Natural Resources
Subject Areas |
Courses for NRES (NRES)
AECN
883
Ecological Economics LINKCrosslisted as CDEV 883, NRES 883| Credit Hours: | 3 |
| Course Format: | Lecture 3 |
| Campus: | |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
A synthesis across the notion of “utility” as represented in traditional environmental and natural resource economics, “ecology” in ecological economics, and “community” in behavioral economics. Ideas from thermodynamics with a focus on renewable resources. Development, organization, and enhancement of eco-business, eco-industry, eco-government and eco-communities.
AGRO
426/826
Invasive Plants LINKCrosslisted as HORT 426/826, NRES 426/826| Credit Hours: | 3 |
| Course Format: | Lecture 2, Lab 2 |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
Identification, biology and ecology of weedy and invasive plants. Principles of invasive plant management by preventative, cultural, biological, mechanical and chemical means using an adaptive management framework. Herbicide terminology and classification, plant-herbicide and soil-herbicide interactions, equipment calibration and dosage calculations.
AGRO
435/835
Agroecology LINKCrosslisted as HORT 435/835, NRES 435/835| Credit Hours: | 3 |
| Course Format: | Lecture 3 |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
| ACE Outcomes: | 10 |
Prereqs:
For AGRO/HORT/NRES 435: Senior standing or permission. For AGRO/NRES 835: 12 hrs biological or agricultural sciences or permission.
Capstone course. Team projects for developing communication skills and leadership skills.
Integration of principles of ecology, plant and animal sciences, crop protection, and rural landscape planning and management for sustainable agriculture. Includes natural and cultivated ecosystems, population and community ecology, nutrient cycling, pest management, hydrologic cycles, cropping and grazing systems, landscape ecology, biodiversity, and socioeconomic evaluation of systems.
AGRO
440/840
Great Plains Ecosystem LINKCrosslisted as RNGE 440, NRES 440/840| Credit Hours: | 3 |
| Course Format: | Lecture 3 |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
Characteristics of Great Plains ecosystems, interrelationships of ecological factors and processes, and their application in the management of grasslands. Interactions of fire, vegetation, grazing animals and wildlife.
AGRO
442/842
Wildland Plants LINKCrosslisted as RNGE 442, NRES 442/842| Credit Hours: | 3 |
| Course Format: | Lab 4, Lecture 2 |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
Wildland plants that are important to grassland and shrub land ecosystem management and production. Distribution, utilization, classification, identification (including identification by vegetative parts), uses by Native Americans, and recognition of grasses, forbs, shrubs, exotic and wetland plants.
AGRO
444/844
Vegetation Analysis LINKCrosslisted as RNGE 444, NRES 444/844| Credit Hours: | 3 |
| Course Format: | Lab 4, Lecture 2 |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
Criteria by which grassland are analyzed. Vegetation sampling techniques, measurement and evaluation of grasslands, and measurement of important environmental factors. Evaluations of habitat improvement practices, wildlife value, recreational value, and watershed value.
AGRO
455/855
Soil Chemistry and Mineralogy LINKCrosslisted as SOIL 455, NRES 455/855| Credit Hours: | 3 |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
Chemical and mineralogical properties of soil components. Inorganic colloidal fraction. Structures of soil minerals as a means of understanding properties, such as ion exchange and equilibria; release and supply of nutrient and toxic materials; and soil acidity and alkalinity.
AGRO
457/857
Soil Chemical Measurements LINKCrosslisted as SOIL 457, NRES 457/857| Credit Hours: | 2-3 |
| Max credits per degree: | 3 |
| Course Format: | Lecture 2, Lab 6 |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
Permission required to register for 2 cr. Students registered for 3 cr will design, carry out, and report on an independent study project conducted during the term. Offered even-numbered calendar years. Lab 4-6.
Theory and practice of soil chemical analyses commonly encountered in research and industrial settings. Wet analyses of inorganic fraction of soil and operation of instrumentation necessary to quantify results of those analyses.
AGRO
460/860
Soil Microbiology LINKCrosslisted as BIOS 447/847, SOIL 460, NRES 460/860| Credit Hours: | 3 |
| Course Format: | Lecture 3 |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
Prereqs:
One semester microbiology; one semester biochemistry or organic chemistry.
Soil from a microbe's perspective-growth, activity and survival strategies; principles governing methods to study microorganisms and biochemical processes in soil; mechanisms controlling organic matter cycling and stabilization with reference to C, N, S, and P; microbial interactions with plants and animals; and agronomic and environmental applications of soil microorganisms.
AGRO
475/875
Water Quality Strategy LINKCrosslisted as POLS 475/875, SOCI 475/875, GEOL 475/875, CIVE 475/875, SOIL 475, NRES 475/875, WATS 475, MSYM 475/875, CRPL 475/875| Credit Hours: | 3 |
| Course Format: | Lecture 3 |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
| ACE Outcomes: | 10 |
Prereqs:
Senior standing or permission.
Capstone course.
Holistic approach to the selection and analysis of planning strategies for protecting water quality from nonpoint sources of contamination. Introduction to the use of methods of analyzing the impact of strategies on whole systems and subsystems; for selecting strategies; and for evaluating present strategies.
AGRO
807
Plant-Water Relations LINKCrosslisted as BIOS 817, NRES 807| Credit Hours: | 3 |
| Course Format: | Lecture 3 |
| Campus: | |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
Quantitative study of water relations in the soil-plant-atmosphere system. Basic physical processes, which describe the movement of water in the soil and the atmosphere, and the physiological processes, which describe water movement inside of the plant. Stomata physiology and the effects of internal water deficits on photosynthesis, respiration, nitrogen metabolism, cell division and cell enlargement. Results from integrative models used to study the relative importance of environmental versus physiological factors for several plant-environment systems.
