The School of Natural Resources is in the newly renovated Hardin Hall on UNL’s East Campus. The new building has excellent laboratory, office, and classroom facilities to support research, teaching and outreach regarding natural resources. In addition, Nebraska has a wealth of water resources, including nearly 2,000 natural Sand Hills lakes and playas, many of which are unique worldwide, the largest aquifer (groundwater reservoir) in the world, more than 5,000 wetlands, including rare saline sites near Lincoln, and more than 1,000 reservoirs and sandpit lakes across the state. With 13,013 miles of streams, Nebraska ranks 10th in the nation, including several major river systems.

Laboratory resources include the Water Sciences Core Facility Laboratories with cutting-edge analytical capabilities for trace organics such as pesticides and their metabolites, heavy metals, and stable isotopes. In addition, the Aquatic Ecology Laboratory includes an indoor microcosm facility with 32 artificial streams and 25 1,000-L tanks for experimental studies. Field facilities include Cedar Point Biological Station in western Nebraska and a system of many research sites across the state.

• Advanced Limnology
• Aquatic Biology
• Chemistry of Natural Waters
• Ecosystem Ecology
• Enviornmental Isotope Hydrology
• Fisheries Biology
• Fisheries Science
• Freshwater Algae
• Genetic Ecology
• Ichthyology
• Lake and Reservoir Ecology and Management
• Limnology
• Population Biology
• Quaternary Ecology and Climate
• Wetlands

All potential SNR M.S. graduate students must meet the following minimum requirements or provide the requested information:

• A bachelor’s degree with a background that includes at least one course in each of the following disciplines with a minimum of eight courses total:
  • Mathematics (must include one semester of Calculus)
  • Physics
  • Chemistry
  • Life Sciences (Agronomy, Biology, Ecology, Forestry, Wetlands, etc.)
  • Earth Sciences (Geology, Meteorology, Oceanography, Soils, etc.)
• GRE scores of 500 verbal, 620 quantitative, and 4.0 analytical writing
• TOEFL score of 600 paper-, 300 computer- or 79 web-based (applies only to international applicants for whom English is not the first language)
• GPA of 3.0 (on a 4-point system)
• Three letters of recommendation Statement of purpose

There are no specific requirements beyond those necessary for admission into the School of Natural Resources graduate program; however, a strong background in aquatic sciences and/or ecology is beneficial.

Print a document containing complete program requirements.

Our M.S. students have pursued a wide range of career paths over the past several years, including positions with state and federal agencies, natural resources districts, environmental consulting firms, and nongovernmental (nonprofit) organizations. Course work and thesis topics are coordinated closely with a student’s long-term goals.