| Natural Resources |
NR 400 - Professional Perspectives in Natural Resources
Credits:
1.00
Lectures by departmental faculty provide an informal look at
the various natural resource disciplines and professions
represented by the Department of Natural Resources. These
presentations serve to acquaint students with our faculty
as well as to inform them of some of the exciting research
being undertaken in the department. Students will also learn
of opportunities for professional involvement. Required for
all first-semester Natural Resources majors. Cr/F.
NR 401 - Introduction to Natural Resources
Credits:
4.00
Overview of the history, politics, economics, ethics, and
ecology involved with the conservation and management of
living and non-living natural resources. Provides an
introduction to the scientific basis for natural resource
conservation and management. Labs designed to build
confidence in map and compass work and provide hands on
field experience within the various natural resource
disciplines. Debates and discussions of natural resource
related hot topics provide opportunities to practice public
speaking, problem solving, and critical thinking skills.
Restricted to Department of Natural Resources majors, or by
permission. Lab. Special fee.
NR 410 - Insects and Society
Credits:
4.00
Insects and their relations to humans, their environments,
and their activities. Special fee. Lab. Writing intensive.
NR 415 - Global Biological Change
Credits:
4.00
An introduction to the biological aspects of global change.
Includes historical and physical setting and emphasizes
current global biological issues including: population
growth, land use and deforestation, biodiversity loss,
introduced species, industrial N fixation, changes to the
carbon cycle, and important interactions between the
biosphere hydrosphere and atmosphere.
NR 425 - Field Dendrology
Credits:
4.00
Students will study forest trees in natural communities and
urban settings. Identification and nomenclature of important
North American trees and shrubs will be emphasized.
Environmental factors influencing tree growth, combined with
study of disturbance history, will provide the context for
understanding why tree species grow where they do. Students
will be introduced to the major forest regions of North
America. Restricted to NR majors; others by permission.
Special fee.
NR 426 - Wood Science and Technology
Credits:
4.00
Wood microstructure and identification: physical, chemical,
and mechanical properties; characteristics of wood including
those produced by growth and form (i.e., knots, cross-grain)
and those produced by degradation (i.e., stain, decay); log
and lumber processing and quality evaluation; preparation of
wood for use, including drying, gluing, and protection
against degradation. Special fee. Lab.
NR 433 - Wildlife Ecology
Credits:
4.00
Historical, biological, ecological, and sociological factors
effecting the wildlife resource and its management. Concepts
in populations, communities, habitat, and contemporary
wildlife issues. Special fee. Lab.
NR 435 - Contemporary Conservation Issues and Environmental Awareness
Credits:
4.00
An exploration of the impacts of technology and human
activity on our environment and natural resources. Key
conservation issues will be used as examples of past and
present biological, social, and environmental conflicts.
NR 435H - Honors/Contemporary Conservation Issues and Environmental Awareness
Credits:
4.00
See description for NR 435.
NR 501 - Introduction to Soil Sciences
Credits:
4.00
An overview of physical, chemical, and biological properties
of soil. Sub-disciplines of soil chemistry, soil physics,
soil microbiology, soil genesis, and classification. Prereq:
CHEM 403 or equivalent. Special fee. Lab.
NR 502 - Endangered Forests
Credits:
4.00
Introduction to basic ecology, forestry, natural resources,
and why forests are of value to humans. Discussion of
threats to the forests, especially those caused by humans;
topics include air pollution, destruction of tropical
forests, over-cutting of forests, invasive species,
wildfires, unplanned development, and global climate change.
Special fee. Lab. Writing intensive.
NR 503 - Wetlands Resources
Credits:
2.00
An introduction to the biology and ecology of a wide variety
of wetlands with emphasis on northeastern coastal saltmarsh,
estuarine, and freshwater ecosystems. Lectures and
discussions focus on species composition, adaptations,
biotic and abiotic interactions, wetland functional values,
wetland creation and restoration efforts, and current policy
and regulation issues. Field trips to selected wetlands are
designed to emphasize and expose students to the major
topics discussed. Prereq: one full year of college level
biology. (Offered summers at the Shoals Marine Laboratory.)
NR 504 - Freshwater Resources
Credits:
4.00
Major determinants of freshwater resources including
hydrologic cycle and water balance, precipitation,
stream-flow measurement, pollution, water supply and sewage
treatment, water resource management and regulation. Special
fee. Lab/field trips.
NR 506 - Forest Entomology
Credits:
4.00
Especially for forest majors. Structure, development,
classification, and control of representative forest
insects. Insect collection required. Special fee. Lab.
Writing intensive.
NR 513 - Ecology of the Great Bay Estuary
Credits:
4.00
An introduction to the physical and biological processes
that form and sustain estuaries in coastal landscapes. Plant
and animal adaptations to physical and biological stresses
are examined in specific estuarine habitats. Since human
interactions impact estuaries profoundly, management issues
are also investigated. The course is appropriate for
undergraduates, interested lay persons, and professionals
involved with teaching, outreach, or management of
estuaries. Lab. Special fee.
