Conserving soil and water resources is critical to our future. Expanding populations, rising temperatures, and increasing needs for food, goods, and services are placing an ever growing demand upon our precious soil and water resources. Natural resources and environmental engineers are finding ways to manage and conserve our resources today so that we can meet the demands of the future.
Natural resources and environmental engineers work with all kinds of natural resources, such as water, soil, plants, and air. For example, they could be responsible for the design of livestock or wildlife watering stations in a natural forest or the design of a recycling waste management system on a dairy farm. These engineers plan and design conservation practices on the landscape to better manage runoff and soil erosion to protect water quality. Graduates find challenging and rewarding work with engineering and environmental consultants, with government agencies such as the Forest Service, and with companies such as Valmont Irrigation and Creative Habitat.
Where might I work?
Examples of positions that recent Natural Resources and Environmental Engineering graduates have taken include:
- Engineer, City of Madison Engineering
- Environmental Engineer – Eder Associates
- Environmental Technician – RMT, Inc.
- Landfill Manager – Superior Services, Inc.
- Permitting Engineer, The Probst Group
- Surveying Technician, CA – Grothman & Associates
- Technical Assistance – Dane County LCD
- Water Resources Engineer, AECOM
- Water Resources Engineer, Montgomery Associates Resource Solutions

What is a typical starting salary?
- Typical starting salaries vary from $50,000 to $60,000.
For more salary information, visit the CALS Graduate Salary Survey results.
Checklist and Roadmap
For more specific degree requirements, visit the Natural Resources and Environmental Engineering Checklist and Roadmap.
Degree Requirements
Total Credits
The minimum requirement for a Bachelor of Science degree is 125 Credits
General Studies: 20-23 Credits
Social Sciences
Humanities
Ethnic Studies
Economics
International Studies
Oral and Written Communication
Basic Sciences: 37-40 Credits
Biological Science
Mathematics
Chemistry
Physics
Engineering Sciences: 21 Credits
Fluids
Statics and Mechanics of Materials
Thermodynamics
Engineering Economics
Material Properties
Instrumentation
Natural Resources and Environment Option: 44-50 Credits
Conservation and Nutrient Management Engineering
Irrigation and Drainage
Small Watershed Engineering
Small Scale Domestic Waste Systems
Design Capstone
Technical Electives