Students in the social science pathway are generally interested in evaluating the costs and benefits of natural resources and management options or developing plans for improved resource management. They enjoy working with individuals and communities to develop appropriate resource management plans, helping to shape government policies, or creating and delivering educational materials and programs on the value of natural resources
Specializations include:
Environmental Policy and Governance
Community and Cultural Resource Management
Sustainable Systems and Communities
Business/Decision-Making
Community Resources Management
Quantitative Analysis
See the UH Mānoa catalog for a complete list of courses that can fulfill these requirements
MATH 241 - Calculus I
While all students are required to take a basic or applied calculus course (NREM 203, MATH 203, 215), consider taking MATH 241 and 242, if you score high enough on the math placement exam. These will help students interested in graduate school and research as a career.
NREM 351 - Enterprise Management
This can be taken to fulfill the Business/Decision Making requirement. Students will learn how to manage a business, especially those that are focused on sustainable initiatives and agrobusiness. This will give you a foundation in the creation and management of a business in Hawaiʻi.
NREM 358 - Basic Environmental Cost/Benefit Analysis
This can be taken to fulfill the Quantitative Analysis requirement. Students will learn the basics to cost/benefit analysis, resource valuation, environmental impact analysis, and case study research.
NREM 420 - Community and Natural Resource Management
This can be taken to fulfill the Community Resources Management requirement. Students will learn how communities interact with natural resources, as well as how societies function and develop.
NREM 429 - Spreadsheet Modeling
This can be taken to fulfill the Quantitative Analysis requirement. It teaches students how to visualize and model large datasets using spreadsheet software. All students can benefit from this course.
Students must take 21 upper division (300+) credits in their specialization, including 9 in a natural resource area, with approval of their advisor.
NREM courses that count as Social Science specialization electives
NREM 306 - Environmental Ethics
NREM 341 - Managerial Accounting
NREM 458 - Natural Resource Issues & Ethics
NREM 467 - Natural Resources Conservation Planning
NREM 490 - Hoʻokāhua: ʻĀina Based Leadership Education (ABLE)
If you take a non-NREM course to meet the Business/Decision-Making, Community Resources Management, or Quantitative Analysis area requirement, you can use the associated NREM course as a specialization elective.
Special topics courses are listed as NREM 491 - Topics in Natural Resources and Environmental Management. Because these topics vary, some may be able to count as specialization electives. Check with your NREM advisor.
Graduate-level NREM courses (600-level) are open to well-prepared undergraduate students. Talk to your NREM advisor and the course instructor if you are interested. See the UHM catalog for a complete list of course descriptions.
For a full list of common specialization electives, download this document.
See the Academic Planning page for help planning when to take courses.
Once you have chosen a pathway and specialization, you will be assigned an NREM faculty member in that area as your academic advisor. Your NREM advisor
approves your choice of specialization electives,
helps you identify and approves internship opportunities, and
discusses ways you can use your NREM degree, e.g. jobs, graduate education, and other opportunities.
The main faculty advisors for the natural science pathway are listed below. You can learn more about them at our NREM People webpage.
Social Science Pathway Advisors
Dr. Rachel Dacks, rdacks@hawaii.edu Biocultural Conservation
Dr. Mahealani Kaneshiro, mykanesh@hawaii.edu Coastal/Marine Conservation and Management
Dr. Poonam Keral, pkeral@hawaii.edu Political Economy, Gender and Environment
Dr. Kirsten Oleson, koleson@hawaii.edu Social-Ecological Systems Analysis
Dr. Mehana Vaughan, mehana@hawaii.edu Community and Cultural Management
Dr. Xiurou Wu, xiurouwu@hawaii.edu Marine Policy and Management
Social Science Pathway Undergraduate Lead
Riley Herron, ugleadss@hawaii.edu
Students in the social science pathway pursue internships around environmental education, community organizing and outreach, advocacy and development of natural resource policy, social and economic analyses of natural resource policies and management, conservation planning by producers and cultural and community stewardship groups, and natural resource recreation preferences and activities. Some students work directly with government agencies or legislators; others work with private planners, developers or environmental analysts to understand how projects may affect natural resources and public or environmental health.
For more information, visit the Internships page.