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B.S. in Natural Resources

Take your career outside and seek out new ways to overcome the environmental and human pressures that affect our world through the study of natural resources. A Bachelor of Science undergraduate degree in natural resources from the University of Arizona provides you with a solid foundation in the conservation and management of natural resources including water, animal populations, rangelands, wildlands, fisheries, and human impacted landscapes.

Why Major in Natural Resources?

Your love for the natural world can lead to a rewarding, influential career that allows you to apply your enthusiasm, talents, and knowledge to solve conservation, management, and science challenges. You’ll have many opportunities to take part in field and laboratory experiences, joining faculty and staff as we seek out new ways to relieve the stress that environmental and human pressures have on our ecosystems.

A degree in natural resources will prepare you to work in fields focused on the conservation and management of our environment, ensuring sustainable use of our natural resources, and promoting long-term ecological balance. Moreover, a natural resources degree can serve as a springboard into graduate school.

Our program allows you to choose from a conservation biology; ecology, management, and restoration of rangelands; fisheries conservation and management; global change ecology and management; watershed management and ecohydrology; or wildlife conservation and management emphasis. If you're an out-of-state student from a participating Western Undergraduate Exchange program state or territory, you may be eligible for tuition savings when enrolled in this program.

What Can You Do with a Degree in Natural Resources?

There are a variety of career opportunities available to students who complete a bachelor of natural resources, including:

  • Wildlife biologist: Study the biology, behaviors, and habitats of a variety of animals in the wild and contribute to their conservation or restoration.
  • Natural resources manager: Supervise work related to research and development, and coordinate activities such as field and lab data acquisitions, testing, quality control, and development of environmental or ecological management plans.
  • Rangeland restoration manager: Guide the sustainable management of rangeland for the benefits of current stakeholders and future generations.   
  • Watershed eco-hydrologist: Serve as the technical lead for surface and groundwater monitoring and data collection for public and private entities focused on safe water and environmental sustainability.
  • Fisheries technician: Assess and restore wild fish populations, guide the rearing and transport of hatchery fish populations, collect and record stream and lake data, and manage hatchery or aquaculture facilities.

Natural Resources Degree Requirements

As a natural resources student at the University of Arizona, you’ll learn how to integrate ecological management, wildlife and fisheries, rangelands, conservation, policy, geospatial technologies, economics, and planning to develop solutions to manage our natural resources. Courses required to complete a bachelor of natural resources are subject to change, so remember to meet with your adviser regularly to review your course plan. To see a list of courses offered in SNRE, see our course offerings page.

Conservation Biology

Deer standing in a forest

Prepares students for careers as conservation biologists, conservation planners, ecologists, environmental educators, researchers, and resource managers.

Learn more about conservation biology

Ecology, Management & Restoration of Rangelands

students and instructor on mountain range

Prepares students for a broad range of careers with government agencies, non-profit and conservation organizations, and private landowners.

Learn more about ecology, management, and restoration of rangelands

Fisheries Conservation & Management

Four people dragging a net in from the ocean at dawn

Prepares students for careers in fisheries management working for federal agencies such as the Fish and Wildlife Service and National Park Service, or state game and fish departments.

Learn more about fisheries conservation and management

Global Change Ecology & Management

Giraffes standing on the African savannah

Prepares students for careers working as natural resources scientists and managers in public and private sectors for a rapidly changing world.

Learn more about global change ecology and management

Watershed Management & Ecohydrology

river and mountain scenery

Prepares students for careers in organizations concerned with integrated land and water management, the environment, or societal water resources such as municipal water districts and federal or state agencies.

Learn more about watershed management and ecohydrology

Wildlife Conservation & Management

A woman smiling standing next to a cactus

Prepares students for careers in wildlife conservation working for federal agencies such as the Fish and Wildlife Service, Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, and state departments of wildlife or natural resources.

Learn more about wildlife conservation and management

Current Student? Connect with an Advisor

An academic advisor can help you choose classes, stay on track throughout your degree program, and provide the support you need during your academic journey.

Schedule an Appointment