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Sioux River Beach Sunrise, Lake Superior

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 From a Ryan Brady Photo
 Natural History Major

(2004-06 Catalog)
Clayton Russell, Primary Advisor

View a Detailed Description of this Program

An Outdoor Education student stands beside Sigurd F. Olson's desk in his "writing shack" at Listening Point near Ely, Minnesota.
A student stands beside Sigurd F. Olson's desk in his "writing shack" in Ely, Minnesota.

The outdoor education-natural history major prepares students for careers in environmental education and interpretation. With a background in natural history and practice in experiential education and interpretive teaching strategies, students are prepared for careers at environmental learning centers; natural history museums; living history programs; national, state, and local parks; conservation organizations; and interpretive agencies. Graduate work in environmental education is encouraged.

  

Outdoor education-natural history majors interested in working at nature centers can obtain Wisconsin teacher licensure in environmental studies-secondary education. Students should begin pursuing this option no later than the first session of their sophomore years in order to complete their programs in four years. (Assumes a minimum of 14 successful credits completed in each of the fall and winter sessions and 3 to 4 successful credits completed in spring session.) Students must complete the major and the environmental studies-secondary education certification requirements listed in Teacher Education. 
 

See also: Option for Teacher Certification in Environmental Studies/Secondary Education Page

  

Students majoring in Outdoor Education with an emphasis in Natural History should take the Outdoor Education Core plus the following requirements and options:

 

All of the following: Credits
BIO115 Concepts of Biology* 4

BIO234 Ecology                    

4
GSC120 Physical Geology*  4
OED289 Spring Transition                                               4
OED361 Interpretive Program Design 3
OED461 Apostle Islands School† 4

  

Fall Outdoor Educator Professional Development Block

 

These courses must be taken concurrently:

  

OED381 Outdoor Education Teaching Techniques (Credits for OED381 are counted in the Outdoor Education Core)

  

OED382 Outdoor Education Practicum

 4

OED383 Ecological Ecosystem Interpretation

             in Natural Science                                             

8

Choose 12 credits from:

BIO, NRS, and/or GSC                                                  

12

One of the following:

  

NAS/SOC213 North American Indian Cultures*                

 3

NAS231 Native American Arts and Culture*                     

 3

NAS233 Native American World Views*                         

 3

NAS319 Northern Plains Cultures*                                  

 3
   

Choose 2 credits, including one winter skill course, from:

  
OED028-076 (except 051)*                                              2

  

Recommended:

  

Majors are encouraged to add an internship to their field of study. The Outdoor Education faculty are available to offer suggestions and guidance in this area.                                                               

Angling for brook trout, an Outdoor Education, Wilderness Instructor Training student watches a moose cross the river in Wyoming's Big Horn Wilderness Area.
Angling for brook trout, a Wilderness Instructor Training student watches a moose cross the river in Wyoming's Big Horn Wilderness Area.

 

OED292/492 Internship                                           

 1-4 credits

OED/EDU261 Environmental Education

Curriculum Review*                                                         

3

ENV376 Environmental Issues Seminar                         

 1-3
   

Total Major Requirements                                          

 52-56 credits

Total Core Requirements                                            

27 credits

Additional Liberal Education, Minor,

and/or Elective Requirements                                    

41-45 credits

Total Requirements Needed to Graduate                   

124 credits

   

 *Meets Liberal Education Requirement.

†Capstone experience for majors.