{"id":2563,"date":"2023-05-15T10:11:03","date_gmt":"2023-05-15T15:11:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/cos\/?page_id=2563"},"modified":"2026-04-13T09:56:52","modified_gmt":"2026-04-13T14:56:52","slug":"nres","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/cos\/nres\/","title":{"rendered":"Department of Natural Resources &amp; Earth Sciences"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Welcome to the <strong>Department of Natural Resources &amp; Earth Sciences<\/strong> (NRES) at Marshall University. Our department is dedicated to exploring the wonders of our planet and finding ways to protect it for future generations. Our undergraduate programs in Geology, Natural Resources &amp; Recreation Management, and Environmental Science offer students the opportunity to delve into the intricate workings of our world and learn about the diverse ways in which humans interact with it. Our faculty members are experienced professionals with expertise in various fields and are dedicated to mentoring students and fostering their intellectual curiosity.<\/p>\n<h2>Academic Programs<\/h2>\n<p>At the undergraduate level, our <strong>Geology<\/strong> program provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the Earth&#8217;s composition, structure, and evolution. Students learn about the geological processes that have shaped our planet over millions of years, including earthquakes, volcanoes, and tectonic plate movements. Our <strong>Natural Resources &amp; Recreation Management<\/strong> program focuses on the sustainable management of natural resources, including parks, wildlife reserves, and forests. Students learn about the complex interplay between humans and the environment and develop skills to promote responsible stewardship of our natural resources. Our <strong>Environmental Science<\/strong> program equips students with the knowledge and skills necessary to address some of the world&#8217;s most pressing environmental challenges, such as climate change, pollution, and deforestation. Through coursework, fieldwork, and research, students learn about the scientific principles underlying these issues and develop strategies to mitigate their impact.<\/p>\n<p>At the graduate level, our <strong>Natural Resources &amp; the Environment<\/strong> program provides a platform for students to pursue cutting-edge research and innovation to safeguard our planet&#8217;s precious resources. Our faculty members are actively engaged in research on a range of topics, including climate change, biodiversity, and sustainable development. Graduate students have access to state-of-the-art research facilities, including a remote sensing lab and a GIS lab. Graduates of our program are well-prepared to pursue careers in academia, government agencies, non-profit organizations, and the private sector.<\/p>\n<p>In summary, the Natural Resources &amp; Earth Sciences department offers students a unique opportunity to explore the wonders of our planet and develop skills to promote its sustainable management. Our undergraduate programs in Geology, Natural Resources &amp; Recreation Management, Environmental Science, and Specialty Agriculture provide a strong foundation in their respective fields, while our graduate program in Natural Resources &amp; the Environment prepares students for leadership roles in academia, research, and industry. Join us on this exciting journey and be a part of the solution to the world&#8217;s most pressing environmental challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"flex flex-wrap justify-center items-stretch gap-8 cards-per-row-2\">\n\t\n\n\t\t\t<div class=\"card flex flex-col rounded-lg overflow-hidden relative transition-all duration-200 ease-out shadow-sm self-stretch\">\n\t\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"absolute top-0 left-0 right-0 h-1 bg-linear-to-r from-green to-green-bright\"><\/div>\n\n\t\t<div class=\"p-6 pb-0 pt-7 bg-gray-50\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"inline-flex items-center justify-center w-10 h-10 rounded-lg mb-4 bg-green\/10\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<svg data-slot=\"icon\" class=\"h-[18px] w-[18px] shrink-0 text-green\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\"><path d=\"M21.42 10.922a1 1 0 0 0-.019-1.838L12.83 5.18a2 2 0 0 0-1.66 0L2.6 9.08a1 1 0 0 0 0 1.832l8.57 3.908a2 2 0 0 0 1.66 0z\"\/><path d=\"M22 10v6\"\/><path d=\"M6 12.5V16a6 3 0 0 0 12 0v-3.5\"\/><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class=\"uppercase font-bold text-lg tracking-wider leading-tight text-gray-900\">\n\t\t\t\tDegrees\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<div class=\"h-0.75 mt-4 w-10 bg-green\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t<div class=\"px-6 pt-4 pb-7 flex flex-1 flex-col styled-list text-[15px] bg-gray-50 text-gray-500\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"flex-1\">\n<p><strong>Undergraduate<\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"styled-list\"><ul class=\"\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/nre\/environmental-science\/\">Environmental Science, B.S.