AGRO
906
Crop Growth and Yield Modeling LINKCrosslisted as NRES 906| Credit Hours: | 3 |
| Campus: | |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
Prereqs:
NRES 808 or equivalent or permission
Experience in programming in a high-level computer language. Offered spring semester of even-numbered calendar years. Descriptive and explanatory crop growth and yield models studied in detail. Descriptive models focus on yield predictions using easily available inputs while the processes that lead to yield will be examined in explanatory models.
AGRO
907
Agricultural Climatology LINKCrosslisted as METR 907, HORT 907, NRES 907| Credit Hours: | 3 |
| Course Format: | Lab 2, Lecture 2 |
| Campus: | |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
Offered spring semester of odd-numbered calendar years. Analysis and use of climatological data as applied to agricultural activities and the use of climatological information to assist in decision making.
AGRO
908
Solar Radiation Interactions at the Earth’s Surface LINKCrosslisted as METR 908, HORT 908, NRES 908| Credit Hours: | 3 |
| Campus: | |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
Offered spring semester of even-numbered calendar years. Quantitative study of radiative transfer to the earth’s surface and subsequent interactions of radiation with vegetative components and underlying surfaces. Applications of canopy radiative modeling and remote sensing techniques, particularly in understanding land-surface processes, are discussed.
AGRO
909
Crop Responses to Environment LINKCrosslisted as HORT 909, NRES 909| Credit Hours: | 3 |
| Campus: | |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
Offered odd-numbered calendar years. Physiological and developmental aspects of hardiness and growth of crop plants as affected by light, temperature, wind, and water. Design, function, and limitations of controlled environment facilities in plant research.
AGRO
961
Advanced Soil Physics LINKCrosslisted as NRES 961| Credit Hours: | 3 |
| Course Format: | Lecture 3 |
| Campus: | |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
Offered odd-numbered calendar years. Physics of soils and porous media, with emphasis on the physics and mathematics of the movement of water, air, and heat through soils.
AGRO
966
Soil Fertility LINKCrosslisted as NRES 966| Credit Hours: | 3 |
| Course Format: | Lecture 3 |
| Campus: | |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
Conditions and transformations involved in the transfer of a mineral nutrient ion from the soil into the plant. Evaluation of nutrient supply to plants.
AGRO
977
Soil Genesis and Classification LINKCrosslisted as GEOG 967, NRES 977| Credit Hours: | 3 |
| Course Format: | Lecture 2, Recitation 1 |
| Campus: | |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
Procedures used to classify soils, concepts behind the systems in use, and the genesis of the soils in the major categories of each system.
AGRO
992
General Seminar LINKCrosslisted as HORT 992, NRES 992| Credit Hours: | 1 |
| Max credits per degree: | 5 |
| Course Format: | Lecture |
| Campus: | |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
Prereqs:
Permission
Expected of all horticulture graduate students and all agronomy PhD students; optional for agronomy MS students. Presentation of thesis or non-thesis topics in agronomy, horticulture or related subjects. For course description, see AGRO 992.
AGRO
996A
Research in Soils LINKCrosslisted as NRES 996A| Credit Hours: | 2-5 |
| Max credits per degree: | 5 |
| Course Format: | Independent Study |
| Campus: | |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
Prereqs:
12 hrs AGRO or closely related sciences, and permission
ALEC
410/810
Environmental Leadership LINKCrosslisted as NRES 413/813| Credit Hours: | 3 |
| Course Format: | Lecture 3 |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom, Web |
Prereqs:
Junior standing.
Offered on the World Wide Web (WWW) fall semester of odd-numbered years and in the classroom fall semester of even-numbered years.
Major leaders in conservation and ecology that emphasizes agricultural and cultural issues and relationships with the environment.
ANTH
429A/829A
Food Security: A Global Perspective LINKCrosslisted as HORT 429A/829A, AGRO 429A/829A, NRES 429A/829A| Credit Hours: | 3 |
| Course Format: | Lecture 3 |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
| Groups: | Additional Anthropology Courses |
Prereqs:
Junior standing
Overview of the technical and sociocultural dimensions of global food insecurity.
ANTH
473/873
Ecological Anthropology LINKCrosslisted as NRES 873| Credit Hours: | 3 |
| Course Format: | Lecture 3 |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
| Groups: | Cultural Anthropology |
Human adaptive systems and their ecological contexts. The dynamic inter-relationships between subsistence, technology, social behavior, human demography, and ecological variability.
BIOS
454/854
Ecological Interactions LINKCrosslisted as NRES 454/854| Credit Hours: | 3 |
| Course Format: | Lecture 3 |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
| ACE Outcomes: | 10 |
Nature and characteristics of populations and communities. Interactions within and between populations in community structure and dynamics. Direct and indirect interactions and ecological processes, competition, predation, parasitism, herbivory, and pollination. Structure, functioning and persistence of natural communities, foodweb dynamics, succession, and biodiversity.
BIOS
456/856
Mathematical Models in Biology LINKCrosslisted as NRES 456/856| Credit Hours: | 3 |
| Course Format: | Lecture 3 |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
Biological systems, from molecules to ecosystems, are analyzed using mathematical techniques. Strengths and weaknesses of mathematical approaches to biological questions. Brief review of college level math; introduction to modeling; oscillating systems in biology; randomness in biology; review of historically important and currently popular models in biology.
BIOS
489/889
Ichthyology LINKCrosslisted as NRES 489/889| Credit Hours: | 4 |
| Course Format: | Lecture 3, Lab 4 |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
Prereqs:
12 hrs biological sciences.
May also be offered at Cedar Point Biological Station.
Fishes, their taxonomy, physiology, behavior, and ecology. Dynamics of fish stocks and factors regulating their production.
BIOS
811
Plant Tissue Culture LINKCrosslisted as HORT 811, NRES 811| Credit Hours: | 4 |
| Course Format: | Lab 4, Lecture 2 |
| Campus: | |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
Survey of techniques used in plant cell, tissue and organ culture, including current research. Laboratory emphasizes practical manipulation of plant cells, tissues, and organs, including examples from woody and herbaceous plant species.
