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2012-2013 Catalogue

Courses in Natural Resources

NR 001 - Natural Hist & Field Ecology
Introduction to the dynamics of the natural world. Basic concepts of biological, chemical, physical, and ecological sciences and the application and interpretation of quantitative measurements are presented within a natural history context.
Credits: 4.
NR 002 - Nature & Culture
Introduction to natural resources and the environment from a social/cultural perspective. Emphasis on environmental history, values, and ethics with application to natural resource and environmental policy.
Credits: 3.
NR 006 - D1:Race & Culture in NR
Introduces the first-year student to issues of race and culture and their relevance to society, natural resources, and the environment.
Credits: 2.
NR 015 - Ecology of Place
Opportunities for first-time residents of GreenHouse Residential Learning Community to deepen their sense of place through participation in a diversity of environmental explorations.
Credits: 1.
NR 016 - Ecological Citizenship
Provides members of the GreenHouse Residential Learning Community with opportunities to pursue ecological interests and community service projects with mentorship from GreenHouse staff members. Prerequisite: NR 015.
Credits: 1.
NR 021 - Speaking and Listening
Course aids students in learning to speak, listen and critique public speaking. Different delivery styles focus on relevant environmental and natural resource topics.
Credits: 2.
NR 025 - Measurements & Mapping
Introduction to surveying, mapping, aerial photo measurements, and interpretation for natural resource planning and management. Prerequisites: A course in high school or college trigonometry; permission required of nonmajors.
Credits: 4.
NR 085 - Intro Special Topics-Env & NR
Introductory topics in environmental and natural resource issues beyond the scope of exiting courses.
Credits: 1-6.
NR 099 - Aiken Scholars Seminar
Seminar discussions on current environment issues. Guest speakers and field trips. Prerequisites: Open only to first-year Aiken Scholars.
Credits: 1.
NR 102 - Water as a Natural Resource
Characteristics of water-sheds, lakes, rivers, and wetlands; discussion of the management of these ecosystems; effects of society on the water resource. Prerequisites: Biology 1 or Plant Biology 4 or equivalent; Chemistry 31, 23, 26, or 42 or equivalent.
Credits: 3.
NR 103 - Ecology, Ecosystems & Environ
Major ecological concepts and their application. Analysis of form, structure, and function of organisms, populations, communities, ecosystems, and landscapes. Prerequisites: 1; concurrent enrollment in 104 and 105 required.
Credits: 3.
NR 104 - Social Proc & the Environment
Social science theories and their application to environmental issues. Analysis of issues using theories of government, economics, and social movements. Emphasis on integrating frameworks to analyze environmental issues. Prerequisite: 2 and concurrent enrollment in 103 and 105 required.
Credits: 3.
NR 107 - Human Health & the Environment
Interdisciplinary understanding of the effects of anthropogenic factors including pollution, reduced biodiversity, climate change, overpopulation, and resource depletion on the health of natural systems and human populations. Pre/co-requisites: a college level science course and sophomore standing. (Crosslisted with HLTH 107).
Credits: 3.
NR 125 - Ecological Coop Living
Engaging students in the Slade Special Interest Program in the development of their residence as a self-sufficient, ecological cooperative on campus through the design, implementation, and maintenance of an ecologically-minded infrastructure of technology and day-to-day living arrangements. Pre/co-requisites: Current resident in Slade Hall.
Credits: 2.
NR 137 - Landscape Design Fundamentals
Studio course to learn techniques of landscape design and analysis, develop graphic communication skills for representing the landscape, and apply sustainable design principles to a site. Pre/co-requisites: Junior standing; at least one course in drawing, design, or mapping, or consent of instructor. Cross-listings: CDAE 137, ENVS 137, PSS 137.
Credits: 4.
NR 140 - Applied Environ Statistics
Introduction to the design, application, interpretation and critical assessment of biostatistical analyses for natural resource applications. Concepts are applied through service learning partnerships. Prerequisites: Sophomore standing, two years of high school algebra.
Credits: 4.
NR 141 - Intro to Ecological Economics
Introduction to the study of economics as dependent on social and environmental systems and to transdisciplinary problem-solving using ecological economics. Prerequisite: ENVS 001 or NR 002. Cross-listed with ENVS 141.
Credits: 3.
NR 143 - Intro to Geog Info Systems
Understanding and application of computer-based, geographically-referenced information systems. Prerequisite: Junior standing.
Credits: 3.
NR 146 - Remote Sensing of Natural Res
(Cross-listed with FOR 146, GEOG 185.)
Credits: 3.
NR 153 - Intro Environmental Policy
Introduction to policy aspects of environment and natural resources including policy processes, public governance, and citizen participation with applications to environmental issues. Pre/co-requisites: NR 104 or POLS 021
Credits: 3.