<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/geology\/degrees\/\">Geology, B.S.<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/nre\/natural-resources-and-recreation-management\/\">Natural Resources &amp; Recreation Management, B.S.<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/cos\/natural-resources-law-enforcement\/\">Natural Resources Law Enforcement, double major<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<p><strong>Graduate<\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"styled-list\"><ul class=\"\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/catalog.marshall.edu\/graduate\/programs-az\/science\/natural-resources-environment-ms\/\">Natural Resources &amp; the Environment, M.S.<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/academics\/programs\/physical-and-applied-science-ms\/\">Physical &amp; Applied Sciences, M.S. \u2013 Geology emphasis<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\n\t\t\t<div class=\"card flex flex-col rounded-lg overflow-hidden relative transition-all duration-200 ease-out shadow-sm self-stretch\">\n\t\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"absolute top-0 left-0 right-0 h-1 bg-linear-to-r from-green to-green-bright\"><\/div>\n\n\t\t<div class=\"p-6 pb-0 pt-7 bg-gray-50\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"inline-flex items-center justify-center w-10 h-10 rounded-lg mb-4 bg-green\/10\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<svg data-slot=\"icon\" class=\"h-[18px] w-[18px] shrink-0 text-green\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\"><path d=\"M10 18v-7\"\/><path d=\"M11.12 2.198a2 2 0 0 1 1.76.006l7.866 3.847c.476.233.31.949-.22.949H3.474c-.53 0-.695-.716-.22-.949z\"\/><path d=\"M14 18v-7\"\/><path d=\"M18 18v-7\"\/><path d=\"M3 22h18\"\/><path d=\"M6 18v-7\"\/><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class=\"uppercase font-bold text-lg tracking-wider leading-tight text-gray-900\">\n\t\t\t\tPrograms\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<div class=\"h-0.75 mt-4 w-10 bg-green\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t<div class=\"px-6 pt-4 pb-7 flex flex-1 flex-col styled-list text-[15px] bg-gray-50 text-gray-500\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"flex-1\">\n<div class=\"styled-list\"><ul class=\"\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/geology\">Geology<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/nre\">Natural Resources &amp; the Environment<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\n<\/div>\n\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2>Strategic Plan<\/h2>\n<p>In alignment with the university\u2019s strategic plan, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/strategicplan\/\">Marshall for All, Marshall Forever<\/a>, we are focusing on developing an excellent environment for scientific and personal development through five objectives: maximize student success, positive societal contribution, improve faculty morale, promote excellence in research, and develop income model. Read more about our strategic plan on our Plan-on-a-Page.<\/p>\n\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/cos\/files\/NRES-Plan-on-a-Page-20240523.pdf\" target=\"_self\" class=\"button button--secondary \">\n\t\t<span>View our Plan-on-a-Page<\/span>\n\t<\/a>\n\t\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-8 lg:my-12\">\n\t\t\t<h2>Department News<\/h2>\n\t\n  <div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 md:grid-cols-2 lg:grid-cols-4 md:gap-8\">\n\t\t      <article class=\"news-card group bg-white border border-gray-200 hover:border-green rounded-lg  flex flex-col transition-all duration-200 ease-snappy relative overflow-hidden hover:-translate-y-0.5 hover:shadow-md\">\n\n        <div class=\"absolute top-0 left-0 right-0 h-0.75 bg-green scale-x-0 origin-left transition-transform duration-300 ease-snappy group-hover:scale-x-100 z-10\"><\/div>\n\n                <div class=\"aspect-video overflow-hidden\">\n          <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"w-full h-full object-cover transition-transform duration-300 ease-snappy group-hover:scale-105\" src=\"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/cos\/files\/cos-masters-thesis-2026-april-300x200.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/cos\/files\/cos-masters-thesis-2026-april.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/cos\/files\/cos-masters-thesis-2026-april-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, (max-width: 1024px) 50vw, 25vw\" alt=\"College of Science master\u2019s students successfully defend theses\" style=\"object-position: 50% 50%;\">\n        <\/div>\n        \n        <div class=\"p-5 flex flex-col flex-1\">\n          <a class=\"text-base lg:text-lg font-semibold leading-snug flex-1 mb-4 no-underline text-green hover:text-green-dark hc:text-gray-900 contrast-more:text-gray-900 group-hover:underline after:absolute after:inset-0 after:content-['']\" href=\"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/cos\/2026\/04\/08\/college-of-science-masters-students-successfully-defend-theses\/\">\n            College of