Natural Resources AS Degree (transfer preparation)

The Associate of Science in Natural Resources (NR) program at College of the Desert prepares students for transfer to a four-year college or university.  Students will complete the necessary coursework and also attain the practical experience required in their fields of interest. This program is a gateway to many different environmentally focused majors in such fields as: wildlife management, ecosystem management, wildlife ecology, landscape ecology, parks and recreation planning, environmental consulting, GIS (Geographic Information Systems), natural resources law enforcement, forensic entomology, urban planning, alternative energy, and many more. NR programs also serve students who wish to enter directly into an environmentally-related occupation (e.g., park ranger, zookeeper) upon completion of the two-year associate’s degree.  

Learning Outcomes

Upon satisfactory completion of this program students will be able to:

  1. Understand and explain the problems facing wildlife and ecosystem managers.
  2. Apply GIS technology to solve conservation challenges.

Program Requirements 

Course Code Title Units
Required Courses
NR 001Conservation of Natural Resources3
NR 001LConservation of Natural Resources Lab1
BI 005Molecular and Cell Biology5
BI 006Biology of Organisms5
CH 001AGeneral Chemistry I5
G 001Physical Geology4
or G 005 Environmental Geology
or G 010 The Earth Sciences
Electives (with Advisor approval)
Select 17 units from the following:
NR 003Introduction to Wildlife Management3
NR 004Introduction to Ecosystem Management3
NR 010Wildland Fire Technology3
NR 017Natural Resources Law Enforcement3
NR 020GPS and Map Use1
NR 021Introduction to GIS3
NR 041ANative Plants - Mountain1
NR 041BNative Plants - Desert1
NR 050Winter Birds1
NR 051AMigrant Birds - Fall1
NR 051BMigrant Birds - Spring1
NR 058Reptiles of the Coachella Valley1
NR 059Careers in Natural Res & Agri Sciences3
NR 095ANatural Resources Work Experience (Maximum of 2 units may be used for work experience)1-8
AGPS 001Soils & Plant Nutrition4
AGPS 002Entomology - General & Applied4
AGPS 032Pesticide Laws & Regulations2
GEOG 010Geography of California3
Required Subtotal23
Elective Subtotal17
General Education Requirements (confer with Counselor)18
Kinesiology Activities2
DEGREE TOTAL60

Consult catalog of transfer institution for specific requirements.