Advising & Forms
NRES Department Academic Advisor
Meagan Groom
The NRES Academic Advisor assists undergraduate students with:
- Proper course selection and degree requirements
- Using and interpreting the Degree Progress Report
- Understanding and adhering to academic policies
- Supporting students on academic probation, disqualification, and readmission to the university
- Providing suggestions and referrals for other campus support services
The CAFES Peer Advising Center is staffed with well-trained, experienced students to help with schedule planning (PASS, Registration, PolyPlanner, etc.) and related general academic questions.
CAFES Peer Advising
Bldg. 74M-A
cafesadvising@calpoly.edu
For further information please visit the CAFES Advising Website.
NRES faculty provide additional advising for students.
Please see the following faculty members for major-specific questions regarding course substitutions:
- EESS students see Dr. Chip Appel
- ENVM students see Dr. Priya Verma
- FNR/FFS students see Dr. Samantha Gill
FORMS
- Approved Minor Form
- GIS Minor
- Water Science Minor
- ESS Minor
- Land Rehab Minor
- Rangeland Minor
- Indigenous Studies Minor
- Course Substitution Form
Advising Tools
- Cal Poly Academic Advising Website
- Course Catalogs Online
- Cal Poly Counseling Services
- Graduation Plan
Major-Specific Advising Information
Specific information for each major is included below. Please review the information provided.
Note: Course flow charts and curriculum sheets for all majors.
Change of Major Policies and Procedures
Change of Major Procedures:
- Please see ICMA requirements by clicking on the appropriate major.
- It is advised that students interested in an NRES major should consult with CAFES Advising by visiting drop-in hours (Blg. 74M-A from 9-4 M-Th and 9-12 Fri.).
- After all requirements of an ICMA have been fulfilled, then please email the NRES Department Head, Dr. Chip Appel, to initiate the ICMA (cappel@calpoly.edu).
Requirements
- Completion of ERSC 144, or SS 120, or GEOL 201
- Completion of CHEM 127 or PHYS 121, or PHYS 141
- Completion of Math 161 or MATH 141
- Receive a C or better in each course
- If course requirements have been met with a cumulative Cal Poly GPA of 2.3, an ICMA can be initiated.
- If course requirements have not been met, student may enter a one-quarter or two quarter ICMA contract to meet requirements. If one quarter contract, student must achieve a minimum GPA of 2.3 with full-time enrollment (12 or more units). With a two quarter contract, student must achieve a minimum cumulative Cal Poly GPA of 2.3 for the two quarters combined with full-time enrollment (12 or more units each quarter).
- Must be able to complete degree requirements within a timely manner.
Requirements
- Completion of NR 142 (offered Fall and Winter terms), or NR 215 with a grade of C or better
- Completion of BIO 161 or BOT 121 (depending on concentration interest), or CHEM 127, or SS 120 with a grade of C or better
- Completion of Math 161 or Math 221 (or equivalent course) with a grade of C or better
- If course requirements have been met with a cumulative Cal Poly GPA of 2.8, an ICMA can be initiated.
- If course requirements have not been met, student may enter a one-quarter or two quarter ICMA contract to meet requirements. If one quarter contract, student must achieve a minimum GPA of 2.8 with full-time enrollment (12 or more units). With a two quarter contract, student must achieve a minimum cumulative Cal Poly GPA of 2.8 for the two quarters combined with full-time enrollment (12 or more units each quarter).
- Must be able to complete degree requirements within a timely manner.
Requirements
- Completion of NR 141 (offered Fall term only), or NR 215
- Completion of BOT 121, or CHEM 127, or SS 120
- Completion of Math 161 or MATH 221 (or equivalent course)
- Receive a C or better in each course
- If course requirements have been met with a cumulative Cal Poly GPA of 2.3, an ICMA can be initiated.
- If course requirements have not been met, student may enter a one-quarter or two quarter ICMA contract to meet requirements. If one quarter contract, student must achieve a minimum GPA of 2.3 with full-time enrollment (12 or more units). With a two quarter contract, student must achieve a minimum cumulative Cal Poly GPA of 2.3 for the two quarters combined with full-time enrollment (12 or more units each quarter).
- Must be able to complete degree requirements within a timely manner.
Declare Concentration
To declare a concentration, please complete this form
The form will request the following information:
- Full Name
- Empl ID
- Major
- Catalog Year (i.e., 15-17, 17-19, 19-20, etc.)
- Concentration you wish to pursue* - Please include the official name for your chosen concentration.
* Make sure your chosen concentration is available for the catalog you are following.
Refer to catalog.calpoly.edu for the current catalog.
Senior Project Course Options
- Students on the ’19-’20 catalog, you will be fulfilling your Senior Project through a class:
- FNR/FFS: NR 465 Senior Project – Ecosystem Management OR NR 475 Senior Project – Forest Stewardship (held off-site at Swanton Pacific Ranch)
- EESS: SS 424 Senior Project - Env. Soil Physics
- ENVM: NR 465 Senior Project - Ecosystem Management
- Students on the ’15-’17 or ’17-’19 catalog, you will be replacing the Senior Project requirement (NR 476, 477, 478 or 479 – 3 units) with the following:
- ENVM: Choose ANY upper division (300 or 400 level) class that is 3 units or more.
- FNR/FFS: Choose ANY upper division (300 or 400 level) class that is 3 units or more.
- EESS: Choose ANY upper division (300 or 400 level) class that is 3 units or more.
***Students on the ’15-’17 or ’17-’19 catalogs will still be taking either NR 465 or SS 424, but you are on a catalog that requires 3 additional units to fulfill where the former Senior Project requirement was.