NR 170 - Intro Dynamic Simulation Mdlg
Elementary principles of dynamic simulation modeling and use of the STELLA II dynamic simulation software. Example simulations of natural environmental systems. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing.
Credits: 1.
NR 176 - Water Quality Analysis
Selected aspects of elementary water chemistry and bioassay as related to surface and ground waters. Five laboratory experiences. (2.5 hours lecture per week and 20 hours lab per semester.)
Credits: 3.
NR 185 - Special Topics
Special topics in natural resources beyond the scope of existing formal courses. Variable credit.
Credits: 1-6.
NR 189 - Student-Designed Course Work
Student-taught course work beyond the scope of formal courses in natural resources. Developed according to RSENR guidelines with sponsorship by interested faculty. Variable credit.
Credits: 1-3.
NR 199 - Honors Seminar
Prerequisites: Sophomore standing; open only to SNR Honors Students. Focus of the seminars change annually. Can be repeated. A discussion and readings seminar that features guest speakers, and is part of the SNR Spring Seminar Series.
Credits: 1.
NR 205 - Ecosys Mgt:Integ Sci,Soc & Pol
Integration of natural and social science into ecosystem management and policy. Consideration of ecosystem integrity, ecosystem degradation, human needs and values, and the application of management principles within a holistic context. Prerequisites: NR 001, NR 002, NR 103, NR 104.
Credits: 3.
NR 206 - Env Prob Sol & Impact Assessmt
Group dynamics, impact assessment, risk assessment, and decision making. Emphasis on the process of solving complex environmental problems, interdisciplinary team work, and the National Environmental Policy Act. Prerequisites: NR 001 , NR 002, NR 103, NR 104, NR 205, and statistics.
Credits: 4.
NR 207 - D1: Power, Privilege & Envrnmt
This course provides seniors with the opportunity to understand aspects of power, privilege, and injustice and its implications for the natural resource and environmental fields. Prerequisites: NR 001, NR 002, NR 006, NR 103 and NR 104. Co-requisite: NR 205.
Credits: 1.
NR 220 - Landscape Ecology
Considers the role of landscape pattern in determining habitat quality and ecosystem function. Prerequisites: One biology, one ecology course; senior standing. Alternate years, 2002-03. Study of pattern, process, and dynamics in the landscape.
Credits: 2.
NR 222 - Pollution Ecology
(Cross-listed with Environmental Sciences 222.) Impacts of pollutants on the structure and function of ecosystems. Examination of how air, land, and water influence ecological fate and effects of pollutants. Prerequisites: BIOL 001; CHEM 023, NR 103 or equivalent ecology course.
Credits: 3.
NR 224 - Conservation Biology
Conservation of biological diversity at genetic, species, ecosystem, and landscape levels. Emphasis on genetic diversity, population viability, endangered species, critical habitats, international implications. Prerequisites: BIOL 001, BIOL 002; a 100-level ecology course.
Credits: 3.
NR 228 - Ecosystem Ecology
(Cross-listed with Forestry 228.) Examination of the structure and function of terrestrial ecosystems using a systems approach. Laboratory sessions involve modeling and data analysis. Prerequisites: Biology 1, 2, Chemistry 23, an intermediate ecology course, Natural Resources 140, Math. 19, Physics 11 or equivalent. Alternate years, 2002-03.
Credits: 2.
NR 235 - Legal Aspects Envir Planning
Comparison of environmental planning law at local, state, and national levels. Case studies in environmental and natural resource planning and land use controls. Pre/co-requisites: Senior Standing.
Credits: 3.
NR 238 - Ecological Landscape Design
Studio course synthesizing work from fields of landscape ecology and landscape design, exploring ecological design alternatives at multiple scales, and developing multifunctional landscape solutions. Pre/co-requisites: Minimum junior standing; PSS 137 or one course in ecology plus one course in design or drawing. Cross-listed with CDAE 238, ENVS 238, PSS 238.
Credits: 4.
NR 240 - Park and Wilderness Mgmt
(Cross-listed with PRT 240.) History, philosophy, and management of wilderness, national parks, and related areas. Prerequisite: Junior or senior standing in Parks, Recreation and Tourism.
Credits: 3.
NR 242 - Adv Geospatial Techniques
Advanced course encompassing a wide range of topics in GIS, remote sensing, GPS, modeling, and visualization designed to provide technical expertise in geospatial techniques. Prerequisite: Introductory GIS (NR 143 or GEOG 184 or NR 343) or remote sensing (NR 146, NR 346, GEOG 185) course as determined by instructor.
Credits: 1-3.
