|
Courses for NRS Undergraduate Students
The Department of Natural Resources Science offers a variety of courses in environmental sciences. Students in NRS, with guidance from their academic faculty advisor, develop programs of study that best meet their unique career objectives. Listed below are the courses offered by the NRS department.
If you would like a one-page summary that specifies which semester a given course is offered, then click here to download a pdf file with this information: NRS Fall and Spring Courses
NRS 100 Natural Resource Conservation (3) Introduction to man's use and management of natural resources: land, food, forest, wildlife, water, minerals, and air, with a survey of contemporary resource-use problems in environmental pollution. (Lec. 3) (S)
NRS 101 Freshman Inquiry into Natural Resources Science (1) Introduction for freshman to the opportunities, careers, research activities, applied outreach, and educational programs of the Department of Natural Resources Science. Weekly interaction with faculty and staff. Explore hands-on modules. (Lecture) S/U credit.
NRS 186 Analysis and Presentation of Environmental Data (3) The scientific method, summarizing and reporting of numerical data, unique properties of environmental data, method of unit conversion, graphic visualization of environmental data. (Lec. 1, Lab. 2) Pre: 100 or permission of instructor. Open to natural resources science majors only.
NRS 200 Seminar in Natural Resources (1) Review and discussion of research and current topics in natural resources. (Seminar) Pre: 100 and 212. S/U credit.
NRS 212 Introduction to Soil Science (3) Physical, biological, and chemical properties of soils and their practical application to environmental science. Introduction to soil genesis, classification, and land-use and conservation issues. (Lec. 3) (N)
NRS 223 Conservation of Populations and Ecosystems (3) Conservation of biological diversity in a world dominated by humans. Conservation biology theory, application; ecosystem conservation; landscape ecology principles. (Lec. 3) Pre: 100, BIO 101, 102, 112 or 113.
NRS 301 Introduction to Forest Science (3) Development and importance of forestry; forest regions; tree characteristics and identification with emphasis on Northeastern species; forest environment; tree growth and site productivity. (Lec. 2, Lab. 2) Pre: BIO 112.
NRS 302 Fundamentals of Forest Management (3) Wood properties, timber harvesting, measurement and utilization of forest products; establishment, tending, and protection of forest stands; silvicultural systems; forest inventory procedures and management plans. (Lec. 2, Lab. 2) Pre: 301.
NRS 304 Field Ornithology (3) Identification, field study techniques, habitats, and basic biology of birds. Emphasis on field identification of local species. (Lec. 1, Lab. 4) Pre: BIO 113.
NRS 305 Principles of Wildlife Management (3) Application of ecological knowledge to the management of wild vertebrate populations and the habitat upon which they depend. (Lec. 3) Pre: BIO 112, 113, and 262.
NRS 309 Wildlife Management Techniques Laboratory (2) Application of practical field techniques for quantification and evaluation of wildlife and habitats. Methods of field identification, sampling, and data analysis. (Lab. 4) Pre: 100 and concurrent enrollment in 305, or permission of instructor.
NRS 312 Methods in Soil and Water Analysis (3) Principles and exercises in the collection, analysis, and interpretation of soil and water data. Sampling and experimental design, chemical analysis techniques, data processing, and spatial analysis. (Lec. 1, Lab. 4) Pre: 212 and CHM 101 or 103 or permission of instructor. In alternate years. Next offered fall 1998.
NRS 324 Biology of Mammals (3) Classification, distribution, field study techniques, and basic biology of mammals. Emphasis on New England species. (Lec. 2, Lab. 3) Pre: BIO 113. In alternate years. Next offered in fall 1998.
NRS 351 Soil Morphology Practicum (1) Six weeks of practical experience in the description of soil profiles under field conditions. Field trips to observe, describe, and interpret morphological
NRS 361 Watershed Hydrology and Management (4) Study of the processes that govern the hydrology and quality of surface runoff and groundwater. Emphasis on watershed management and the impact of land use on water quality. (Lec. 3, Lab. 2) Pre: 212 or permission of instructor.
NRS 395 Research Apprenticeship in Natural Resources Science (1-3) Supervised experience for qualified undergraduates who assist NRS faculty and graduate students in departmental research projects. Tasks may include literature review, research design, installation of sampling plots and equipment, laboratory analyses, data collection, and data analysis. (Practicum) Pre: sophomore to senior standing and permission of instructor. Limited to NRS majors. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 credits. S/U credit.
