This is an archived copy of the 2014-2015 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://catalog.iastate.edu.

Natural Resource Ecology and Management (NREM)

Courses

Courses primarily for undergraduates:

NREM 104. Practical Work Experience.

Cr. R.
Three months of relevant work experience in natural resources, animal ecology, or forestry. Study at a summer biological station may be applicable. See adviser for specific requirements and approval process.

NREM 110. Orientation in Natural Resource Ecology and Management.

Cr. 1. F.
Orientation to the University and to the Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management. Discussion of departmental learning outcomes, strategies for academic success and academic planning. Offered on a satisfactory-fail basis only.

NREM 111. NREM Transitions Learning Community Seminar.

(1-0) Cr. 1. Repeatable. F.S.
Enrollment limited to members of the NREM Transitions Learning Community. Designed to assist new transfer students and continuing sophomore students with their transition to the academic expectations and professional development aspects of the natural resource program. Offered on a satisfactory-fail basis only.

NREM 112. Orientation to Learning and Productive Team Membership.

(Cross-listed with AER E, CON E, FS HN, HORT). (2-0) Cr. 2. F.
Introduction to developing intentional learners and worthy team members. Learning as the foundation of human enterprise; intellectual curiosity; ethics as a personal responsibility; everyday leadership; effective team and community interactions including team learning and the effects on individuals; and growth through understanding self, demonstrating ownership of own learning, and internalizing commitment to helping others. Intentional mental processing as a means of enhancing learning. Interconnectedness of the individual, the community, and the world.

NREM 114. Developing Responsible Learners and Effective Leaders.

(Cross-listed with CON E, FS HN, HORT). (2-0) Cr. 2. S. Prereq: HORT 112 or NREM 112
Focus on team and community. Application of fundamentals of human learning; evidence of development as a responsible learner; intentional mental processing as a habit of mind; planning and facilitating learning opportunities for others; responsibility of the individual to the community and the world; leading from within; holding self and others accountable for growth and development as learners and leaders.

NREM 120. Introduction to Renewable Resources.

(Cross-listed with AGRON, ENV S). (3-0) Cr. 3. F.S.
Overview of soil, water, plants, and animals as renewable natural resources in an ecosystem context. History and organization of resource management. Concepts of integrated resource management.

NREM 130. Natural Resources and Agriculture.

(Cross-listed with ENV S). (3-0) Cr. 3. S.
Survey of the ecology and management of fish, forest, and wildlife resources in areas of intensive agriculture, with emphasis on Iowa. Conservation and management practices for private agricultural lands. Designed for nonmajors.

NREM 211. Careers in Natural Resources.

Cr. 1. F.S. Prereq: Sophomore classification
Career planning exploration in natural resources. Discussion of the job application process, including techniques for successful interviewing and development of an effective resume. Offered on a satisfactory-fail basis only.

NREM 256. Midwestern Prairie Plants.

(1-2) Cr. 1. F.
Offered 1st half semester only. Survey of the major plant families, genera, and representative species of Midwestern prairies with emphasis on plant identification and use of keys. Prairie restoration, conservation, and management issues will also be considered.

NREM 270. Foundations in Natural Resource Policy and History.

(Cross-listed with ENV S, L A). (3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. F., offered odd-numbered years.
The development of natural resource conservation philosophy and policy from the Colonial Era to the present. North American wildlife, forestry, and environmental policy; national parks and other protected lands; federal and state agencies. Relationship to cultural contexts, including urban reform and American planning movement. Discussion of common pool resources, public and private lands.

NREM 301. Natural Resource Ecology and Soils.

(Cross-listed with ENSCI). (3-3) Cr. 4. F. Prereq: BIOL 211, BIOL 211L; FOR 201 or a second course in biology
Effects of environmental factors on ecosystem structure and function using forest, prairie and agricultural ecosystems as models. Special emphasis is given to soil-forming factors and the role of soil in nutrient and water cycling and ecosystem dynamics. Additional emphasis is given to human influences on natural ecosystems and the role of perennial plant communities in agricultural landscapes.

NREM 303. Internship.

Cr. 1-3. Repeatable, maximum of 6 credits. F.S.SS. Prereq: Permission of department mentor and sophomore standing
Placement with county conservation boards, camps, zoos, parks, etc., for experience as interpreters, rangers, and technicians.

NREM 303I. Undergraduate Internships.

(Cross-listed with IA LL). Cr. 1-5. SS. Prereq: Permission of instructor and sophomore standing
Placement with county conservation boards, camps, parks, etc. for experience as interpreters, rangers, and technicians.

NREM 305. Seminar.

(2-0) Cr. 1-3. Repeatable. F.S. Prereq: Permission of instructor
Current topics in natural resources or related issues.

NREM 315. Genetics for Natural Resource Managers..

