Bachelor of Natural Resource Science (BNRS)

In a world where specialization is the norm, professionals who are well versed in all aspects of natural resources are in demand.

This unique program consists of 120 credits which can be completed in four or five-years on a full-time basis, or up to seven- years on a part-time basis once admitted to the program. You will take courses in biology, chemistry, ecology, scientific methods, and specific resource management courses.

The program prepares you for a wide range of natural resource sector careers and for further study in graduate school. You will be ready to work in resource management and planning for government or industry.

For students interested in certification by a professional association, TRU is seeking accreditation for selected specific courses from the Association of British Columbia Professional Foresters.

Completion of the BNRS degree fulfils the academic requirements of the BC Institute of Agrologists and College of Applied Biology.

Students wishing to enter a teaching program at the secondary level can do so with an additional six credits of upper-level biology courses. Contact your chairperson before planning electives.

Admission Requirements

To be admitted to the TRU BNRS Program, students must satisfy the following entrance requirements:

The minimum prerequisites are:

• Grade 12 graduation or equivalent, or mature student status or previous post-secondary experience.
• English 12/English 12 First Peoples with a minimum of 73% (or equivalent)
• Pre-Calculus 12 with a minimum of C+ or equivalent.
• Biology 11 (or BIOL 0500), Chemistry 11 (or CHEM 0500). Students with Biology 12 (BIOL 0600 or BIOL 0620), Chemistry 12 (CHEM 0600) and Physics 12 (PHYS 0600) will be given preference.
• A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 each year.

All applications received by the March 1st deadline will be evaluated on the basis of GPA and additional documentation stating interest in natural resources and previous outdoor experience.

Application Process

Students apply online at Apply for Admission and submit the following documentation to the Admissions Office in support of their application.

• Official transcripts from all secondary and post-secondary insitutions attended
• Proof of citizenship or permanent resident status
• A completed Application for Admission form

Registration Fee

You will be notified in writing by Admissions if you have been accepted into the program. Once admitted, you should be prepared to pay a commitment fee as early as June in order to secure your seat.

Prior to registration, you will be asked to arrange a meeting with the Program Coordinator, to discuss course requirements.

Course Requirements for Bachelor of Natural Resource Sciences

 Year One

Fall Semester:	Winter Semester:
BIOL 1110	BIOL 1210
ENGL 1100	CMNS 2300
MATH 1140 or MATH 1150	NRSC 1220
NRSC 1110	NRSC 2100
NRSC 1120	*ENGL 1110 or ELECTIVE (AGSC 2200)
	*Students receiving a grade of B or better in ENGL 1100 can replace ENGL 1110 with an elective

 Year Two

Fall Semester:	Winter Semester:
BIOL 3000	CHEM 1510
CHEM 1500	ECON 1900
NRSC 2000	NRSC 2110
NRSC 2200	NRSC 3000
ANTH 2140 or ANTH 3270 or ANTH 3280 or ANTH 4040	NRSC 3170

 Year Three

Fall Semester:	Winter Semester:
NRSC 3200	GEOG 2750
NRSC 3260	BIOL 3030
NRSC 4020	*ECON 3730 or ECON 3410 or ECON 3740
NRSC 4030	NRSC 3110
NRSC 4130	ELECTIVE
*Students will take one of ECON 3710, 3730, 3410 or 3740

 Year Four

Fall Semester:	Winter Semester:
NRSC 4100	NRSC 4050
NRSC 4140	NRSC 4110
NRSC 3210	NRSC 4210
NRSC 4040	NRSC 4230
*ECON 3710 or ELECTIVE	ELECTIVE
*Students will take one of ECON 3710, 3730, 3410 or 3740

Downloadable NRSC Course Requirements

Fieldwork experience

Field study offers a valuable learning experience. Many of the courses offered by the natural resource science department include a field component. As you progress through the program, you will gain field experience in areas including vegetation analysis, soil analysis, forest stand measurements, lake analysis, and vertebrate and invertebrate sampling techniques.

Course field trips are numerous and diverse. They include visits to the TRU Education and Research station adjacent to Wells Gray Provincial Park, grassland ecosystems, coastal and interior forest ecosystems, forest research stations, active mining sites (reclamation), local ranches, and fish hatcheries (locations change from year to year).

 International Field School in Belize

This course examines the issues, approaches and people involved with natural resource management in a tropical country. We run this course in Belize, Central America, because the country is relatively accessible and English is the main spoken language (we incorporate a large number of guest speakers from Belize into the course).

Belize Field School

• Course length is 14 days in Belize, Central America - April 26 to May 10, 2020
• Apply by November 29, 2019
• More Info - belize@tru.ca

Questions? Contact Sherry Bennett, NRSC Program Assistant: nrsc@tru.ca