NRS 397 Natural Resources Internship (1-6) Supervised work experience in forestry, wildlife management, soil science, water resources, environmental education, or related areas of natural resources management. (Practicum) Pre: 100, 212, and approval of chairperson. Open only to NRS majors. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 credits. S/U credit.
NRS 401X Foundations of Restoration Ecology (3) An overview of the factors involved with implementing an ecological restoration and a synthesis of the physical, biological, and human factors that determine restoration success. Designed for upper level undergraduate and graduate students who have completed at least one course in ecology (BIO 262) and permission of the instructor.
NRS 402 Wildlife Biometrics (3) Presentation of statistical design and analysis of ecological field measurements. Emphasis on quantitative measurements and data analyses used in wildlife population research. (Lec. 2, Lab. 3) Pre: BIO 262 and STA 308 or 409 or permission of instructor. In alternate years.
NRS 403 Wildlife Biometrics Field Investigations (1) Independent field study of wildlife populations using modern quantitative measurements and data analyses. Emphasis on experimental design, data collection and recording, statistical analysis, data interpretation, and reporting. (Practicum)
NRS 404X Applied Terrestrial Ecology (3) Classroom instruction and a weekly lab emphasizing the ecosystem concept, investigating the structure and functioning of ecological systems, examining the response of systems to changing environmental conditions, and applying resulting knowledge to preservation and management issues. Designed for upper level undergraduate and graduate students who have completed at least one course in ecology (BIO 262) and permission of the instructor.
NRS 406 Wetland Wildlife (3) Introduction to management of wetland wildlife. Emphasis on management techniques used for major wetland types, waterfowl, furbearers, and nongame wildlife. (Lec. 2, Lab. 2) Pre: BIO 262 or permission of instructor.
NRS 407 Nongame and Endangered Species Management (3) Management programs for nonhunted species, basic conservation biology, and techniques used for management of endangered species. (Lec. 3) Pre: 305 or concurrent enrollment in 305. In alternate years.
NRS 408 (or PLS 407) Environmental Education: Theory and Experiential Learning (3)Exploration of environmental education from a theoretical and experiential perspective. Seven weeks of lecture/discussion and seven weeks of training and teaching in an off-campus environmental education program. (Lec. and Practicum) Service Learning. (Pre: NRS 100, 212, and PLS 200 or permission of instructor. Not available for graduate credit to NRS majors.
NRS 409 Concepts in GIS (3) Discussion of the unique properties of spatial data, GIS data structures, accessing existing spatial data, and applications of GIS in the environmental sciences. (Lec. 3) Pre: BIO 262 or permission of instructor. Not for graduate credit.
NRS 410 Fundamentals of GIS (3) Emphasis on using a geographic information system (GIS) to create a geographically referenced spatial database, spatial topology, data visualization, computer-assisted map making, and spatial data query and analysis. (Lab. 6) Pre: past or simultaneous enrollment in 409 or 509.
NRS 412 Soil-Water Chemistry (3) Biogeochemistry of soil-water interactions. Soil composition, the exchange and sorption of elements, trace element behavior, redox reactions and control of these factors on availability and loss. (Lec. 3) Pre: 212 and CHM 124 and 126 or permission of instructor. In alternate years.
NRS 415 Remote Sensing of the Environment (3) Introduction to fundamentals of air-borne and space-borne remote sensing. Emphasis on remote sensing applications in terrestrial environmental and natural resources studies. (Lec. 2, Lab. 2). Pre: NRS 286 or permission of instructor.
NRS 423 Wetland Ecology (4) Formation, development, and distinguishing features of inland and coastal wetlands. Topics include classification, geology, hydrology, soils, plant ecology, vegetation dynamics. Primary emphasis on wetlands of the glaciated Northeast. (Lec. 2, Lab. 4) Pre: BIO 262, GEL 103, and concurrent enrollment in NRS 425 or 525.
NRS 424 Wetlands and Land Use (4) Survey of wetland values, exploitation, current status, and legal protection. Emphasis on critical issues including wetland evaluation, impact assessment, mitigation procedures. Field trips provide examples of wetland use conflicts. (Lec. 2, Lab. 4) Pre: 423 or permission of instructor.
NRS 425 Wetland Field Investigations (1) Independent field study of a diverse freshwater wetland ecosystem, with emphasis on aerial photo-interpretation, wetland classification, and in-depth examination of glacial geology, hydrology, plant ecology, and soils. (Practicum) Pre: concurrent enrollment in 423. Not for graduate credit.