BIOS
849
Woody Plant Growth and Development LINKCrosslisted as HORT 849, NRES 849| Credit Hours: | 3 |
| Course Format: | Lecture 2 |
| Campus: | |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
Offered fall semester of odd-numbered calendar years. Plant growth and development specifically of woody plants as viewed from an applied whole-plant physiological level. Plant growth regulators, structure and secondary growth characteristics of woody plants, juvenility, senescence, abscission and dormancy.
BIOS
860
Advanced Limnology LINKCrosslisted as NRES 866| Credit Hours: | 3 |
| Campus: | |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
Prereqs:
NRES 859 or equivalent
In-depth consideration of selected areas of limnology including stream limnology, primary production, secondary production, nutrient cycling, and eutrophication.
BSEN
954
Turbulent Transfer in the Atmospheric Surface Layer LINKCrosslisted as NRES 954| Credit Hours: | 3 |
| Campus: | |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
Offered spring semester of odd-numbered calendar years.
CIVE
353/853
Hydrology LINKCrosslisted as NRES 853| Credit Hours: | 3 |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
Prereqs:
MATH 106, not available for credit for engineering students.
Introduction to the principles of hydrology, with emphasis on the components of the hydrologic cycle: precipitation, evaporation, groundwater flow, surface runoff, infiltration, precipitation runoff relationships.
CIVE
916
Environmental Law and Water Resource Management Seminar LINKCrosslisted as NRES 916, LAW 774G| Credit Hours: | 1-4 |
| Max credits per degree: | 4 |
| Campus: | |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
Prereqs:
Permission
An interdisciplinary seminar with the Department of Civil Engineering. Contemporary environmental issues and water resource management.
ENTO
402/802
Aquatic Insects LINKCrosslisted as BIOS 485/885, NRES 402/802| Credit Hours: | 2 |
| Course Format: | Lecture 2 |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom, Web |
Prereqs:
12 hrs biological sciences.
Offered fall semester of odd-numbered calendar years. Offered summer semester of even-numbered calendar years on the Internet via the World Wide Web (WWW).
Biology and ecology of aquatic insects.
ENTO
402L/802L
Identification of Aquatic Insects LINKCrosslisted as BIOS 485L/885L, NRES 402L/802L| Credit Hours: | 1 |
| Course Format: | Lab |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
Identification of aquatic insects to the family level.
GEOG
412/812
Introduction to Geographic Information Systems LINKCrosslisted as NRES 412/812| Credit Hours: | 4 |
| Course Format: | Lecture 3, Lab 2 |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
| Groups: | Techniques |
Lab exercises provide experience with GIS
Introduction to conceptual foundations and applications of computer-based geographic information systems (GIS). GIS database development, spatial data analysis, spatial modeling, GIS implementation and administration.
GEOG
418/818
Introduction to Remote Sensing LINKCrosslisted as NRES 418/818| Credit Hours: | 4 |
| Course Format: | Lab 2, Lecture 3 |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
| Groups: | Techniques |
Prereqs:
9 hrs earth science or natural resource sciences including GEOG 155.
Introduction to remote sensing of the earth from aerial and satellite platforms. Aerial photography, multispectral scanning, thermal imaging and microwave remote sensing techniques. Physical foundations of remote sensing using electromagnetic energy, energy-matter interactions, techniques employed in data acquisition and methods of image analysis. Weekly laboratory provides practical experience in visual and digital interpretation of aerial photography, satellite imagery, thermal and radar imagery. Applications in geographic, agricultural, environmental and natural resources analyses.
GEOG
419/819
Applications of Remote Sensing in Agriculture and Natural Resources LINKCrosslisted as GEOL 419/819, AGRO 419/819, NRES 420/820| Credit Hours: | 4 |
| Course Format: | Lecture 3, Lab 2 |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
| Groups: | Techniques |
Prereqs:
GEOG/NRES 418.
Introduction to the practical uses of remote electromagnetic sensing in dealing with agricultural and water-resources issues.
GEOG
427/827
Introduction to the Global Positioning System (GPS) LINKCrosslisted as NRES 427/827| Credit Hours: | 2 |
| Course Format: | Lab 1, Lecture 1.5 |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
Prereqs:
Junior standing and a basic familiarity with mapping and GIS, or permission.
Integrated lectures, lab exercises and field experience provide an understanding of GPS technology and applications. Students will learn to collect, correct and use GPS data in a geographic information system (GIS) environment.
GEOG
491/891
Geography Field Tour LINKCrosslisted as NRES 491| Credit Hours: | 2-3 |
| Max credits per semester: | 3 |
| Max credits per degree: | 6 |
| Course Format: | Field 40 |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
| Groups: | Physical Geography |
Off-campus travel required.
Group educational tours to specific sites that illustrate aspects of physical and cultural geography.
GEOL
418/818
Chemistry of Natural Waters LINKCrosslisted as NRES 419/819, WATS 418| Credit Hours: | 3 |
| Course Format: | Lecture 3 |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
Prereqs:
Principles of water chemistry and their use in precipitation, surface water, and groundwater studies. Groundwater applications used to determine the time and source of groundwater recharge, estimate groundwater residence time, identify aquifer mineralogy, examine the degree of mixing between waters of various sources and evaluate what types of biological and chemical processes have occurred during the water's journey through the aquifer system.
GEOL
418L/818L
Chemistry of Natural Waters Laboratory LINKCrosslisted as NRES 419L/819L, WATS 418L| Credit Hours: | 1 |
| Course Format: | Lab 1 |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
Prereqs:
Two semesters college chemistry or permission.
Basic laboratory techniques used to perform water analysis including various wet chemical techniques, instrument use (AA, IC, UV-Visible) and computer modeling. Techniques for sample collection and preservation, parameter estimation and chemical analysis.
