The Environmental Science specialization in Natural Resource Planning and Management is highly relevant to global and regional issues, including climate change, pollution, urbanization and natural resource use. This major provides students with a scientific background in the physical and biological sciences followed by courses that integrate these sciences in addressing environmental issues. The coursework in this specialization focuses on ecology, environmental policy, planning and management of ecosystems. Students gain skills in research methods, GIS, critical thinking, decision-making and science communication. Excellent employment opportunities for natural resource planners and managers exist within the private sector, non-profit organizations, and local, state and national agencies. This major also prepares students for attaining graduate degrees in environment-related fields.<br><br>Students will be able to:<br>demonstrate critical thinking skills by assessing a problem, gathering and analyzing relevant information associated with that problem, and proposing possible solutions. demonstrate effective oral and written communication skills. demonstrate technical competency within their respective discipline.