Natural Resources Management AAS Degree Courses

This course provides an introduction into basic outdoor recreation techniques commonly utilized by naturalists and conservation professionals to help citizens gain an appreciation of their environment. Recreational techniques will include activities such as canoeing, kayaking, hiking, and backpacking.

Equipment Operation and Safety focuses on the operation, maintenance, personal protective equipment, and safety of equipment used in the natural resources field. Labs include the use of equipment ranging from small engines to equipment used for prairie restoration, timber stand improvement, aquatic management, and park management.

Environmental Conservation is a course that enables students to learn about their environment. Students study about natural ecosystems, interactions within ecosystems, ecological principles and their application, the impact our increasing population has on the environment, the importance and components of a sustainable agriculture, and the environmental issues facing today's world.

This course provides an introduction to botany, landforms of Iowa, and native plant communities. Emphasis will be on the identification of native plants and differentiation from exotic weed species.

Composition I emphasizes fluency, thesis-driven organization, the use of supporting details, and research techniques. Writing is approached as a recursive process that includes prewriting strategies, drafting, revising, and editing. The course helps students shape writing to serve readers' needs and define a sense of purpose in their writing. It also gives students strategies for reading college-level material.

Prerequisite(s): Appropriate placement scores or equivalent.

This course focuses on applying the writing process to job application materials and workplace-related written communication.

Lecture Hours: 48

Prerequisite(s): A minimum grade of C- in ENG-060 or appropriate placement score.

This course is a study of descriptive statistics including graphical representation, central tendency, correlation and regression, intuitive treatment of probability and inferential statistics including hypothesis testing.

Prerequisite(s): MAT-063.

Introduces physical, chemical, and biological properties of soils, their formation, classification, and distribution. Uses soils survey and other information sources in balancing agronomic, economic, and environmental concerns in soil management.

This lecture and laboratory course is part of a two semester sequence designed for students with a specific interest in majoring in the biological sciences or a desire for a more comprehensive undergraduate course in the discipline. The major focus of this course is on the diversity of life forms, including microbes, protists, the fungi, plants and animals. The course will include the study of their structure and function, evolutionary patterns, ecological relationships and behavior. Laboratory exercises are coordinated with lecture topics to enhance the student's understanding of the lecture concepts.

Lecture Hours: 48 Lab Hours: 32

This course will introduce students to the safe use of agricultural chemicals. Safety precautions and prevention of chemical exposure will be stressed when discussing types of chemicals, usage, application, equipment, and mixing. First aid and responding to chemical contamination will also be discussed. This course prepares the students for taking the Iowa Commercial Pesticide Applicators Certification Exam.

This lecture and laboratory course is the first of a two semester sequence designed for students with a specific interest in majoring in the biological sciences or a desire for a more comprehensive undergraduate course in the discipline. The course integrates the basic principles of general biology and focuses on their interrelationships. The major themes addressed include levels of organization, cell structure and metabolism, the genetic basis of life, evolution, diversity and ecological relationships. Laboratory exercises are coordinated with lecture topics to enhance the student's understanding of these topics.

Lecture Hours: 48 Lab Hours: 32

This course will introduce fundamental processes of Global Positioning System (GPS) including technical aspects of the GPS satellites, differential correction, and hardware. The specific application of this technology for mapping, navigation, variable rate technology (VRT), and data collection will be discussed and demonstrated. Fundamental processes of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) will also be introduced, including file formats, data base management, spatial analysis and manipulation of data.

This course provides an introduction into basic outdoor recreation certifications. The course will provide a way for students to learn about boating safety, first aid, and CPR and gain certification necessary for employment. The course will provide background in the principles of Leave No Trace which are essential for wilderness camping. Additionally, the course will provide an examination of the Fish Iowa curriculum for students to share with others as they progress in their careers.

Prerequisite(s): A minimum grade of D- in RDG-038.

This course will provide information to assist in the identification of common wildlife of Iowa. Wildlife will be identified not only by physical characteristics, but by many other characteristics. Vertebrates, insects, and macroinvertebrates will be covered. Major groups of vertebrates including mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, and amphibians will be studied.

This course focuses on prescribed burns as a tool in ecosystem management. The use of fire to meet resource management objectives requires definitive and quantified knowledge of physical, biological, and ecological effects of fire on the ecosystem involved. Students will be trained in conducting prescribed burns and will participate as burn crew members.

Prerequisite(s): CNS-121.

This course covers the history, objectives, forms, and techniques of interpretation in the settings of county, state, national parks, and zoos. The course will explore the principles of effective communication as they apply to natural resource fields. Conceptual principles for planning interpretive programs and use of effective communication in multi-media delivery systems in outreach campaigns to manage and conserve natural resources are discussed. This course helps students gain the technical competencies of interpretation professionals by presenting and observing nature walks, giving public presentations, creating displays, writing news releases, and taking photographs as interpretative exercises. Students will have the opportunity to complete the National Certified Interpretative Guide exam.

Pre/Co-requisite(s): A minimum grade of D- in CNS-121.

Composition II aims to review and extend writing principles learned in Composition I to analytical, argumentative, and research-based writing. This course emphasizes critical reading, evaluation, and precise and responsible source citation.

Lecture Hours: 48

Prerequisite(s): A minimum grade of D- in ENG-105.

This course introduces aquatic conservation and management. Basic background on aquatic environments, the ecology of fish, and the characteristics of humans who utilize aquatic resources or indirectly interact with them through land- and water-use activities will be covered.

Prerequisite(s): A minimum grade of D- in CNS-121.

This course will provide an introduction to woodland management from an ecological management perspective. Management of small properties will be emphasized.