NR 527 - Forest Ecology
Credits:
4.00
An introduction to basic and applied ecology of forests,
with emphasis on ecosystem processes, including water,
energy and nutrient cycles; biological interactions,
including biodiversity and plant-plant, plant-animal, and
plant-microbe relationships; and human impacts, including
forest management, land-use/land cover-change, and changes
in atmospheric chemistry. Prereq: PBIO 412 or BIOL 411; and
NR 425. (Open only to EC, FOR, PBIO, SOIL, WARM, and WILD
majors.) Special fee. Lab.
NR 542 - Forestland Measurement and Mapping
Credits:
2.00
Elementary measuring equipment and techniques; preparation
of maps; public land survey; court-house deed search.
Two-week field session following spring semester. (FOR,
WARM, and WILD majors only.) Special fee.
NR 544 - Forest Biometrics
Credits:
3.00
Sampling techniques basic to forest inventory, regression
estimation used in deriving volume equations and predicting
forest growth and yield. Field labs include plot and point
sampling. Analyses made using microcomputers. Special fee.
Lab.
NR 566 - Wildlife Law Enforcement I
Credits:
3.00
Fundamentals of wildlife law enforcement, its history,
values, and the philosophy of managing people in the
outdoors. Lab.
NR 599 - Work Experience
Credits:
Work in the field of forestry or water resources management;
must be performed under professional supervision or approved
by natural resources faculty. Students are responsible for
arranging their own experience. Restricted to Forestry and
Water Resources Management majors. Cr/F.
NR 601 - Environmental Conservation and Sustainable Living Internship
Credits:
4.00
Practical internship and field experience in a location
removed from the University milieu to give the environmental
conservation student a dimension and insight into
sustainable resource management systems not available in the
campus experience. Prereq: permission. Cr/F.
NR 602 - Natural Resources and Environmental Policy
Credits:
4.00
Contemporary natural resource and environmental policy
problems/issues addressed from a policy sciences
perspective with emphasis on domestic policy initiatives
and their implementation toward sustainable resource use and
a healthy environment. Public policies analyzed to determine
the extent to which their implementation strategies have
succeeded, and to assess their adequacy within a bioregional
or ecosystem approach and/or capacity to integrate economic
and environmental decisions. Cases include national and
local policies in their global context. Students apply
public policy analysis and decision tools in laboratory
sessions. Restricted to Department of Natural Resources
juniors and seniors. Special fee. Writing
intensive.
NR 604 - Watershed Hydrology
Credits:
4.00
Course will focus on the basic principles underlying the
physical processes of water movement at the watershed scale.
Topics will include precipitation, soil infiltration, stream
flow, open channel hydraulics, and groundwater movement.
Labs will consist of problem sets and field trips in which
hydrological processes will be quantified. Prereq: NR 504
and one semester of calculus. Special fee. Writing
intensive.
NR 607 - Soil and Land Evaluation
Credits:
2.00
Field and lecture course emphasizing application of USDA
Soil Taxonomy and Soil/Land-use interpretations to soils,
landscapes, parent materials. Students gain on-site practice
in preparing detailed soil descriptions, classifications,
and interpretations, and participate in collegiate soil
judging meets. Prereq: NR 501. Special fee. Lab.
NR 609 - Soils and Community Planning
Credits:
2.00
Using a town plan and soils map, student develop reports for
multiple urban and rural land use--housing, sewage,
recreation, transportation, run-off, etc. USDA soil
classification system; Soil Conservation Service rating
criteria; New Hampshire soils. Guest lecturers.
NR 610 - Coastal and Oceanic Law and Policy
Credits:
2.00
Intended for persons interested in knowledge of or careers
in management of marine or coastal resources, or in the
natural sciences. The focus is on policy issues affecting
oceans and coastlines and the tools available to government
and policy leaders for coping with those issues. Issues
examined include: (1) international concerns about control
of coastal waters and access to resources of the water
column and ocean floor; (2) water pollution and
contamination of ocean resources; (3) protection for
threatened and endangered species, including depleted
fisheries; and (4) environmental impacts of the development
and use of coastal areas. The legal tools and policy options
available to government and concerned citizens for
addressing these issues and controversies are examined.
Class discussions on the status and history of applicable
laws are accompanied by the analysis of policy concerns and
the efficacy of various legal techniques. Students work in
teams to develop strategy and to research positions in
preparation for a negotiation exercise and a mock hearing.
(Offered Summers at the Shoals Marine Laboratory.)