NR 243 - GIS Practicum
An applied course in geospatial technology with a focus on ESRI's ArcGIS software suite. Prerequisites: NR 143/NR 343.
Credits: 3.
NR 245 - Integrating GIS & Statistics
Advanced approaches in integrating Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and statistical methods to analyze quantitatively spatial patterns and relationships. Prerequisites: senior/Grad standing, one introductory GIS course, one introductory statistics course.
Credits: 3.
NR 250 - Limnology
Ecology of lakes and reservoirs, including their origin, physics, chemistry and biology, and the effects of anthropogenic perturbations. Field and laboratory experience. Prerequisites: One year biology, one year chemistry, and ecology course.
Credits: 4.
NR 255 - Field Mthds in Water Resources
Techniques used in field assessment of water quality in rivers and lakes. Case studies on the LaPlatte River and Lake Champlain. Sampling strategies, field measurements, and data evaluation. Extensive field work. Prerequisite: NR 102 or equivalent basic course in water.
Credits: 3.
NR 256 - Ecology of a Large Lake
A field exploration of the littoral zone and deep lake environments and human impacts on large lakes using Lake Champlain as the class laboratory. Prerequisite: 100-level ecology course.
Credits: 4.
NR 260 - Wetlands Ecology & Mgmt
Structure, dynamics and values of natural and artificial wetlands; wetlands management and issues. Prerequisites: BIOL 001 and BIOL 002, and an upper-level ecology course.
Credits: 3.
NR 261 - Wetlands Ecology Lab
Credits: 1.
NR 262 - Int'l Problems in NR Mgmt
Discussion of problems associated with the management of natural resources which have international implications. Topics may include deforestation, desertification, fisheries, wildlife, refuges, fuelwood, pollution. Prerequisites: Senior standing, permission.
Credits: 3.
NR 264 - SL: C Ross Env Publ Serv Pract
Creating proposals for modification and implementation of natural resource and environmental policy in Vermont with emphasis on critical thinking, problem solving and leadership. Prerequisite: NR 103, NR 104 or equivalent. NR 153 or equivalent is recommended.
Credits: 4-5.
NR 265 - Environment & Human Behavior
Applies social psychological frameworks--attitudes, exchange theory, symbolic interaction, group processes, social cognition, discourse theory--to help understand environmentally related behaviors, conflict, and management. Prerequisite: Junior standing.
Credits: 3.
NR 268 - Soil Ecology
Underlying concepts and theory of modern soil ecology will be reviewed including spatial and temporal distributions, sampling methods, biogeochemical cycles, and ecological functions of soil. Prerequisites: BCOR 102 or NR 103, PSS 161. Cross-listed with PSS 268.
Credits: 4.
NR 270 - Toxic&Hzrds Subst in Srf Water
The fate of toxic and hazardous pollutants, including trace elements and organics, in surface waters; effects on human health and aquatic biota. Prerequisites: BIOL 001, CHEM 023, CHEM 042; CHEM 102 or equivalent; senior standing.
Credits: 3.
NR 275 - NR Planning: Theory & Methods
Investigates theoretical development of natural resource planning. Studies planning methods appropriate to protection and use of scenic, recreational, forest, agriculture, and historic resources and ecologically sensitive areas. Prerequisite: Senior standing.
Credits: 3.
NR 276 - Water Quality Anlys & Interp
Selected aspects of water chemistry and bioassay as related to surface and ground waters. Laboratory analysis of water quality parameters and data interpretation. Prerequisite: One course in chemistry, calculus, statistics; senior standing.
Credits: 3.
NR 279 - Watershed Management Hydrology
Fundamental elements of hydrology and contaminant transport in watersheds. Application of dynamic simulation techniques. Discussion of new technologies for watershed management. Prerequisites: NR 170 or equivalent (or as a co-requisite), NR 020, PHYS 011, CHEM 023, CHEM 026 or equivalent, senior standing.
Credits: 3.
NR 280 - Stream Ecology
an ecology course. chemistry. Prerequisites: One year biology, one year chemistry, biology and human impacts. Field and laboratory experience. morphology, sediment transport, chemistry, Ecology of streams including hydrodynamics,
Credits: 4.
NR 285 - Advanced Special Topics
Advanced special topics in natural resource planning beyond the scope of existing formal courses. Prerequisites: Graduate or senior standing, instructor's permission.
Credits: 1-6.
NR 288 - Ecol Design & Living Technol
The course explores the potential for ecological design to shape a sustainable future. It analyzes living technologies for food production, waste management and environmental restoration. Pre/co-requisites: Jr/Sr standing; background in ecology/systems theory.
Credits: 3.
NR 289 - Advanced Ecological Design
principles. of place and system in alignment with ecological design A problem-based, cross-disciplinary design course in which existing conditions are integrated with the redesign
Credits: 3.
