SYLLABUS
Name of
Course:
Introduction to Natural Resources Management
Course
Instructor:
Gary Phillips, Environmental Studies Program Coordinator
Office phone number - (712) 362-7978 & e-mail address - gphillips@ilcc.cc.ia.us
Credits:
Lecture (EV254A) - 4 credits, Laboratory (EV254B) - 0 credits
Catalog
Description:
Introduction to natural resources management with emphasis on the
recognition, inventory, and conservation of natural resources.
Attention is given to the distribution and availability of natural
resources and the limitations associated with their usage.
Topics covered include management of natural resources, hydrospheric
resources, lithospheric resources, and atmospheric resources.
Text:
Conservation of Natural Resources by David A. Castillon
Other
Materials:
Introduction to Natural Resources Management Laboratory Manual
Objective of
Course:
The objective of this course is to introduce students to natural
resources management and to familiarize them with the methods which are
available to recognize, inventory, and conserve natural resources.
Course
Content:
Management of
natural resources.
Hydrospheric
resources.
Lithospheric
resources.
Atmospheric resources.
Method of
Instructional Delivery:
There are three hours of lecture, demonstrations, and discussions each
week. A one-hour test will be given
after each of the four units covered in this course.
Two 2-hour laboratory periods are also part of this course.
These lab periods are used for the performance of experiments, field
trips, writing of lab reports, and work on special projects and research papers.
Learning
Objectives/Competencies:
Upon completion of this course the student will be able to:
Define the
concept of conservation.
List those
individuals who helped develop the concept of conservation in the United
States.
Outline the
history of conservation in the United States.
Define natural
resources management.
List the steps
used in developing a management plan for a project.
Describe the
current state of technology used in managing natural resources.
Outline the
steps involved in the GIS process.
List and define
the various types of natural resources.
Describe the
global distribution of the following types of natural resources:
agricultural soils, forests, rangeland, energy resources, and
metallic resources.
Describe the
basic management techniques utilized in managing human populations.
Describe the
relationship between geologic and ecologic concepts and natural resources
management.
Describe the
principles of biogeography.
List and
describe the ecoregions of North America.
Describe the
relationship between sustainability and natural resources management.
Describe the
physical and chemical properties of water.
Draw and label a
diagram of the hydrologic cycle.
List and
describe the sources of water.
Describe the
processes involved in stream formation.
Describe the
physical and chemical characteristics of streams.
Describe the
physical and chemical characteristics of lakes.
List and
describe the seasons of a temperate lake.
Describe the
techniques used to manage hydrospheric resources.
List and
describe the various types of water ownership.
Outline the
development of water quality legislation in the United States.
List and
describe the layers of the Earth.
Draw and label a
diagram of the rock cycle.
List the three
principle categories of rocks and describe the characteristics of each type.
List and
describe the key points of the nebular hypothesis.
Describe the
methods used to determine the age of lithospheric components.
Outline the key
events associated with the geologic time line.
Describe the
concepts associated with continental drift.
List the key
points associated with the theory of plate tectonics.
Describe the
origins of magma associated with igneous activity.
Describe the
geologic activities associated with the formation of mountains.
Outline the
steps involved in landscape evolution.
Describe how
glacial action alter landscapes.
Describe the
principles associated with earthquakes and seismology.
List and
describe the different types of volcanoes.
Describe the
types, characteristics, and distribution of energy and mineral resources.
Describe the
evolution of the Earth's atmosphere.
Describe the
chemical composition of the atmosphere.
Draw and label a
diagram of the temperature layers of the atmosphere.
Describe the
energy transfers which occur in the atmosphere.
Describe the
principles associated with humidity, stability, condensation, and
precipitation in the atmosphere.
Describe how
pressure differences in the atmosphere affect the movement of air in the
atmosphere.
Draw and label a
diagram showing global circulation patterns.
List the
different types of air masses and describe how they affect weather patterns.
Describe the
principles associated with climatology including the Koeppen climatic
classification scheme.
List the 10
climatic types and describe the characteristics of each type.
Describe the
techniques used to manage atmospheric resources.
Outline the
development of air quality legislation in the United States.
Methods of
Evaluation:
Four 1-hour tests of 100 points each will be given during the semester.
These tests will include multiple choice and essay questions. Four quizzes will also be given during the semester.
Laboratory reports will be required for selected labs and will be graded
on accuracy, completeness, proper format, neatness, and scientific knowledge.
A 100 point research paper is also required for this course.
Students are expected to attend class except in cases of sickness,
emergencies, or excused absences. Students
who miss class for the above reasons will be allowed to make up their work.
Some extra credit may be earned for approved projects.
Grading:
Grading is determined by a percentage of total points for the semester.
Sixty percent is required to pass the course, seventy percent for a C,
eighty percent for a B, and ninety percent for an A.
Tests 400 points
Quizzes 40 points
Laboratory Reports 260 points
Research Paper 100 points
TOTAL POINTS 800