About the Program
The Natural Resources program is designed to meet the demand for trained personnel in a broad range of Natural Resource/Environmental Science fields in addition to numerous private organizations.
Intense pressures are being placed on the nation's environmental resources as the population increases. This creates an ever-growing demand for trained people to work in forestry, recreation, water, soil, wildlife and other natural resource/environmental management areas. Career opportunities exist with the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, National Park Service, and U.S. Soil Service as well as numerous private management firms, environmental companies, and land developers, to list a few job possibilities. Employment in any of these areas will provide an opportunity for working in one of the nation's most interesting, diversified and rapidly expanding fields. The work is varied. However, certain basic skills are fundamental.
Program Requirements
For current program requirements -> 2024-2025
Program Goal: Career
GE Pattern(s): Butte Local
Program Code: 07259.01AS
Program Learning Outcome(s):
Upon successful completion of this program, the student will be able to:
Describe and apply the basic elements of the scientific method.
Identify basic environmental problems and describe how they affect the environmental's biotic and abiotic components.
Identify the main fish and game species located within the state and/or region of desired employment.
Evaluate the modern and historical roles of human impact on wildlife and wildlife management.
Unit(s): 1.00
Transfer Status: CSU
Contact Hours:
17.00 hours Lecture
Out of Class Hours: 34.00
Total Course Hours: 51.00
This course is a study of the agriculture, environmental science and natural resources industries with a focus on career opportunities, self evaluation, and skills necessary for successful job procurement. Topics include job trends, resumes and cover letters, interviewing skills, and the types of careers available in agriculture, environmental science, and natural resources.
Unit(s): 3.00
Transfer Status: CSU
Contact Hours:
34.00 hours Lecture
/ 51.00 hours Lab
Out of Class Hours: 68.00
Total Course Hours: 153.00
This course covers design principles, selection, maintenance, adjustment, and safe operation of wheel and crawler type tractors used in agriculture and in the construction industry. (C-ID AG-MA 108L).
Unit(s): 4.00
Transfer Status: CSU/UC
Contact Hours:
51.00 hours Lecture
/ 51.00 hours Lab
Out of Class Hours: 102.00
Total Course Hours: 204.00
The study of soil physical, chemical and biological properties. Soil use and management including erosion, moisture retention, structure, cultivation, organic matter and microbiology. Laboratory topics include soil type, classification, soil reaction, soil fertility and physical properties of soil. (C-ID AG-PS 128L).
Unit(s): 3.00
Transfer Status: CSU/UC
Contact Hours:
34.00 hours Lecture
/ 51.00 hours Lab
Out of Class Hours: 68.00
Total Course Hours: 153.00
This course is an introduction to plant science including structure, growth processes, propagation, physiology, growth medica, biological competitors, and post-harvest factors of food, fiber, and ornamental plants. (C-ID AG-PS 104).
Unit(s): 3.00
Transfer Status: CSU/UC
Contact Hours:
34.00 hours Lecture
/ 51.00 hours Lab
Out of Class Hours: 68.00
Total Course Hours: 153.00
This course is the study of botanical characteristics, taxonomy, physiology, and community relationships of the major trees and shrubs in the Western United States. Discussion of commercial uses and geographic ranges of these plants.
Unit(s): 3.00
Transfer Status: CSU/UC
Contact Hours:
34.00 hours Lecture
/ 51.00 hours Lab
Out of Class Hours: 68.00
Total Course Hours: 153.00
This course is an introduction to the integrated management of natural resources including trees, soil, water, fish, and wildlife for the production of wood and fiber products. The emphasis will be on both the traditional and emerging uses of the forest resource to satisfy human needs and the consequent protection of the public trust. Basic biological and ecological processes will be introduced along with discussion of the scientific method and preparing reports.
