Courses
Courses primarily for undergraduates:
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.
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.
(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.
(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.
(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.
(1-0) Cr. 1. Alt. S., offered even-numbered years.
A survey of the artistry of wood as appreciated in spatial scale from microscopic anatomy to engineered wood structures. Anatomical and physical properties that render wood as a medium for artistic expression. The works of local artists, designers and engineers will be featured. The University Museums collection and Art on Campus will be explored.
(1-0) Cr. 1. F.
Introduction to North American model of conservation, current funding for natural resource management, role of hunting and angling in the North American model, critique and refinement of the model for the 21st century, and introduction to natural resource leadership, and outdoor skills and recreation.
Offered on a satisfactory-fail basis only.
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.
Cr. 3. S.
Prereq: STAT 101 or STAT 104, or permission from the instructor
Applied quantitative problem-solving skills for natural resource management. Focus on group and individual exercises, with practical problems in geography, hydrology, forestry and ecology. Laboratory includes field data collection and computer data processing and modeling.
(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.
(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.
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.
(Cross-listed with IA LL). Cr. 1-5. Repeatable. SS.
Prereq: Permission of instructor and sophomore standing
Placement with county conservation boards, camps, parks, etc. for experience as interpreters, rangers, and technicians.
(2-0) Cr. 1-3. Repeatable. F.S.
Prereq: Permission of instructor
Current topics in natural resources or related issues.
(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.
(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.
(Cross-listed with A ECL). (1-3) Cr. 2. F.
Prereq: BIOL 212
Introduction to techniques used in the collection and interpretation of fish population data in the field and in the lab. Course objectives include an understanding of population survey methodology and improving student critical thinking and teamwork skills. Laboratory focuses on field trips and hands-on sampling experience.
(Cross-listed with ENSCI). (2-3) Cr. 3. S.
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.
(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. Prairie management for multiple species of plants and wildlife.
(Cross-listed with FOR). (0.5-1) Cr. 1. S.
Prereq: BIOL 212
Survey of the major plant families, general, and representative species of the forest herbaceous layer. Functional ecology and restoration.
(Dual-listed with NREM 585). (3-0) Cr. 3. S.
Prereq: Graduate classification or permission of instructor
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.
(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.
(Dual-listed with NREM 502). (Cross-listed with ENSCI, GEOL, MTEOR). (2-3) Cr. 3. 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.
(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.
(Dual-listed with NREM 508I NREM 408I). (Cross-listed with IA LL). Cr. 4. SS.
Prereq: Courses in ecology, chemistry, and physics
Analysis of aquatic ecosystems; emphasis on basic ecological principles; ecological theories tested in the field; identification of common plants and animals.
(Dual-listed with NREM 546). (Cross-listed with ENSCI). (2-3) Cr. 3. F.
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.
(Dual-listed with NREM 552). (Cross-listed with FOR). (2-3) Cr. 3. S.
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.
(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.
(Dual-listed with NREM 565). (Cross-listed with L A). (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.
(Dual-listed with NREM 566). (Cross-listed with ENSCI, ENT). (3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. S., offered odd-numbered years.
Prereq: permission of instructor
Land use and conservation techniques for improving ecosystem services including: pollination of crops, biological control of pests, prevention of erosion and water quality improvement.
(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.
Cr. 1. Repeatable, maximum of 2 times. F.S.
Prereq: Junior or Senior classification in Animal Ecology or Forestry majors (instructor may grant permission for students in other majors to register for course)
Weekly seminars on current research topics in natural resource ecology and management. Style and best practice in oral research communication. Skills and principles for evaluating research merit and quality of technical communication.
Offered on a satisfactory-fail basis only.
(Dual-listed with NREM 589). (Cross-listed with E E, GEOL, MTEOR). (3-0) Cr. 3. F.
Prereq: Four courses in physical or biological sciences or engineering
Electromagnetic-radiation principles, active and passive sensors, multispectral and hyperspectral sensors, imaging radar, SAR, thermal imaging, lidar. Examples of applications. Also offered online S.
(Dual-listed with NREM 589L). (Cross-listed with E E, GEOL, MTEOR). (0-3) Cr. 1. F.
Prereq: Completion or concurrent enrollment in MTEOR/GEOL/NREM/EE 489/589
Processing and analysis of satellite sensor data (optical and radar). Provides practical applications in an environmental context.
Cr. 1-4. Repeatable, maximum of 4 credits.
Prereq: Junior or senior classification, permission of instructor
Cr. 1-4. Repeatable, maximum of 4 credits.
Prereq: Junior or senior classification, permission of instructor
Cr. 1-4. Repeatable, maximum of 4 credits.
Prereq: Junior or senior classification, permission of instructor
Cr. 1-4. Repeatable, maximum of 4 credits.
Prereq: Junior or senior classification, permission of instructor
Cr. 1-4. Repeatable, maximum of 4 credits.
Prereq: Junior or senior classification, permission of instructor
(Cross-listed with ANTHR, IA LL). Cr. 1-6. Repeatable, maximum of 9 credits.