GEOL
436/836
Evolution of Cenozoic Mammals LINKCrosslisted as NRES 436/836| Credit Hours: | 3 |
| Course Format: | Lecture 3 |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
Prereqs:
Survey of mammalian evolution with emphasis on the origin, radiation, and phylogenetic relationships of Cenozioc fossil mammals. Overview of climatic and ecological changes affecting mammalian adaptations and hands on experience with specimens.
GEOL
465/865
Soil Geomorphology and Paleopedology LINKCrosslisted as NRES 465/865| Credit Hours: | 3 |
| Course Format: | Lecture 2, Lab 3 |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
Two field trips required.
Soils and paleosols as evidence in reconstruction landscape evolution and paleoenvironments. Role of paleosols in stratigraphy.
GEOL
825
Geostatistics LINKCrosslisted as NRES 825| Credit Hours: | 3 |
| Campus: | |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
Offered fall semester of odd-numbered calendar years. Practical methods for solving spatial interpolation and related estimation problems with emphasis on geostatistical methods. Introduction to applied statistical simulation and prediction in geology, hydrogeology and environmental studies.
GEOL
889
Hydrogeology LINKCrosslisted as NRES 887| Credit Hours: | 3 |
| Campus: | |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
Principles of flow through porous media with emphasis on basic classical solutions, flow-net analysis, and elementary modern numerical solutions that aid in the analysis and development of groundwater supplies.
GEOL
917
Environmental Isotope Hydrology LINKCrosslisted as NRES 917| Credit Hours: | 3 |
| Campus: | |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
Prereqs:
NRES 819 or equivalent or permission
Theory and use of stable, radiogenic and radioactive isotopes in hydrologic studies. Abundance and variation of the stable isotopes of oxygen, hydrogen, carbon, sulphur, chlorine, nitrogen, and strontium. Application of the isotopes to determine water origin, movement, geochemical history, recharge age and residence time, and to delineate contaminant sources and solute migration.
HORT
812
Landscape Ecology LINKCrosslisted as NRES 810| Credit Hours: | 3 |
| Campus: | |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
Prereqs:
12 hrs biological sciences or related fields including BIOS 320 or permission
Spatial arrangements of ecosystems, the interaction among component ecosystems through the flow of energy, materials and organisms, and alteration of this structure through natural or anthropogenic forces.
HORT
897
Master of Applied Science Project LINKCrosslisted as AGRI 897, AGRO 897, NRES 897| Credit Hours: | 1-6 |
| Max credits per degree: | 6 |
| Campus: | |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
Prereqs:
Admission to Master of Applied Science degree program
Project activity for the Master of Applied Science degree.
Design, develop and complete a project that requires synthesis of the course topics covered in the primary area of emphasis.
METR
483/883
Global Climate Change LINKCrosslisted as NRES 467/867| Credit Hours: | 3 |
| Course Format: | Lecture 3 |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
Elements of climate systems, El Nino/LaNina cycle and monsoons, natural variability of climate on interannual and interdecadal scales. Paleoclimate, and future climate, developed climate change scenarios and climate change impacts on natural resources and the environment.
NRES
406/806
Plant Ecophysiology: Theory and Practice LINKCrosslisted as HORT 406/806, AGRO 406/806| Credit Hours: | 4 |
| Course Format: | Lecture 3, Lab 1 |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
Prereqs:
Junior standing; 4 hrs ecology; and 4 hrs botany or plant physiology.
Offered fall semester of even-numbered calendar years.
Principles of plant physiology which underlie the relationship between plants and their physical, chemical and biotic environments. An introduction to the ecological niche, limiting factors and adaptation. An overview of the seed germination and ecology, plant and soil water relations, nutrients, plant energy budgets, photosynthesis, carbon balance and plant-animal interactions. An introduction to various field equipment used in ecophysiological studies.
NRES
408/808
Microclimate: The Biological Environment LINKCrosslisted as GEOG 408/808, METR 408/808, HORT 408/808, AGRO 408/808, WATS 408| Credit Hours: | 3 |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
Prereqs:
Junior standing, MATH 106 or equivalent, 5 hrs physics, major in any of the physical or biological sciences or engineering; or permission.
Physical factors that create the biological environment. Radiation and energy balances of earth's surfaces, terrestrial and marine. Temperature, humidity, and wind regimes near the surface. Control of the physical environment through irrigation, windbreaks, frost protection, manipulation of light, and radiation. Applications to air pollution research. Instruments for measuring environmental conditions and remote sensing of the environment.
NRES
417/817
Agroforestry Systems in Sustainable Agriculture LINKCrosslisted as HORT 418/818| Credit Hours: | 3 |
| Course Format: | Lecture 3 |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
Prereqs:
12 hours biological or agricultural sciences.
At least one course in production agriculture and one course in natural resources is strongly suggested. Offered odd-numbered calendar years.
The roles of woody plants in sustainable agricultural systems of temperate regions. Emphasis on the ecological and economic benefits of trees and shrubs in the agricultural landscape. Topics include: habitat diversity and biological control; shelterbelts structure, function, benefits and design; intercropping systems; silvopastoral systems; riparian systems; and production of timber and specialty crops. Comparison of temperate agroforestry systems to those of tropical areas.
NRES
421/821
Field Techniques in Remote Sensing LINKCrosslisted as GEOG 421/821| Credit Hours: | 3 |
| Course Format: | Lecture 2, Lab |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
Field techniques as they relate to remote-sensing campaigns. Research methods, systematic approaches to data collection, field spectroscopy, collecting ancillary information linked with spectroscopic data sets as well as aircraft or satellite missions and subsequent analyses of acquired data.
NRES
422/822
Laboratory Earth: Earth's Changing Systems LINK| Credit Hours: | 3 |
| Course Format: | Lecture 3 |
| Course Delivery: | Web |
Fundamental concepts related to understanding Earth's changing natural systems in the past, present, and the future. The cycling of matter and energy; the relationship between human activity and environmental change; and the consequence of these relationships.
