University General Course Catalog 2024-2025 
    
    Dec 11, 2024  
University General Course Catalog 2024-2025

Environmental Science (Soil Biogeochemistry Specialization), B.S.


Biogeochemists study the physical, chemical, and biological processes that occur in soils and ecosystems. This includes flows of energy, mass, carbon, nutrients, and water and how these flows regulate ecosystem processes and ecosystem services. The Soil Biogeochemistry specialization prepares students for careers in soil science, including its sub-disciplines soil ecology, soil physics, soil morphology and soil chemistry. Students learn about the role of soils in ecosystem processes related to nutrient cycling, carbon sequestration, and other ecosystem services.

The courses that are part of this specialization provide theoretical and practical training in soil science with students acquiring skills needed for:

  1. field investigations of soils;
  2. chemical and physical soil analyses and interpretation of data; and
  3. reporting, including writing and presentation.

After completing the necessary coursework, students are prepared for graduate study or may enter employment with state and federal agencies, private firms, and non-profit organizations.

The curriculum provides students with enough credits to meet the requirements for federal positions as a soil scientist (OPM 0470 Series: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0400/soil-science-series-0470/). 

Program Learning Outcomes


Students will be able to:

  • demonstrate effective oral and written communication skills by preparing a written natural resource management plan and delivering an oral presentation of their work. (C)
  • utilize appropriate quantitative skills for environmental science by gathering data, conducting data analysis, and using statistical and computer modeling techniques. (QR)
  • assess a problem, gather and analyze relevant information associated with that problem, and propose possible solutions. (CT)

Contact Information


Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Science
217 Fleischmann Agriculture
(775) 784-4020 / (775) 784-4835

For questions about academic advising:
All incoming and current students should contact:
CABNR Advising Center, in FA 236
(775) 784-1634
cabnrstudentcenter@unr.edu

For questions about upper-division electives and career advising:
All students can contact their faculty mentor:
Erica Bigio (A-L) - ebigio@unr.edu
Julie Stoughton (M-Z) - jstoughton@unr.edu

Transfer to the University of Nevada, Reno


Use the transfer agreement and the degree planner (available by clicking  at the top right of this page) to build your plan for graduation with your advisor. Course substitutions not identified on the transfer agreement require UNR advisor approval.

If a major-to-major agreements  is not available for your transfer institution, please check the General Core Agreement  if available. If neither is available, access Transferology to assist in your planning.

Graduation Requirements


  • Total Units | 120
  • Cumulative GPA | 2.0
  • University GPA | 2.0
  • Major GPA | 2.0
  • Residency Requirement | 30 Upper-Division Units at UNR
  • Major Residency Requirement | 15 Upper-Division Units in the major at UNR
  • Upper-Division Requirement | 40 Upper-Division Units

I. Core General Education Requirements (27-36 units)


NOTE: Refer to the Core Curriculum  chapter of this catalog for information regarding the “Core English and Math Completion Policy  ”.

Students in this major must meet all Core Objectives (CO1 through CO14). Courses satisfying Core Objectives are designated (e.g., CO9) in General Catalog curricula and course descriptions.

A. Composition & Communication; Critical Analysis & Use of Information (3-6 units) - CO1, CO3


B. Quantitative Reasoning (4-10 units) - CO2


C. Physical & Natural Phenomena (8 units) - CO4, CO4L


D. Cultures, Societies, & Individuals (3 units) - CO6


Refer to the Core Curriculum chapter for a list of approved CO6  courses

E. Artistic Composition, Interpretation, & Expression (3 units) - CO7


Refer to the Core Curriculum chapter for a list of approved CO7  courses.

F. History & Culture; Constitution (6 units) - CO5, CO8


Refer to the Core Curriculum  chapter in this catalog

II. Additional Core Requirements (0 units)


Students must take courses that satisfy the following Core Objectives. Some or all of these Core Objectives may be satisfied in the Major Requirements (Section IV). Refer to the Core Curriculum chapter in this catalog.

A. Science, Technology & Society - CO9


B. Diversity & Equity - CO10


C. Global Contexts - CO11


D. Ethics - CO12


E. Capstone Integration & Synthesis - CO13


F. Application - CO14


III. Additional College Requirements (0 units)


IV. Major Requirements (72-73 units)


B. Soil Biogeochemistry Specialization (27 units)


C. Technical Electives (9 units)


Select 9 units from the following courses. Courses used to satisfy other Core or major requirements may not be reused here:

V. Minor Requirements (0 units)


VI. Electives (11-21 units)


VII. Recommended Schedule


A. First Year


Fall Semester (15 units)


B. Second Year


C. Third Year


Fall Semester (15 units)


Spring Semester (15 units)


D. Fourth Year


Fall Semester (15 units)


Spring Semester (12 units)