NRM 100: Introduction to Natural Resource Management Fall 2001
Details: Academic Credit: 3 Semester Hours
Location: 258 Brehm Hall
Time: Mondays, Wednesdays, & Fridays, 2:00 - 2:50 p.m.
Instructor: Dr. Eric Pelren
Office: 268 Brehm Hall
Telephone: 587-7263
Electronic mail: epelren@utm.edu
Internet Address: http://www.utm.edu/~epelren/epelren.shtml
Office Hours: Tuesday 9:30 - 11:00 am, 1:00 - 3:00 pm; Thursday 9:30 - 11:00 am, 1:00 - 3:00 pm
Appointments and walk-in visits welcome.
Required Text:
Camp, W. G., and T. B. Daugherty. 1997. Managing Our Natural Resources, Third ed. Delmar Publishers. 354pp.
Catalog Description:
Survey of natural resources management career opportunities; a history of resource management; forests, wildlife, soils, and recreation components; government and private management entities; commercial, conservation, and preservation philosophies of land management discussed. -2001-2002 UTM general catalog.
Course Objectives:
Course graduates will have an understanding of the following concepts:
1) Definitions and examples of basic natural resources.
2) Differences among preservationist, conservationist, and exploitationist management philosophies.
3) Distinction of renewable, non-renewable, and non-exhaustible natural resources.
4) Meaning and importance of land stewardship, multiple-use management, and sustainable use.
5) Historical foundations of natural resource professions in soil and water conservation, forestry, wildlife, and recreation.
6) Currently-effective natural resource management strategies.
7) Roles of public, private, and non-profit organizations in natural resources management.
8) Current issues regarding resource use and management.
9) Future changes and trends in natural resource management and philosophy.
10) Employment opportunities in the field of natural resource management.
Grading Standards and Policies:
Grades will be based on 6 exams (including a comprehensive final), each worth 100 points, or 16.67% of the total grade, as well as 6 homework assignments totaling 100 points. The lowest (1) of the first 5 exam grades will be dropped; the final exam grade will not be dropped. A homework assignment will be due on the day of each of the first 5 exams, and on the last day of class. Homework assignments may be turned in early; those turned in late for any reason will receive a grade of 0. Final grades will be assigned using the following scale: A = 90-100, B = 80-89, C = 70-79, D = 60-69, F < 60.
Attendance is expected. Students are responsible for all material covered during missed classes, including homework assignments and exams. Missed exams may not be taken at a later date for any reason (including school-related events or emergencies); the first missed exam will serve as the 1 dropped exam grade (see grading policy above), and subsequent missed exams will be given the grade of 0.
Classroom conduct will be professional. No tobacco products will be permitted in the classroom. Presenting anyone else's work as your own is plagiarism, which will result in a failing grade for a portion or all of the course. As the course instructor, I pledge to exhibit respect for course participants and enthusiasm for course content to the greatest degree possible; I request the same attitude from course participants.
Tentative Semester Schedule
Monday 20 Aug Introduction
Wednesday 22 Aug Begin Section I: Introduction to Natural Resource Management
Friday 24 Aug
Monday 27 Aug
Wednesday 29 Aug
Friday 31 Aug
Monday 03 Sep No Class: Labor Day
Wednesday 05 Sep
Friday 07 Sep Film: Muir vs. Pinchot
Monday 10 Sep Exam 1.
Wednesday 12 Sep Begin Section II: Soil and Land Resources
Friday 14 Sep
Monday 17 Sep
Wednesday 19 Sep
Friday 21 Sep
Monday 24 Sep Exam 2.
Wednesday 26 Sep (Instructor Absent-TWS; no class)
Friday 28 Sep (Instructor Absent-TWS; no class)
Monday 01 Oct Begin Section III: Water Resources
Wednesday 03 Oct
Friday 05 Oct
Monday 08 Oct
Wednesday 10 Oct Films: Lost River; Wastewater Treatment
Friday 12 Oct Exam 3.
Monday 15 Oct (Instructor Absent-SEAFWA; no class)
Wednesday 17 Oct (Instructor Absent-SEAFWA; no class)
Friday 19 Oct No Class: Fall Break
Monday 22 Oct Begin Section IV: Forest Resources
Wednesday 24 Oct
Friday 26 Oct
Monday 29 Oct
Wednesday 31 Oct Film: Fire
Friday 02 Nov (Instructor Absent-Advisory Council; no class)
Monday 05 Nov Exam 4.
Wednesday 07 Nov Begin Section V: Fish and Wildlife Resources
Friday 09 Nov Film: TWRA
Monday 12 Nov
Wednesday 14 Nov
Friday 16 Nov
Monday 19 Nov Exam 5.
Wednesday 21 Nov No Class
Friday 23 Nov No Class: Thanksgiving Break
Monday 26 Nov Section VI: Outdoor Recreation Resources
Wednesday 28 Nov Section VII: Energy, Minerals and Metals
Friday 30 Nov
Monday 03 Dec Section VIII: Advanced Concepts
Wednesday 05 Dec Review for final exam (Last Day Class)
Tuesday 11 Dec Final Exam, 12:45 - 2:45 pm