2026-2027 Catalog

Natural Resources Technology Associate of Applied Science

Program Description

This program is designed for students wanting to complete an AAS Degree in Natural Resources Technology and enter the workforce. Students explore GIS systems, forest science principles, range land management, and wildlife and fisheries management. This program prepares students for a wide range of careers in natural resources. Students gain practical skills in forestry, wildlife, aquaculture, fisheries, wildland fire, and the computer analysis of natural resources. Students participate in community natural resources projects. This program includes courses that involve walking a minimum of half a mile over uneven and steep terrain.

Learn more about this program.

What You Will Learn

Upon completion of the program you will be able to:
1.  Understand relevant natural resource legislation
2.  Understand the role of education, interpretation, and communication in natural resources
3.  Demonstrate skills related to management of wildlife and fisheries such as animal ID, sampling techniques, and habitat assessments
4.  Demonstrate skills related to management of forests including inventorying techniques, plant ID, and forest health monitoring
5.  Understand and demonstrate ability to manage natural resources for diverse user groups
6.  Demonstrate knowledge of the different land management agencies, their roles, missions, and occupational opportunities
7.  Complete survey, mapping and orienteering exercises
8.  Understand ecological functions related to hydrology, soil, vegetation, and nutrient and energy cycles

My Academic Plan: Full-Time

Courses are displayed in a full-time sequence showing the fastest path to your degree. Follow the pathway below to complete your AAS degree in 4 semesters (2 years). For more information, please see your Academic Advisor.

First Semester

NRE 1100Foundations of Forestry

3

GIS 1001Introduction to Geographic Information Systems

3

NRE 1001NRE Career/Academic Readiness

1

NRE 2205Wildlife & Fisheries Management

3

NRE 2025 or NRE 2065 or REC 2010 Environmental Education (NRE 2025) or Wilderness Education (NRE 2065) or Principles Outdoor Recreation (REC 2010)

3

ENG 1021 or ENG 1022 or ENG 1031English Composition I (ENG 1021), English Composition II (ENG 1022), or Technical Writing I (ENG 1031)

3

Total Credit Hours:16

Second Semester

MAT 1140 or HigherCareer Mathematics (MAT 1140) or Higher

3

NRE 2022Hydrology

4

BIO 1111 or CHE 1111 or BIO 2121General College Biology I w/Lab (BIO 1111) or General College Chemistry I w/Lab (CHE 1111) or Botany w/Lab (BIO 2121)

5

Natural Resources Technology Elective NRE 2025 or Any NRE Degree Elective**

3

Total Credit Hours:15

Semester Note:  College Algebra is preferred for transfer.

Third Semester

NRE 2204Range Management & Restoration

4

NRE 1050Field Skills for Natural Resources

1

Natural Resources Technology Elective Any NRE Degree Elective**

3

NRE 1110Forestry Field Techniques

3

BIO 1005 or BIO 2122 or ENV 1111Science of Biology (BIO 1005) or General College Ecology (BIO 2122) or Environmental Science w/Lab (ENV 1111)

4

Total Credit Hours:15

Semester Note:  NRE 2204 is only offered in the Fall.

Upon completion of NRE 1100, NRE 2025*, and NRE 1214*, you should apply for the Environmental Education Certificate.

Upon completion of GIS 1001, NRE 1100, NRE 2205, NRE 2022, and NRE 2204, you should apply for the Natural Resources Certificate.

Upon completion of GIS 1001, NRE 1100 or NRE 2205, and GIS 2010* or GIS 2012*, you should apply for the Natural Resources Geographic Information Systems GIS Certificate.

Fourth Semester

Natural Resources Technology Elective Any NRE Degree Elective**

3

Natural Resources Technology Elective Any NRE Degree Elective**

3

Natural Resources Technology Elective Any NRE Degree Elective**

3

Natural Resources Technology Elective Any NRE Degree Elective**

3

Natural Resources Technology Elective Any NRE Degree Elective**

2

Total Credit Hours:14

Semester Note: Upon completion of NRE 2205, NRE 1214*, and AQT 2008* or NRE 2245* or NRE 2030*, you should apply for the Wildlife Certificate.

Upon completion of NRE 1100, NRE 1110, and NRE 2015* or NRE 2050* or NRE 2028*, you should apply for the Forestry Certificate.

Upon completion of REC 2010*, REC 2011*, and NRE 2065* or REC 2012*, you should apply for the Natural Resources Recreation Certificate

*Requires the course to be completed as an elective.

