Prospective Students in
Natural Resources & Environmental Science
The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Science offers four bachelor’s
programs (Ecohydrology, Environmental Science, Forest Management and Ecology and
Wildlife Ecology and Conservation), an interdepartmental bachelor’s degree (Rangeland
Ecology and Management) and a master of science degree. Our faculty members are
involved in internationally recognized research efforts and are an important resource
for Nevadans. Between our major fields of study and involvement in research, we
give students the best classroom and practical educational experiences available
at the University of Nevada. Our students also are our laboratory and field assistants,
especially during the summer months when we carry out most of our research.
During my term as chair, faculty and students have been part of the most significant
changes in NRES and the University of Nevada in many decades. Budget constraints
have challenged faculty and students to remain focused on the Department’s mission,
which is to provide and apply scientific knowledge and understanding of inter-relationships
among people, living organisms and environments. In spite of concerns about major
changes within the College of Agriculture, Biotechnology and Natural Resources and
its departments, faculty members in NRES remain positive, forward thinking, creative
and enthusiastic about their work.
NRES is continually improving, even upon the excellent performance of previous years.
NRES is among the most successful of University of Nevada departments in securing
funds to support research and our undergraduate and graduate students—including
the extremely competitive environment of national grants programs. Enrollment has
grown steadily in our majors over the past five years.
Our students, current and past, benefit from the enthusiasm and depth of our faculty
members. We emphasize field experience and contact with people who put our research
findings to work. Our bachelor’s students share common courses that cover the ecological
connections between soils, plants, animals and water. We prepare our students to
be flexible and to be analytic thinkers and lifelong learners.
In spite of the challenges that all Nevadans face, the NRES department is best place
in the region to pursue educational goals and prepare for the future. We look forward
to welcoming our students with interesting and exciting courses and research experiences
that put them in the vanguard of natural resources and environmental science.
Sincerely,
Mark Walker
Associate Professor and Department Chair