This course provides a wilderness experience to utilize advanced outdoor recreation techniques during an intense time period (over Labor Day weekend or the equivalent). Techniques utilized include hiking, backpacking, canoeing or kayaking, low impact camping, and others. This wilderness encounter is at a remote location such as the Boundary Waters, Isle Royale, etc. The focus of this experience is to gain leadership skills to guide groups of citizens on basic outdoor recreation adventures to increase their appreciation of their environment such as is done by naturalists and conservation groups by following the 18 points set by the Wilderness Education Association and Leave No Trace Principles. This course can be repeated with different content for credit.

Prerequisite(s): CNS-107.

This course provides a background in the restoration of native ecosystems. Restoration practices from site analysis, seed and plant selection, and planting techniques; to management by fire, mowing, and weed control are covered. Students will have practical experiences in the reconstruction and management of various ecosystems.

This course surveys the basic principles, concepts, and research findings of social life from small groups to societies. The course examines a range of sociological explanations for the various forms of social behaviors and establishes a basis for reflection and further study in the field.

Human Relations is the study of self and social behavior. Emphasis is placed on the understanding and application of social science theories and research for the development of effective interpersonal and organizational relationships.

Lecture Hours: 48

This course provides an introduction to the study of behavior and mental processes with emphasis in such areas as learning, cognition, motivation, personality, behavioral disorder, therapy, and social influence. An understanding of the impact of both theoretical perspectives and experimental evidence on the formulation of the science of human behavior is also stressed. Psychological theories and principles are utilized to explain and predict behavior.

Lecture Hours: 48

This course introduces students to the oral communication process and how it affects human interaction There will be an emphasis on developing interpersonal, small group, and public speaking skills. Students will be involved in activities that provide opportunity for the understanding and improvement of their oral communication skills.

This course provides students with opportunities to gain on-the-job experience in the agriculture, natural resource or horticulture industries. Students will gain an understanding of qualities and skills needed for success. Coordination and guidance will be provided by department instructors.

This course focuses on the application of wildlife ecology and management techniques. It studies censuring, capture and marking of wildlife. The course includes habitat evaluation, habitat restoration, Iowa game laws, life history studies and the application of wildlife management principles as they relate to important ecological and recreational resources.

Prerequisite(s): A minimum grade of D- in CNS-121.

This course will provide a foundation in the dynamics of wildlife conservation and management. This course relates the biological concepts of wildlife populations, habitat management, management goals and applications geared toward various forms of wildlife.

Prerequisite(s): A minimum grade of D- in CNS-121.

Co-requisite(s): CNS-106.

Conservation Biology draws together scientists and environmentalists in basic and applied studies of biodiversity. The course will examine the nature of this emerging field, and will survey basic principles of ecology with emphasis on the ecosystem concept and its central role in conservation management. The course will examine biodiversity in detail, evaluate the threats to biodiversity, and examine the processes of extinction that are leading to a biodiversity crisis. Students will be active participants in current conservation projects and will conduct studies of the biological diversity of their community.

Prerequisite(s): A minimum grade of D- in CNS-121.

This course will prepare the student for College Algebra and Trigonometry or other equivalent course work. Topics include properties of real numbers, linear and quadratic equations, graphs of polynomial functions, systems of equations, polynomial and rational expressions, inequalities, integral and rational exponents, radicals, and complex numbers.

This is a one semester, liberal arts mathematics course that satisfies the minimum general education requirement for math. The course is designed to impart math skills which are helpful in everyday life as well as to expose students to areas of mathematics they may not have seen before. Topics include problem-solving skills, set theory, algebra, consumer mathematics, probability, and statistics. Other topics may be included.

Prerequisite(s): A minimum grade of D- in MAT-063 or appropriate placement score.

This course provides an intensified study of algebraic techniques and prepares students for future study in mathematics. The central theme is the concept of functions, their properties, graphs and applications. Functions studied include polynomial, rational, exponential, and logarithmic.

Prerequisite(s): A minimum grade of C- in MAT-102 or equivalent placement score.

This one-semester pre-calculus course is intended for the student with a solid algebra background who intends to take calculus. It is also beneficial (but not required) for the student to have a background in trigonometry. The course will emphasize functions using an analytical, numerical, and graphical approach. The student will study linear, polynomial, rational, exponential, logarithmic and trigonometric functions along with their applications.

Prerequisite(s): Appropriate Placement Test Scores: ACT Math Score of 25 OR Compass Score of 51-100 in the College Algebra Domain or 31-50 in the Trigonometry Domain.

The second course of a two-semester pre-calculus sequence. Topics include trigonometry and applications, vectors, analytic geometry, and polar and parametric equations.

Prerequisite(s): A minimum grade of C- in MAT-121 or equivalent placement score.

The first in a calculus sequence, this course covers topics including functions and their graphs, limits, derivatives, applications of the derivative, and integrals.

Prerequisite(s): A minimum grade of C- in MAT-128 or MAT-134 or appropriate placement scores (ACT: 27; COMPASS TRIGONOMETRY: 51-100).

A continuation of MAT-210, this course covers topics including integration techniques, applications of integration, infinite series, conic sections, parametric and polar equations.

Prerequisite(s): A minimum grade of C- in MAT-210.

This course covers topics including integration and differentiation techniques related to vectors, vector-valued functions, functions of several variables, multiple integration, and vector analysis.

Prerequisite(s): MAT-216.

This course is designed to present basic facts of arithmetic including whole numbers, fractions, decimals, powers, roots, English and metric measurement, ratio-proportion, percents, introduction to algebra, introduction to geometry, and applied statistics. Instruction includes use of scientific hand-held calculators and emphasis placed on critical thinking, problem solving skills.