Natural Resources
Natural Resources is an interdisciplinary environmental major that integrates coursework in forest ecosystems and geology with the broad range of potential environmental coursework offered at Sewanee.
Requirements for the Major in Natural Resources
The major requires successful completion of the following:
| Code | Title | Semester Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Course Requirements | ||
| FORS 121 | Introduction to Forestry (Lab) | 4 |
| GEOL 121 | Physical Geology (Lab) | 4 |
| Select 6 courses in Forestry (FORS) or Geology (GEOL) numbered 200 level or above 1, 2 | 24 | |
| Select at least one lab science course in BIOL, CHEM, ENST, ESCI, or PHYS | 4 | |
| Select at least three elective courses from the following: 3, 4 | 12 | |
| Archaeological Resource Management and Policy | ||
Any course in Biology (BIOL) | ||
Any course in Chemistry (CHEM) | ||
Any course in Environmental Studies (ENST) | ||
Any course in Environmental Science (ESCI) | ||
Any course in Forestry (FORS) 3 | ||
Any course in Geology (GEOL) 3 | ||
Any course in Physics (PHYS) | ||
| Total Semester Hours | 48 | |
- 1
Must include at least one writing intensive forestry or geology course (attribute GMWI)
- 2
A field camp or research experience that has been pre-approved by your major advisor may substitute for up to 4 credits
- 3
Any course throughout the college with overarching themes related to natural resources and the environment may be counted towards the major with prior approval by the faculty advisor and department chair.
- 4
Students are encouraged to take one or more courses with an emphasis on environmental economics and/or environmental policy and equitable stakeholder participation.
| Code | Title | Semester Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Additional Requirements | ||
| A comprehensive examination | ||
| Department capstone requirement, which may be satisfied by: | ||
| a. Completing two or more GMWI courses in forestry or geology with a grade of C or higher; or, | ||
| b. Completion of GEOL499, which requires approval of the department chair and prior completion of one of the following to enroll in: An independent study project or a summer research experience, such as an NSF REU or Sewanee SURF, that culminates in a presentation at a scientific conference or the development of a management plan. | ||
Student Learning Outcomes
A student majoring in Natural Resources will
- Demonstrate ability to apply the scientific method (formulating and testing hypotheses, and interpreting and synthesizing data collected in the field and laboratory).
- Demonstrate competence in the techniques and tools used to navigate, measure, analyze and study landscapes and the geologic features/resources they contain while in the field.
- Demonstrate the ability to communicate clearly and effectively on a subject related to the discipline in both written and oral form.
- Be able to describe, discuss and interpret the comprehensive scope of natural landscapes (forests, geologic features, and hydrologic features).
- Properly evaluate and appraise policies and practices that impact the sustainable management of all natural resources (arboreal, geological, and hydrological) in the US and/or abroad.