NRES
424/824
Forest Ecology LINK| Credit Hours: | 4 |
| Course Format: | Lab 3, Lecture 3 |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
Prereqs:
NRES/BIOS 220.
Requires a weekend field trip to forested sites in Nebraska.
Ecology of North American forests. Woodland and savanna vegetation in the Great Plains. Identification of native trees and shrubs.
NRES
428/828
Leadership in Public Organizations LINKCrosslisted as ALEC 428| Credit Hours: | 3 |
| Course Format: | Lecture 3 |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
Prereqs:
Junior standing.
Leadership in theories, research, and practices in public organizations and natural resource agencies.
NRES
433/833
Wildlife Management Techniques LINK| Credit Hours: | 3 |
| Course Format: | Lecture 3 |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
| ACE Outcomes: | 10 |
Prereqs:
Survey of methods used to obtain data and make decisions for wildlife management. Scientific methods for wildlife science; monitoring and surveys; construction of management plans; habitat use, classification, and management; harvest management.
NRES
433L/833L
Wildlife Management Techniques Lab LINK| Credit Hours: | 1 |
| Course Format: | Lab 3 |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
Prereqs:
Offered off-campus during academic breaks at Cedar Point Biological Station.
Field and laboratory skills needed for wildlife management emphasizing wildlife and vegetation surveys, mark-recapture of wildlife, radio-telemetry, aging and forensic methods, and habitat assessment. Course fee $180.
NRES
434/834
Envronmental Education and Interpretation LINKCrosslisted as ENVR 434| Credit Hours: | 3 |
| Course Format: | Lecture |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
Examination of formal and informal environmental education and interpretation. Knowledge, application and practice relevant to science teachers and park, extension, museums, and zoo educators.
NRES
445/845
Human Remains in Forensic Science LINKCrosslisted as FORS 445/845| Credit Hours: | 4 |
| Course Format: | Lab 2, Lecture 2 |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
Prereqs:
Forensic anthropology within the broader context of forensic sciences and physical anthropology. Decomposition and bone modification through artificial means. Determination of individual identity, diet, chronic pathology and cause of death from human remains.
NRES
446/846
Pollen Analysis for Behavioral, Biological, and Forensic Science LINKCrosslisted as FORS 446/846| Credit Hours: | 4 |
| Course Format: | Lab 2, Lecture 2 |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
Collection, processing, identification of common North American pollen types. Pollination ecology relating to scene reconstruction. Fundamental statistics and presentation requirements for a legal and scientific audience.
NRES
450/850
Biology of Wildlife Populations LINKCrosslisted as BIOS 450/850| Credit Hours: | 4 |
| Course Format: | Lecture 3, Lab 3 |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
Prereqs:
Principles of population dynamics. Management strategies (for consumptive and nonconsumptive fish and wildlife species) presented utilizing principles developed.
NRES
451
Soil Environmental Chemistry LINKCrosslisted as ENVE 851| Credit Hours: | 3 |
| Course Format: | Lecture 3 |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
Prereqs:
Offered in spring semester of even-numbered calendar years
Theory, mechanisms and processes related to chemical behavior in soil-water environments. Application of computer simulation models for predicting contaminant fate in soil. Basic chemical and biological principles of remediating contaminated soil and water.
NRES
452/852
Climate and Society LINKCrosslisted as GEOG 450/850, METR 450/850, AGRO 450/850| Credit Hours: | 3 |
| Course Format: | Lecture |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
Offered spring semester of even-numbered calendar years.
Impact of climate and extreme climatic events on society and societal responses to those events. Global in scope and interdisciplinary.
NRES
458/858
Soil Physical Determinations LINKCrosslisted as AGRO 458/858, SOIL 458| Credit Hours: | 2 |
| Course Format: | Lab 3 |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
Survey of measurement techniques and principles used in characterizing the physical properties of soils. Includes analysis of experimental design and sources of experimental error. Techniques include: particle size analysis, soil water content, pore size analysis, field sampling techniques, soil strength, and saturated hydraulic conductivity.
NRES
459/859
Limnology LINKCrosslisted as BIOS 459/859, WATS 459| Credit Hours: | 4 |
| Course Format: | Lecture 3, Lab 4 |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
Prereqs:
12 hrs BIOS, including BIOS/NRES 220/BIOS220x; two semesters CHEM.
May also be offered at Cedar Point Biological Station.
Physical, chemical, and biological processes that occur in fresh water. Organisms occurring in fresh water and their ecology; biological productivity of water and its causative factors; eutroplication and its effects.
NRES
461/861
Soil Physics LINKCrosslisted as GEOL 461/861, AGRO 461/861, SOIL 461, WATS 461| Credit Hours: | 3 |
| Course Format: | Lecture 3 |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
Recommended: Parallel AGRO/NRES/SOIL 458.
Principles of soil physics. Movement of water, air, heat, and solutes in soils. Water retention and movement, including infiltration and field water regime. Movement of chemicals in soils.
NRES
463/863
Fisheries Science LINK| Credit Hours: | 3 |
| Course Format: | Lecture 3 |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
| ACE Outcomes: | 10 |
May also be offered at Cedar Point Biological Station.
Fisheries biology emphasizing the determination and evaluation of vital statistics for the management of fish populations. Basis of specific management techniques.
NRES
463L/863L
Fisheries Science Lab LINK| Credit Hours: | 1 |
| Course Format: | Lab 1 |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
May also be offered at Cedar Point Biological Station. Course fee is $200.
Field and laboratory skills needed for fisheries biology emphasizing the determination and evaluation of vital statistics for the management of fish populations. Applied data collection and fish sampling techniques will be used.
NRES
464/864
Fisheries Biology LINKCrosslisted as BIOS 464/864| Credit Hours: | 3 |
| Course Format: | Lecture 3 |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
Biology of fishes. Factors that affect fishes in the natural environment. Techniques used in the analysis and management of fish populations.
