# 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](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=NRES%20102 "NRES 102") | Introduction to NRES | 3 |
| or [NRES 100](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=NRES%20100 "NRES 100") | Fundamentals of Env Sci | |
| [NRES 287](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=NRES%20287 "NRES 287") | Environment and Society | 3 |
| or [NRES 219](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=NRES%20219 "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](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=NRES%20108 "NRES 108") | Env Sc & Nat Resource Careers | |
| [NRES 201](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=NRES%20201 "NRES 201") | Introductory Soils | |
| [ACE/NRES 210](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=ACE%20210 "ACE/NRES 210") | Environmental Economics & Policy | |
| [NRES 219](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=NRES%20219 "NRES 219") | Applied Ecology | |
| or [NRES 287](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=NRES%20287 "NRES 287") | Environment and Society | |
| [ACE/NRES 310](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=ACE%20310 "ACE/NRES 310") | Natural Resource Economics | |
| [NRES 302](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=NRES%20302 "NRES 302") | Dendrology | |
| [NRES 325](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=NRES%20325 "NRES 325") | Natural Resource Policy Mgmt | |
| [NRES 340](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=NRES%20340 "NRES 340") | Environ Social Sci Res Meth | |
| [NRES 348](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=NRES%20348 "NRES 348") | Fish and Wildlife Ecology | |
| [NRES 351](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=NRES%20351 "NRES 351") | Introduction to Environmental Chemistry | |
| [NRES 362](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=NRES%20362 "NRES 362") | Ecology of Invasive Species | |
| [NRES 407](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=NRES%20407 "NRES 407") | Wildlife Population Ecology | |
| [NRES 409](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=NRES%20409 "NRES 409") | Fishery Ecol and Conservation | |
| [NRES 415](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=NRES%20415 "NRES 415") | Native Plant ID and Floristics | |
| [NRES 418](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=NRES%20418 "NRES 418") | Wetland Ecology & Management | |
| [NRES 419](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=NRES%20419 "NRES 419") | Env and Plant Ecosystems | |
| [NRES 420](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=NRES%20420 "NRES 420") | Restoration Ecology | |
| [NRES 421](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=NRES%20421 "NRES 421") | Quantitative Methods in NRES | |
| [NRES 427](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=NRES%20427 "NRES 427") | Modeling Natural Resources | |
| [NRES 428](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=NRES%20428 "NRES 428") | Valuing Nature | |
| [NRES 429](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=NRES%20429 "NRES 429") | Aquatic Ecosystem Conservation | |
| [NRES 434](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=NRES%20434 "NRES 434") | Environment, Policy, and Conflict | |
| [NRES 438](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=NRES%20438 "NRES 438") | Soil Nutrient Cycling | |
| [NRES 439](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=NRES%20439 "NRES 439") | Env and Sustainable Dev | |
| [NRES 454](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=NRES%20454 "NRES 454") | GIS in Natural Resource Mgmt | |
| [NRES 455](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=NRES%20455 "NRES 455") | Advanced GIS for Environmental Management | |
| [NRES 465](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=NRES%20465 "NRES 465") | Landscape Ecology | |
| [NRES 471](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=NRES%20471 "NRES 471") | Pedology | |
| [NRES 472](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=NRES%20472 "NRES 472") | Environmental Psychology | |
| [NRES 474](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=NRES%20474 "NRES 474") | Soil and Water Conservation | |
| [NRES 475](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=NRES%20475 "NRES 475") | Environmental Microbiology | |
| [NRES 480](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=NRES%20480 "NRES 480") | Human-Wildlife Interactions | |
| [NRES 482](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=NRES%20482 "NRES 482") | Aquatic Biogeochemistry | |
| [NRES 485](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=NRES%20485 "NRES 485") | Stream Ecology | |
| [NRES 487](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=NRES%20487 "NRES 487") | Soil Chemistry | |
| [NRES 488](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=NRES%20488 "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](https://nres.illinois.edu/)\
W-503 Turner Hall\
1102 S. Goodwin Ave.\
Urbana, IL 61801\
(217) 333-2770\
[nres@illinois.edu](mailto:nres@illinois.edu)
### **Advising**
[Advising Website](https://nres.illinois.edu/academics/undergraduate-degree/academic-resources)\
(217) 333-5824\
[nres-ssc@illinois.edu](mailto:nres-ssc@illinois.edu)
## **College of Agricultural, Consumer & Environmental Sciences**
[College of Agricultural, Consumer & Environmental Sciences website](https://aces.illinois.edu/)
## **ACES Office of Academic Programs**
128 Mumford Hall\
1301 West Gregory Drive\
Urbana, IL 61801\
(217) 333-3380\
[aces-academics@illinois.edu](mailto:aces-academics@illinois.edu)
### **Admissions**
[ACES Undergraduate Admissions](https://aces.illinois.edu/admissions)\
[University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Undergrad Admissions](https://www.admissions.illinois.edu/)\
(217) 333-3380\
[visitACES@illinois.edu](mailto:visitACES@illinois.edu)