NRES - All Aboard
Welcome to natural resources & environmental science!
Welcome to Purdue University and to the Natural Resources and Environmental Science major! This page contains a great deal of information for you as you prepare for your transition to Purdue University. Please look over all of the information on this page in detail so you will be informed and up-to-date. If you have any questions, please feel free to email your advisor, Mandy Chalk Marquardt, at chalkm@purdue.edu We look forward to meeting you this fall!
Contact Us
Natural Resources and Environmental Science
nres@purdue.edu
Forest Products Building (FPRD)
175 Marsteller Street FPRD 101
West Lafayette, IN 47907
(765) 496-0376
A Note From Your Director:
Dr. Keith Cherkauer
Welcome to Purdue and the NRES program! I hope that you all had an opportunity to relax and recharge over the summer and are ready to be on campus. I am excited to continue serving as the Interim Director of the NRES program, and I look forward to meeting all of you at one of our many upcoming events! See you at Nature Night on September 2!
A Note From Your Academic Advisor:
Mandy Chalk Marquardt
As your Academic Advisor, I am looking forward to meeting you and getting to know you better while we plan your courses for this fall semester! Once you have completed both Purdue 101 in Brightspace and the Student Information Form on the New Student Task List located in myPurdue, you will receive an email to schedule a one-on-one virtual meeting with me via Zoom. During this meeting, we will discuss any questions you may have about the NRES program and Purdue. I will also help you submit your Course Request Form (CRF) for fall course registration. I look forward to meeting you soon!
A few things you need to do NOW before your advising appointment.
Once you have completed Purdue 101, you will receive an email to schedule a one-on-one virtual meeting with me via Zoom.
You will receive an email that takes you to BoilerConnect, which will help you schedule your appointment with me, your advisor.
You will not have a better chance at getting into classes if you meet with me sooner. In fact, all new students need to submit their Fall 2025 CRF (Course Request Form) by July 15, 2025. It does not matter when that form is submitted before July 15; the submission date does not affect a student’s chance at getting into certain courses. The system will look at everyone’s forms after July 15 and will then create a schedule for each student. You can see FAQs about the CRF here.
I can certainly explain more about the CRF during our Zoom appointment, and I will fill out the CRF for you during our appointment. At the end of our appointment, I will walk you through the process of submitting your CRF. I encourage you to find a quiet and private space for our Zoom appointment. Advising appointments are intended to be between the student and advisor; parents/guardians/family members are welcome to join at the end of the appointment to ask questions.
- Review this Purdue University Textbooks handout
- Check out our NRES Student Ambassador Blog to learn more about our program and about life at Purdue University here.
- Peruse the attachment, Useful Websites, and explore websites that may be helpful for you during your time at Purdue.
- All students at Purdue need to fulfill a Civics Literacy requirement before they can graduate. You can learn more about the requirements here:
- Also, please review this handout to help you plan out how you will fulfill this requirement before graduation.
Inside NRES: Student Voices
- Meet Marley
Class of 2026 • Environmental Policy & Political Science
Honors student, study abroad alum, and D.C. intern—Marley brings global experience to NRES.
Click to see a day in her life at Purdue. - Meet Sara
Class of 2026 • Sustainability Science
Currently abroad in New Zealand, Sara’s NRES journey is rooted in global learning and sustainability.
Click to explore her NRES experience. - Meet Paityn
Class of 2027 • Environmental Policy & Political Science
Paityn brings a unique perspective on environmental science and policy through her double major and NRES experience.
Click to hear her story and why she chose NRES. -
Meet Aaliyah
Class of 2027 • Environmental Quality & Restoration
Aaliyah shares what drew her to NRES and how the program supports her passion for environmental restoration.
Click to hear her story and why NRES is the right fit. -
Meet Elina
Class of 2027 • Environmental Quality & Restoration
Elina shares what sparked her passion for environmental restoration and what she’s loved most about NRES so far.
Click to hear her story. -
Meet Brodie
Class of 2027 • Watershed Management
Brodie shares his passion for protecting water resources and why NRES was the right choice for his journey.
Click to learn more about his experience. -
Meet Brooke
Class of 2026 • Environmental Quality & Restoration
Brooke shares what inspired her to join NRES, her passion for the environment, and her goals for the future.
Click to hear her story. -
Meet Hanna
Class of 2026 • Environmental Quality & Restoration
Hanna shares what led her to NRES and how the program has deepened her passion for environmental work.
Click to learn more about her journey.
What are NRES students planning to do after graduation? Our talented juniors and seniors share their goals and aspirations for making a positive impact on the environment. Click here to see what they have planned!
Mandy, the NRES Academic Advisor, recently had the incredible opportunity to co-lead the Costa Rica Spring Break Study Abroad trip — an unforgettable experience filled with learning, exploration, and connection. Take a look at some of the highlights through videos and photos from the trip here.
Mandy will be co-leading this trip again during Spring Break 2026! If you'd like to join her, please email her at chalkm@purdue.edu.
Meet alumna Rebecca Fozo as she shares her experience in and beyond the NRES program! A 1998 graduate of the NRES program, Rebecca reflects on how her time at Purdue shaped her career and passion for environmental science. Click here to hear her story and the lasting impact NRES has had on her journey.