Prereq: 8 credits in biology and permission of instructor
Research opportunities for undergraduate students in the biological sciences.
No more than 9 credits in Biol 490 may be counted toward graduation and of those, only 6 credits may be applied to the major.
(Dual-listed with NREM 596). Cr. 1-5. Repeatable, maximum of 3 times.
Prereq: Permission of instructor
Limited enrollment. Extended field trips to study ecological and management topics in varied environments. Location and duration of trips will vary. Pre-trip sessions arranged. Trip expenses paid by students.
(Dual-listed with NREM 596A). Cr. 1-5. Repeatable, maximum of 3 times.
Prereq: Permission of instructor
Limited enrollment. Extended field trips to study ecological and management topics in varied environments. Location and duration of trips will vary. Pre-trip sessions arranged. Trip expenses paid by students.
Meets International Perspectives Requirement.
(Dual-listed with NREM 596B). Cr. 1-5. Repeatable, maximum of 3 times.
Prereq: Permission of instructor
Limited enrollment. Extended field trips to study ecological and management topics in varied environments. Location and duration of trips will vary. Pre-trip sessions arranged. Trip expenses paid by students.
Cr. 1-3.
Prereq: Permission of departmental chair
Required of all cooperative education students. Students must register prior to commencing each work period.
Courses primarily for graduate students, open to qualified undergraduates:
(Dual-listed with NREM 402). (Cross-listed with ENSCI, GEOL, MTEOR). (2-3) Cr. 3. 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.
(2-3) Cr. 3. Alt. F., offered odd-numbered years.
Prereq: Permission of instructor
Desired forest habitat conditions for fish and wildlife. Silvicultural approaches to protecting/improving such habitats. Focus on key forest elements related to animal species, groups and overall diversity. The lab focuses on team observations and discussions of diverse habitats including one weekend field trip.
(2-0) Cr. 1-3. Repeatable, maximum of 3 times. F.S.
Prereq: Permission of instructor or graduate classification
Current topics in natural resources research and management.
(Dual-listed with NREM 407). (Cross-listed with ENSCI). (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.
(Cross-listed with ENSCI, IA LL). Cr. 4. SS.
Prereq: Courses in ecology, chemistry, and physics
Analysis of aquatic ecosystems; emphasis on basic ecological principles; ecological theories tested in the field; identification of common plants and animals.
(Cross-listed with A B E, ENSCI). (2-3) Cr. 3. F.
Prereq: C E 372 or GEOL/ENSCI/MTEOR 402, MATH 166 or equivalent
Soil erosion processes, soil loss equations and their application to conservation planning, sediment properties, initiation of sediment motion and over land flow, flow in alluvial channels and theory of sediment transport, channel stability, reservoir sedimentation, wind erosion, BMPs for controlling erosion.
(Cross-listed with EEOB, ENSCI). (2-3) Cr. 3. Alt. F., offered odd-numbered years.
Prereq: BIOL 366 or BIOL 474 or graduate standing
Theory and practice of restoring animal and plant diversity, structure and function of disturbed ecosystems. Restored freshwater wetlands, forests, prairies and reintroduced species populations will be used as case studies.
(Cross-listed with B M S, EEOB, FS HN, GDCB, HORT, NUTRS, V MPM, VDPAM). Cr. 1. Repeatable. F.S.SS.
Sessions in basic molecular biology techniques and related procedures.
Offered on a satisfactory-fail basis only.
(Cross-listed with B M S, BBMB, EEOB, FS HN, GDCB, HORT, NUTRS, V MPM, VDPAM). Cr. 1. Repeatable. F.S.
Includes genetic engineering procedures, sequencing, PCR, and genotyping.
Offered on a satisfactory-fail basis only.
(Cross-listed with B M S, BBMB, EEOB, FS HN, GDCB, HORT, NUTRS, VDPAM). Cr. 1. Repeatable. S.SS.
Prereq: Graduate classification
Techniques. Includes: fermentation, protein isolation, protein purification, SDS-PAGE, Western blotting, NMR, confocal microscopy and laser microdissection, Immunophenotyping, and monoclonal antibody production. Sessions in basic molecular biology techniques and related procedures.
Offered on a satisfactory-fail basis only.
(Cross-listed with B M S, BBMB, EEOB, FS HN, GDCB, HORT, NUTRS, V MPM, VDPAM). Cr. 1. Repeatable. F.S.
Includes: immunophenotyping, ELISA, flow cytometry, microscopic techniques, image analysis, confocal, multiphoton and laser capture microdissection.
Offered on a satisfactory-fail basis only.
(Cross-listed with B M S, BBMB, EEOB, FS HN, GDCB, HORT, NUTRS, V MPM, VDPAM). Cr. 1. Repeatable. S.
Includes: Agrobacterium and particle gun-mediated transformation of tobacco, Arabidopsis, and maize, and analysis of tranformants.
Offered on a satisfactory-fail basis only.
