The Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources

http://www.uvm.edu/rsenr/

In the Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources (RSENR), excitement for discovery and a commitment to life-long learning are central. The Rubenstein School's emphasis on the integration of natural science, social science, and cultural and political perspectives reflects the interdisciplinary context in which ecosystem management, resource planning, and environmental concerns must be addressed. The School believes there is a strong interplay between teaching and scholarship and each is vital to the other.

The Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources seeks to cultivate an appreciation and enhanced understanding of ecological and social processes and values aimed at maintaining the integrity of natural systems and achieving a sustainable human community. We pursue this goal by generating and broadly disseminating knowledge and by challenging students, colleagues, and citizens to acquire knowledge, skills, and values to become innovative, environmentally responsible, and accountable leaders.

The school is actively committed to diversity-biodiversity in natural communities and social-cultural diversity in human communities. Individual and professional responsibility, as well as scholastic excellence, are emphasized within the school’s supportive atmosphere. Faculty members are conscientious advisors, and students communicate frequently with them for guidance in clarifying educational, career, and personal goals. While these programs prepare students for a variety of positions in natural resources and the environment, graduates are also well prepared to pursue careers or advanced study in other professions.

The Office of the Dean of the school is located in the George D. Aiken Center for Natural Resources.

Office of Experiential Learning

The Office of Experiential Learning (OEL) helps RSENR students build skills and experience by providing a diversity of learning opportunities. Reflective career development, course work, and co-curricular activities are integrated to foster competencies that will make RSENR graduates highly competitive professionals and engaged, effective citizens.

The OEL takes a holistic approach to career preparation by supporting participation in community-based projects, internships, applied research, and career counseling. Student development is facilitated through support of faculty and community partners as they create and implement community-based courses and research projects. At the heart of our work is a demonstrated commitment to student and faculty development and collaborative problem-solving between school, the university, and the local, national, and international communities.

The OEL works directly with the Office of Community-University Partnerships and Service Learning and the UVM Career Center.

The curriculum in RSENR relies heavily on Vermont’s natural landscapes – its mountains, lakes, fields, and forests - to provide students hands-on experience studying ecology and ecosystem processes. In addition, RSENR offers a variety of intensive field courses during vacation breaks and summer session that provide students special opportunities to study outside of Vermont. Past field explorations have included: study of the wildlife of Florida or south Texas, exposure to the arid ecosystems and water resource issues in Israel, participation in environmental research in the Chesapeake Bay region, introduction to ecotourism and environmental interpretation in Costa Rica, experience with regional examples of sustainable forest management and practices, and the study of aquatic ecology in Lake Champlain from the deck of the Melosira, UVM’s research vessel.

Computing Resources

The Aiken Computer Teaching Lab (Aiken 101) provides students with access to key software and technologies utilized in environmental disciplines.  In addition, all undergraduate students are required to have a laptop computer that meets the minimum specifications (https://www.uvm.edu/it/students). Students are not required to purchase a new laptop if they have an existing laptop that meets the established specifications. If students need to purchase a laptop, they are not required to purchase it through UVM.  

• Environmental Sciences B.S.
• Environmental Studies B.S.
• Forestry B.S.
• Natural Resources B.S.
• Parks, Recreation and Tourism B.S.
• Wildlife and Fisheries Biology B.S.

• Environmental Studies
• Forestry
• Geospatial Technologies
• Parks, Recreation, and Tourism
• Sports Management
• Wildlife Biology

Ecological Design CGS
Ecological Economics CGS
Leadership for Sustainability M.P.S.
Natural Resources M.S.
Natural Resources Ph.D.
Natural Resources: Master of Environmental Law and Policy/Master of Science in Natural Resources (MELP/MSNR)

See the online Graduate Catalogue for more information

Degree Requirements

Students must be matriculated in the Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources and in residence at the University of Vermont during the period in which they earn 30 of the last 45 credits applied toward the degree. Students must earn a cumulative grade-point average of 2.00 or above. Students must complete a program of study which includes:

1. University Degree Requirements for Undergraduates
2. RSENR Core Curriculum
3. RSENR General Education Courses
4. Major Requirements

Core Curriculum

The school’s core curriculum provides a common experience for all students. The innovative eight-course sequence creates an integrated foundation upon which the individual majors in the school are constructed. Core courses focus on the underlying fundamentals from which natural resources disciplines have evolved and the application of these fundamentals to problems or issues in the natural world and society. The core courses also promote development of critical thinking, communication, problem solving, and analytical skills. Faculty from all undergraduate programs teach in the core. The RSENR core curriculum represents knowledge, skills, and values that are central to the study of natural resources and the environment.

Eight courses are required (23 credits):

NR 001 and NR 002 provide an introduction to the study of natural resources and the environment from natural and social science standpoints, respectively. At the completion of these courses, students should:

1. have a basic understanding of the school’s integrated approach to natural resources and the environment,
2. be better prepared to make informed decisions about their academic majors, and
3. be prepared to advance to an intermediate level of study in natural resources.

The intermediate courses in the sequence, NR 103 and NR 104, emphasize ecosystems and social systems, respectively. NR 205 and NR 206 focus directly on integrated and holistic management. In NR 205, students integrate natural and social science to understand environmental management principles and policies. In NR 206, the capstone course taken during their senior year, students are challenged to synthesize and apply the interdisciplinary knowledge, skills, and values they have learned to contemporary natural resources and environmental issues. NR 006 and NR 207 explore how social justice and environmental issues are intertwined, and help students become culturally competent in an increasingly diverse world.

General Education Courses

RSENR general education requirements are designed to enhance a student’s ability to assimilate and analyze information, think and communicate clearly, and respect multiple perspectives. These requirements are flexible in order to encourage creativity in meeting educational goals. All students must complete each of the following general education requirements¹:

Undecided Majors

Students interested in studying the environment and natural resources, but who wish to postpone their decision on a specific major, enroll in Undecided-Environment and Natural Resources.

• Environmental Sciences
• Environmental Studies
• Forestry
• Natural Resources
• Parks, Recreation and Tourism
• Wildlife and Fisheries Biology