NR 611 - Soils and Environmental Quality
Credits:
4.00
An in-depth look at soil as an environmental component. The
role of soil in global nutrient cycling. Soil control of
pollutant levels in air and water. Effect of pollutants on
soil processes and the effect of soil processes on
pollutants. Prereq: NR 501 or equivalent. Special fee.
NR 615 - Wildlife Habitats
Credits:
4.00
Introduction to animal-habitat associations, including an
examination of spatial and temporal features of wildlife
habitat, the evolution of habitat selection, and how habitat
suitability/productivity is evaluated. Prereq: woody plant
identification; limited to wildlife management majors and
minors. Permission. Special fee.
NR 621 - Field Description of Soils
Credits:
3.00
Description of soils in the field. Application of soils
properties to forestry, plant science, and community
planning. Strong orientation to fieldwork. Special fee. Lab.
NR 629 - Silviculture
Credits:
3.00
Application of ecological knowledge to the control,
establishment, composition, and growth of forest stands for
economic purposes. Prereq: NR 425 and 527. Special fee. Lab.
NR 630 - Forest Harvesting and Silviculture
Credits:
2.00
Harvesting and silviculture practices. Prereq: NR 629 or
permission. Limited enrollment. Cr/F. (Not offered every
year.)
NR 636 - Wildlife Techniques
Credits:
4.00
Introduction to major behavioral, physical, and
psychological characteristics of wild mammals and birds;
application of field and laboratory techniques used to study
these characteristics. Prereq: one course in general ecology
and statistics. Weekend field trips required. Special fee.
Limited to Wildlife majors and Minors. Permission. Writing
intensive.
NR 637 - Practicum in Environmental Conservation
Credits:
4.00
Independent participation in an environmental conservation
activity in the area of the student's specialization.
Individual or group projects may de developed under the
supervision of any faculty member within or outside natural
resources or with supervisors in public and private
agencies, upon approval of the course instructor. Research
projects not acceptable. Prereq: senior standing in the
environmental conservation program. Lab. Cr/F.
NR 637H - Honors/Practicum in Environmental Conservation
Credits:
4.00
See description for NR 637. Cr/F.
NR 643 - Economics of Forestry
Credits:
4.00
Intermediate-level analyses of supply and demand for
forest-based goods and services, managerial economics,
taxation, capital investments. Prereq: EREC 411 or ECON 402.
NR 650 - Principles of Conservation Biology
Credits:
4.00
Overview of the major issues in conservation biology. Course
lectures and discussions address three major themes: the
importance of biological diversity, factors that determine
levels of biological diversity, and the ways that expanding
human populations can accommodate the requirements of
wild plants and animals. Develops an appreciation for
challenges encountered while maintaining or restoring local,
regional, and global biological diversity. Prereq: one
semester of biology, botany, or zoology.
NR 652 - Forest Resources Assessment
Credits:
2.00
Aerial photo type mapping and forest resources inventory:
type identification and delineation, map construction,
cruise design, and forest resources inventory. Two-week
field session following the spring semester. (NR majors,
others by permission.) Prereq: NR 527 and 544. Special fee.
NR 655 - Vertebrate Biology
Credits:
4.00
Introduction to systematics, behavior, physiology, and
ecology of terrestrial vertebrates. Topics include
reproductive systems, foraging strategies, and
animal-habitat relationships. Some emphasis on New England
species. Prereq: BIOL 411; 412; NR 527 or equivalent.
Special fee. Lab.
NR 655H - Honors/Vertebrate Biology
Credits:
4.00
See description for NR 655.
NR 658 - Introduction to Geographic Information Systems
Credits:
4.00
An introduction to the use of geographic information systems
(GIS) for natural resources and related fields. Data
models/structures, map projections, data
input/output/storage, data analysis/modeling, interpolation,
and data quality/standards. Hands-on lab using ArcView 3.x
GIS software. Permission. (Also offered as GEOG 658.)
NR 660 - Evolution, Biodiversity, and Community Ecology in Geographically Isolated New Zealand
Credits:
5.00
From a bioregional perspective, students will investigate
the geographical, biological and human ecological processes
that have shaped the distribution of species and biotic
communities in present day New Zealand. The biogeography and
evolutionary history, including the impacts of human
settlement of these unique islands will serve as a basis for
field studies designed to develop student's conceptual
knowledge and field skills (classification, mapping, habitat
assessment, field identification, sampling) as they study
community ecology of representative ecosystems and land/sea
regimes and the effect of human influences on these systems.
Integrated modules of lectures and field exercises.
Prereq: junior/senior; permission. Special fee.
Co-requisites:
NR 661, NR 662, NR 663
NR 661 - Ecosystem Management and Restoration Ecology in New Zealand
Credits:
4.00
Course will focus on ecological opportunities and
constraints to be considered to ensure sustainable use of
natural resources in Hauraki Gulf and the Hauraki/Hunua
catchment basin. Student investigations will compare
resource planning and management in this ecosystem with
those of native forests and the sub-alpine and West Coast
ecosystems of South Island. Impacts of resource management
on natural and human communities, conflicts among user
groups and approaches for their resolution will be examined
for forests, agricultural lands, near-shore marine areas,
coastal zone and special wildlife management areas.
