Natural Resources Management
NRM 101 3
Credits
Natural Resources Conservation and Policy
Conservation of natural resources including history,
ecological and social foundations. Examines principles of sustained yield,
carrying capacity, supply and demand, and world population growth as applied to
agriculture, range, forest, wildlife, fisheries, recreation, minerals and
energy management. A wide range of perspectives is presented to help students
develop a personal philosophy toward natural resources. Prepare a multiple
resource observation plan for an undeveloped area on campus. Optional all-day
field trips take place the first two Saturdays of the semester. (Prerequisite:
Placement in ENGL 111X.) (3 + 0) Offered Fall
NRM 102 1-2 Credits
Practicum in Natural Resources Management
Practical experience in natural resources management.
Supervised individual study on a farm, in a greenhouse, managed forest, agency or
business, or another approved location. (Prerequisites: Natural Resource
Management majors only and permission of instructor.)
NRM 106 1
Credit
Orientation to Natural Resource Management
Overview of career opportunities in natural resources.
Includes discussions with research faculty and upper class students involved in
various aspects of resource management issues. (1 + 0) Offered Spring
NRM 107 1
Credit
Leaves in Our Lives: Food
Learn to appreciate the plants in your life. This is an
elective course with friendly format for gardeners or anyone who eats plants.
Plant biology will be introduced from the ground up and related to plant use by
human civilizations, especially as food. (Recommended: Placement in ENGL 111X.)
(1 + 0) Offered Palmer: Spring, As Demand Warrants
NRM 108 1
Credit
Leaves in Our Lives: Diversity
Learn to appreciate the plants in your life. This is an
elective course with friendly format for gardeners or anyone who eats plants.
Plant biology and diversity will be introduced and related to plant use by
human civilizations, such as food, wood and medicine. (1 + 0) Offered
Palmer: Spring, As Demand Warrants
NRM 109 1
Credit
Leaves in Our Lives, and Fungi
Learn to appreciate the plants in your life. This is an
elective course with friendly format for gardeners or anyone who eats plants.
The biology of plants and fungi will be introduced and related to their use by
human civilizations as food and drink. (1 + 0) Offered Palmer:
Spring, As Demand Warrants
NRM 153 1
Credit
Chainsaw and Forest Equipment Use
Introduction to safe and proper use and maintenance of field
equipment. Includes chainsaws, bush saws, axes, increment borers, lasers, GPS
units and other hand held equipment. Chainsaw portion includes safety,
protective clothing, maintenance (break down, chain sharpening, operation),
felling and bucking techniques. Graded pass/fail.
NRM 161 3
Credits
Wilderness Leadership Education
Introduction to outdoor education. Includes both theoretical
and practical exposure to quality judgment and decision-making, environmental
education techniques, and leadership development in the wilderness setting.
Provides detailed exposure to the Wilderness Education Association's 18
essential components of wilderness leadership and backcountry safety. The field
portion of the course includes detailed instruction in and mentored experience
with modern backcountry travel techniques. Successful completion earns
certification in the Wilderness Stewardship Program. This demanding educational
field program requires travel through rough un-trailed terrain with heavy packs
(one-third of body weight) and average strength and stamina. No use of alcohol,
tobacco, illegal drugs or firearms. (Prerequisites: Permission of instructor.
Recommended: BIOL 104, NRM 101 and physical geography.) Offered Summer, As
Demand Warrants
NRM 204 3
Credits
Public Lands Law and Policy
Background on selected federal lands management legislation
and agency policies affecting resources conservation, development and
preservation. (3 + 0) Offered Spring
NRM 211 3
Credits
Introduction to Applied Plant Science
Basic principles and requirements for plant growth and
development with special attention to the production and management of field
and greenhouse grown crops. (2 + 3) Offered Fall
NRM 212 3 Credits
Greenhouse Management
The greenhouse as a controlled environment for research,
education and commercial production of plants; the physical environment;
environmental controls and monitors; plant cultivation techniques and crop
scheduling useful in plant science and commercial production. (3 + 0)
Offered Spring
NRM 215 3
Credits
Plant Propagation
Principles and practices of plant propagation useful in
horticulture, botany, forestry, agronomy, revegetation projects and plant research.
Emphasis on both macro- and micropropagation (tissue culture) of Alaska native
plants by seeds, spores and vegetative propagules such as cuttings.
(Prerequisite: NRM 211 or permission of instructor.) (2 + 3) Offered
Fall
NRM 251 4
Credits
Silvics and Dendrology
Addresses ecological requirements and characteristics of tree
species of the Northern Forest and western North American forest; silvical
characteristics including range, climate, soils, shade tolerance, growth and
principal enemies. Family and species characteristics for identification on
sight or with a key. Field trips required. (Prerequisite: BIOL 105X, 106 and
271 or permission of instructor.) (3 + 3) Offered Spring
NRM 277 3
Credits
Introduction to Conservation Biology
(Cross-listed with BIOL 277)
Introduction to the basic ecological, genetic, management,
legal and historical developments in conservation biology and focused efforts
to manage biological diversity resources, with a status review of important
habitats and endangered species. (Prerequisites: BIOL 105X, 106X.)