NRES
468/868
Wetlands LINKCrosslisted as BIOS 458, WATS 468| Credit Hours: | 4 |
| Course Format: | Lecture 4 |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
Offered even-numbered calendar years.
Physical, chemical and biological processes that occur in wetlands; the hydrology and soils of wetland systems; organisms occurring in wetlands and their ecology wetland creation, delineation, management and ecotoxicology.
NRES
469/869
Bio-Atmospheric Instrumentation LINKCrosslisted as GEOG 469/869, METR 469/869, HORT 407/807, AGRO 469/869, MSYM 469/869| Credit Hours: | 3 |
| Course Format: | Lecture 2, Lab 1 |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
Prereqs:
Junior standing; MATH 106; 4 hrs physics; physical or biological science major.
Offered fall semester of odd-numbered calendar years.
Discussion and practical application of principles and practices of measuring meteorological and related variables near the earth's surface including temperature, humidity, precipitation, pressure, radiation and wind. Performance characteristics of sensors and modern data collection methods are discussed and evaluated.
NRES
474/874
Herpetology LINKCrosslisted as BIOS 474/874| Credit Hours: | 4 |
| Course Format: | Lecture 4 |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
May also be offered at Cedar Point Biological Station.
Fossil and living amphibians and reptiles. Anatomy, classification, ecology and evolution.
NRES
476/876
Mammalogy LINKCrosslisted as BIOS 476/876| Credit Hours: | 4 |
| Course Format: | Lecture 3 |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
May also be offered at Cedar Point Biological Station. Field trips are required and may occur outside of scheduled class time. Lab and field time emphasize diversity of mammalian families and species identification of Nebraska mammals.
Evolution, natural history, ecology, and functional morphology of planetary mammals and mammals of the Northern Great Plains.
NRES
477/877
Great Plains Field Pedology LINKCrosslisted as GEOG 467/867, AGRO 477, SOIL 477| Credit Hours: | 4 |
| Course Format: | Lab, Lecture 3 |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
Prereqs:
AGRO/SOIL 153.
Spatial relationship of soil properties on various parts of landscape typical of the Plains, causal factors, and predictions of such relationships on other landscapes. Grouping these properties into classes, naming the classes, and the taxonomy that results from this grouping. Application of a taxonomy to a real situation through making a field soil survey in a region representative of the Plains border, predicting land use response of various mapped units as it affects the ecosystem, and evaluating the effectiveness of the taxonomic system used in the region surveyed.
NRES
478/878
Regional Climatology LINKCrosslisted as METR 478/878| Credit Hours: | 3 |
| Course Format: | Lecture 3 |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
Prereqs:
NRES/METR 370.
Regional differentiation of the climates of the earth on both a descriptive and dynamic basis. The chief systems of climatic classification.
NRES
479/879
Hydroclimatology LINKCrosslisted as METR 479/879, WATS 479| Credit Hours: | 3 |
| Course Format: | Lecture 3 |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
Offered fall semester of even-numbered calendar years.
Interaction between earth’s climate and the hydrologic cycle. Energy and water fluxes at the land-atmosphere interface. Atmospheric moisture transport, precipitation, evaporation, snowmelt, and runoff. Impacts of climate variability and change on the hydrologic cycle.
NRES
484/884
Water Resources Seminar LINKCrosslisted as GEOG 484/884, GEOL 484/884, AGRO 484/884, WATS 484| Credit Hours: | 1 |
| Course Format: | Lecture 1 |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
Prereqs:
Junior or above standing, or permission.
Seminar on current water resources research and issues in Nebraska and the region.
NRES
488/888
Groundwater Geology LINKCrosslisted as GEOL 488/888| Credit Hours: | 3 |
| Course Format: | Lecture 3 |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
Prereqs:
GEOL 100-level course; MATH 106 or equivalent.
Occurence, movement, and development of water in the geologic environment.
NRES
492/892
Study Tours in Natural Resource Management LINK| Credit Hours: | 1-3 |
| Max credits per degree: | 6 |
| Course Format: | Lecture |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
Prereqs:
Permission.
Off-campus travel may be required. Choice of subject matter and coordination of on- and off-campus study is at the discretion of the instructor.
Group educational tours to specific sites that illustrate aspects of natural resources management.
NRES
498/898
Special Topics in Natural Resources LINK| Credit Hours: | 1-6 |
| Max credits per degree: | 12 |
| Course Format: | Lecture |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
Prereqs:
6 hrs NRES or equivalent.
Current issues in natural resource sciences.
NRES
803
Ecological Statistics LINKCrosslisted as STAT 803| Credit Hours: | 4 |
| Course Format: | Lab 1, Lecture 3 |
| Campus: | |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
Prereqs:
STAT *801 or equivalent.
Model-based inference for ecological data, generalized linear and additive models, mixed models, survival analysis, multi-model inference and information theoretic model selection, and study design.
NRES
809
Laboratory Earth: Earth and Its Systems LINK| Credit Hours: | 3 |
| Course Format: | Lab, Lecture |
| Campus: | |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
The earth as a system and the "real world" applications of fundamental physical science processes in this system. Interaction of energy and matter in the geosphere, in the hydrosphere, and in the atmosphere. The earth's relationships to the sun, moon, and other astronomical objects in the solar system.
NRES
814
Laboratory Earth: Earth's Natural Resource Systems LINK| Credit Hours: | 3 |
| Course Format: | Lab, Lecture |
| Campus: | |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
Fundamental concepts in the Earth and physical sciences in the understanding of Earth's natural resource systems. Rock and mineral, water, soil, and energy resources. Social factors, human dependence, and the impact of these on natural resource systems.
NRES
823
Integrated Resources Management LINK| Credit Hours: | 3 |
| Course Format: | Lecture 3 |
| Campus: | |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
Prereqs:
Natural resource science or related major; permission
Integrated and multiple-use management. Economic, political, social, and physical impacts on natural resources management priorities.