Representatives of all key resource management agencies and
interest groups will be engaged in the course. Students will
develop field resource assessment skills and learn to set
yield levels for specific resources. Prereq: junior/senior;
permission.
Co-requisites:
NR 660, NR 662, NR 663
NR 662 - Environmental Policy, Planning and Economics in New Zealand's Political Context
Credits:
3.00
Seminar. Students will assess impacts of the N.Z. Resource
Management Act of 1991 on the ecology, economy and
socio-political environment in New Zealand with emphasis on
examination of historical exploitation of N.Z. resources,
indigenous use issues and conflicts, and options for
attaining a more sustainable equilibrium between people and
nature. Students will be exposed to diverse perspectives of
Maori, businesses, the N.Z. Department of Conservation, and
Metropolitan Regional Councils regarding custodianship of
the natural heritage and the relative acceptability of
proposed conflicts resolutions. Students will examine cases
involving the Resource Consents Processes at district,
regional, national levels and evaluation of various N.Z.
institutions for their effectiveness in dealing with
resource management issues. Prereq: junior/senior;
permission.
Co-requisites:
NR 660, NR 661, NR 663
NR 663 - Applied Directed Research on Sustainable Resource Use in the Hauraki Basin, New Zealand
Credits:
4.00
Working closely with faculty mentors, students will use the
scientific method to develop and test hypotheses regarding
selected resource issues in the Hauraki Basin. Experimental
design, standardized data collection methods, and basic
statistical and policy analytic methods will be used to
investigate and develop a report on a resource issue of
concern. Data analysis and communication (including writing)
skill development will be stressed. Students will present
findings at a scientific meeting which includes resource
management and research collaborators, community groups and
clients, including government agencies. Prereq:
junior/senior; permission. Writing intensive.
Co-requisites:
NR 660, NR 661, NR 662
NR 670 - Forest Fire Protection
Credits:
2.00
Forest fire prevention, behavior, and effective control;
weather phenomena; other aspects of forest damage; fire
effects and use. Prereq: NR 527 or 629; NR 501. Special
fee. Lab.
NR 675 - CEOP (Community Environmental Outreach Program) Projects
Credits:
2.00 to 4.00
The Community Environmental Outreach Program matches
students with an interest in environmental issues with
community groups with environmental problems to be
addressed. Students form consulting teams of from two to
four students to work with the community during the
academic year. (May be repeated for a maximum of 4 credits.)
Prereq: permission. Cr/F.
NR 677 - North American Geocommons Studies in Sustainable Community Design
Credits:
4.00
Provides a unique opportunity to combine academic and field
studies with the learning of ecological design skills
through participation in two or three small communities
working towards sustainability. Students will learn to
recognize and analyze the physical, social, economic,
political, ethical and spiritual elements that make up
sustainable communities. Governance policies will be
examined relative to local ecosystems elements. Prereq:
BIOL 541, permission. Special fee. Lab.
Co-requisites:
NR 678, NR 679
NR 678 - North American Geocommons Problems in Human Relationships to Their Local Environment
Credits:
4.00
Exploration of the relationships between people and their
local environment. What factors determine the degree of care
that people have for their places? Students will study the
role of human history, language, education, physical
landscape, society, and worldview on shaping human-place
relations. They will try out ways of strengthening these
connections through use of ecological footprint analysis,
community-based social marketing, mindful awareness, and
systems thinking. Prereq: BIOL 541, permission. Lab.
Co-requisites:
NR 677, NR 679
NR 679 - North American Internship in Sustainable Development
Credits:
4.00
A field-based experience combined with readings, dialogue,
reflection, and a project paper introduces the student to
the history, methods, and meanings of sustainable
development. Emphasis is on the development of students'
field skills. Students select, implement, and evaluate an
internship project in sustainable development. Prereq:
BIOL 541, permission. Cr/F.
Co-requisites:
NR 677, NR 678
NR 680 - International Geocommons Studies in Sustainable Community Design
Credits:
4.00
Provides a unique opportunity to combine academic and field
studies with the learning of ecological design skills
through participation in two or three small communities
working towards sustainability. Students will learn to
recognize and analyze the physical, social, economic,
political, ethical, and spiritual elements that make up
sustainable communities. Governance policies will be
examined relative to local ecosystem elements. Prereq:
BIOL 541, permission. Special fee. Lab.