(3 + 0) Offered Alternate Spring
NRM 290 2
Credits
Resource Management Issues at High Latitudes
Broad perspective of high latitude resource management
issues. On-site analyses of resource management needs, opportunities and/or
conflicts in the industries of: agriculture, forestry, mining, seafood,
petroleum, recreation and tourism. Includes 10 day field trip, at the end of
the spring semester. Students must provide own sleeping gear, rain gear and
hiking boots. Students must be able to hike forest trails and camp under
conditions of inclement weather. May be repeated for credit with instructor's
permission. Materials fee: $175. (Prerequisites: Permission of instructor.)
NRM 300 1-6 Credits
Internship in Natural Resources Management
Supervised pre-professional experience in a business or
agency (public or private). Open to students majoring or minoring in natural
resources management only. Course may be repeated for credit up to a maximum of
6 credits. (Prerequisites: NRM 101, junior standing, 3.0 GPA, permission of
instructor and an approved internship plan.) Offered As Demand Warrants
NRM 303X 3
Credits
Environmental Ethics and Actions (h)
Exploration of the history of modern Western views of the
relationship between people and nature, alternative foundations for an
environmental ethic (utilitarianism, spiritual activity, rights-based and
respect-based ethics) and practices of such ethics in business, profession and
general lifestyle today. (Prerequisite: Junior standing or permission of
instructor.) (3 + 0) Offered Spring
NRM 304O 3
Credits
Perspectives in Natural Resources Management
Analysis of philosophical/ethical, economic, scientific and
political foundations of diverse natural resource management perspectives. (Prerequisites:
NRM 101, COMM 131X or 141X, junior standing or permission of instructor.)
(3 + 0) Offered Fall
NRM 312 3
Credits
Introduction to Range Management
Applied ecological treatment of soil, plant and grazing
animal relationships on uncultivated lands. Origin of the discipline,
management practices, important rangelands of North America; emphasis on
Alaska's rangelands and grazers. (Prerequisites: BIOL 105X, 106X, BIOL 239 or
permission of instructor; NRM 320, 321 recommended. Next offered: 2006-07.)
(3 + 0) Offered Alternate Fall
NRM 313 4
Credits
Introduction to Plant Pathology
Plant pathology; non-parasitic and parasitic causes of plant
diseases; methods of plant infestation and mechanism of plant defenses;
epidemiology and disease control. (Prerequisites: BIOL 105X, 106X; BIOL 239
recommended. Next offered: 2006-07.) (3 + 3) Offered Alternate
Spring
NRM 320 3
Credits
Animal Science
Introduction to the various disciplines that form the study of
Animal Science. Topics include animal nutrition, physiology of reproduction and
lactation, genetics and animal breeding, animal behavior, environmental
physiology, animal health and welfare. Information is presented as it applies
to traditional and non-traditional livestock species with emphasis on
applications pertinent to Alaska. (Prerequisite: Introductory Biology. Next
offered: 2006-07.) (2 + 3) Offered Alternate Fall
NRM 338 3
Credits
Introduction to Geographic Information Systems
(Cross-listed with GEOG 338)
Geographic data concepts including mapping systems, data
sources, editing data, GIS analysis and computer mapping. Introduction to
Global Positioning Systems. GIS applications in natural resources management.
(Prerequisite: Knowledge of PC's or Unix workstations desirable.)
(2 + 3) Offered Fall
NRM 340 3
Credits
Natural Resources Measurement and Inventory
Techniques and instrumentations used to measure and inventory
natural resources, including land, timber, range, wildlife, water and recreation
resources. (Prerequisite: Junior standing or permission of instructor.)
(2 + 3) Offered Fall
NRM 341 4
Credits
GIS Analysis
(Cross-listed with GEOG 341)
GIS analysis of natural resources including spatial query,
attribute query, vector, grid, image, topographic and network analysis
techniques. (3 + 3) Offered Spring
NRM 351 3
Credits
Silviculture for Wildlife Managers
Examines the biological, environmental and silvicultural
concepts essential for successful manipulation of forest, woodland and
shrubland vegetation for wildlife and fish habitat. Emphasis on temperate and
boreal forest ecosystems of North America. Includes stand characterization,
thinning, timber harvest and silviculture systems (regeneration methods) e.g.,
clear-cut, shelter wood, selection, coppice and forest health. (Prerequisites:
BIOL 105X, BIOL 106X, BIOL 271, NRM 101 or permission of instructor.)
