Natural Resources and Environment

Because of the diversity and broad scope of the field, each degree is customized according to the student’s interests and the advisory committee’s recommendations. Student research projects and theses have typically been in the fields of forest management, land use planning, soil management, natural resource policy, range management, parks and recreation management, horticulture, agronomy, animal science, climate change and GIS. A Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts degree in a relevant discipline is required for acceptance into either program. Candidates should have a general familiarity with the major resource fields. The student’s committee may require the student to take courses to remedy any deficiencies; these credits will not count toward the credits required for the degree. Applicants must submit three letters of recommendation, official GRE scores, undergraduate transcripts and a statement of the applicant’s goals. The latter should include information about why you are applying for the degree, why you chose UAF and DNRE, and how such a degree would fit into your career goals. Applications cannot be considered until all these items have been received by the Office of Admissions. The M.S. degree in natural resources and environment is designed for those intending to pursue a career conducting research in management problems and/or to proceed on to a doctoral program. Thesis research in natural resources and environment is directed toward resource problems and based on hypothesis testing. The master’s degree in natural resources and environment is designed to prepare students for a management career in natural resources planning and administration; communication and public information; and/or operational innovation, improvement and impact assessment. While not requiring scientific research, the work is expected to involve critical reflection, empirical inquiry and intellectual honesty. A written product and an oral presentation demonstrating sound scholarship will be required. Final acceptance of the project will be by the student’s committee and the chair of DNRE.