Science master\u2019s students successfully defend theses\n          <\/a>\n\n          <span class=\"text-sm font-medium pt-3 text-gray-400 hc:text-gray-600 contrast-more:text-gray-600 border-t border-gray-100\">\n            April 8, 2026\n          <\/span>\n        <\/div>\n      <\/article>\n\t\t      <article class=\"news-card group bg-white border border-gray-200 hover:border-green rounded-lg  flex flex-col transition-all duration-200 ease-snappy relative overflow-hidden hover:-translate-y-0.5 hover:shadow-md\">\n\n        <div class=\"absolute top-0 left-0 right-0 h-0.75 bg-green scale-x-0 origin-left transition-transform duration-300 ease-snappy group-hover:scale-x-100 z-10\"><\/div>\n\n                <div class=\"aspect-video overflow-hidden\">\n          <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"w-full h-full object-cover transition-transform duration-300 ease-snappy group-hover:scale-105\" src=\"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/cos\/files\/cos-artemis-tree-leafing-2026-300x200.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/cos\/files\/cos-artemis-tree-leafing-2026.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/cos\/files\/cos-artemis-tree-leafing-2026-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, (max-width: 1024px) 50vw, 25vw\" alt=\"College of Science celebrates Artemis II excitement with space tree growth\" style=\"object-position: 50% 50%;\">\n        <\/div>\n        \n        <div class=\"p-5 flex flex-col flex-1\">\n          <a class=\"text-base lg:text-lg font-semibold leading-snug flex-1 mb-4 no-underline text-green hover:text-green-dark hc:text-gray-900 contrast-more:text-gray-900 group-hover:underline after:absolute after:inset-0 after:content-['']\" href=\"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/cos\/2026\/04\/01\/college-of-science-celebrates-artemis-ii-excitement-with-space-tree-growth\/\">\n            College of Science celebrates Artemis II excitement with space tree growth\n          <\/a>\n\n          <span class=\"text-sm font-medium pt-3 text-gray-400 hc:text-gray-600 contrast-more:text-gray-600 border-t border-gray-100\">\n            April 1, 2026\n          <\/span>\n        <\/div>\n      <\/article>\n\t\t      <article class=\"news-card group bg-white border border-gray-200 hover:border-green rounded-lg  flex flex-col transition-all duration-200 ease-snappy relative overflow-hidden hover:-translate-y-0.5 hover:shadow-md\">\n\n        <div class=\"absolute top-0 left-0 right-0 h-0.75 bg-green scale-x-0 origin-left transition-transform duration-300 ease-snappy group-hover:scale-x-100 z-10\"><\/div>\n\n                <div class=\"aspect-video overflow-hidden\">\n          <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"w-full h-full object-cover transition-transform duration-300 ease-snappy group-hover:scale-105\" src=\"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/cos\/files\/cos-family-science-day-2026-post-300x200.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/cos\/files\/cos-family-science-day-2026-post.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/cos\/files\/cos-family-science-day-2026-post-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, (max-width: 1024px) 50vw, 25vw\" alt=\"College of Science hosts successful Family Science Fun Day\" style=\"object-position: 50% 50%;\">\n        <\/div>\n        \n        <div class=\"p-5 flex flex-col flex-1\">\n          <a class=\"text-base lg:text-lg font-semibold leading-snug flex-1 mb-4 no-underline text-green hover:text-green-dark hc:text-gray-900 contrast-more:text-gray-900 group-hover:underline after:absolute after:inset-0 after:content-['']\" href=\"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/cos\/2026\/03\/31\/college-of-science-hosts-successful-family-science-fun-day\/\">\n            College of Science hosts successful Family Science Fun Day\n          <\/a>\n\n          <span class=\"text-sm font-medium pt-3 text-gray-400 hc:text-gray-600 contrast-more:text-gray-600 border-t border-gray-100\">\n            March 31, 2026\n          <\/span>\n        <\/div>\n      <\/article>\n\t\t      <article class=\"news-card group bg-white border border-gray-200 hover:border-green rounded-lg  flex flex-col transition-all duration-200 ease-snappy relative overflow-hidden hover:-translate-y-0.5 hover:shadow-md\">\n\n        <div class=\"absolute top-0 left-0 right-0 h-0.75 bg-green scale-x-0 origin-left transition-transform duration-300 ease-snappy group-hover:scale-x-100 z-10\"><\/div>\n\n                <div class=\"aspect-video overflow-hidden\">\n          <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"w-full h-full object-cover transition-transform duration-300 ease-snappy group-hover:scale-105\" src=\"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/cos\/files\/nres-gage-reynolds-outstanding-teacher-2026-300x200.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/cos\/files\/nres-gage-reynolds-outstanding-teacher-2026.