Co-requisites:
NR 681, NR 682
NR 681 - International Geocommons Problems in Human Relationships to Their Local Environment
Credits:
4.00
Exploration of the relationships between people and their
local environment. What factors determine the degree of care
that people have for their places? Students will study the
role of human history, language, education, physical
landscape, society, and worldview on shaping human-place
relations. They will try out ways of strengthening these
connections through use of ecological footprint analysis,
community-based social marketing, mindful awareness, and
systems thinking. Prereq: BIOL 541, permission. Lab.
Co-requisites:
NR 680, NR 682
NR 682 - International Geocommons Internship in Sustainable Development
Credits:
4.00
A field-based experience combined with readings, dialogue,
reflection, and a project paper introduces the student to
the history, methods, and meanings of sustainable
development. Emphasis is on the development of students'
field skills. Students select, implement, and evaluate an
internship project in sustainable development. Prereq:
BIOL 541, permission. Cr/F.
Co-requisites:
NR 680, NR 681
NR 690 - Sustainability Analysis: Focus on Purchasing
Credits:
3.00
Theory and practice of sustainability: a hands on course
that introduces students to sustainability concepts through
investigation of purchasing practices at UNH. Teaches skills
in product investigation, censuring, and numerical analysis
of both environmental and product costs. Working in groups,
students survey and research products for sustainability
impact; identify alternative products; prioritize choices
based on environmental costs; and make recommendations
that do not impact cost or performance.
NR 700 - Critical Analysis of Water Resources Literature
Credits:
2.00
Detailed consideration of current issues in water resource
management in a seminar format. Emphasis on critical
analysis of primary literature in environmental science
relevant to water resources management. Special fee. Prereq:
NR 703, or permission.
NR 701 - Ecological Values and Ethics
Credits:
4.00
Deeper more fundamental philosophical questions, including
spiritual values questions, are being asked concerning the
ecological/environmental challenge of our time; its causes
and resolution. Aspects of this challenge--environmental
education, energy, food, agriculture, and natural
resources--analyzed with ethics and values approaches.
Students develop ways of responding to problem
identification and resolution. Prereq: permission. Writing
intensive.
NR 702 - Workshops
Credits:
1.00 to 4.00
Short-term courses (generally a few days to two weeks)
offered off campus, covering a broad variety of
environmental and natural resource topics. May be repeated.
Special fee required depending on topic. Prereq: permission
required. Cr/F.
NR 702A - Workshop in Watershed Ecology
Credits:
1.00 to 4.00
See description for NR 702. Cr/F.
NR 702B - Workshop in Sustainable Schools
Credits:
2.00
See description for NR 702. Cr/F.
NR 702C - Workshop in Nature Study
Credits:
1.00 to 4.00
See description for NR 702. Cr/F.
NR 702E - Workshop in Community Mapping
Credits:
2.00
See description for NR 702. Cr/F.
NR 703 - Watershed Water Quality Management
Credits:
4.00
Principles of land use as they relate to water quality and
quantity. Lectures focus on biogeochemical cycles and the
watershed approach to land and water resource management.
Labs and field trips focus on methods of water sampling and
analysis. One year of chemistry is recommended. Prereq:
NR 504 or 604 or permission. Special fee. Lab/field trips.
Writing intensive.
NR 704 - Soil Genesis and Classification
Credits:
4.00
Processes involved in formation of soils, soil properties as
reflectors of genetic processes. Classification systems of
soils related to soil genesis and soil landscapes. Lab
sessions illustrate concepts by examining soils in the
field. Prereq: NR 501 or equivalent. Special fee. Lab.
NR 705 - Forest Soils
Credits:
4.00
An introduction to basic and applied forest soils research,
with emphasis on pedogenic and ecological development,
carbon and nutrient cycling, and impacts of forest
management and recent changes in atmospheric chemistry.
Short papers based on assigned readings and an independent
research project are required. Prereq: NR 501, NR 527, or
permission. Writing intensive.
NR 706 - Soil Ecology
Credits:
4.00
Examines the ecological relationships between soil
microorganisms and their biotic and abiotic environment,
with emphasis on the role of soil microorganisms in
biogeochemical cycling. Specific objectives are to examine
(1) the biodiversity present in soil systems; (2) factors
controlling microbial community composition and diversity;
and (3) linkages between soil microbial communities, soil
physical properties, and soil organic matter and nutrient
cycling dynamics. Prereq: BIOL 412 or PBIO 412, CHEM 545, or
equivalent, or permission. Special fee. Lab.
NR 709 - Fire Ecology Seminar
Credits:
2.00 or 3.00
Lectures, guest lectures, and student presentations dealing
with the natural role of fires in wild land communities,
fire adaptations in plant and animal species. Human
responses to wild land fires and prescribed fire
applications. Optional set of one-half to one-day field
trips for an additional 1 credit. Prereq: basic ecology
course; junior, senior. Special fee. (Not offered every
year.)
