This is an archived copy of the 2017-2018 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://ecatalog.socc.edu.

Southwestern's Natural Resources program provides students with an introduction to the technical and scientific knowledge related to natural resource policy and management. Students can prepare for careers in natural resource planning, management, conservation and education roles with government agencies, non-governmental organizations and in educational settings.

The program guide lists the required courses for the AS degree. The program guide also lists recommended electives appropriate for the field. For more info, check out the Southwestern's Forestry/Natural Resources webpage.

Southwestern has a formal articulation agreement with Oregon State University (OSU) aligning this AS Natural Resources Emphasis degree with OSU's Natural Resources Bachelor of Science degree, Watershed Management option. Students that complete the AS degree with Natural Resources emphasis at Southwestern will satisfy most lower division courses required for the bachelor's in Natural Resources, Watershed Management option.

Following completion of the AS Natural Resources Emphasis degree, students may transfer to OSU with 90 or more credit hours (up to 124 can be transferred). Southwestern courses in the AS Natural Resources emphasis are listed in the articulation agreement. AS Natural Resources graduates transferring to OSU have junior standing with only (a) upper division Synthesis and WIC requirements of the Baccalaureate Core to be completed, and (b) upper division courses associated with the Natural Resources degree program.  For specific details on the articulation of these degrees see the University Center staff.

Graduation Requirements

Students must complete a minimum of 103 credit hours with a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.0 or better. All courses in this program must be completed with a 'C' or better. Twenty-four (24) credits must be completed at Southwestern before the AS degree is awarded.

Courses that are developmental in nature, designed to prepare students for college transfer courses, are not applicable to this degree.

Complete the graduation application process one term prior to the term of completion (e.g., spring term graduates must apply during winter term).

Pre-Program Courses

Students are required to take the following courses prior to the program courses, depending on students' college placement information. See advisor for details:

CIS120Concepts of Computing4
MTH111College Algebra4
or MTH111H College Algebra w/Honors
WR90Paragraph Fundamentals (or placement in higher writing course)3-4
or WR90R Academic Literacy

Program Guide

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
FallCredits
BI101 General Biology 4
CHEM221 General Chemistry I 5
MTH112
Trigonometry
or Trigonometry w/Honors
4
NR201 Managing Natural Res for the Future 3
WR121
English Composition
or English Composition w/Honors
3
 Credits19
Winter
BI102 General Biology 4
G202 Physical Geology II 1 4
PHL102 Ethics 3
WR227 Report Writing 3
English Literature Course 2 3
 Credits17
Spring
BI103 General Biology 4
MTH243 Intro to Probability and Statistics 4
NR180 Internship: Natural Resources 1-3
NR260 Watershed Processes 4
PE231 Wellness for Life 3
 Credits16-18
Second Year
Fall
ENV235 Introduction to Soil Science 4
G201 Physical Geology I 1 4
GEOG265 Intro to Geographical Info Systems 3
PH211 Gen Physics w/Calculus I 5
MTH251
Calculus I Differential Calculus
or Calculus I w/Honors
4
 Credits20
Winter
ECON201 Microeconomics 4
F222A Elementary Forest Surveying 4
F250 Forest Biology 4
MTH252
Calculus II Integral Calculus
or Calculus II w/Honors
4
 Credits16
Spring
F241 Dendrology 5
GEOG209 Physical Geography Weather/Climate 4
HST203 History of the United States 3
SP111 Fundamentals of Public Speaking 3
 Credits15
 Total Credits103-105

The following courses are recommended, but are not part of the degree:

ANTH230Native North Americans: Oregon3
ANTH231Native North Americans: PNW3
ANTH232Native North Americans3

Program Student Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program the student will be able to:

  • Integrate technical “field” skills with analytical skills to identify important natural resources problems and begin to identify effective solutions for these problems.
  • Acquire knowledge regarding a range of natural resources current issues, social and political components of resource management.
  • Work with experts in a variety of natural resource fields.
  • Apply watershed management principles and practices to actual natural resources issues and problems to develop plans and solutions.