(Cross-listed with B M S, BBMB, EEOB, FS HN, GDCB, HORT, NUTRS, V MPM, VDPAM). Cr. 1. Repeatable. F.
Includes: two-dimensional electrophoresis, laser scanning, mass spectrometry, and database searching.
Offered on a satisfactory-fail basis only.
(Cross-listed with B M S, BBMB, EEOB, FS HN, GDCB, HORT, NUTRS, V MPM, VDPAM). Cr. 1. Repeatable. F.
Includes: metabolomics and the techniques involved in metabolite profiling. For non-chemistry majoring students who are seeking analytical aspects into their biological research projects.
Offered on a satisfactory-fail basis only.
(Cross-listed with B M S, BBMB, EEOB, FS HN, GDCB, HORT, NUTRS, V MPM, VDPAM). Cr. 1. Repeatable. S.
Offered on a satisfactory-fail basis only.
(Dual-listed with NREM 446). (Cross-listed with ENSCI). (2-3) Cr. 3. F.
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.
(Dual-listed with NREM 452). (Cross-listed with FOR). (2-3) Cr. 3. S.
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.
(Dual-listed with NREM 465). (Cross-listed with L A). (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.
(Dual-listed with NREM 466). (Cross-listed with ENSCI, ENT). (3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. S., offered odd-numbered years.
Prereq: permission of instructor
Land use and conservation techniques for improving ecosystem services including: pollination of crops, biological control of pests, prevention of erosion and water quality improvement.
(2-2) Cr. 3. Alt. S., offered even-numbered years.
Prereq: FOR 451 or two courses in economics
Analytical approach to economic aspects of forest resource management problems. Theory and application of economic decision-making criteria to traditional and modern forest resource management issues. Current problems in the allocation of forest resources.
(Dual-listed with NREM 471). (Cross-listed with SUSAG). (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.
(2-0) Cr. 2. F.
Prereq: 20 credits in biological sciences and a course in statistics
Research design, proposal preparation, and technical writing.
(Dual-listed with NREM 385). (3-0) Cr. 3. S.
Prereq: Graduate classification or permission of instructor
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.
(Dual-listed with NREM 489). (Cross-listed with E E, GEOL, MTEOR). (3-0) Cr. 3. F.
Prereq: Four courses in physical or biological sciences or engineering
Electromagnetic-radiation principles, active and passive sensors, multispectral and hyperspectral sensors, imaging radar, SAR, thermal imaging, lidar. Examples of applications. Also offered online S.
(Dual-listed with NREM 489L). (Cross-listed with E E, GEOL, MTEOR). (0-3) Cr. 1. F.
Prereq: Completion or concurrent enrollment in MTEOR/GEOL/NREM/EE 489/589
Processing and analysis of satellite sensor data (optical and radar). Provides practical applications in an environmental context.
Cr. 1-4. Repeatable, maximum of 4 credits.
Prereq: Permission of instructor
Cr. 1-4. Repeatable, maximum of 4 credits.
Prereq: Permission of instructor
Cr. 1-4. Repeatable, maximum of 4 credits.
Prereq: Permission of instructor
Cr. 1-3. Repeatable.
Prereq: Graduate classification
(Dual-listed with NREM 496). Cr. 1-5. Repeatable, maximum of 3 times.
Prereq: Permission of instructor
Limited enrollment. Extended field trips to study ecological topics in varied environments. Location and duration of trips will vary. Pre-trip sessions arranged. Trip expenses paid by students.
(Dual-listed with NREM 496A). Cr. 1-5. Repeatable, maximum of 3 times.
Prereq: Permission of instructor
Limited enrollment. Extended field trips to study ecological and management topics in varied environments. Location and duration of trips will vary. Pre-trip sessions arranged. Trip expenses paid by students.
Meets International Perspectives Requirement.
(Dual-listed with NREM 496B). Cr. 1-5. Repeatable, maximum of 3 times.
Prereq: Permission of instructor
Limited enrollment. Extended field trips to study ecological and management topics in varied environments. Location and duration of trips will vary. Pre-trip sessions arranged. Trip expenses paid by students.
Cr. 1. F.S.SS.
Prereq: Graduate classification as M.S. candidate in a NREM major and permission of instructor.
Graduate student experience in teaching. Student must plan and present at least one unit of subject matter in a course or extension workshop. Teaching practicum must be documented by the student and approved by the student’s POS committee.
Offered on a satisfactory-fail basis only.
Cr. arr.
Courses for graduate students:
Cr. 1. Repeatable. F.S.
Current topics in natural resources research and management.
Cr. 1. F.S.
Prereq: Graduate classification as a Ph.D. candidate in a NREM major and permission of instructor.
Graduate student experience in teaching. Student must plan and present substantive subject matter for a minimum of three weeks in lecture and/or laboratory formats, or a series of extension seminars/workshops. Teaching practicum must be documented by the student and approved by the student’s POS committee.
Offered on a satisfactory-fail basis only.
Cr. 1-12. Repeatable, maximum of 12 credits.