What is environmental conservation and sustainability?

Environmental conservation and sustainability is centered around a vision of a future where people live with respect for the Earth’s natural systems and each other. You’ll learn the impacts of technology and human activity on the environment, study the principles of sustainability, and gain an understanding of the complex relationships between human societies and the environment. You’ll be able to focus on topics such as ecology, social science and management, and conservation and sustainability. The minor is a compliment to majors in a wide range of subjects, including agriculture, business, natural resources and zoology.

Why study environmental conservation and sustainability at UNH?

Our graduates are environmental citizens, sustainability advocates and leaders for constructive change. We equip students not just with knowledge, but with the skills to solve real-world problems and work collaboratively with diverse interest groups to facilitate policy and action toward a sustainable future. Many students pursue international experiences, such as UNH’s EcoQuest program in New Zealand, or research opportunities with our faculty or through undergraduate research opportunity programs.

Potential career areas

Advocacy and regulatory affairs
Agriculture
Biology
Business consultation
Conservation management
Environmental education and outreach
Land-use analysis
Natural resources management
Zoologist

Curriculum & Requirements

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Program Description

The minor in Environmental Conservation and Sustainability allows students from diverse majors across all UNH colleges to incorporate the theory and practice of sustainable resource use into their 4-year baccalaureate studies. Students take required introductory courses in both conservation and sustainability and then can fill out their minor with choices from ecology, social science and management, and a range of advanced topics. As well, students who participate in the EcoQuest Study Abroad Program can apply their courses to the minor.

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Requirements for the Program

Academic policies related to Minors.
The minor consists of completing five courses (20 credits).
Students much achieve a grade of C- or better for all courses counted towards the Environmental Conservation and Sustainability minor.
No more than 8 credits used to satisfy major requirements may be used for the minor
Credit/fail courses may not be used for the minor.

Course List
Code	Title	Credits
Required Courses
NR 435	Contemporary Conservation Issues and Environmental Awareness	4
NR 437	Principles of Sustainability	4
Ecology Course
Select one course from the following:		4
AGFS 502	Agroecology
BIOL 541W	Ecology
NR 433	Wildlife Ecology
NR 527	Forest Ecology
NR 660	Ecology and Biogeography of New Zealand
Social Science and Management Course
Select one course from the following:		4
NR 507	Introduction to our Energy System and Sustainable Energy
NR 602	Natural Resources and Environmental Policy
NR 607	Land Economics Perspectives: Uses, Policies, and Taxes
NR 662	Environmental Policy, Planning and Sustainability in New Zealand
CEP 627	Community Economics
NR 786	Leadership for Sustainability
Advanced Topics in Conservation and Sustainability Course
Select one course from the following:		4
NR 606	International Energy Topics
NR 650	Principles of Conservation Biology
NR 661	Restoration Ecology and Ecosystem Management in New Zealand
NR 708W	Environmental Economics
NR 720	International Environmental Politics and Policies for the 21st Century
NR 724	Resolving Environmental Conflicts
NR 767W	Social Impact Assessment
NR 784	Sustainable Living - Global Perspectives
NR 785	Systems Thinking for Sustainable Solutions
NR 787	Advanced Topics in Sustainable Energy
NR 795	Investigations ¹
MARI 705	Introduction to Marine Policy: Understanding US Ocean, Coastal and Great Lakes Policy
MEFB 702	Sustainable Marine Fisheries
Total Credits		20

¹: NR 795 Investigations requires working with an individual ECS faculty member on a special problem/issue.

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Student Learning Outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes

Students will be able to:

Formulate tests of environmental questions, acquire data, and apply scientific methods to answer these questions;
Describe and explain the ecological and societal value of biodiversity, sustainability, and environmental stewardship;
Use principles of ecology, economics, sustainability, and policy science to solve real-world environmental problems;
Communicate effectively to peers within the environmental community and with audiences outside of the discipline.

Environmental Conservation and Sustainability, Minor - COLSA, UNH