NRS 426 Soil Microbiology (3) Occurrence, metabolism and ecology of soil microorganisms, with emphasis on nutrient cycling, soil pathogens, transformation of organic and inorganic pollutants, and soil biotechnology. (Lec 3) Pre: 212 or permission of instructor.
NRS 430 Forest Resource Management (4) Silvicultural systems, timber harvesting, forest products, protection and health of forest stands, forest inventory; emphasis on integrating knowledge to create feasible forest management plan based on landowner objectives. (Lec. 2, Lab. 4) Pre: 301 and permission of instructor.
NRS 440 Ecosystem Processes in Land and Water Management (3) Processes affecting the flows of energy, water, mass, and nutrients in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, with emphasis on linkages between ecosystems and management implications. (Lec. 3) Pre: BIO 262 and NRS 212 and CHM 101 or 103 or permission of instructor.
NRS 441 Methods in Ecosystem Analysis (2) Measurement of processes affecting the flow of energy, water, mass, and nutrients in terrestrial ecosystems of southern New England. Comparison of ecosystems and assessment of management impacts. (Lab. 4) Pre: 212 and BIO 262 and CHM 101 or 103 or permission of instructor.
NRS 450 Soil Conservation and Land Use (3) Application of soil survey interpretation as a tool in soil and water conservation and land use planning. Implications of soil properties and problems for land use considered with emphasis on urbanizing situations. (Lec. 3) Pre: 212 or permission of instructor.
NRS 451 Soil and Water Conservation Technology (3) Principles and practices involved in mechanical protection, improvement, and development of soil and water resources. Design of conservation features and structures. (Lec. 2, Lab. 3) Pre: MTH 111 or equivalent.
NRS 452 Soil, Water, and Land Use Investigations (1) Independent field and laboratory study of soil and water topics related to land use issues. (Practicum) Capstone course. Pre: concurrent enrollment in 450.
NRS 471 Soil Morphology and Mapping (3) A detailed study of the morphological properties of soils and their distribution on the landscape. Practical experience in describing soil profiles and preparing soil maps. (Lec. 1, Lab. 4) Pre: 212 or permission of instructor.
NRS 475 (or PLS 475) Plant Nutrition and Soil Fertility (3) The plant-soil system. Availability and mobility of mineral nutrients in soil and their uptake, distribution, and function in plants. Plant energy relations and organic nutrition. Laboratory: hydroponic plant culture, ion interactions, radioisotopes, and deficiency symptoms. (Lec. 3, Lab. 2) Pre: 205, NRS 212, BIO 112 or 102, and organic chemistry.
NRS 482 (or GEO 482) Innovative Subsurface Remediation Technologies (4) Innovative remediation technologies for treating contaminated groundwater and sediments: theory, applications, and limitations of selected methods. Discussion of case studies. (Lec. 4) Pre: Permission of instructor. In alternate years. Not for graduate credit
NRS 484 (or GEO 484) Environmental Hydrogeology (4) Physico-chemical principles and fundamental relationships that describe the fate and transport of contaminants in the hydrologic system. (Lec. 3, Lab. 2) Pre: 483 or CVE 588 or NRS 510, or permission of instructor. Not for graduate credit. Offered every other year.
NRS 491, 492 Special Projects (1-3 each) Special work to meet the needs of individual students in natural resources. (Independent Study) Pre: permission of chairperson.
NRS 495 Advanced Natural Resource Apprenticeship (1-3) Collaboration with faculty, staff, and graduate students in departmental research, including supervision and mentoring of students enrolled in NRS 395. Emphasis on independent decision-making and leadership of undergraduate research teams. Limited to NRS majors. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 credits. Not for graduate credit.
NRS 497 Natural Resouces Cooperative Internship (6-12) Supervised work experience with a governmental agency, nongovernmental organization, or private company in the environmental field. (Practicum) Pre: Senior standing and permission of department.
NRS 498 Teaching Practicum in Natural Resources Science (1-3) Teaching experience for qualified undergraduates through actual involvement in planning and assisting in NRS courses. May include supervised participation in a discussion group, assisting in a laboratory or field course, or tutoring. (Practicum) Pre: senior standing, previous enrollment in the course to be taught, and permission of instructor. Limited to NRS majors. May be repeated for a maximum of 3 credits. Not for graduate credit. S/U only.