(3 + 0) Offered Alternate Fall
NRM 353 3
Credits
Forest Regeneration
Forest regeneration from preharvest prescription through
free-to-grow stages. Includes preharvest prescription, ecosystem functions and
processes, forest genetic seed collection and processing, natural and
artificial regeneration, planting, site preparation, and vegetation management.
(Prerequisite: BIOL 105X, 106X or 271; or permission of instructor.)
(3 + 0) Offered Alternate Fall
NRM 361 3
Credits
Advanced Wilderness Leadership Education
Study natural environment. Concentration on outdoor
leadership, environmental ethics, minimum impact camping, forest and arctic
natural history, and adaptable judgement and decision-making. Includes hiking
through boreal forest and along tundra ridges, river crossing, glacier ascent,
and skills to do these activities safety. This demanding educational field
program of 26 days requires travel through rough un-trailed terrain with heavy
packs (one-third of body weight) and average strength and stamina. No use of
alcohol, tobacco, illegal drugs or firearms. (Prerequisites: NRM 101 or
equivalent; NRM 161 or equivalent. Recommended: NRM/GEOG 463 and NRM 465.)
Offered Summer, As Demand Warrants
NRM 365W 3
Credits
Principles of Outdoor Recreation Management
Theories, practices, economics and problems fundamental to
the use of land and related natural resources for recreation. (Prerequisites:
ENGL 111X; ENGL 211X or ENGL 213X; Junior standing, or permission of
instructor.) (2 + 3) Offered Fall
NRM 370 3
Credits
Introduction to Watershed Management
The hydrologic cycle and the influence of land management
techniques on water quantity, quality and timing. Water yield, soil erosion and
non-point pollution, snowpack management, and land use alternatives.
(Prerequisites: NRM 101 and GEOS 101X or permission of instructor.)
(2 + 3) Offered Fall
NRM 375 3
Credits
Forest Ecology
Basic forest ecology concepts, including physical (wind,
temperature, water, etc.), biotic (population and community dynamics), genetic
and successional and landscape dynamics and how this basic information can be
used in development of wise management plans for forest ecosystems. The
laboratory will cover basic principles of measurement of the forest resource
and will include field work for the first six weeks followed by laboratory
analysis of collected samples and preparation of a detailed report describing
the ecology of the measured forest. Due to the short snow-free field season,
the first laboratory session will be a full introduction to the field
procedures that will be used throughout the first six weeks. (Prerequisite:
NRM 251.) (2 + 3) Offered Fall
NRM 380W 3
Credits
Soils and the Environment
Soil development and classification; physical and chemical
properties; biological activity; water movement and nutrient cycling in natural
and manipulated ecosystems. (Prerequisites: CHEM 105 and ENGL 111X; ENGL 211X
or ENGL 213X or permission of instructor.) (2 + 3) Offered Fall
NRM 400W 3
Credits
Fisheries Science
(Cross-listed with FISH 400W)
The subject of fishery science is reviewed to reflect the
emerging concept of a study area integrated over a broad sweep of disciplines:
oceanography, limnology, marine biology, fish population dynamics, aquaculture,
economics, processing, product quality and development, and marketing.
Demonstrates how such different subjects have feedback loops to one another and
stresses the science fundamentals involved. (Prerequisites: ENGL 111X; ENGL
211X or ENGL 213X or permission of instructor; and one 200-level biology class.
Co-requisite: STAT 200 [STAT 373-J].) (3 + 0) Offered Spring
NRM 401W,O/2 3 Credits
Fisheries Management
(Cross-listed with FISH 401W,O/2)
Principles, concepts and techniques of fisheries management
in terms of their biological, economic, social and political aspects. Topics
are stocking and introductions, habitat manipulation, sustainable yield,
regulation, management organizations and their responsibilities. Examples of
several fisheries are used to clarify concepts and practices. (Prerequisites:
BIOL 271; COMM 131X or 141X; and ENGL 111X; ENGL 211X or ENGL 213X or
permission of instructor.) (3 + 0) Offered Fairbanks, Alternate
Spring; Offered Juneau, Alternate Fall
NRM 404 3
Credits
Environmental Impact Statement Law
Review of environmental impact statement requirements under
the National Environmental Policy Act. Review of case law development over the past
28 years in the federal district, circuit and supreme courts. (Prerequisites:
NRM 101 and sophomore standing.) (3 + 0) Offered Spring
NRM 405W 2
Credits
NRM 406W 2 Credits
Senior Thesis in Natural Resources Management I and II
Problem-solving with emphasis on writing and analysis.
