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Environmental Management Option
Soil and Water Conservation Option
Of all living beings, humans are unique in their ability to manage the environment in which they live. However, modification of the environment to suit human needs often results in the degradation of environmental ecosystems. This curriculum is a science-oriented curriculum designed to provide a broad understanding of environmental quality. Students will develop a solid foundation in basic sciences, mathematics and communications skills. This foundation will then be applied in courses dealing with ecology and natural resources. Students will be strongly encouraged to pursue relevant work experience through supervised field study with an approved agency or firm. Graduates of this program will find employment opportunities as technical, scientific, or support personnel with local, state, or federal agencies, or with private industry. Examples include positions with municipal waste treatment facilities; state and federal regulatory agencies; consulting firms involved in environmental remediation and development of impact statements; various manufacturers; environmental and conservation support organizations; and other public and private employers in the environmental field. The curriculum will also prepare the student for graduate study in areas related to the environment and natural resources, including environmental law.
Of all living beings, humans are unique in their ability to manage the environment in which they live. However, modification of the environment to suit human needs often results in the degradation of environmental ecosystems. This program is a science-oriented curriculum designed to provide a broad understanding of environmental quality. Students will develop a solid foundation in basic sciences, mathematics and communications skills. This foundation will then be applied in courses dealing with ecology and natural resources. Students will be strongly encouraged to pursue relevant work experience through supervised field study with an approved agency or firm.
Supervised field experience, or an internship, is available for academic credit. It is required of all students in park and recreation administration, agricultural business, agricultural science production and plant science programs, and strongly encouraged for students in all other agricultural and natural resources management degree programs. Internships are designed to enable a student to obtain credit for completion of a prescribed program of work with an approved business or agency. Students have served as interns in a variety of agricultural management and marketing positions and as interns with a variety of city, state and federal agencies. Supervision and evaluation are provided by faculty and on- the-job supervisors. An essential element of this program is that the work experience be designed so it contributes to a student’s learning and level of competence in his/her chosen career area; routine summer jobs or seasonal employment that do not meet these criteria cannot be considered for internship credit. Faculty within the department strive to offer at least one travel study experience annually. Many opportunities exist throughout the department that involve students in hands on learning and experiences.
Graduates of this program will find employment opportunities as technical, scientific or support personnel with local, state or federal agencies, or with private industry. Examples include positions with municipal waste treatment facilities; state and federal regulatory agencies; consulting firms involved in environmental remediation and development of environmental impact statements; various manufacturers; environmental and conservation support organizations; and other public and private employers in the environmental field. The curriculum will also prepare the student for graduate study in areas related to the environment and natural resources, including environmental law.
Agriculture and natural resources management students are active in several organizations which include the Agronomy Club, Alpha Gamma Rho, Block and Bridle Club, Collegiate FFA, Collegiate 4-H, National Agribusiness Marketing Association, Park and Recreation Adventure Club, Equestrian Team (Athletics), Rodeo Team (Athletics), UT Martin chapter of the Wildlife Society, Student Cattlemen’s Association, UT Martin Turf Club, Sigma Alpha and UT Martin Pre-Veterinary Club. These student organizations provide opportunities for meeting established professionals in the field, enhancing leadership skills and participation in social activities. Teams composed of students enrolled in agriculture or natural resources management annually participate in intercollegiate contests in livestock judging, crops judging, horse judging, NAMA Quiz Bowl, SAEA Quiz Bowl and soil judging. Instruction and coaching are provided by faculty members and membership on the team is based upon participation and competitive performance in practice exercises. The teams have received awards in regional and national competition. They provide excellent opportunities for interested students to sharpen their evaluation skills.
The UT Martin Agricultural and Natural Resources Field Teaching and Demonstration Complex, located adjacent to the campus, is utilized as the lab farm in the department’s teaching programs. Together, both units comprise 680 acres and include herds of beef cattle, sheep, goats, horses and swine, as well as greenhouses and landscape, wildlife, field and forage crop demonstration areas. These facilities are used by faculty and students to conduct research that complements the teaching program as well as contributes to the broad objectives of the Center of Excellence. The organization outlined above enables students to become familiar with research conducted at the teaching farm, other experiment stations of the UT Institute of Agriculture and other laboratories of the university. UT Martin, in this way, occupies a unique position that differentiates it from other institutions. UT Martin also has the Ned McWherter Agricultural Complex (pavilion and stalling facility), an Equine Center, West Tennessee Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory and the Ray and Wilma Smith Livestock Merchandising Center, with all of these hosting a variety of events throughout the year.
Dr. Paula Gale (pgale@utm.edu) specializes in wetlands management and on-farm composting research. Dr. Gale also advises and coaches the award winning university soils judging team.
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