NR 710 - Endangered Species Seminar
Credits:
2.00
This seminar provides students with an interactive class of
student presentations and guest lectures by
endangered-species biologists. Emphasis is placed on
biological, sociological, economic, and political factors
that influence endangered-species policy. Prereq: basic
ecology/biology; permission. Special fee.
NR 711 - Wetland Resource Management
Credits:
4.00
Analysis of the natural resources of coastal and inland
wetlands and environmental problems caused by human use and
misuse of these ecosystems. Groups will collect field data
to summarize the structure and function of four wetland
types within a management context. Special fee. Lab. Prereq:
BIOL 541, or NR 703, or permission. Writing intensive.
NR #712 - Sampling Techniques
Credits:
2.00 to 4.00
Techniques of sampling finite populations in environmental
sciences; choice of sampling unit and frame, estimation of
sample size, confidence limits, and comparisons of sample
designs. Prereq: BIOL 528 or equivalent. (Not offered every
year.)
NR 713 - Quantitative Ecology
Credits:
4.00
Applied quantitative techniques: basic concepts in
probability and statistics applied to ecological systems;
population dynamics; spatial patterns; species abundance and
diversity; classification and ordination; production; and
energy and nutrient flow. Additional credit for in-depth
mathematical analysis of a particular topic. Prereq: intro.
courses in calculus, statistics, and ecology. (Not offered
every year.) Writing intensive.
NR 714 - Ecosystems of Puerto Rico
Credits:
1.00
Field examination of a variety of tropical ecosystems in
Puerto Rico including cloud forest, montane rain forest,
tropical dry forest, mangroves and coral reefs. Field study
supplemented by appropriate readings from the scientific
literature and expert presentations. Students are
responsible for round-trip airfare and personal expenses.
Prereq: two of the following three: 1) NR 527 or BIOL 541;
2) NR 501 or ESCI 401; 3) NR 703; permission. Cr/F.
NR 715 - Theoretical Ecology
Credits:
4.00
Study of important theoretical concepts in ecology by
analysis of mathematical models. Topics include population
growth, competition, coexistence of species, competitive
exclusion, predator-prey dynamics, invasions, migration, and
spread. Strong foundation in ecology and mathematics is
required. Prereq: BIOL 541, MATH 425, MATH 426; or
permission. MATH 527 is recommended.
NR 716 - Wetland Delineation
Credits:
4.00
Examination of the soils, vegetation, and hydraulic
functions of coastal and central New England wetlands.
Students are responsible for the collection and
identification of aquatic plant species, description of
wetland soils, and delineation of wetland boundaries.
Lectures and fieldwork. For juniors, seniors, and working
professionals. Field trips. Special fee. (Offered summer
session only.)
NR 718 - Law of Natural Resources and Environment
Credits:
3.00
For resource managers: the legal system pertaining to
resource management, protection of the environment, and
possibilities for future action. Prereq: NR 435, EREC 606,
or equivalent.
NR 719 - Wetlands Mitigation and Restoration
Credits:
3.00
Assessing the problems of wetlands loss. Asks: What steps
can be taken, does restoration work, can habitat value be
replaced, and what constitutes equivalent mitigation? First
half of course involves field trips to visit and sample
mitigation and restoration sites. Second half focuses on
student projects using the scientific method to address
wetlands issues. Prereq: NR 711 or permission. Special fee.
Lab/field trips. (Not offered every year.)
NR 720 - International Environmental Politics and Policies for the 21st Century
Credits:
4.00
Examine policies for managing human activities to sustain
the health of regional ecosystems and planetary life-support
systems. Focus on selected problems of the international
commons (e.g., oceans, marine resources, atmosphere,
migratory species); global and regional carrying capacity
(e.g., population, resource consumption), internationally
shared ecosystems (e.g., trans-boundary watersheds and
water-bodies, tropical rainforests); and the relevant
international institutions and politics for policy
formation, conflict resolution and implementation. Using a
policy analytic framework, students develop case studies to
assess international policies and institutional arrangements
to achieve the objectives of Agenda 21 - The Earth Summit
Strategy to Save the Planet. Prereq: permission.
NR 721 - Ecology of Polluted Waters
Credits:
4.00
Impact of various water quality problems (e.g., excessive
nutrient loading, organic matter loading, contamination by
trace organic compounds) on the ecology of fresh waters,
including microorganisms, aquatic invertebrates, algae, and
fish. Design of impact assessment studies and data
interpretation. Prereq: NR 703 or BIOL 528 or BIOL 541;
permission. Special fee. Lab/field trips. Writing intensive.
NR 722 - Advanced Silviculture
Credits:
3.00
Intensive silviculture of forest stands. Regeneration
(e.g., alternative regeneration methods and site
preparation); stand management (e.g., thinning schedules,
and fertilization). Prereq: NR 629 or equivalent;
permission. Special fee. (Not offered every year.)
NR 723 - Field Wetland Ecology
Credits:
3.00
Field investigation of coastal and inland wetland types.