Individual project under the guidance of faculty sponsor involving formulation
of a question in natural resources management and preparation of a formal,
comprehensive written report. First semester: thesis proposal, presentation and
research. Second semester: final thesis and presentation. (Prerequisites for
NRM 405: ENGL 111X, NRM core, senior standing, senior thesis orientation
workshop or permission of instructor. Prerequisite for NRM 406: ENGL 211X or
ENGL 213X; NRM 405.) (2 + 0) Offered Fall, Spring
NRM 407 3
Credits
Environmental Law
The role of common law theory in regulatory, statutory and
constitutional interpretation in the field of environmental protection,
including air and water pollution, toxic/hazardous substances and land-use
regulation. (Prerequisite: Junior or senior class standing or permission of
instructor.) (3 + 0) Offered Spring
NRM 412 3
Credits
Field Crop Production
Agronomic principles and practices involved in the
production, storage, marketing and utilization of field crops. (Prerequisite:
NRM 211.) (3 + 0) Offered As Demand Warrants
NRM 430 3
Credits
Resource Management Planning
(Stacked with NRM 630)
Application of planning and conflict resolution principles to
natural resources management. Examines plans prepared in response to current
Alaska resource disputes, including wolf, brown bear, boreal forest and
recreation river plans. Includes public involvement, consensus building, the
basic steps in the planning process and resource dispute simulations.
(Prerequisite: Senior standing or permission of instructor.) (3 + 0)
Offered Spring
NRM 431 3
Credits
Wildlife Law and Policy
(Cross-listed with WLF 431)
Study of laws and agencies shaping wildlife management in North
America. History and current status of major policy issues. Organization of and
funding sources for state and federal programs in wildlife conservation.
(Prerequisite: A 3 credit course in wildlife management principles or
permission of instructor.) (3 + 0) Offered Spring
NRM 432 3
Credits
Literature of Science and the Environment (h)
(Stacked with NRM 632 and NORS 632 and cross-listed with
NORS 432)
Reading, analysis and discussion of classic and contemporary
works in science, natural history and environmental literature. Some semesters
all of the readings will follow one theme; other semesters a variety of
fiction, poetry, oral tradition and nonfiction will be considered. Readings are
selected from a spectrum of opinion on the relationship of people to the
natural world and both analytical and creative writing are required. Resource
management professionals and students in the sciences and humanities are welcome.
May be repeated once for additional credit. (Prerequisite: Senior standing or
permission of the instructor.) (3 + 0) Offered As Demand Warrants
NRM 450 3
Credits
Forest Management
Forest land management
for production of goods and services; relation of timber production to other
forest land uses. Sustained yield, allowable cut, information needs, valuation,
decision making. (Prerequisites: NRM 251, 340, ECON 235 [or equivalent], or
permission of instructor. Next offered: 2006-07.) (3 + 0)
Offered Alternate Fall
NRM 451W 3
Credits
Silviculture
Examines biological, environmental and silvicultural
considerations essential for successful regeneration and maintenance of boreal
and western North American forests. For persons in land management, including
timber, woodlot, wildfire habitat, streamside, aesthetics. Provides intense
look at science and art of forest stand management. Involves considerable
critical writing. Field trips required. (Prerequisites: BIOL 271, ENGL 111X,
NRM 251, junior standing, or permission of instructor. Next offered:
2006-07.) (2 + 3) Offered Alternate Spring
NRM 452 3
Credits
Forest Health and Protection
Principles and practical management systems for protection
from fire, insects and diseases. Factors in managing forest ecosystems,
problems and techniques important in high latitude forests, especially in
Alaska. (Prerequisites: BIOL 105X, 106X, 271, BIOL 239; NRM 251 or instructor's
permission. Next offered: 2006-07.) (3 + 0) Offered Alternate
Fall
NRM 453 3
Credits
Harvesting and Utilization of Forest Products
Manual and mechanized timber harvesting systems including
timber cutting, yarding and transport processes. Technology of processing wood
into various products including lumber, plywood, veneer, pulp and energy.
(Prerequisites: NRM 101 and 251 or permission of instructor.) (2 + 3)
Offered Alternate Fall
NRM 459 1
Credit
Boreal Forest Management and Soils (n)
(Stacked with NRM 659)
Field trip in the Tanana Valley to address forest management
and soils. Includes sites from Fairbanks to Northway and south to the Alaska
Range. Includes soils of aeolian, glacial, fluvial, residual landforms,
supporting conifer, mixed conifer-hardwood and hardwood forests. Includes
wildfire sites, young plantations, immature forest stands, mature forest,
subalpine and thermokarst sites. Requires appropriate clothing/foot gear;
provide own camping gear (sleeping bag, bedroll); able to walk on uneven or
rocky ground through brush; physically fit for long days and field work.
