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Environment and Natural Resources, Undecided

Campus: Columbus

School: Environment and Natural Resources

Majors in the School of Environment and Natural Resources

The environment, economy, development and sustainability (EEDS) major is a multi-disciplinary degree program that focuses on the human dimensions of sustainability. This cutting-edge major provides students with the opportunity to facilitate sustainable development in a variety of settings. EEDS will equip students with the skills necessary to launch a career in sustainability in the private, public or nonprofit sectors.

Environmental policy and decision making (EPDM) explores the protection of long-term natural resource use and environmental quality through changes in human behavior and policy. Students study the economic and social forces that impact decision making across society. This major gives particular consideration to how policies are formulated and implemented and what impact they will have on society, as well as how to best engage individuals and communities to respond to environmental challenges. All students in this program receive a faculty mentor within their specialization area.

In order to develop solutions for human-caused environmental change, we must first understand the principles of the natural environment. Students in the environmental science (ES) program engage in an integrated science curriculum, designed to give students a thorough understanding of the environment, its components and processes, and ways to manage and restore the ecosystems within it. This major investigates the mechanisms behind climate change, develops approaches to sustainably manage Earth’s resources, and works to support and preserve biodiversity.

The forestry, fisheries and wildlife (FFW) major gives students the knowledge and skills to create sustainable solutions for ecosystems, habitats, and plant and animal species that are affected by human use of the environment. Forestry, wildlife and aquatic specialists address the biological, economic and social aspects of managing forest lands, freshwater and coastal ecosystems, and fish and wildlife, and look for ways to incorporate landscape restoration and habitat conservation into their practices. The FFW major provides course work that is required for certification by the following professional societies: the Wildlife Society, Society of American Foresters and the American Fisheries Society.

The natural resource management (NRM) major focuses on the connection between environmental systems and the social sciences. Course work helps students understand how decisions are made regarding the use or protection of our natural systems. In a combination of classroom and hands-on learning, students will gain the knowledge needed to manage human interactions with the natural world in parks and protected areas, natural resource organizations, or agriculture and food systems. 

Students that are admitted to The Ohio State University and have declared a major within the School of Environment and Natural Resources are directly admitted to our program. There is no separate application or additional criteria to be admitted to the School of Environment and Natural Resources.

To choose a major within the School of Environment and Natural Resources, select one of the majors below  to indicate your intended area of study when completing your application for admission to Ohio State:

Environment, Economy, Development and Sustainability

Environmental Science

Environmental Policy and Decision Making

Forestry, Fisheries and Wildlife

Natural Resource Management

Select "Environment and Natural Resources, Undecided" if you want to be in the School of Environment and Natural Resources but are undecided on which major fits you best.

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The School of Environment and Natural Resources (SENR) awards as many scholarships as possible. Scholarships through SENR are based on academic record, leadership skills, financial need and major.

Learn more about SENR financial aid and scholarships.