First half of course consists of field trips to visit sample
regional wetlands. Second half of course consists of methods
used to analyze field samples from wetlands. Enrollment is
limited. Prereq: present or past enrollment in NR 711.
Special fee. Lab/field trips.
NR 724 - Resolving Environmental Conflicts
Credits:
3.00
Theories and practices of environmental dispute settlement.
Roles of public, non-governmental organizations and
government assessed. Effectiveness of public participation
initiatives in influencing public policy decisions and/or
resolving environmental conflicts examined. Alternative
approaches to consensus (policy dialogues, joint problem
solving; strategic planning; negotiation, mediation) as well
as litigation examined. Specific cases critiqued and
evaluated; conflict resolution skills developed. Prereq:
second-semester juniors, seniors: permission.
NR 725 - Environmental Communications and Advocacy
Credits:
4.00
Principles and techniques of communication and policy
advocacy as applied to selected environmental issues. Case
studies of regional, national, international importance are
pursued within a seminar-workshop format in which students:
1) learn content analysis skills to critically examine
practical constraints on communication about environmental
issues within complex political environments and involving
stakeholders with diverse values and political interests; 2)
develop analytical procedures and rhetorical strategies to
build public policy advocacy cases, using diverse
perspectives, for selected environmental issues; and 3)
learn consensus building and negotiation strategies for
forging advocacy coalitions and to advocate policy
objectives in pluralistic contexts. Prereq: senior standing
and permission.
NR 730 - Terrestrial Ecosystems
Credits:
3.00
Processes controlling the energy, water, and nutrient
dynamics of terrestrial ecosystems; concepts of study at the
ecosystem level, controls on primary production,
transpiration, decomposition, herbivory; links to
earth-system science, acid deposition, agriculture. Prereq:
NR 527and PBIO 412 or BIOL 411, or permission. Lab.
NR 732 - Chemistry of Soils
Credits:
4.00
Chemical composition of soil; structure of soil minerals;
mineral solubility; contaminant sorption by minerals and
organic matter; cation and anion exchange processes; and
organic reactions in soil, their kinetics and their effects
on soil properties. Prereq: CHEM 403 or equivalent. Special
fee. Lab.
NR 734 - Forest Protection Seminar
Credits:
3.00
Discussion and special problems based on principles and
techniques of forest protection. Prereq: permission. (Not
offered every year.)
NR 737 - Wildlife Population Dynamics
Credits:
4.00
Mechanisms that influence the characteristics of terrestrial
wildlife populations. Prereq: one course in general ecology
and statistics; senior wildlife major or permission of the
instructor. Lab. Special fee.
NR 738 - Wildlife Policy and Management
Credits:
4.00
Wildlife administration and policy. Local, regional, and
national wildlife management strategies. Contemporary
management issues of land-use, commercialization of
wildlife, and wildlife professionalism. Prereq: senior
wildlife majors or permission. Special fee. Lab.
Writing intensive.
NR 745 - Forest Management
Credits:
4.00
Forest land ownership; management objectives; forest
inventory regulation and policy; forest administration;
professional responsibilities and opportunities. Prereq:
completion of junior year in forestry curriculum. Special
fee. Lab.
NR 747 - Biology Through Bugs
Credits:
4.00
Insects provide an exciting and inexpensive means of
delivering basic biology instruction. Explores the utility
of insects for instruction in the areas of evolution,
taxonomy, form and function, behavior and ecology through
lectures and labs geared toward the middle school and high
school teacher. Lab. Prereq: General biology. Special fee.
NR 750 - Applied American Environmental Philosophy
Credits:
4.00
Applying the philosophical theory underlying environmental
studies and approaches to environmental conservation.
Students conduct critiques of extensive readings and write
papers creatively analyzing aspects of selected
philosophical works. Major research manuscript required.
(Also offered as AMST 750.)
NR 753 - Decision Sciences in Natural Resource Management
Credits:
4.00
Application of decision science methods (optimization,
simulation, input-output, and statistics) to natural
resources problems. Emphasis on practical work in evaluating
projects, dealing with risk and uncertainty, analyzing
regional impacts, valuing non-market resources, and
exploring sustainability of managed forests. Prereq:
NR 643 or intermediate microeconomics. Special fee. Lab.
Writing intensive.
NR 754 - Wood Products Manufacture and Marketing
Credits:
4.00
Wood products from harvesting and procurement of raw
materials to finished product processes, management
decisions, marketing, and promotion problems. Case-study
approach backed up by weekly all-day field trips to wood
products manufacturing plants in the region. Prereq: NR 426
or permission. Special fee. Lab.
NR 755 - Regional Silviculture and Forest Management
Credits:
2.00
Extended field trip to another forest region. Prereq: senior
standing; NR 745 or permission. Limited enrollment. Cr/F.
