COURSE CURRICULUM

The Master of Science in Natural Resources and the Environment with an Environmental Economics option requires the successful completion of at least 30 graduate credits and combines interdisciplinary coursework, research training, and professional development focused on environmental policy, sustainability, and economic analysis of natural resources. The program includes several required core courses that develop research, communication, and teaching skills. Students complete NR 903 Approach to Research, which introduces research methods and scientific inquiry, and NR 905 Grant Writing or approved alternatives such as scientific communication and publishing courses that strengthen professional writing and research presentation abilities. Students are also required to enroll in NR 993 Natural and Environmental Resources Seminar, which promotes scholarly discussion and engagement with current environmental issues, along with NR 996 Natural Resource Education or NR 900 Teaching Assistantship Practicum for students supported by teaching assistantships during their first semester. A major component of the curriculum is quantitative and analytical training through the completion of one approved data analysis course. Students may choose from a wide range of subjects including econometrics, applied statistics, predictive analytics, ecological modeling, experimental design, regression analysis, policy research methods, and social science statistics, allowing them to tailor analytical skills to environmental economics and sustainability-related research interests. The program concludes with either a thesis option or a directed research option. Students selecting NR 899 Master’s Thesis complete a research-based thesis intended to contribute to scholarly knowledge and serve as the foundation for a peer-reviewed publication. Students choosing NR 998 Directed Research instead complete a professionally oriented project designed to address applied environmental or stakeholder needs, culminating in a scholarly report or publication-quality paper relevant to the field. Both pathways emphasize independent research, critical thinking, and professional communication. The degree is structured to prepare students for careers in environmental consulting, policy analysis, sustainability planning, government agencies, land-use management, financial and regulatory organizations, and nonprofit environmental work, while also providing strong preparation for doctoral studies in environmental economics, sustainability science, and related disciplines.