Materials fee: $160. (Prerequisites: Soils course; ecology course; B.S. degree
in agriculture or natural resources, or permission of instructor. Graded
Pass/Fail.) (.5 + 0 + 30) Offered Alternate Summer, As
Demand Warrants
NRM 461 3
Credits
Interpretive Services
Naturalist and other visitor programs in outdoor recreation areas:
philosophy, planning and development of interpretive programs; resources,
agencies, users, interpretive media and program evaluation. (Prerequisite:
Junior standing or permission of instructor.) (3 + 0) Offered As
Demand Warrants
NRM 462 3
Credits
Alaskan Environmental Education
(Cross-listed with ED 462)
Utilization of the environment inside and outside the formal
classroom in all subject areas. Curriculum materials (K-12), interpretive
and audiovisual aids, problem solving, and applications to situations from the
public schools to summer camps, short courses, and workshops for individuals of
any age. (Prerequisite: Junior standing or permission of instructor.)
(3 + 0) Offered As Demand Warrants
NRM 463 3
Credits
Wilderness Concepts
(Stacked with NRM 663 and GEOG 663 and cross-listed with
GEOG 463)
Discovery of wilderness concepts, including the history and
evolution of wilderness thought, the contemporary meaning of wilderness, and
survey of economic and noneconomic wilderness values for individuals and
society. (3 + 0) Offered Fall
NRM 464 3
Credits
Wilderness Management
(Cross-listed with GEOG 464)
Wilderness ecology and land management practices on lands
designated as wilderness. Plus, visitor management regimes are analyzed. Both
national and international views of wilderness are presented. (Prerequisite: A
basic course in ecology, resource management, or permission of instructor.)
(3 + 0) Offered Spring
NRM 465 3
Credits
Outdoor Recreation Planning
Outdoor recreation planning frameworks with an emphasis on
experience-based management. Research methods to support outdoor recreation
planning, including survey design, sampling in different planning situations
and data analysis. (Prerequisites: NRM 101 and ECON 235 or equivalent, or
permission of instructor.) (3 + 0) Offered Alternate Spring
NRM 466 3
Credits
Environmental Soil Chemistry
Designed to help students understand the basic principles of
soil chemical processes. Covers soil solution chemistry;
precipitation/dissolution and soil colloids; soil solid phase;
acidity/alkalinity; adsorption and ion exchange; reduction/oxidation reactions;
and kinetics of soil chemical processes. In the lab students will operate
equipment for soil chemical analysis, experience computer simulation models for
soil chemistry and become familiar with the terms and approaches for writing
technical reports. (Prerequisites: CHEM 105, CHEM 106, and NRM 380.)
(2 + 3) Offered Alternate Spring
NRM 480 3
Credits
Soil Management for Quality and Conservation
Managing soil in disturbed and natural ecosystems to reduce
soil losses and maintain or improve soil quality. Methods for maintaining soil
quality, preserving soil against loss from erosion, remediating contaminated
soil and reclaiming degraded soils are discussed. (Prerequisite: NRM 380.)
(3 + 0) Offered Alternate Fall
NRM 482 1
Credit
Why do Boreal Forests Matter
Introduction to the importance of boreal forests. Includes
presentations by scientists and professionals, readings, and first-hand
observations of components and process at work in the forest. Course is for
non-forestry professionals and non-forestry majors. (Note: Be prepared for the
typical demands of a field situation. Requires walking short distances over
rough, uneven and wet terrain. Appropriate clothing is required.)
(.5 + 1) Offered Summer, As Demand Warrants
NRM 485 3
Credits
Soil Biology (n)
Major groups of organisms in the soil and their
interrelationships; the major biological processes which take place in the soil
and their significance to soil productivity, plant growth and environmental
quality; and methodology for studying soil organisms and soil biological
processes. (Prerequisites: A course in biology or microbiology and a course in
soils or permission of instructor.) (3 + 0) Offered Alternate Spring
NRM 488 3
Credits
Land Management of Ecosystems (n)
(Stacked with NRM 688)
Natural resource topics related to the management of the
terrestrial environment in regions such as the Pacific Northwest, Hawaii and
the circumpolar north are presented. A basic understanding of the ecology of a
specific region is presented prior to a spring break field trip. The field trip
is designed to give the student a broad understanding of important topics
affecting the management of important natural resources in the selected region.
Lab fee: $750. (Prerequisites: NRM 211, 277, 375 or BIOL 271.)
