Ecosystem Science and Sustainability PDE Requirement

NR 220: Natural Resource Ecology and Measurements

CSU Course Description: Ecology of Rocky Mountains ecosystems. Basic measurements and integrated management of natural resources.
Prerequisite: (BZ 110 and BZ 111 or BZ 120 or LIFE 103) and (MATH 118 or MATH 141 to 161 or MATH 229 to 499).

Find full details on course offerings, costs, and registration on the CSU Mountain Campus Website

• 4-Week Summer Sessions
• Required residence at CSU Mountain Campus.
• Must register for lecture and laboratory.

Watershed Science and Sustainability students participating in specialized research programs, certain study abroad programs, or other eligible experiential learning placements may submit a request for substitution for NR 220 in coordination with their Watershed faculty and Department Advisor.

When do students enroll?

Registration opens in March each year on RamWeb, immediately after Spring Break.

ESS 487: Internship

CSU Course Description: Supervised work experience in professional settings related to Ecosystem Science and Sustainability.
Prerequisite: ESS 320 or approval of course instructor

ESS 487 Internship Guide – ESS 487 Internship Guide April 2024

Required Forms from the Guide:

• Internship Approval & Justification
• Internship Agreement
• Photography Consent
• Goal Statement
• Release of Records

The forms above must be completed before you enroll in ESS 487.

What qualifies?

• You may intern with any organization that advances work related to fields of ecosystem science and sustainability and has a position available for you to directly engage in their work in ecosystem science and/or sustainability—for example, through research, analysis, monitoring, evaluation, public engagement, policy development, education, or outreach. This includes organizations in government, business, and nonprofit sectors.
• WCNR Career Services maintains a Warner College Internships site, and internships are also posted on CSU Handshake.
• The CSU Education Abroad Office also provides Research or Internship Opportunities Abroad. Check out those options below under Department-Approved Study Abroad Opportunities.
  
• You may not intern with an organization if you will not directly engage in work related to ecosystems science and sustainability. For example, if you are offered a position with an environmental consulting firm as a receptionist to answer phone calls or a courier to deliver blueprints and documents, such positions do not qualify as directly engaging in work in ecosystem science and sustainability.

What is the time commitment and can I be paid?

• 1 credit – Canvas-based course with professional development modules to complete DURING the internship
• 4 credits – Actual Internship Placement
• 180 hours MINIMUM
• 16 week semester: ~ 10-12 hours/week
• 6 week summer placement: 30 hours/week
• Yes, you may be PAID by the employer. In fact, that’s encouraged!

What are the costs? See CSU Tuition & Fees Tables for up-to-date details on costs. Download ESS 487 Information & Resources for some additional details from ESS.

When in doubt, visit with ESS Internship Coordinator, Dr. Kaye Holman, to determine if the internship will qualify.

ESS/WR 495: Independent Study

CSU Course Description: Topical or research-related studies with a faculty member.

Prerequisite: None, but must have pre-arranged approval with an ESS or Watershed faculty member.

• Arrangement made with an ESS Faculty Member
• Requires Agreement on Scope of Work
• Requires Timeline for Completion

What are the costs? Download ESS 495 Information & Resources for up-to-date details on costs.

MUST BE DESIGNED IN ADVANCE OF SEMESTER YOU PLAN TO ENROLL IN ESS/WR 495

Contact Nikki Foxley to complete the appropriate paperwork and enroll!

SUPER: Skills for Undergraduate Participation in Ecological Research

The Skills for Undergraduate Participation in Ecological Research (SUPER) Program is managed by the Department of Ecosystem Science and Sustainability and partners with the Natural Resource Ecology Lab (NREL). It is open to ALL students at CSU with an interest in ecological research. Students apply to participate in the program in fall and continue their placement through the spring semester. They earn 5 credits for their participation while also:

• Strengthening critical thinking skills,
• Increasing scientific literacy, and
• Gaining real-world experience in ecological research.

How do I enroll?

• Students must apply to participate in SUPER.
• Applications typically open from the SUPER website in March each year, immediately after Spring Break.

Department-Approved Study Abroad Opportunities

The CSU Education Abroad Office provides comprehensive information on study abroad placements for students. The Department has created a list of recommended programs for students by major and with research or internship-specific opportunities abroad:

• Recommended Programs for ESS
• Recommended Programs for Watershed Science and Sustainability
• Research or Internship Opportunities Abroad

Experiential learning opportunities in the U.S. and abroad can be considered through placement in programs such as:

• The School for Field Studies
• Cieba Foundation for Tropical Conservation**
• Council on International Educational Exchange
• EcoQuest**
• Intern Abroad HQ**
• Round River Conservation Studies**
• School for International Training (SIT) Study Abroad
• Sea Education Association**
• Tatoosh School
• The Juneau Icefield Survey 
• Wildlands Studies**
• The Green Program** (note: CSU students cannot get credit for some Green Program offerings as they are not all transcripted)

**Programs not affiliated with CSU may require additional paperwork and coordination with the CSU Education Abroad office, so please allow additional pre-departure preparation time.