Principles of Natural Resources and Environmental Science
NRES 100 Fall 2008
Time/Location
TR 11:00 AM – 12:15 PM
104 Knudtsen Resource Center
Course Instructor
Office Hours
Julie Stoughton
238 Fleischmann Agriculture
784-1674
jstoughton@cabnr.unr.edu
Tuesday 2:30 – 3:30 PM
Wednesday 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Thursday 2:30 – 3:30 PM
or by appointment
Required Text
Essential Environment-The Science Behind the Stories, 2e by Scott Brennan and Jay
Withgott, 2007
Course Description
General introduction to issues and topics related to natural resources, environmental
sciences, conservation biology and hydrology.
Course Objectives
1. Introduce students to the academic part of college life by developing
familiarity with the university, its resources, the expectations of university
study, and good study skills.
2. Introduce the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences
fields of research and teaching expertise, and the faculty that work in these
areas.
3. Present some key concepts and approaches to analysis of problems in natural
resource management and environmental science.
4. Develop key skills essential for success in higher-level courses.
Course Format
Lecture – This course is discussion and activity oriented. Most classes will include a
natural resource/environmental science topic and related activities. Students will be
assigned to a work group of 3-4 students the first week of class. Students are
expected to sit with their group for discussion and in class activities.
Exams – Three exams with multiple choice and short essay questions.
Assignments & Labs – Students will complete a variety of in class and at home
assignments over the course of the semester. Emailed assignments are not
accepted.
Fieldtrips – NRES faculty offer a range of fieldtrips to give students an introduction to
research activities in NRES. Students are required to attend ONE of these fieldtrips
and submit a summary report. Sign-up sheets will be available in class.
WebCampus – This course will be taught as a web-enhanced class. Students can
access course materials, calendars and assignments at http://webct6.unr.edu
1. Click on “Log On”
2. Enter your WebCampus ID (your UNR netID)
3. Enter your password (your netID password)
(Note – if you have not activated your netID account first go to
http://www.it.unr.edu/getstarted/activate.asp)
Course Grading
Assignments
Eco Beaker Labs
Exam 1
Exam 2
350 pts
50 pts
125 pts
125 pts
Total Points Possible
650 pts
Grade Scale – The course grading scale will be according to the Board of Regents’
grading scale as follows: 100-93 (A), 92-90 (A-), 89-87 (B+), 86-83 (B), 82-80 (B-),
79-77 (C+), etc.
All students are expected to maintain a high standard of intellectual honesty.
Anyone involved in academic misconduct (i.e. plagiarism, cheating) will receive a
failing grade for that assignment. Repeat offenses will result in a letter to the Office
of Student Judicial Affairs and possible failing grade in the course.
Course Policies
Attendance – Attendance is essential for student success. Students who miss a class
session are responsible for finding out what they missed before the next class. No
make-up exams or in class assignments will be given without prior arrangements for
excused absences Students are responsible for verifying excused absences.
Late Arrival – Students who arrive to class after an exam has been distributed will
not receive extra time to take the exam. Late students may also forfeit the chance
to complete in class assignments.
Late Work – Assignments must be turned in by the start of class on their due date to
receive full credit. Late work is only accepted up to one week after the original due
date for 50% credit.
Student Behavior – Students are expected to abide by the policies listed in the UNR
Student Judicial Code (see the UNR Student Handbook web link).
Disabilities – Any student with a disability needing academic adjustments or
accommodations is requested to speak with me or contact the Disability Resource
Center (Thompson Building, Suite 101, 784-6000), as soon as possible to arrange for
appropriate accommodations.
Ten tat ive Cou rse Sche dule – N RES 10 0 – F all 2008
The current course schedule and assignment due dates will be posted in advance on
the WebCampus course calendar. The schedule is subject to change.
Date
Topic
Readings/Assignments
Aug 26
Intro to Resource Management
Aug 38
Ecosystem Services
Begin A1 – Resource Agency Presentation
WebCampus
-NRES Student Survey
-Update your profile
Ch 1 (2-7; 15-21) Ch 2 (35-40)
A1 – select agency
Ch 2 (25-27; 30-31) Ch 8 (179-181)
Sept 2
The Nature of Science
Ch 1 (7-15)
Sept 4
Scientific Literature
Appendix A
Ch 1 GraphIt (online)
Sept 9
TOUR – UNR Knowledge Center
Begin A2 – Select Fieldtrip
Sept 11
A1 Group Presentations
Sept 16
Sept 18
A1 Group Presentations
Energy and matter
Biogeochemical Cycles
Sept 23
Biogeochemical Cycles
Sept 25
EcoBeaker - Sewage
Sept 30
GUEST LECTURE - NRES Faculty
Oct 2
GUEST LECTURE –
Oct 7
Atmospheric Structure & Function
Oct 9
EXAM 1
Oct 14
Population Ecology
Ch 4 (83-95)
Oct 16
Community Ecology – Great Basin National
Park
Great Basin National Park website
Oct 21
EcoBeaker – An Owl’s Life
Ch 5 (96-107)
Oct 23
EcoBeaker – Isle Royale
Begin A4 – Faculty Interview
Oct 28
A3 Group Presentations/Biomes
Ch 5 (111-118)
Oct 30
A3 Group Presentations/Biomes
Begin A5 – Resource Issue Poster
Nov 4
GUEST LECTURE – Great Basin Ecosystems
Nov 6
EcoBeaker – Intermediate Disturbance
Hypothesis
Ch 3 (48-60)
Ch 3 (60-70)
NRES Website – Faculty Directory
Ch 12 (271-276; 288-292)
Begin A3 – Literature Review
A5 - Prospectus Due
Nov 11
VETERAN’S DAY HOLIDAY
Nov 13
GUEST LECTURE - JOBS DAY
Nov 18
Truckee River Watershed
Nov 20
Global Water Resources
A4 – Faculty Interview Due
Ch 11 (240-252)
Ch 11 (252-257)
Nov 25
GUEST LECTURE – Water Issues
A5 - Abstract Due
Nov 27
THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY
Dec 2
NRES LAB TOUR
Dec 4
EXAM 2
Dec 9
A5 Poster Presentations
Dec 11
A5 Poster Presentations