(3 + 0 + 40) Offered Spring
NRM 489 1
Credit
Alaska Soil Geography Field Trip
(Stacked with NRM 689)
Soil geography along ecological transect in selected areas of
Alaska. Hands-on experiences on soil morphology and exposure of the
relationships between soil genesis and other ecological factors including
vegetation, geology, landform, climate and hydrology. Includes discussion of
soil classification and land use interpretations. Student must provide their
own camp gear, be able to walk on uneven or rocky ground and be physically fit
for field work. (Prerequisites: NRM 380, or a course in soils, or permission of
instructor.) (1 + 0) Offered Summer, As Demand Warrants
NRM 601 2
Credits
Research Methods in Natural Resources Management
Introduction for graduate students to the research methods as
employed in the various fields of resource management, including agriculture,
forestry, ecology and social sciences. Designed to acquaint students with the
relationship between theory and research, the nature of scientific inquiry, the
approaches to research, the sequence of steps involved in scientific
investigation and the presentation of research results. (Prerequisite: Graduate
standing or permission of instructor.) (2 + 0) Offered Fall
NRM 613 2
Credits
Resilience Internship
(Cross-listed with ANTH 617, BIOL 613 and ECON 613)
Students of the Resilience and Adaptation Program participate
in internships to broaden their interdisciplinary training, develop new
research tools and build expertise outside their home disciplines. Internships
are for eight to ten weeks of full time commitment and take place during the
student's first summer in the program. In the autumn students meet to discuss
their internship experiences and make public presentations. (Prerequisite:
ANTH/BIOL/ECON/NRM 667 or 668 or permission of instructor.)
(2 + 0) Offered Spring and Fall
NRM 625 3
Credits
Advanced Ungulate Management and Production Systems
Functional biology of large herbivores (ungulates) and
management of the world's grazing systems. Production strategies (cropping,
herding, ranching and farming) as they pertain to productive and/or commercial
management of wild ungulates with emphasis on Alaska's species. Laboratory
presents an introduction to flow charting, types of models, model design using
various software, construction of a productive grazing system model, compiling
a written report to explain the system designed. (Prerequisite: BIOL 105X or
106X and a wildlife or animal science course and permission of instructor.)
(2 + 3) Offered As Demand Warrants
NRM 630 3
Credits
Resource Management Planning
(Stacked with NRM 430)
Application of planning and conflict resolution principles to
natural resources management. Examines plans prepared in response to current
Alaska resource disputes, including wolf, brown bear, boreal forest and
recreation river plans. Includes public involvement, consensus building, the
basic steps in the planning process, and resource dispute simulations.
(Prerequisite: Graduate standing or permission of instructor.)
(3 + 0) Offered Spring
NRM 631 3
Credits
Resource Planning Practicum
Application of principles and processes through group
projects focused on Alaska land or resource problems. (Prerequisite: NRM 630 or
permission of instructor.) (3 + 0) Offered As Demand Warrants
NRM 632 3
Credits
Literature of Science and the Environment
(Stacked with NRM 432 and NORS 432 and cross-listed with
NORS 632)
Reading, analysis and discussion of classic and contemporary
works in science, natural history and environmental literature. Some semesters
all of the readings will follow one theme; other semesters a variety of
fiction, poetry, oral tradition and nonfiction will be considered. Readings are
selected from a spectrum of opinion on the relationship of people to the
natural world and both analytical and creative writing are required. Resource
management professionals and students in the sciences and humanities are welcome.
May be repeated once for additional credit. (Prerequisite: Graduate standing or
permission of the instructor.) (3 + 0) Offered As Demand Warrants
NRM 637 3
Credits
Natural Resource Policy
(Cross-listed with ECON 637)
Resource policy issues development and implementation
including forestry, mining, fisheries, oil, wildlife and other topics as demand
warrants. Focus on policy issues involved in management of Alaska's resources.
(Prerequisite: Graduate standing or permission of instructor.) (3 + 0)
Offered As Demand Warrants
NRM 638 3
Credits
GIS Programming
GIS programming for ArcView, Arc/Info and ArcGIS. Programming
techniques for customizing GIS, efficient batch processing and development of
custom tools for GIS display and analysis. (Prerequisite: NRM 338 or
equivalent. Next offered: 2006-07.) (3 + 0) Offered Alternate
Spring
NRM 640 3
Credits
Simulation and Modeling in Resource Management
Introduction to and discussion of the use of simulation and
modeling in natural resource management. Emphasis on concepts, strategies and
case studies. (Prerequisite: Graduate standing or permission of instructor.)