(3-0) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: Prereq: BIOL 211 and 212.
Introduction into how genetic techniques and technologies can aid the management of the earth's biotic resources. Topics include an overview of DNA structure, function and inheritance; tools and techniques for measuring genetic diversity; genetic management of wild and captive populations: DNA forensics as management tool. The goal of this course is to prepare managers/biologists to interpret genetic data as they relate to natural resource conservation.

NREM 330. Principles of Interpretation.

(2-3) Cr. 3. S. Prereq: 6 credits in biological sciences
History, objectives, forms, and techniques of interpretation in the settings of county, state, national parks, and zoos. Principles of effective communication as they apply to natural resource fields including wildlife management, forestry, and wildlife rehabilitation. Planning and use of effective communications and outreach campaigns to manage and conserve natural resources.

NREM 345. Natural Resource Photogrammetry and Geographic Information Systems.

(Cross-listed with ENSCI). (2-3) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: Junior classification
Measurement and interpretation of aerial photos in resource management. Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS) using ArcGIS including digitizing, development and query of attribute tables, georeferencing, and use of multiple GIS layers in simple spatial analyses.

NREM 385. Natural Resource Policy.

(Dual-listed with NREM 585). (3-0) Cr. 3. S. Prereq: Junior classification
Development, theory and practice of natural resource policy. Integrative approach with topical policy studies in North American wildlife, forestry, and water. Policy formation, the role of science, introduction to federal law compliance. Readings, lectures, projects.

NREM 390. Fire Ecology and Management.

(3-0) Cr. 3. F.
Characteristics and role of fire in forest ecosystems. Major topics covered include fuels, fire weather, fire behavior, fire danger rating systems, fire control, prescribed burning, and fire dynamics in major ecosystem types.

NREM 402. Watershed Hydrology.

(Dual-listed with NREM 502). (Cross-listed with ENSCI, GEOL, MTEOR). (3-3) Cr. 4. F. Prereq: Four courses in physical or biological sciences or engineering; junior standing
Examination of watersheds as systems, emphasizing the surface components of the hydrologic cycle. Combines qualitative understanding of hydrological processes and uncertainty with quantitative representation. Laboratory emphasizes field investigation and measurement of watershed processes.

NREM 407. Watershed Management.

(Dual-listed with NREM 507). (Cross-listed with ENSCI, ENV S). (3-3) Cr. 4. S. Prereq: A course in general biology
Managing human impacts on the hydrologic cycle. Field and watershed level best management practices for modifying the impacts on water quality, quantity and timing are discussed. Field project includes developing a management plan using landscape buffers.

NREM 446. Integrating GPS and GIS for Natural Resource Management.

(Dual-listed with NREM 546). (Cross-listed with ENSCI). (2-3) Cr. 3. S. Prereq: 12 credits in student's major at 300 level or above, NREM 345 or equivalent experience with ArcGIS
Emphasis on the use of GPS as a data collection tool for GIS. Basic theory of GPS. Use of Global Positioning System technology for spatial data collection and navigation. Post-processing and real-time correction of GPS data. GPS data transfer to GIS for mapping applications. Use of GIS to construct waypoints for use in GPS navigation.

NREM 452. Ecosystem Management.

(Dual-listed with NREM 552). (Cross-listed with FOR). (2-3) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: Senior classification, and NREM 120 or its equivalent
Principles of planning, regulating, and decision-making associated with public and private lands, with consideration of forest, grassland, wetland, and freshwater aquatic ecosystems. Integrated natural resources management within ecological, social, economic and policy constraints.

NREM 460. Controversies in Natural Resource Management.

(Cross-listed with ENV S). (3-0) Cr. 3. F.S. Prereq: NREM 120, and A ECL 312 or NREM 301, and Junior classification
Analysis of controversial natural resource issues using a case approach that considers uncertainty and adequacy of information and scientific understanding. Ecological, social, political, economic, and ethical implications of issues will be analyzed.

NREM 465. Landscape Change and Conservation.

(Dual-listed with NREM 565). (3-0) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: L A 202
Exploration of issues in landscape ecology and conservation biology relevant to landscape change, design, and planning. Examination of foundational principles and their applications across a continuum of land uses, from wilderness to urban areas.

NREM 466. Ecosystem Service Management.

(Dual-listed with NREM 566). (Cross-listed with ENSCI, ENT). (2-3) Cr. 3. Alt. F., offered even-numbered years. Prereq: permission of instructor
Lecture and discussion of land use and conservation techniques for improving ecosystem services including: pollination of crops, biological control of pests, prevention of erosion and water quality improvement.

NREM 471. Agroforestry Systems.

(Dual-listed with NREM 571). (2-3) Cr. 3. Alt. S., offered even-numbered years. Prereq: 6 credits in biological science at 300 level or above
Concepts of sustainable land use, agroecological dynamics, and component interactions of agroforestry systems. Agroforestry systems in temperate and tropical regions. Design and evaluation techniques for agroforestry systems. Ecological, socioeconomic and political aspects of agroforestry.

Meets International Perspectives Requirement.

NREM 490. Independent Study.