Natural Resources and Environmental Science: 25 Years of Experience with an Interdisciplinary Program in Environmental Science

ABSTRACT The Natural Resources and Environmental Science (NRES) program at Purdue University offers a science‐based B.S. degree that includes coursework in the Schools of Agriculture, Science, Engineering, and Liberal Arts. Students in NRES are encouraged to specialize in a subject area such as land resources, air and water quality, or environmental policy and economics. Since 1973, 514 students have graduated from the NRES program. Enrollment in 1995–1996 was 190. The program enrollment has closely followed the public's interest in environmental issues. In Fall 1993, NRES graduates were surveyed, and more than 40% of the 386 survey recipients responded. Seventy‐five percent of the respondents are presently employed in an environmental or related area. The majority of these students specialized in the land resources and water quality areas. Graduates reported being quite satisfied with the education they received in Purdue's NRES program. Many graduates felt, however, that an increased emphasis on chemistry, ecology, soil science, biology, and English composition would benefit the NRES curriculum. A 1994 survey asked about job search and job placement activities. The 1994 graduates reported that 86% were working in an environmental position that was closely related to their NRES training. Originally the program was seen as a source of potential employees for state and federal agencies, but graduates have been employed in a wide range of public and private arenas. The high degree of flexibility in the curriculum, together with an opportunity to work in an environmental field, makes NRES an attractive program to many students.