(3 + 0) Offered Alternate Spring
NRM 641 4
Credits
Natural Resource Applications of Remote Sensing
Application of remote sensing for inventory and analysis of
natural resources. Topics include aerial photography applications and digital
remote sensing, including image display, rectification, classification and
accuracy assessment. (Prerequisite: NRM 338 or equivalent.) (3 + 3)
Offered Alternate Spring
NRM 647 3
Credits
Regional Sustainability
(Cross-listed with ANTH 647, BIOL 647 and ECON 647)
Explores the basic principles that govern resilience and
change of ecological and social systems. The principles are applied at the
level of populations, communities, regions and the globe. Working within and
across each of these scales, students address the processes that influence
ecological, cultural and economic sustainability, with an emphasis on Alaska
examples. (Prerequisite: Graduate standing in a natural science, social
science, humanities or interdisciplinary program at UAF, or permission of
instructor.) (3 + 0) Offered Fall
NRM 648 3
Credits
Integrative Modeling of Natural and Social Systems
(Cross-listed with ANTH 648, BIOL 648 and ECON 648)
Provides a modeling approach to structuring knowledge from
natural and social scientific disciplines so that relevant aspects of a complex
societal problem are considered for the purpose of making management and policy
decisions. Designed to help graduate students use models to integrate
understanding about interactions among natural and social systems for the
purpose of managing biological and human resources. (Prerequisite: STAT 200 or
equivalent, graduate standing in a natural science, social science, humanities
or interdisciplinary program at UAF or another university, or permission of
instructor. The course is designed to fit into the sequence of the Resilience
and Adaptation program's core courses. It is open to other graduate students
interested in and prepared to conduct interdisciplinary studies relating to
regional sustainability. Recommended: ANTH/BIOL/ECON/NRM 647.)
(3 + 3) Offered Fall
NRM 649 3
Credits
Adaptive Management
(Cross-listed with ANTH 649, BIOL 649 and ECON 649)
Interdisciplinary exploration of theoretical and practical
considerations of adaptive management. Students survey concepts important in
understanding societal and professional-level decision-making. Students work as
individuals and in small teams to undertake in-depth case studies with
relevance to adaptive management problems. Collectively, the class builds a
portfolio of cases that are used as the basis of a final overview analysis.
(Prerequisite: Graduate standing in a natural science, social science,
humanities or interdisciplinary program at UAF or another university, or
permission of instructor. The course is designed to fit into the sequence of
the Resilience and Adaptation program's core courses. It is open to other
graduate students interested in and prepared to conduct interdisciplinary
studies relating to regional sustainability. Recommended: ANTH/BIOL/ECON/NRM
667; and ANTH/BIOL/ECON/NRM 647 and 648. In case of enrollment limits, priority
will be given to graduate students in the Resilience and Adaptation program.)
(3 + 0) Offered Spring
NRM 651 3
Credits
Advanced Silviculture
Examines biological and environmental aspects of
silviculture; addresses stand manipulation from the "silvicultural system"
approach and includes regeneration, vegetation management, stand tending, "harvest"
with considerations for biodiversity, "old-growth," wildlife habitat and timber
production. Ecological classification, landscape management, pre-harvest
silvicultural prescriptions will be addressed. Must be able to participate in
one weekend field trip. (Prerequisites: Permission of instructor and graduate
student standing. Next offered: 2006-07.) (3 + 0) Offered
Alternate Spring
NRM 659 1
Credit
Boreal Forest Management and Soils (n)
(Stacked with NRM 459)
Field trip in the Tanana Valley to address forest management
and soils. Includes sites from Fairbanks to Northway and south to the Alaska
Range. Includes soils of aeolian, glacial, fluvial, residual landforms,
supporting conifer, mixed conifer-hardwood and hardwood forests. Includes
wildfire sites, young plantations, immature forest stands, mature forest,
subalpine and thermokarst sites. Requires appropriate clothing/foot gear;
provide own camping gear (sleeping bag, bedroll); able to walk on uneven or
rocky ground through brush; physically fit for long days and field work.
Materials fee: $160. (Prerequisites: Soils course; ecology course; B.S. degree
in agriculture or natural resources, or permission of instructor. Next offered
2007-08. Graded Pass/Fail.) (.5 + 0 + 30)
Offered Alternate Summer
NRM 663 3
Credits
Wilderness Concepts
(Stacked with NRM 463 and GEOG 463 and cross-listed with
GEOG 663)
Discovery of wilderness concepts, including the history and
evolution of wilderness thought, the contemporary meaning of wilderness, and
survey of economic and noneconomic wilderness values for individuals and
society. (3 + 0) Offered Fall
NRM 665 3
Credits
Advanced Outdoor Recreation
Evaluation of contemporary outdoor recreation management
models and the linkage between management programming and visitor response.
Development of a synthesized model and testing with contemporary problems.
(Prerequisite: Graduate standing.) (3 + 0) Offered Alternate Fall
NRM 667 1
Credit
Resilience Seminar I
(Cross-listed with ANTH 667, BIOL 667 and ECON 667)
Provides a forum for new students of the Resilience and
Adaptation graduate program to explore issues of interdisciplinary research
that are relevant to sustainability. A considerable portion of the seminar is
student-directed, with students assuming leadership in planning seminar
activities with the instructor. (Prerequisite: Must be enrolled in the
Resilience and Adaptation graduate program or have permission of instructor.