NR 298 - Honors 'Project' Planning
Process, procedures, and strategies leading to the development of an individual or group Honors Project Proposal, to be submitted for review and approval. NR 199 for HCOL students, permission, UG only. Prerequisites: JR standing, concurrent enrollment in
Credits: 2.
NR 299 - Honors
Honors project dealing with aquatic resources, terrestrial ecology, or integrated natural resources. Prerequisite: By application only; see program chair.
Credits: 3-6.
NR 306 - Envisioning a Sust Future
Seminar orienting graduate students to RSENR and providing frameworks for collaborative leadership, whole systems thinking, and intercultural competency.
Credits: 2.
NR 333 - Professional Writing
Writing workshop that explores essay and report writing, as published in both popular and professional journals that examine the natural world and its resources. Prerequisites: None, but preference is given to FN and EP graduate students; other students may enroll with instructor permission. Cross listed with PBIO 333
Credits: 1.
NR 334 - Professional Writing
Writing workshop that explores essay and report writing, as published in both popular and professional journals that examine the natural world and its resources. Prerequisites: None, but preference is given to FN and EP graduate students; other students may enroll with instructor permission. Cross listed with PBIO 334
Credits: 1.
NR 343 - Fndmtls of Geog Info Systems
Concepts and methods in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) presented at an accelerated pace for graduate students using ArcGIS software. Pre/co-requisites: graduate standing
Credits: 3.
NR 346 - Digital Image Processing
Principles and applications of digital image processing of remotely sensed imagery. Hands-on analyses of satellite imagery will address environmental issues using ERDAS Imagine software.
Credits: 2.
NR 354 - Seminar:Envrmntl Policy & Mgmt
Seminar examining contemporary environmental policy at local, state, national, and international levels; policy formulation, implementation and design relative to current environmental problems. Prerequisties: Graduate standing.
Credits: 3.
NR 356 - Conservation, Systems&Sustain
Conservation concepts and practice, viewed through the lens of history, systems, and sustainability. From site to landscape scale, with case studies and practioner interviews. Prerequisite: An upper-level ecology or field science course. Cross-listed with PBIO 356.
Credits: 3.
NR 360 - Environmental Sociology
An in-depth exploration of how sociologists understand the relationship between a) the physical environment's effects on society, and b) society's effects on the natural environment. Prerequisite: Graduate Standing or permission. Fall, alternate years.
Credits: 3.
NR 361 - Politic:Landscape,Place,Nature
Seminar exploring the social and political construction of nature, emphasizing how natural resources and environment are defined through social relationships in particular landscapes and places.
Credits: 2.
NR 375 - NR Planning: Laboratory
Experiential laboratory applying natural resource planning theory and methods to local or regional issues. Students conduct a planning exercise for a town or region. Prerequisites: To be taken concurrently with NR 275.
Credits: 1.
NR 376 - Graduate Teaching Practicum
Natural Resource teaching practicum for doctoral students in the Rubenstein School. Course is required if students are following the academic option. Should be taken concurrently or one semester in advance of completion of the doctoral teaching requirement. Prerequisite: doctoral standing.
Credits: 2.
NR 377 - Land Use Policy & Economics
Economic and social forces that drive urban and suburban land use patterns, such as urban sprawl, and the policy mechanisms designed to intervene in those processes. Pre/co-requisites: Grad standing or instructor permission.
Credits: 3.
NR 378 - Integrating Analyses NR Issues
Resource Issues. Seminar contrasting epistemologies and ontologies of natural resource disciplines. Applications from fields such as ecology, policy, sociology, engineering, and ethics. Prerequisite: Graduate standing.
Credits: 2.
NR 380 - Seminar in Natural Resources
Presentation and discussion of advanced problems, research, and current topics in natural resources by faculty, graduate students, and outside guest speakers. Prerequisites: Permission. hours. School of Natural Resources faculty (Chairman of Curriculum Committee).
Credits: .5-2.
NR 382 - Seminar in Research Planning
Discussions of the planning and activities associated with graduate student projects and research. Prerequisite: Permission.
Credits: 1.
NR 384 - Independent Study in NR
Readings, with conferences, to provide graduate students with backgrounds and specialized knowledge relating to an area in which an appropriate course is not offered.
Credits: 1-18.
NR 385 - Special Topics in NR
Graduate topics and material that may eventually develop into a regular course offering; in addition, it may include topics and material presented only once.
Credits: 0-3.
NR 391 - Master's Thesis Research
Credits: 1-18.
NR 392 - Master's Project Research
Credits: 1-12.
NR 491 - Doctoral Dissertation Rsch
Credits: 1-18.

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