geographic Information Systems (GIS).
- Research methods and report writing on problems and issues of natural resources management.
Employment Opportunities:
Curriculum prepares students to be employed by federal and state agencies managing natural resources, local government planning offices, and private organizations providing research and consultation on matters pertaining to natural resources.
The Geosciences and Natural Resources curriculum can be found in the OSU General Catalog.
Human Dimensions in Natural Resources
Goal of Specialty Option:
To develop an understanding of the interconnectedness of human behavior and natural resource issues. Includes skills and knowledge to better understand the cultural, social, and philosophical issues associated with natural resources.
Knowledge Gained:
- An understanding of the diversity of human values and their impact on natural resources.
- An understanding of the complex social and cultural systems associated with natural resources management.
Skills Learned:
- Students will learn communication skills, especially as they relate to natural resource conflicts.
- Ability to apply social, cultural and political principles to natural resource issues.
Employment Opportunities:
An in-depth understanding of the human dimensions of natural resources provides students important social and communication skills to work for state, federal, and private organizations.
The Human Dimensions in Natural Resources curriculum can be found in the OSU General Catalog.
Law Enforcement in Natural Resources
Goal of Specialty Option:
To develop skills and knowledge necessary to practice natural resource law enforcement.
Knowledge Gained:
- An understanding of fish and wildlife species as they relate to enforcement of fish and game regulations.
- An understanding of recreational use of natural resources.
- An understanding of social deviance and underlying factors causing people to break laws.
Skills Learned:
- Ability to communicate to the public knowledge about natural resources.
- Ability to make public contacts in an informed, unbiased, and fair fashion.
Employment Opportunities:
- Graduates are prepared to practice law enforcement in public natural resource agencies.
- The courses outlined provide background for employment as a ranger, game warden, or police officer in the context of social control of natural resource use.
The Law Enforcement in Natural Resources curriculum can be found in the OSU General Catalog.
Recommended Additional Training (not required):
Students should consider attending an approved law enforcement training program such as those offered at: Santa Rosa Training Center (California), Skagit Valley College (Washington), or Oregon State Police Cadet Program (Monmouth).
Native Americans and Natural Resources
This option is waiting approval as an official Specialty Option. Please contact Connie Patterson for more information.
Natural Resource Education
Goal of Specialty Option:
To prepare students for careers as educators within the broad field of natural resources - to help them learn to bridge the gap in knowledge that exists between "experts" and others.
Knowledge Gained:
Students in this specialty will learn to translate their knowledge of natural resources into sound educational programs.
Coursework will emphasize:
- A fundamental understanding of the ecology and management of land-based natural resources.
- A fundamental understanding of the analysis, design, development, and implementation of sound educational programs.
Skills Learned:
- Students will learn to speak and write clearly about natural resource issues, concepts, and techniques.
- Students will learn to use existing curricula and materials to teach a variety of audiences (youth through adult, professional through novice) about issues, concepts, and techniques in natural resources.
- Students will learn to analyze, design, develop, implement, and evaluate educational materials and curricula in natural resources (e.g., interpretive displays, classroom lesson plans, audio-visual programs, field tours, information campaigns)
Employment Opportunities:
- Graduates might become interpreters, curriculum designers, public affairs specialists, public relation specialists, environmental educators, etc. in public agencies, private industry, or non-profit organizations.
- This specialty will not qualify graduates to become certified classroom teachers in Oregon.
The Natural Resource Education curriculum can be found in the OSU General Catalog.
Natural Resource Policy
Goal of Specialty Option:
To prepare students for careers in the broad arena of natural resource and environmental conservation, with an emphasis on the social and political aspects of resource issues.
Knowledge Gained:
- Background in basic biological, physical, and social sciences which underlie sound management and conservation of natural resources.
- Understanding of why and how humans have impacted the environment and the implications of these impacts historically, currently, and for the future.
- Understanding of ecological, social, and political principles, relationships and perspectives relevant to the conservation of natural resources.
Skills Learned:
- Ability to integrate biological, social, and political aspects of natural resources with the conservation of these resources.
- Ability to apply knowledge of resource policy, law, and planning to the scientific and social components of natural resource conservation approaches.
- Ability to communicate clearly and work cooperatively with others, especially within the context of public involvement processes involving resource management on public lands.
Employment Opportunities:
- The emphasis on social and political components of natural resource management combined with the scientific and management knowledge will qualify graduates for positions involving community-based conservation initiatives such as watershed councils, local land-use planning groups, and NGO's.
- Graduates will also be qualified to work with environmental and natural history educational groups.
- With proper selection of elective courses, curriculum may meet minimum qualifications for US government positions in the following series: general biological science, park ranger, and agricultural extension.
The Natural Resource Policy curriculum can be found in the OSU General Catalog.
Soil Resources
Goal of Specialty Option:
To develop an understanding of soil ecosystems and to become skilled at their inventory and management.
Knowledge Gained:
- An understanding of soil ecosystem form and function.
- An appreciation of interactions of earth materials, biota and atmosphere.
- Concepts of landscape analysis, evaluation and management.
Skills Learned:
- Soil resource inventory, including GIS analysis and image interpretation.
- Soil and water conservation techniques.
- Soil characterization and classification, including wetland delineations.
- Ability to communicate results of soil survey and related science to the public.
Employment Opportunities:
- Prepares students to work for Federal, State, and Local government agencies, and the private sector, including land management, research and consulting firms concerned with soil resources.
- Potential for employment as Soil Scientist or Soil Conservationist with agencies, such as the Natural Resources Conservation Service (Soil Survey) and the Bureau of Land Management
The Soil Resources curriculum can be found in the OSU General Catalog.
Watershed Management
Goal of Specialty Option:
To help students obtain skills and knowledge about natural water systems and water quality, specifically management of surface water in forest and rangeland ecosystems.
Knowledge Gained:
- An understanding of the chemical, physical, and biological components of water.
- An understanding of the factors that affect water quality and watershed function and the reasons why these are affected.
- An understanding of the management of the interactions between aquatic and terrestrial systems.
Skills Learned:
- The ability to manage a watershed by looking at all components of the system.
- The ability to analyze data and be able to come to conclusions and make management decisions.
- The ability to communicate clearly and to work cooperatively with others.
Employment Opportunities:
- Prepares students to work for federal government agencies such as the National Forest Service, Fish and Wildlife, Natural Resources Conservation Service, and the Bureau of Land Management.
- Prepares students to work for state and local government agencies such as the Department of Environmental Quality, wastewater treatment plants, and city watersheds.
- Prepares students to work for private industries such as environmental consulting firms, logging companies, and others.
- Prepares students for graduate work.
The Watershed Management curriculum can be found in the OSU General Catalog.
Individualized Specialty Options
If you are interested in creating your own specialty area, discuss this with your advisor as soon as possible. They wil be able to guide you in creating an option that works for you and satisfies the program requirements.
Student-designed specialty options must:
- contain at least 25 credits of upper division courses
- consist of a minimum of 50 credits, encompassing at least three departments, with not more than 25 credits from one department
- have coursework that reflects stated knowledge and skill "goals"
- not come close to "duplicating" existing majors