NRES
830
Laboratory Earth: Climate Research Applications LINK| Credit Hours: | 3 |
| Course Format: | Lab, Lecture |
| Course Delivery: | Web |
Designed for science educators. *NRES 830 is offered fall semesters.
Climate-change issues serve as a context to develop research questions and design a discete, locally oriented research project through which they define a problelm, analyze data, and develop conclusions to potentially impact decision-making in their community.
NRES
832
Laboratory Earth: Human Dimensions of Climate Change LINK| Credit Hours: | 3 |
| Course Format: | Lab, Lecture |
| Course Delivery: | Web |
Designed for science educators. *NRES 832 is offered spring semesters.
Examine science behind global climate change. Use primary data sets to understand the implications for climate change at global and regional/local scales. Focus on potential impacts on human systems including drought, sea level rise, severe weather and populations most likely to be impacted by climate change.
NRES
837
Adaptive Natural Resource Management LINK| Credit Hours: | 3 |
| Course Format: | Lecture 3 |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
From cultural taboos to the current socio-ecological framework, the art and science of natural resource management has and continues to evolve. The primary focus of this course is to introduce students to the concepts of structured decision making and adaptive management, but in doing so the course will explore the history of natural resource management and the various management paradigms that have and continue to dominate resource management. At the completion of this course students will have an understanding of the theory and practice of adaptive management as well as an understanding of why we continue to move toward a more transparent and scientific methodology of natural resource management.
NRES
848
Advanced Topics in Wildlife Damage Management LINK| Credit Hours: | 2 |
| Course Format: | Lecture 2 |
| Campus: | |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
Prereqs:
Participation in a three day professional conference is strongly encouraged. Economic, global, and public policy issues relative to situations in which wildlife damage personal property or natural resources, threaten human health and safety, or are a nuisance. Technological advances in fertility control, damage resistance, toxicology, behavioral modification and biological management.
NRES
862
Conservation Biology LINK| Credit Hours: | 3 |
| Campus: | |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
Typically offered second semester. Current issues in conservation biology. Theoretical principles from the areas of ecology and genetics to effectively preserve and manage biological diversity and small populations.
NRES
870
Lake and Reservoir Restoration LINK| Credit Hours: | 3 |
| Course Format: | Lecture 3 |
| Campus: | |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
Prereqs:
12 hrs NRES or related fields
Theory, processes, and mechanisms underlying lake and reservoir water quality degradation and/or pollution. Remediation of eutrophication and its effects. Current techniques used to restore and protect degraded lakes.
NRES
871
Quantitative Fishery Assessment LINK| Credit Hours: | 3 |
| Course Format: | Lecture 3 |
| Campus: | |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
Offered spring semester of even-numbered calendar years.
Advanced quantitative techniques of fishery science required to support management practices targeted at populations (recruitment, growth and mortality), communities (e.g., predator-prey interactions) and ecosystems e.g., bio-stressors).
NRES
880
Vertebrate Population Analysis LINK| Credit Hours: | 4 |
| Course Format: | Lecture |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
NRES 880 is offered spring semester of even years.
Introduction to the estimation of demographic parameters from surveys and mark-recapture data. Emphasizes analytical skills used to estimate population vital rates, such as abundance, density, population size, survival rates, home range size, and movement rates. Reinforces use of multiple hypotheses in scientific investigations, as well as model selection processes.
NRES
891
Seminar in Natural Resource Sciences LINK| Credit Hours: | 1 |
| Max credits per degree: | 2 |
| Campus: | |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
Presentations of special non-thesis topics, and/or research plans, and/or thesis research results.
NRES
893
Readings in Aquatic Ecology LINK| Credit Hours: | 1-3 |
| Max credits per degree: | 3 |
| Course Format: | Independent Study 3 |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
Prereqs:
Admission to the Graduate Program in the School of Natural Resources or Permission from Instructor.
We will read classic (highly cited, generally 25-75 years old) papers and more recent follow-up (<10 years) papers on topics relevant to many areas of aquatic ecology. The goal is to read the basis of the concepts taught in modern Limnology courses and to see how these concepts are currently evolving in the literature. Students will be responsible for choosing a topic and classic paper from a list (see below) and finding (with help) a modern follow up to the issue, and then will lead the group discussion on that topic.
NRES
896
Independent Study LINK| Credit Hours: | 1-5 |
| Max credits per degree: | 12 |
| Campus: | |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
Prereqs:
12 hrs natural resource sciences or closely-related fields; permission
Individual or group projects in research, literature review or extension of course work under supervision and evaluation of a departmental faculty member.
NRES
899
Masters Thesis LINK| Credit Hours: | 6-10 |
| Campus: | |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
Prereqs:
Admission to masters degree program and permission of major adviser
NRES
918
Applied Groundwater Modeling LINK| Credit Hours: | 3 |
| Course Format: | Lecture 3 |
| Campus: | |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
Offered fall semester of odd-numbered calendar years. Forward and backward numerical analysis of groundwater flow systems and their interactions with other hydro-logic components. Groundwater model development and parameter estimation using MODFLOW, PEST, and other widely used modeling packages.
NRES
920
Xenobiotics in the Environment LINKCrosslisted as ENTO 920, HORT 920, AGRO 920| Credit Hours: | 3 |
| Course Format: | Lecture 3 |
| Campus: | |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
Prereqs:
Recommend one course each in organic chemistry, soil science, biochemistry, plant physiology, microbiology and ecology
ENTO 920 is offered in odd-numbered calendar years.
Fate and ecotoxicological impacts of biologically foreign compounds in soil-water-plant environments; uptake, mechanisms of toxicity and metabolism in plants and other biota. Herbicides and other pesticides.
