This page lists Frequently Asked Questions and Standard Operating Procedures for the NRC major. We add to this list as questions come up, so check back often.
Prospective Students:
Q: How many credits is the major?
A: The number of credits in the NRC major can vary depending on which concentration you are in, and how much math you might need to take. The range is from 80-96 credits.
Q: If I join the major, do I have to pick a concentration?
A: Yes, but there is flexibility. If you aren’t sure which concentration to choose, the general concentration, Environmental Conservation is a good place to start. It is the most flexible and customizable concentration, it also has the least overall required credits. Even after declaring a concentration, you can often still switch concentrations. This usually depends on how many courses you have already taken within your chosen concentration.
Q: What kind of jobs do students find after graduation?
A: Students in NRC go on to a broad array of different kinds of jobs. Some of that variety depends on a student’s concentration or focus area. For example, we have more students who do the Forest Ecology and Conservation concentration going into the forestry field and become professional foresters, either in the private or public sectors. Students in Urban Forestry and Arboriculture generally work in the urban forestry field as arborists. More broadly students go into environmental education, law, land conservation, and environmental consulting. We also have alumni continuing on to graduate degrees in natural resources, Geographic Information Science and Technology, public policy, data science, and other related fields.
Q: How easy is it to add a minor?
A: Adding a minor is pretty straightforward, as long as you have the space for the additional 15-20 credits that it would likely require. You can find the list of minors available at UMass on this website. Minors are generally programmed into your spire account after you have completed the requirements, but that varies by program.
Q: How easy is it to add a second major?
A: Being able to add a second major would depend on how much space you have for more courses, and what second major you are interested in. As many majors require a lot of credits, not all majors can fit as a second major within a 4 year plan. If you are interested in a second major we recommend you ask your advisor or faculty mentor, as the answer is generally specific to a student’s situation.
Q: What portion of coursework is in the field vs. in the classroom?
A: We know that our students generally love to be outside, and there are many opportunities, but there is also a lot of classroom time. In your first and second year you will have more indoor work and courses. Although, courses like NRC 100: Environment and Society get you outside through other means such as the forest scavenger hunt, weekly outdoors journal, and required environmentally-focused volunteering. How much time you spend outside during your junior or senior year really depends on your concentration and curriculum. We have a lot of upper-level courses with field labs that are outside for hours each week.
Q: What’s the difference between the Natural Resources Conservation and Environmental Science majors?
A: The Natural Resources Conservation and Environmental Science majors are similar in a lot of ways. Both require some basic math and science courses, ecology, policy, and earth science. The NRC major focuses more on ecology and conservation in its curriculum, while environmental science is more focused on
Current Students:
Q: Where do I look for internships?
A: There are lots of places to look for internships! One good place to start is Handshake, you already have an account! Log in with your UMass login information. We will also add a link to our NRC Career Page here!
Q: How do I get help with my coursework (R, GIS, etc.)?
A: Reach out to your professors! Attend office hours! Go to the Learning Resource Center. The statistics program has R office hours, and there are people in the Learning Resource Center that can help with R.
Q: How do I study abroad?
A: Studying abroad is a great option that we encourage you to actively consider and explore as an NRC major at UMass. The Office of Global Affairs is the office on campus that coordinates Study Abroad opportunities. Here is their site “Steps to Study Abroad”. Review their information and start the steps! The NRC program can support you by reviewing your required courses for the major and helping you to identify how courses that you take abroad could count towards your requirements to graduate. We make those decisions official in the International Course Approval Form (ICAF) that the Office of Global Affairs will provide you with.
Q: Can I double count one class toward the NRC major and a minor or second major?
A: The general rule of thumb is that only 2 courses can be double counted toward 2 different credentials at UMass. When in doubt, check with an advisor or faculty mentor.
Q: Are there scholarships for NRC students and when should I apply for them?
A: All students should apply to scholarships through Academic Works - here is the link. Applications are generally open starting in the fall semester, and close April 1st. We can only give scholarships to students who apply, so please do!
Q: How do I know who my advisors are and who do I talk to about course registration?
A: Your advisor and your faculty mentor will be visible in SPIRE.
Q: How do I get involved in research?
A: There are lots of ways to get involved with research! Keep an eye out for emails about research opportunities for undergraduates at UMass. These are currently sent out to the NRC email list a couple weeks before each semester starts (fall, spring, and summer). You need to apply before the semester starts, so keep an eye out and act quickly! Also check out the Propel program (Promoting Research Opportunities and Experiential Learning), this is an online platform designed to provide student access to research for all undergraduate students.