Double Major in ENVM & FNR/FFS
In order to double major in Environmental Management & Protection and Forestry & Natural Resources, the following steps are necessary:
- Complete 2 quarters at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
- Complete all ICMA requirements for the major you are adding
- Make a plan on PolyPlanner (or excel) to complete both majors
- Set up an appointment with your Academic Advisor by emailing cafesadvising@calpoly.edu
- Pick up an "Add a Second Major" form from the Office of the Registrar
- After returning signed form to Registrar's office, your second major will be added
ICMA Requirements for adding 2nd Major:
ENVM Major
- Completion of NR 215
- Completion of BIO 161, BOT 121, CHEM 127, or SS 120 (121)
- Completion of MATH 161 or MATH 221
- Receive a C or better in each course
- Have a cumulative Cal Poly GPA of 2.8
FNR/FFS Major
- Completion of NR 215
- Completion of BOT 121, CHEM 127, or SS 120 (121)
- Completion of MATH 161 or MATH 221
- Receive a C or better in each course
- Have a cumulative Cal Poly GPA of 2.3
A student who adds a second major to her/his degree objective is expected to fulfill all requirements for both majors
Double Major in FNR/FFS & ENVM (17-19)
| ENVM Courses | Units |
|---|---|
| NR 314 | 4 |
| NR 404 or 408 | 3 |
| NR 425 | 4 |
| BRAE 348 or ENVE 324 | 4 |
| GEOL 201 | 3 |
| Total Units: | 18 |
| FNR/FFS Courses | Units |
|---|---|
| NR 260 | 4 |
| NR 307 | 3 |
| NR 315 | 4 |
| NR 365 | 4 |
| NR 402 | 4 |
| NR 414 | 4 |
| BRAE 345 or BIO 161 | 3 |
| Total Units: | 26 |
| Crossover Courses | Units |
|---|---|
| NR 140 | 1 |
| NR 208 | 4 |
| NR 215 | 1 |
| NR 218 | 3 |
| NR 306 | 4 |
| NR 320 | 4 |
| NR 326 | 4 |
| NR 335 | 4 |
| NR 416 | 4 |
| NR 435 | 4 |
| NR 465 | 4 |
| PHYS 121 | 4 |
| BOT 121 | 4 |
| BRAE 239 (237) | 4 (2) |
| CHEM 127 | 4 |
| MATH 161 or 221 | 4 |
| SS 120 (SS 121) | 4 |
| STAT 217 or 218 | 4 |
| Total Units: | 63 to 65 |
Important Notes
- ENVM students MUST take BOT 121 AND either BRAE 345 or BIO 161
- ENVM students MUST take NR 208 (Dendro)
- ENVM students MUST take BRAE 237 or BRAE 239
- FNR/FFS students MUST take PHYS 121
- If ENVM, NR 142 will be subbed for NR 141
- If FNR/FFS, NR 141 will be subbed for NR 142
*Free Electives are not included in this unit count.
** An additional class of approved elective may need to be taken.
***This is only a guide, and students are responsible for completing all the requirements of both Majors.
Double Majoring in FNR/FFS & ENVM (19-20)
| ENVM Courses | Units |
|---|---|
| NR 314 | 4 |
| NR 323 or 324 or 328 | 4 |
| NR 363 | 2 |
| NR 404 or NR 408 | 3 |
| NR 425 | 4 |
| BRAE 348 or ENVE 324 | 4 |
| GEOL 201 | 3 |
| Total Units: | 24 |
| FNR/FFS Courses | Units |
|---|---|
| NR 260 | 4 |
| NR 307 | 3 |
| NR 315 | 4 |
| NR 350 | 3 |
| NR 365 | 4 |
| NR 402 | 4 |
| NR 414 | 4 |
| Total Units: | 26 |
| Crossover Courses | Units |
|---|---|
| NR 140 | 1 |
| NR 208 | 4 |
| NR 215 | 1 |
| NR 218 | 3 |
| NR 305 (306) | 4 |
| NR 320 | 4 |
| NR 326 | 4 |
| NR 335 | 4 |
| PHYS 121 | 4 |
| BOT 121 | 4 |
| BRAE 237 or 239 | 2 - 4 |
| CHEM 127 | 4 |
| MATH 161 or 221 | 4 |
| SS 120 | 4 |
| STAT 217 or 218 | 4 |
| NR 416 | 4 |
| NR 435 | 4 |
| NR 465 | 4 |
| Total Units: | 63 to 65 |
Important Notes
- ENVM students MUST take BOT 121 AND either BRAE 345 or BIO 161
- ENVM students MUST take NR 208 (Dendro)
- ENVM students MUST take BRAE 237 or BRAE 239
- FNR/FFS students MUST take PHYS 121
- If ENVM, NR 142 will be subbed for NR 141
- If FNR, NR 141 will be subbed for NR 142
1st & 2nd Options are referring to the choice FNR/FFS's curriculum offers
*Free electives are not included in this unit count.
** An additional class of approved elective may need to be taken.
***This is only a guide, and students are responsible for completing all the requirements of both Majors.
Double Counting Courses
ENVM & FNR/FFS Majors Only
As the catalog states, "Courses from the student's Major department may not be used to fulfill GE Area C4 and D5." However, if those courses are cross-listed with another department and approved by GE, they can be double-counted. In NRES's case that's ES/NR 360 and ES/NR 308. Area F courses can be double-counted. Here is the policy:
- ES/NR 308: double-count in concentration and it satisfies D5.
- ES/NR 360: double-count in concentration and it satisfies C4
- NR 312: double-count in concentration and it satisfies Area F
- NR 317: an Area F course but ENVM/FNR students cannot take it for credit (see catalog)
Remember you don't get 8 units for 4. Also, it is important to discuss double-counting with your academic advisor since they must approve it.
