Experiential Learning
Experiential Learning (NRES 395/399) & Graduation Composition and Communication Requirement (GCCR, NRE400)
To give students exposure to real world natural resource work, NRES majors complete a pre-professional experiential learning experience. This can be satisfied through a research project (NRE 395) or an internship (NRE 399). Students work with their faculty advisor to identify an internship or research project related to their environmental systems emphasis area and/or their analytical skills development area. After completing NRE 395/399 students satisfy the University GCCR requirement in NRE 400. In NRE 400 students prepare a formal written assignment and a visual artifact based on their research/internship.
Every Fall NRES students present their GCCR Visual Assignments at the NRES Forum
Examples of past NRE 395 and NRE 399 projects:
Examples of the 2020 NRES Internships and Research Projects
Examples of the 2019 NRES Internships and Research Projects
Examples of the 2017 NRES Internships and Research Projects
Examples of the 2016 NRES Internships and Research Projects
Examples of the 2015 NRES Internships and Research Projects
Examples of the 2014 NRES Internships and Research Projects
Examples of the 2013 NRES Internships and Research Projects
Interactive map of past NRE 395 and NRE 399 projects!
Experience Approval Forms
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NRE 395 - Research
Students arrange to work on a natural resource or environmental research project. Generally, students work with a UK faculty member but students can work with researchers in other settings (e.g. Kentucky Department of Fish and Game or Kentucky Geological Society). To register for NRE 395 students and their advisors develop a research contract. Research contracts explain the nature of the research, the work to be completed by the student, the outcomes expected (e.g., article, paper, poster), and the time period for completion of the work. This contract is then approved by the NRES Internship Coordinator.
NRE 399 - Internship
An internship is a pre-professional work experience completed in an off-campus setting. Students can identify internship opportunities by talking to NRES majors who have already completed internships, attending the NRES Internship Forum (typically Fall Term), or searching the web for opportunities.
Before registering for NRE 399, students must complete a Learning Contract. Before completing a Learning Contract, students need to identify a faculty advisor for the internship. This can be your academic advisor, or another faculty member whose interests may correspond to the content of the planned internship. Consult with your advisor about completing the Learning Contract before seeking approval signatures. This contract must be approved by the NRES Internship Coordinator before registering for NRE 399.
NRE 400 - Graduation Composition and Communication Requirement (GCCR)
The NRES program combines the pre-professional experiential learning experience (NRE 395/399) and the GCCR (NRE 400). The GCCR is intended to help students integrate their written, oral, and visual communication skills. In NRE 400 students prepare a formal written assignment (~4,500 words) and a visual artifact (typically a poster presented at the NRES Fall Forum) based on their research/internship. Students enrolling in NRE 395/399 for the summer should plan to enroll in NRE 400 the following fall for 2 Credits.