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Natural Resources

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The natural resources program at Snow College prepares students with practical skills in land management, conservation, and responsible resource use. This program is ideal for those who value preserving America’s natural beauty while ensuring resources are managed wisely to support local communities and the economy. It’s a great fit for students who want to safeguard our natural heritage, promote self-reliance, and make informed decisions that balance stewardship with productive land use.

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Degrees/Certificates Other Degrees & Opportunities Career & Transfer Options More Info
Freshman (Semester 1)
Course Title Credits
NR 1000 Introduction to Natural Resources 2
MATH 1050 College Algebra 4
GNST 1200 Foundations 3
American Institutions   3
NR 1020 Field Inventory and Sampling Techniques 3
Freshman (Semester 2)
Course Title Credits
BIOL 1610 Biology I 4
BIOL 1615 Biology I Lab 1
Natural Resource Course Electives   6
Social & Behavioral Science 3
Sophomore (Semester 3)
Course Title Credits
CHEM 1210 Principles of Chemistry I 4
CHEM 1215 Principles of Chemistry I Lab 1
Natural Resource Course Electives 6
MATH 1210 Calculus I 5
ENGL 1010 Introduction to Writing 3
Fine Arts 3
Sophomore (Semester 4)
Course Title Credits
Natural Resource Course Electives 9
ENGL 2010 Intermediate Writing 3
Humanities 3
Note: the information above will make a student transfer-ready for a Natural Resources BS program at another school. Below are the base requirements to earn the AS in Natural Resources at Snow College:
  • NR 1010 Introduction to Natural Resources 2 credits
  • One of the following pairings:
    • BIOL 1010 General Biology 3 credits
    • BIOL 1015 General Biology Laboratory 1 credit
    • BIOL 1420 Environmental Biology 3 credits
    • BIOL 1425 Environmental Biology Laboratory 1 credit
    • BIOL 1610 Biology I 4 credits
    • BIOL 1615 Biology I Laboratory 1 credit
Core Classes (31 credits): 
Course Title Credits
NR 1010 Introduction to Natural Resources 2
NR 1020 Environmental Sampling and Analysis 3
NR 2010 Environmental Policy, Regulation, and Report Writing 1
NR 2030 Agricultural Ecosystem Management 3
NR 2997 Natural Resources Internship 3
CHEM 1010/15
Or
CHEM 1110/1115		 Intro Chem. & Lab
Or
Elementary Chem. & Lab		 4
Or
5
ENGL 1010 Expository English 3
GEO 1700
Or
GEO 1800		 Fundamentals GPS/GIS Navigation
Or
Interdisciplinary Introduction to GIS		 3
Or
3
GNST 1200
Or
COMM 1020		 Foundations (FND)
Or
Public Speaking		 3
Or
3
Math 1050
Or
Math 1040		 College Algebra
Or
Statistics		 4
Or
3

Short-Term Training (specific to each student) (1-3 credits):

In addition to the courses that fulfill the core requirements (no double dipping), students should take a short-term training course and take at least 30 credits from the clusters below with at least one course from each cluster.

Cluster Requirement (63 credits):
Course Title Credits
Wildlife and Ecology Cluster (24 credits)
NR 2610 Wildland Animal Ecology & Identification 3
BIOL 1010 General Biology 3
BIOL 1610/1615 Biology I 5
BIOL 1620/1625 Biology II 5
BIOL 2220/2225 Ecology 4
BIOL 2580/2585 Soil Science 4
Agriculture - Range Cluster (24 credits)
NR 2425 Wildland Plant Identification 2
AGBS 1010 Fundamentals of Animal Science 4
AGBS 1100 Career Exploration / Ag-Business 2
AGBS 2020 Agricultural Economics / Agribusiness Management 3
AGBS 2030 Managerial Analysis and Decision Making 3
AGBS 2200 Anatomy and Physiology of Domestic Animals 3
AGBS 2400 Livestock Feeds and Feeding 4
WELD 1030 Related Oxy-acetylene / Arc Welding 3
Hydrology - Geology Cluster (12 credits)
GEO 1010 Survey of Geology 4
GEO 1110 Physical Geology 4
GEOG 1000 Physical Geography 4
Navigation and GIS Cluster (15 credits)
GEO 1700 Fundamentals of GPS and GIS Navigation 3
GEO 1800 Interdisciplinary Introduction to GIS 3
GEO 1820 Intermediate Geographic Information 3
GEO 2850 Cartography and Digital Map Making 3
GEO 2900 Applied Geographic Information Systems 3
Certification Cluster (13 credits)
HESC 1500 EMT - Emergency Medical Technician 7
OLE 1542 Wilderness First Responder 3
NR 2820 Pesticide Applicator Safety Certification 1
NR 2825 Wilderness Navigation Safety Certification 1
GEO 2845 Drone Operations and Safety Certification 1
Required Courses
Course Title Credits
NR 1010 Introduction to Natural Resources 2
NR 1020 Field Inventory and Sampling Techniques 3
NR 2030 Agricultural Ecosystem Management 3
NR 2010
Or
NR 2425		 Environmental Policy / Scientific Literacy
Or
Range Plant Identification		 1
Or
2
WELD 1030 Related Oxy-acetylene and Arc Welding 3
NR 2997 Natural Resource Internship II Existing 2
GEO 1700 GEO 1800 Fundamentals of GPS and GIS Navigation
Or
Introductory Interdisciplinary GIS		 3
Or
3
Elective Courses (Choose any two)
Course Title Credits
NR 2820 Pesticide Applicator Safety Certification 1
NR 2825 Wilderness Navigation Safety Certification 1
GEO 2845 Drone Operations and Safety Certification 1

While we recommend that natural resource students earn the Associate of Science (AS), an AA in natural resource is also available. The Associate of Arts has the same requirements as the AS with the addition of a foreign language (complete a 1020-level language course). Please see your academic advisor for full details.

Course Title Credits
General Education Courses 34-36 credits
Elective Credits 14-18 credits
Meta-major Requirements 6-10 credits
Choose 6 credits from this list:
BIOL 1610/5 Biology I and Lab 5
AGBS 2200/5 Anatomy of Physiology of Domestic Animals I and Lab 4
NR 1010 Introduction to Natural Resources 2
CHEM 1210/5 Principles of Chemistry and Lab 5
BIOL 1420/5 Environmental Biology and Lab 4
Total 60 credits

Natural resources majors have diverse career opportunities, including wildlife management, forestry, conservation policy, environmental consulting, and land stewardship. They play vital roles in industries such as public land agencies, conservation organizations, private land management firms, and energy companies, contributing to the preservation and sustainable use of our nation’s natural resources.

Discover ways you can transfer your credits to some of the following colleges:

For more information on transferring within public colleges and universities in Utah, see UtahTransferGuide.
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Natural Resources Department
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