The Department has had a long tradition of providing experiential learning courses for its undergraduate students. Many existing NRS courses demand the completion of projects that require the synthesis of diverse knowledge. To assure that each student-major receives a significant opportunity to synthesize knowledge, the Department proposes that a capstone experience be required. For some, the Senior Thesis will serve as a capstone learning experience. In their senior year, all other students will be required to complete at least 4 credits of capstone synthesis courses from one of the following three focus areas (Boldface type indicates the development of a new course or a major change in an existing offering. Additional capstone courses might be developed in each focus area.):

Wetland, Watershed, and Ecosystem Science

• NRS 423, Wetland Ecology (4 credits)
• NRS 424, Wetlands and Land Use (4 credits)
• NRS 425, Wetland Field Investigations (1 credit)
• NRS 461, Hydrology and Water Management (4 credits)
• NRS 522, Advanced GIS Analysis of Environmental Data (3 credits)
• NRS 523, Applications of GIS in Environmental Problem Solving (1 credit)

• NRS 401, Capstone in Wildlife and Conservation Biology (4 credits)
• NRS 402, Wildlife Biometrics (3 credits)
• NRS 403, Problem Solving Using Wildlife Biometrics (1 credit)

• NRS 450, Soil Conservation and Land Use (3 credits)
• NRS 451, Investigations in Soil Conservation and Land Use (1 credit)