Recommended: ANTH/BIOL/ECON/NRM 647 [taken concurrently].) (2 + 0)
Offered Fall
NRM 668 1 Credit
Resilience Seminar II
(Cross-listed with ANTH 668, BIOL 668 and ECON 668)
Provides a forum for new students of the Resilience and
Adaptation graduate program to explore issues of interdisciplinary research
that are relevant to sustainability. The seminar provides support to each
student planning his/her summer internship and preparing and presenting a
thesis research prospectus. (Prerequisites: ANTH/BIOL/ECON/NRM 667; and
ANTH/BIOL/ECON/NRM 647 or permission of instructor.) (2 + 0) Offered
Spring
NRM 670 3
Credits
Biometeorology
Radiation balance, energy balance relationships for natural
and modified surfaces; physical environment in relation to biology and ecology
of plants and animals; implications for resource and environmental management.
(Prerequisites: Biological or physical science background and graduate standing
or permission of instructor.) (3 + 0) Offered Alternate Fall
NRM 672 3
Credits
Nutrient Cycling
Examination of physical, chemical and biological processes
controlling nutrient element recycling, availability and retention in natural
and managed ecosystems. (Prerequisites: NRM 380, CHEM 106X, BIOL 271 or
permission of instructor.) (3 + 0) Offered Alternate Spring
NRM 675 3
Credits
Theoretical Forest Ecosystem Science
Theoretical concepts of forest ecosystem dynamics including
theoretical developments in the description of plant growth, ecosystem
productivity, decomposition and plant carbon allocation. Development of a model
using the basic theoretical constructs. (Prerequisites: Undergraduate major in
biological sciences or renewable resources including at least one course in
ecology, one approved college-level mathematics course and graduate standing or
permission of instructor.) (3 + 0) Offered Alternate Spring
NRM 678 3
Credits
Ecosystem Management
Ecosystem Management addresses the current concepts being
debated and used to manage renewable resources. Students will, through reading,
discussion and written exercises, develop understanding and applications of the
concept as well as draft definitions. Class sessions will involve lecture and
discussion. (Prerequisites: B.S./B.A. with basic biology, wildlife, natural
resources, forestry background, or demonstrated knowledge; seniors with
permission of instructor only; public with knowledge/experience only;
permission of instructor.) (3 + 0) Offered Alternate Spring
NRM 681 3
Credits
Natural Area Protection and Management
An examination of the emergence of programs to identify,
protect and maintain natural diversity and natural areas as a major factor in
public and private resource management in the U.S. and Canada. Topics will
include conservation biology principles, evolution and operating principles of
natural area programs, natural area data management, natural area system
administration. (Prerequisites: Basic biology [including genetics],
introductory ecology, plant or animal systematics or taxonomy, introductory
chemistry.) (3 + 0) Offered Alternate Spring
NRM 685 3
Credits
Soil Microbiology and Biochemistry
In-depth examination of several (4-5) current topics in
soil microbiology and biochemistry. Based on readings from the primary
literature and discussions in class. Each student will be expected to lead at
least one discussion, write a research proposal and present the proposal to
class. (Prerequisites: at least one course in soil science and one course in
microbiology or permission of instructor.) (3 + 0) Offered As Demand
Warrants
NRM 688 3
Credits
Land Management of Ecosystems (n)
(Stacked with NRM 488)
Natural resource topics related to the management of the
terrestrial environment in regions such as the Pacific Northwest, Hawaii and
the circumpolar north are presented. A basic understanding of the ecology of a
specific region is presented prior to a spring break field trip. The field trip
is designed to give the student a broad understanding of important topics
affecting the management of important natural resources in the selected region.
Lab fee: $750. (Prerequisites: NRM 211, 277, 375 or BIOL 271.) (3 + 0 + 40)
Offered Spring
NRM 689 1
Credit
Alaska Soil Geography Field Trip
(Stacked with NRM 489)
Soil geography along ecological transect in selected areas of
Alaska. Hands-on experiences on soil morphology and exposure of the
relationships between soil genesis and other ecological factors including
vegetation, geology, landform, climate and hydrology. Includes discussion of
soil classification and land use interpretations. Student must provide their
own camp gear, be able to walk on uneven or rocky ground and be physically fit
for field work. (Prerequisites: NRM 380, or a course in soils, or permission of
instructor.) (1 + 0) Offered Summer, As Demand Warrants
NRM 692 1
Credit
Graduate Seminar
Topics in natural resources management explored through readings,
student presentations, group discussions and guest speakers; high level of
student participation. (Prerequisite: Graduate standing or permission of
instructor.) (0 + 0 + 1) Offered Fall, Spring
Northern Studies
For information on studying at McGill University, Montreal,
Canada; the University of Copenhagen, Denmark; or opportunities for study in
Russia, see Study Abroad.