NRS 499 Senior Thesis in Natural Resources Science (6) In-depth research or outreach effort reviewed by a faculty committee and culminating in a thesis written in scientific journal format. Oral presentation to the committee required. (Independent Study) Pre: GPA of at least 3.25, successful completion of 491 or 492 and permission of department chairperson. Not for graduate credit.
NRS 505 Biology and Management of Migratory Birds (2) Current programs, problems, and techniques for managing migratory game and nongame birds. Emphasis on basic biology of the species, habitat management, and harvest management. (Seminar) Pre: 305 or permission of instructor. In alternate years. Next offered spring 2004.
NRS 508 (or BIO 508) Seminar in Biological Literature (1) Survey of biological literature including traditional methods of bibliographic control, contemporary information retrieval services, and the development of a personalized information system. (Lec. 1) Pre: graduate standing or permission of the instructor.
NRS 510 Soil-Water Relations (3) Processes governing water flow and availability in unsaturated and saturated soil. Emphasis on soil-water-plant relationships with applications to watershed management and hydrology. (Lec. 2, Lab. 3) Pre: 212, 461, or permission of instructor.
NRS 516 Advanced Remote Sensing (3) Digital remote sensing in environmental and natural resource studies. Emphasis on satellite remote sensing image rectification, georeferencing, classification, and integration with GIS. (Lec. 2, Lab 2) Pre: 415 or permission of instructor.
NRS 520 Quantitative Techniques in Natural Resource Research (3) Research design, database management, and analysis and interpretation of natural resource data. Emphasis on hands-on experience of quantitative and computerized techniques commonly used by natural resource scientists. (Lec. 2, Lab 2) Pre: STA 308 and permission of instructor.
NRS 522 Advanced GIS Analysis of Environmental Data (3) Discussion and application of terrain modeling, spatial statistics, proximity analysis, remote sensing/GIS linkages, and environmental data integration. Emphasis on ecological data at watershed/landscape scales. (Lec. 1, Lab. 6) Pre: 410 or permission of instructor.
NRS 524 Application of Advanced Spatial Analysis (1) Independent application of spatial data analysis to derive solutions to environmental problems, with emphasis on GIS data integration, vector and raster modeling, and visualization of analytical and quantitative results. (Practicum) Pre: concurrent enrollment in 522. Capstone course.
NRS 526 Microbial Ecology of Soils and Sediments (3) Occurrence and activity of microorganisms in soils and sediments, including wetlands. Environmental physiology of microbes; habitat interactions; methods of study; importance of microbial processes to ecosystem productivity, pollutant degradation, and atmospheric chemistry. (Lec. 3) Pre: 212, MIC 211, or permission of instructor.
NRS 532 (or REN 542) Conservation Biology and Resource Economics (2)Examination of different components of conservation of biological diversity. Topics include minimum viable populations, ecology and economics of reserve design, reintroductions, causes of extinction, and the ecosystem conservation strategies. (Seminar) Pre: BIO 262, REN 105 or permission of instructor.
NRS 533 Landscape Pattern and Change (3) Remote sensing perspective of landscape characterization; landscape dynamics; spatiotemporal land-use and land-cover change; modeling and analysis of landscape by integration of remote sensing, GIS, GPS, and in situ data. (Lec. 2, Lab. 2) Pre: 415 or permission of instructor.
NRS 534 Ecology of Fragmented Landscapes (2) Presentation of the concepts of landscape ecology with emphasis on populations of plants and animals in fragmented habitats. Topics discussed include: habitat corridors, fluxes of energy and species along habitat edges, shape analysis, and stability of populations in habitat patches. (Lec. 2) Pre: BIO 262 or permission of instructor. In alternate years. Next offered spring 2003.
NRS 538 Physiological Ecology of Wild Terrestrial Vertebrates (3) Relationships between animal physiology and the ecology and dynamics of wild vertebrate populations, including birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians. (Lec. 3) Pre: 305 or permission of instructor.
567 Soil Genesis and Classification (3) Development of soils as influenced by physical, chemical, biological, and climatic factors. Processes of soil formation presented relative to soil taxonomy and geographic distribution. (Lec. 3) Pre: 471 or permission of instructor.
NRS 582 Seminar in Soil Ecology and Biochemistry (1) Discussion of current topics in special areas of soil ecology and biochemistry based on primary scientific literature. (Lec. 1) Pre: senior or graduate standing, 212, and permission of instructor.
|