My Academic Plan: Part-Time

Courses are displayed in a part-time sequence providing flexibility for the working professional. Follow the pathway below to complete your AAS degree within 8 semesters (3 years). This pathway may be accelerated by applying transfer credit, credit for prior learning, and/or completing one or more additional courses each semester. For more information, please see your Academic Advisor.

Fall Semester 1

NRE 1100Foundations of Forestry

3

NRE 2205Wildlife & Fisheries Management

3

ENG 1021 or ENG 1022 or ENG 1031English Composition I (ENG 1021), English Composition II (ENG 1022), or Technical Writing I (ENG 1031)

3

Total Credit Hours:9

Spring Semester 2

GIS 1001Introduction to Geographic Information Systems

3

NRE 2022Hydrology

4

NRE 1001NRE Career/Academic Readiness

1

Total Credit Hours:8

Summer Semester 3

MAT 1140 or HigherCareer Mathematics (MAT 1140) or Higher

3

Total Credit Hours:3

Fall Semester 4

NRE 2025 or NRE 2065 or REC 2010 Environmental Education (NRE 2025) or Wilderness Education (NRE 2065) or Principles Outdoor Recreation (REC 2010)

3

BIO 1111 or CHE 1111 or BIO 2121General College Biology I w/Lab (BIO 1111) or General College Chemistry I w/Lab (CHE 1111) or Botany w/Lab (BIO 2121)

5

NRE 1050Field Skills for Natural Resources

1

Total Credit Hours:9

Spring Semester 5

Natural Resources Technology Elective NRE 2025 or Any NRE Degree Elective**

3

BIO 1005 or BIO 2122 or ENV 1111Science of Biology (BIO 1005) or General College Ecology (BIO 2122) or Environmental Science w/Lab (ENV 1111)

4

Natural Resources Technology Elective Any NRE Degree Elective**

3

Total Credit Hours:10

Semester Note: Upon completion of NRE 1100, NRE 2025*, and NRE 1214*, you should apply for the Environmental Education Certificate.

Upon completion of GIS 1001NRE 1100 or NRE 2205, and GIS 2010* or GIS 2012*, you should apply for the Natural Resources Geographic Information Systems GIS Certificate.

*Requires the course to be completed as an elective.

Summer Semester 6

Natural Resources Technology Elective Any NRE Degree Elective**

2

Total Credit Hours:2

Fall Semester 7

NRE 2204Range Management & Restoration

4

NRE 1110Forestry Field Techniques

3

Natural Resources Technology Elective Any NRE Degree Elective**

3

Total Credit Hours:10
Semester Note: Upon completion of GIS 1001, NRE 1100, NRE 2205, NRE 2204, and NRE 2022, you should apply for the Natural Resources Certificate.

Spring Semester 8

Natural Resources Technology Elective Any NRE Degree Elective**

3

Natural Resources Technology Elective Any NRE Degree Elective**

3

Natural Resources Technology Elective Any NRE Degree Elective**

3

Total Credit Hours:9

Semester Note: Upon completion of NRE 2205NRE 1214*, and AQT 2008* or NRE 2245* or NRE 2030*, you should apply for the Wildlife Certificate.

Upon completion of NRE 1100NRE 1110, and NRE 2015* or NRE 2050* or NRE 2028*, you should apply for the Forestry Certificate.

Upon completion of REC 2010*, REC 2011*, and NRE 2065* or REC 2012*, you should apply for the Natural Resources Recreation Certificate

*Requires the course to be completed as an elective.

Total Credit Hours: 60

Prior Learning eligible course

•  Learn more about Credit for Prior Learning

•  View all eligible courses

 

Important Program Notes:

You must complete 20 credits from the approved Natural Resources Technology AAS degree electives**.

*Natural Resource Technology AAS Degree Electives: Any AQT course, BIO 1005, BIO 1111, BIO 1112, BIO 2121, BIO 2122, CHE 1011, CHE 1111, CHE 1112, CHE 2105, ENV 1111, any FSW course, GEY 1111, HLT 1101, HLT 2011, HLT 2140, REC 2010, REC 2011, REC 2012, any OUT course, any NRE course, any GIS course, or any UAS course.

No more than 4 OUT credits can apply to this degree.

You must complete 3 credits from either NRE 2025, NRE 2065, or REC 2010 to complete this degree.   

You must complete a minimum of 60 credits to complete this degree. If receiving financial aid, you should only take courses and credits as required for this degree. Check with your advisor to monitor your completion progress.