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/cos\/files\/nres-gage-reynolds-outstanding-teacher-2026-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, (max-width: 1024px) 50vw, 25vw\" alt=\"NRES associate professor Rick Gage to receive Reynolds Outstanding Teacher Award\" style=\"object-position: 50% 50%;\">\n        <\/div>\n        \n        <div class=\"p-5 flex flex-col flex-1\">\n          <a class=\"text-base lg:text-lg font-semibold leading-snug flex-1 mb-4 no-underline text-green hover:text-green-dark hc:text-gray-900 contrast-more:text-gray-900 group-hover:underline after:absolute after:inset-0 after:content-['']\" href=\"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/cos\/2026\/03\/27\/nres-associate-professor-rick-gage-to-receive-reynolds-outstanding-teacher-award\/\">\n            NRES associate professor Rick Gage to receive Reynolds Outstanding Teacher Award\n          <\/a>\n\n          <span class=\"text-sm font-medium pt-3 text-gray-400 hc:text-gray-600 contrast-more:text-gray-600 border-t border-gray-100\">\n            March 27, 2026\n          <\/span>\n        <\/div>\n      <\/article>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<h2>Administration<\/h2>\n<div class=\"flex flex-wrap -mx-2 lg:-mx-6 py-6 border-b border-gray-100 first:mt-0\"><div class=\"columns w-full lg:w-1\/6 lg:px-6 mt-6 lg:mt-0\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/cos\/files\/myeager-300x300.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/cos\/files\/myeager.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/cos\/files\/myeager-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/cos\/files\/myeager-150x150.jpg 150w\" alt=\"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/cos\/files\/myeager-300x300.jpg\" class=\"rounded-lg\" \/><\/div><div class=\"columns w-full lg:w-5\/12 lg:px-6 mt-6 lg:mt-0\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/cos\/profile\/mindy-armstead\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" class=\"underline hover:no-underline\">Mindy Armstead<\/a><\/strong><br>NRES Chair<br>Location: Weisberg Applied Engineering Complex 2223<br>Telephone: <a href=\"tel:+1-304-696-2923\">304-696-2923<\/a><br>E-mail: <a href=\"mailto:m.armstead@marshall.edu\">m.armstead@marshall.edu<\/a><br><a href=\"https:\/\/mupages.marshall.edu\/sites\/armstead\" target=\"_blank\">Website<\/a><\/div><div class=\"columns w-full lg:w-5\/12  lg:px-6   mt-6 lg:mt-0\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"flex flex-wrap -mx-2 lg:-mx-6 py-6 border-b border-gray-100 first:mt-0\"><div class=\"columns w-full lg:w-1\/6 lg:px-6 mt-6 lg:mt-0\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/cos\/files\/goodingg-200x300.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/cos\/files\/goodingg-683x1024.jpg 683w, https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/cos\/files\/goodingg-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/cos\/files\/goodingg.jpg 800w\" alt=\"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/cos\/files\/goodingg-200x300.jpg\" class=\"rounded-lg\" \/><\/div><div class=\"columns w-full lg:w-5\/12 lg:px-6 mt-6 lg:mt-0\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/cos\/profile\/grace-gooding\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" class=\"underline hover:no-underline\">Grace Gooding<\/a><\/strong><br>NRES Administrative Associate<br>Location: Morrow Library 116<br>Telephone: <a href=\"tel:+1-304-696-6498\">304-696-6498<\/a><br>E-mail: <a href=\"mailto:goodingg@marshall.edu\">goodingg@marshall.edu<\/a><\/div><div class=\"columns w-full lg:w-5\/12  lg:px-6   mt-6 lg:mt-0\"><\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Welcome to the Department of Natural Resources &amp; Earth Sciences (NRES) at Marshall University. Our department is dedicated to exploring the wonders of our planet and finding ways to protect it for future generations. Our undergraduate programs in Geology, Natural Resources &amp; Recreation Management, and Environmental Science offer students the opportunity to delve into the<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":224,"featured_media":3644,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-2563","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/cos\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2563","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/cos\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/cos\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/cos\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/224"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/cos\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2563"}],"version-history":[{"count":24,"href":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/cos\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2563\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5176,"href":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/cos\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2563\/revisions\/5176"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/cos\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3644"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/cos\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2563"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}