Metadata
Title
2026-2027 Course Catalog
Category
undergraduate
UUID
14afd36dc1bc4da2a0613810605a50c6
Source URL
https://catalog.illinois.edu/undergraduate/aces/minors/natural-resource-conserva...
Parent URL
https://catalog.illinois.edu/degree-programs/undergraduate_index/
Crawl Time
2026-03-16T06:30:18+00:00
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2026-2027 Course Catalog

Source: https://catalog.illinois.edu/undergraduate/aces/minors/natural-resource-conservation/ Parent: https://catalog.illinois.edu/degree-programs/undergraduate_index/

for the Undergraduate Minor in Natural Resource Conservation

The Natural Resource Conservation minor offers an integrated approach to managing natural resources from a sustainability perspective. This minor addresses the diverse biological, physical, social, economic, and political aspects of natural resources and stewardship. Ultimately, this curriculum offers students interested in the conservation of natural resources a challenging and rewarding experience while simultaneously preparing them for future careers requiring a fundamental and strong background in the management and conservation of natural resources. A minimum of 18 hours are required for this minor, of which at least 6 credit hours must be 400-level. Courses taken to fulfill the minor may not be counted toward the major in Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences.

for the Undergraduate Minor in Natural Resource Conservation

Course List

 | Code | Title | Hours |

| --- | --- | --- | | Required Courses for a Minor in Natural Resource Conservation | | | | NRES 102 | Introduction to NRES | 3 | | or NRES 100 | Fundamentals of Env Sci | | | NRES 287 | Environment and Society | 3 | | or NRES 219 | Applied Ecology | | | General Electives | | | | Minimum of 12 credit hours, at least 6 of which much be 400-level, selected from: | | 12 | | NRES 108 | Env Sc & Nat Resource Careers | | | NRES 201 | Introductory Soils | | | ACE/NRES 210 | Environmental Economics & Policy | | | NRES 219 | Applied Ecology | | | or NRES 287 | Environment and Society | | | ACE/NRES 310 | Natural Resource Economics | | | NRES 302 | Dendrology | | | NRES 325 | Natural Resource Policy Mgmt | | | NRES 340 | Environ Social Sci Res Meth | | | NRES 348 | Fish and Wildlife Ecology | | | NRES 351 | Introduction to Environmental Chemistry | | | NRES 362 | Ecology of Invasive Species | | | NRES 407 | Wildlife Population Ecology | | | NRES 409 | Fishery Ecol and Conservation | | | NRES 415 | Native Plant ID and Floristics | | | NRES 418 | Wetland Ecology & Management | | | NRES 419 | Env and Plant Ecosystems | | | NRES 420 | Restoration Ecology | | | NRES 421 | Quantitative Methods in NRES | | | NRES 427 | Modeling Natural Resources | | | NRES 428 | Valuing Nature | | | NRES 429 | Aquatic Ecosystem Conservation | | | NRES 434 | Environment, Policy, and Conflict | | | NRES 438 | Soil Nutrient Cycling | | | NRES 439 | Env and Sustainable Dev | | | NRES 454 | GIS in Natural Resource Mgmt | | | NRES 455 | Advanced GIS for Environmental Management | | | NRES 465 | Landscape Ecology | | | NRES 471 | Pedology | | | NRES 472 | Environmental Psychology | | | NRES 474 | Soil and Water Conservation | | | NRES 475 | Environmental Microbiology | | | NRES 480 | Human-Wildlife Interactions | | | NRES 482 | Aquatic Biogeochemistry | | | NRES 485 | Stream Ecology | | | NRES 487 | Soil Chemistry | | | NRES 488 | Soil Fertility and Fertilizers | | | Total Hours | | 18 |

for the Undergraduate Minor in Natural Resource Conservation

The Natural Resource Conservation Minor provides a fundamental and strong background in the management and conservation of natural resources. Courses in the minor are also part of the NRES major and each course addresses one or more of the following NRES major learning outcomes:

  1. Understand the scientific method/ways of knowing and critically evaluate information.
  2. Integrate principles of biological, chemical, physical, and social sciences and apply them to resource and environmental issues using a systems approach.
  3. Understand ecological principles underpinning management of resources, populations, communities, and ecosystems.
  4. Use data collection and analysis tools (such as field methods, GIS, modeling, and statistics) to develop plans for managing resource/environmental challenges and adapt plans in response to rapid change.
  5. Understand the policies governing resources and the environment and identify social dimensions (stakeholders, interests, trade‐offs, synergies, ethical principles) to consider in the development of management plans.
  6. Communicate effectively with colleagues, stakeholders, and the public about environmental and resource management issues.
  7. Recognize how diverse groups understand the environment, experience positive and negative environmental impacts, and perceive just and equitable solutions.

for the Undergraduate Minor in Natural Resource Conservation

Natural Resources & Environmental Sciences

Natural Resources & Environmental Sciences website\ W-503 Turner Hall\ 1102 S. Goodwin Ave.\ Urbana, IL 61801\ (217) 333-2770\ nres@illinois.edu

Advising

Advising Website\ (217) 333-5824\ nres-ssc@illinois.edu

College of Agricultural, Consumer & Environmental Sciences

College of Agricultural, Consumer & Environmental Sciences website

ACES Office of Academic Programs

128 Mumford Hall\ 1301 West Gregory Drive\ Urbana, IL 61801\ (217) 333-3380\ aces-academics@illinois.edu

Admissions

ACES Undergraduate Admissions\ University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Undergrad Admissions\ (217) 333-3380\ visitACES@illinois.edu