(Not offered every year.)
NR 757 - Photo Interpretation and Photogrammetry
Credits:
4.00
Practical and conceptual presentation of techniques for
using remote, sensing, specifically aerial photographs, in
natural resources. Includes photo measures of scale, area,
parallax and object heights; flight planning; photo
geometry; an introduction to the electromagnetic spectrum;
and photo interpretation and mapping. Concludes with an
introduction to digital remote sensing including
multi-spectral scanners, radar, and thermal imagery and a
brief discussion of geographic information systems (GIS).
Applications to forestry, wildlife, land-use planning, earth
sciences, soils, hydrology, and engineering. Prereq:
algebra. Special fee. Lab. (Also offered as GEOG 757.)
NR 759 - Digital Image Processing for Natural Resources
Credits:
4.00
Introduction to digital remote sensing including
multi-spectral scanners (Landsat and SPOT) radar and
thermal imagery. Hands-on image processing including
filtering, image display, ratios, classification,
registration, and accuracy assessment. GIS as it applies to
image processing. Discussion of practical application. Use
of ERDAS image processing software. Knowledge of PCs and
DOS required. Prereq: NR 757 or equivalent and permission.
(Also offered as GEOG 759.)
NR 760 - Geographic Information Systems in Natural Resources
Credits:
4.00
Theory, concepts, and applications of geographic information
systems (GIS) for use in natural resources and related
fields. Discussion of database structures, sources of data,
spatial data manipulation/analysis/modeling, data quality
standards and assessment, and data display/map production
including many examples and practical applications. Hands-on
lab exercises using ArcGIS 8.x software. Permission. Lab.
(Also offered as GEOG 760.)
NR 764 - Vegetation Sampling and Analysis
Credits:
4.00
Methods for sampling plant populations and communities,
especially estimation of abundance. Analysis of pattern,
measurement of species diversity, and relation of
abundance to environmental factors. Ordination and
classification of communities. Modeling of succession.
Prereq: statistics; BIOL 541 or equivalent. Special fee.
Lab.
NR 765 - Community Ecology
Credits:
4.00
Properties of biotic communities, especially biodiversity.
Effects of physical stress, disturbance, competition,
predation, positive interactions, and dispersal on community
properties. Community dynamics, including succession and
stability. Prereq: BIOL 528 and BIOL 541. Special fee. Lab.
NR 772 - Wildlife Energetics
Credits:
2.00
Energy requirements of wildlife species and the manner in
which these needs are met in their natural environment.
Thermodynamics in ecological systems, factors influencing
metabolic rate, food habits, food-use efficiency, food
availability. Prereq: permission. Special fee.
NR 775 - Natural Resources Senior Project
Credits:
2.00
Multidisciplinary approach to land-use planning. Provides
experience with dynamics of working in a group to identify,
evaluate, and suggest management strategies to solve
environmental problems. Class will be divided into small
groups, each of which will choose or be assigned a real
problem. Each group will act as a consulting firm in
developing management strategies. Prereq: senior standing
in the Department of Natural Resources and permission.
Special fee. Writing intensive.
NR 784 - Sustainable Living
Credits:
3.00
Concepts of living within ecosystem limits explored in a
learning-community format. The importance of human
communication, sense of place and time, and the health and
longevity of our human species and natural systems
emphasized. Examination of governance, education, economic,
agricultural, and ethical systems while asking, "What makes
one system more or less sustainable than another?" to lead
to directions for sustainable society. Field trips and small
research projects conducted. Special fee.
NR 785 - Systems Thinking for Sustainable Living
Credits:
3.00
Introduction to systems thinking from a sustainable living
perspective. The course is a collaborative inquiry using a
problem-solving approach. After study of different types of
systems and learning a variety of tools useful in systems
analysis, we ask "In what ways can systems thinking be
employed to understand and begin to resolve the complex
problems that face us as we move toward living within limits
of natural systems?" Prereq: NR 784 or permission.
NR 795 - Investigations
Credits:
1.00 to 4.00
Investigations in Natural Resources may include topics in
environmental conservation, forestry, soil science, water
resources, and wildlife management. Permission required.
NR 797 - Special Topics
Credits:
1.00 to 4.00
Course is designed as an "Experimental Course", for the
purpose of introducing a new course or teaching a special
topic for a semester in Environmental Conservation,
Forestry, Soil Science, Water Resources, and Wildlife
Management. Permission required. Special fee on some
sections.
NR 799 - Honors Senior Thesis
Credits:
4.00
Honor/Thesis students conduct an independent research
project, relevant to the student's area of specialization in
the major, under the direction of a faculty sponsor.
Students submit a research proposal, write a final report,
and provide an oral presentation. Two semester sequence;
IA (continuous grading) grade given at the end of first
semester. Restricted to Senior/Natural Resource Majors.
Permission. Writing intensive.