Pathway Options
There are two pathways for students in the natural resources program – a technical, forestry-oriented pathway (called an AAS-T) and a transfer, holistically-oriented pathway (called an AAS-DTA subplan). Both prepare students for immediate employment and offer transfer options, but have unique aspects that should be considered prior to selection of a pathway. This pathway called an Associate of Arts and Sciences Direct Transfer Agreement (AAS-DTA), is designed specifically to transfer with junior standing to universities in Washington state. It fulfills most if not all, general education requirements at accepting institutions, making it a popular choice for students planning to transfer to a university or those not interested in directly entering the forestry field. Students who complete this pathway will have the knowledge, skills, and abilities that are foundational to the study of natural resources including areas of biology, ecology, mathematics, and communication. Graduates are prepared for entry-level work in natural resources or to transfer with junior-level standing to a university. Students interested in this option should contact the AAS-DTA Natural Resources Advisor for more information.
Core program courses may have prerequisite requirements. English and mathematics courses require qualifying assessment scores or acceptable preparatory coursework in these subjects. See course descriptions for details.
Program Learning Outcomes
Students who complete the DTA pathway in Natural Resources at WVC will be able to: • Operate tools and equipment commonly used in the natural resources fieldwork. • Utilize maps, aerial photographs, and land survey abilities in the management of natural resources, including geographic information systems. • Understand and apply concepts of ecology, conservation, and management for timber, fish, wildlife, and their habitats. • Identify important plant and animal species for the North Central Washington ecosystem. • Select and apply appropriate field techniques to sample, measure, and monitor timber, fish, and wildlife species and their habitat(s). • Identify and model interpersonal skills and professional behavior needed for successful job performance. • Demonstrate the ability to locate opportunities and prepare application materials for state and federal jobs in natural resources. • Describe biotic and abiotic processes, including human impacts that influence ecosystems and contribute to ecological change. • Objectively predict, assess, analyze, synthesize, and evaluate perspectives of diverse stakeholders regarding natural resource problems and issues. • Understand cultural diversity and describe the impact of the global distribution of people and wealth on natural resource use and valuation.
For additional information, contact Bobbi Johnson at bjohnson@wvc.edu
Students may select any courses here that meet the quantitative/symbolic requirements for an AAS-DTA.
Recommended Course Selections:
MATH& 146: Intro to Statistics (recommended) or MATH& 107: Math in Society
Students may select any courses here that meet the humanities requirement for an AAS-DTA. The courses listed here provide the best match to the knowledge, skills, and abilities a natural resource professional needs as well as those classes that will best prepare a student for transfer to a natural resource related major at a four-year institution.
Recommended Course Selections:
CMST& 210: Interpersonal Communication
PHIL& 115: Critical Thinking (recommended)
AIIS 203: Introduction to AIIS Literature [D]
Students may select any courses here that meet the social sciences requirement for an AAS-DTA. The courses listed here provide the best match to the knowledge, skills, and abilities a natural resource professional needs as well as those classes that will best prepare a student for transfer to a natural resource related major at a four-year institution.
Recommended Course Selections:
GEOG: 215: Introduction to GIS
ECON 202: Macro Economics
AIIS 103: The Indigenous Pacific Northwest [D] or ANTH 220: Cross-Cultural Studies or SOC& 101: Introduction to Sociology
Natural Resources is a science-based field of study. Accordingly, the course selection here exceeds the natural sciences requirement for the AAS-DTA.
The courses listed here provide the best match to the knowledge, skills, and abilities a natural resources professional needs as well as those classes that will best prepare a student for transfer to a natural resources related major at a fouryear institution.
The DTA requires 15 credits of natural science. These must be from three different areas and at least one must have a lab. Courses designated with the * are natural sciences. Courses designated ** are natural science with a lab.
By AAS-DTA requirements, no more than 15 credits of courses designated as restricted electives (RE) will count toward the degree.
Recommended Course Selections:
BIOL& 211: Major Cellular**
BIOL& 212: Major Plants**
BIOL& 213: Major Animals**
ENVS 170: Intro to Stream Ecology** or BIOL& 221: Major Ecology/Evolution*
BIOL 103: Salmon, Ecosystems, and Society [D]
ENVS 230: Intro to Fisheries Sci and Mgmt. or NATR 160: Forest Health and Ecology (RE)
CHEM& 121: Introduction to Chemistry (Recommended) or CHEM& 110: Chemical Concepts
NATR 235: Society and Natural Resources (RE)
BIOL 125: Environmental Science ** (recommended) or BCT 284" Project Management (RE) or BCT 130: Spreadsheets (RE) or other BIOL, ENVS, NATR or MATH course or other course related to career/major.
Note: Courses not listed here that were previously offered at WVC may still count toward a degree. Check with the registrar for a complete list of courses that count toward this degree.