Unit(s): 3.00
Transfer Status: CSU/UC
Contact Hours:
51.00 hours Lecture
Out of Class Hours: 102.00
Total Course Hours: 153.00
This course is an interdisciplinary study of the world environment with a focus on human use and protection of natural resources across ethnic and cultural boundaries. Environmental issues involving the exploitation and conservation of natural resources will be studied for their modern as well as historical, political, economic and social implications. Particular attention is paid to the condition of natural resources, including soil, water, forest, mineral, plant and animal life throughout California. The citizen's role in natural resource conservation is stressed throughout the course. Graded only.
Unit(s): 3.00
Transfer Status: CSU/UC
Contact Hours:
34.00 hours Lecture
/ 51.00 hours Lab
Out of Class Hours: 68.00
Total Course Hours: 153.00
This course is an introduction to the conservation and management of natural resources. Students will learn about the diverse agencies that manage our resources along with their history and philosophies. The major natural resources including water, air, energy, forests, wildlife, agriculture, and soils will be covered and students will learn about the environmental policy and laws that govern use of these resources. An emphasis is placed on the practical components of Environmental Science as it relates to social and economic aspects of conservation.
Unit(s): 3.00
Transfer Status: CSU
Contact Hours:
34.00 hours Lecture
/ 51.00 hours Lab
Out of Class Hours: 68.00
Total Course Hours: 153.00
This course is an introduction to the methods, techniques, and tools used to restore and enhance watershed health. Topics will include reforestation techniques, hydrologic cycle, disturbance mitigation, and use of native plants for biofiltration. The course emphasizes local water issues and restoration efforts.
Unit(s): 3.00
Transfer Status: CSU
Contact Hours:
34.00 hours Lecture
/ 51.00 hours Lab
Out of Class Hours: 68.00
Total Course Hours: 153.00
The course is a study of plant and animal ecology in relation to principles of wildlife management with an emphasis on identification, sexing and aging criteria, wildlife population dynamics, wildlife habitat, and a review of trapping and marking techniques.
Unit(s): 3.00
Transfer Status: CSU
Contact Hours:
51.00 hours Lecture
Out of Class Hours: 102.00
Total Course Hours: 153.00
This course introduces students to federal and state laws and regulations pertaining to the management and protection of natural resources. Topics include the history and development of environmental law including Air and Water Quality Acts, National Environmental Policy Act, and Endangered Species Act. Graded only.
Unit(s): 3.00
Transfer Status: CSU
Contact Hours:
34.00 hours Lecture
/ 51.00 hours Lab
Out of Class Hours: 68.00
Total Course Hours: 153.00
This course is an introduction to the techniques, issues and laws pertaining to recreational land management. Topics include types of recreational activities, evaluation of site resources, maintenance and operation of outdoor recreational facilities. Analyses of social and economic factors that affect participation in recreational activities will be included.
Unit(s): 2.00
Transfer Status: CSU
Contact Hours:
17.00 hours Lecture
/ 51.00 hours Lab
Out of Class Hours: 34.00
Total Course Hours: 102.00
This course is an introduction to applied Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and provides the knowledge and practical experience necessary to develop skills in the acquisition of Global Positioning System's (GPS) data and its application to (GIS) for presentation and use in precision agriculture, field biology/botany, natural resources and park-land management, as well as heavy equipment operation. No previous GIS experience is assumed.
Prerequisite(s): Permission of Cooperative Work Experience Education instructor and employment supervisor
Unit(s): 1.00
- 8.00
Transfer Status: CSU
Contact Hours:
0.00 hours Lecture
Total Course Hours: 0.00
Career Work Experience (CWE) is a course that gives students the opportunity to earn both a grade and units for what they learn on the job related to their vocational major while gaining practical work experience. Students may earn one semester unit of college credit in this course for every sixty hours of unpaid work experience (60-480 hours unpaid) or seventy-five hours of paid work experience (75-600 hours paid). Students may earn a maximum of sixteen units for all types of Work Experience. This course may be repeated to a maximum of 8.00 units to complete the entire curriculum of the course.
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Contacts
Ricky Wittsell, Chair
(530) 895-6194
Department Office: WM 105
(530) 895-2551
Counseling and Advising:
(530) 895-2378
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