Concentrations (2009 - 2011 Cal Poly Catalog)
Environmental Planning & Assessment
Prepares students for employment as professionals in the environmental management subdisciplines of environmental planning, impact assessment, analysis and monitoring. Graduates from this concentration are academically qualified for Cal EPA's Registered Environmental Assessor I and II.
Class Listings:
- CRP 212 Introduction to Urban Planning
- ENVE 330 Environmental Quality Control
- NR 339 Internship in Forest and Natural Resources
- NR/CRP 404 Environmental Law
or NR/CRP 408 Water Resource Law and Policy - NR 425 Applied Resource Analysis
- Restricted Electives
Forest and Environmental Practices
Specialized areas of study are available through this concentration. Students integrate real-world management practices with environmental concerns and balance both views in their profession. The program has a strong industry connection and professional career orientation. Offered at Swanton Pacific Ranch in Santa Cruz County and only available by application and acceptance. Open to students majoring in FNR and ENVM.
Class Listings:
- NR 339 Internship in Forest and Natural Resources
- NR 475 Sustainable Forest and Environmental Practices
- Restricted Electives
Natural Resources Recreation
Prepares students for employment in the planning, interpretation, development, and management of governmental and private resource-based parks and other recreational lands. Two areas of study are offered: recreation resource management and natural resources tourism.
Class Listings:
- NR/RPTA 311 Environmental Interpretation
- NR 339 Internship in Forest and Natural Resources
- NR 350 Urban Forestry
- Restricted Electives
Urban Forestry
Management problems resulting from the continued trend of urbanization into the urban-wildland interface are studied. Urban Forestry focuses on the urban ecosystem including lesser vegetation, wildlife, and open space, as well as the trees. The curriculum emphasizes the application of forestry skills for management of urban forest ecosystems. Students taking this concentration are eligible for two scholarships of $2000 and $1000.
Class Listings:
- CRP 212 Introduction to Urban Planning
- EHS 421 Arboriculture
- EHS 422 Advanced Arboriculture
or NR/RPTA 311 Environmental Interpretation - NR 339 Internship in Forest and Natural Resources
- NR 350 Urban Forestry
- NR 450 Community Forestry
- Restricted Electives
Watershed Management and Hydrology
Provides students a focused and encompassing program in watershed management including a proficiency in watershed hydrology in forest ecosystems and Mediterranean ecosystems, rangeland hydrology, post-fire watershed evaluation, watershed and stream restoration and urban/wildland hydrologic implications. Students pursuing specific coursework can qualify as hydrologists under U.S. Government OPM guidelines.
Class Listings:
- NR 420 Advanced Watershed Hydrology
- SS 321 Soil Morphology
- SS 440 Forest and Range Soils
- Restricted Electives
Wildland Fire and Fuels Management
Focused study on the management of fire and fuels on landscapes ranging from the wildlands to the urban interface. Emphasis on the technologies, issues and policies in managing fire, using fire as an ecosystem management tool and social and economic impacts of fire.
Class Listings:
- NR 204 Wildland Fire Control
- NR 339 Internship in Forest and Natural Resources
- NR 340 Wildland Fire Management
- NR 455 Wildland-Urban Interface Fire Protection
- Restricted Electives
Wildlife Biology
The Field and Wildlife Biology concentration, offered by the Biological Sciences Department, is available to Forestry and Natural Resources majors and prepares students for employment in the fish and wildlife areas of law enforcement, management, and production.
Individualized Course of Study
Students have the option of developing an individualized course of study. The intent of this option is to give students the opportunity to pursue a minor in related areas, such as geographic information systems, land rehabilitation, soil science, and others.