NRES
922
Seminar in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) LINKCrosslisted as GEOG 922| Credit Hours: | 3 |
| Course Format: | Lecture 3 |
| Campus: | |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
Study of current research and trends in geographic information systems (GIS), GIScience, and GeoComputation. Advanced spatial analytical techniques and geospatial modeling emphasizing GIS applications in natural resources assessment, environmental analyses, agriculture, and land management.
NRES
965
Managed Aquatic Systems LINK| Credit Hours: | 3 |
| Course Format: | Lecture 3 |
| Campus: | |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
Offered spring semester of odd-numbered calendar years.
Theoretical aspects of structure and function in aquatic systems managed for human needs, ecological processes, river-reservoir interface, energy flow (including fate and transport), population dynamics, and multiple-use systems.
NRES
996
Research Other Than Thesis LINK| Credit Hours: | 1-6 |
| Campus: | |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
Prereqs:
Permission
NRES
999
Doctoral Dissertation LINK| Credit Hours: | 1-24 |
| Max credits per degree: | 55 |
| Campus: | |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
Prereqs:
Admission to doctoral degree program and permission of supervisory committee chair
Courses for NREE (NREE)
AECN
456/856
Environmental Law LINKCrosslisted as NREE 456| Credit Hours: | 3 |
| Course Format: | Personalized System of Instruction |
| Course Delivery: | Web |
Available through Online and Distance Education.
Administrative law, risk assessment, environmental impact review, Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, non-point pollution control, wetlands regulations pesticide and toxic substance regulation, solid and hazardous waste regulation, drinking water protection, land use regulation, energy policy, and international environmental law.
AECN
457/857
Water Law LINKCrosslisted as NREE 457, WATS 457| Credit Hours: | 3 |
| Max credits per degree: | 3 |
| Course Format: | Personalized System of Instruction |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
Prereqs:
AECN/NREE 357.
Course offered even numbered years. Offered through Extended Education and Outreach.
Environmental impact review; public trust doctrine; endangered species; land use controls; wetlands regulation; surface and ground water rights; Indian and federal water rights; impact of water quality regulations on water allocation.
AECN
465/865
Resource and Environmental Economics II LINKCrosslisted as NREE 465, WATS 465| Credit Hours: | 3 |
| Course Format: | Lecture 3 |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
Prereqs:
MATH 104 and one course in statistics.
Credit in AECN 865 will not count toward any advanced degree programs in ECON or AECN.
Application of resource economics concepts and empirical tools to resource management problems. Public policy issues involving environmental quality, land and water management.
Description
For a brief description of the program, application requirements and contact information, view the graduate program summary.
Director of the School of Natural Resources: Tala Awada, Ph.D.
Graduate Committee: Professor Walter-Shea (chair); Associate Professor Pope; Associate Geoscientist Burbach; Assistant Professors Guan, Shulski
The School of Natural Resources (SNR) offers graduate programs leading to a master of science or doctor of philosophy degree in a rich spectrum of areas in natural resources. The broad diversity of climate, hydrology, soils, surface and subsurface geology, habitats, and flora and fauna across Nebraska provides many opportunities for field studies. Faculty are not limited to research within Nebraska and have projects in other states and countries as well. Excellent laboratory and computer facilities, and museum collections are available for performing up-to-date analyses. Water chemistry, GIS, computer modeling, and remote sensing and image analysis are state-of-the-art facilities. Unique opportunities for cooperative research are also available through many state, federal, and private organizations. Courses are offered within the various areas of emphasis within SNR: Biological Resources, Climate and Bio-Atmospheric Systems, Earth Resources, Ecosystem Science, Geospatial Information, Human Dimensions and Water Science.
Master of Science Degree
The master of science degree provides students with an interdisciplinary education in natural resource sciences, encompassing the biological, atmospheric, water, earth and geospatial information resources, as well as in the related human and community elements.
Applicants for admission to the program are required to have maintained an undergraduate grade point average of at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 system), submit scores for the general Graduate Record Examination (verbal-500, quantitative-620 and analytical writing-4.0), three letters of recommendation, a statement of purpose, and satisfy the general admission requirements of the Graduate College. Admission to full graduate standing in the MS program requires an earned baccalaureate and demonstrated proficiency in mathematics, physics, chemistry, life sciences, and earth sciences. Contact the SNR Graduate Secretary for specific course requirements. A TOEFL score of at least 600 paper, 300 computer, or 79 Internet is required for students whose native language is not English and who have not earned a baccalaureate in the US. The master of science program may be carried out under Option I or II conforming to the general requirements of the Graduate College.
Doctor of Philosophy Degree
The doctor of philosophy degree provides students with advanced interdisciplinary education, encompassing the biological, atmospheric, water, earth and geospatial information resources, as well as in the related human and community elements.
Students applying for admission to the doctor of philosophy program must provide evidence of preparation in his/her anticipated field of emphasis in addition to meeting Graduate College admissions requirements. Additional requirements will be as stipulated by the SNR Graduate Committee and prospective adviser(s). Admission to Candidacy for the PhD degree requires the successful completion of a written, and oral comprehensive examination.
Specialization Areas
Currently thirteen specializations are available at the masters level: Adaptive Management, Agroforestry, Aquatic Ecology, Bio-Atmospheric Interactions, Climate Assessment and Impacts, Environmental Studies, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Great Plains Studies, Human Dimensions, Hydrologic Sciences, Remote Sensing, Soil Science, and Wildlife Ecology. Students can also pursue a masters degree with a minor in Water Resources Planning and Management. At present, only Adaptive Management, Applied Ecology, Bio-Atmospheric Interactions, Climate Assessment and Impacts, Environmental Studies, Human Dimensions, Hydrologic Sciences, and Soil Science specializations are available at the doctoral level. Other specializations may become available pending approval. A student does not have to declare an area of specialization.
NOTE: This bulletin may not reflect some subsequent revisions in the School of Natural Resources (SNR) programs. Students should check with the SNR Graduate Secretary for up-to-date changes which have been approved by the SNR Graduate Committee.