Natural Resources and Environmental Management

J. Eflin, Chairperson 

The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Management prepares students for careers in environmental sciences and management of natural resources. The programs offered by the department are designed to give students a basic scientific understanding of physical, biological, and social aspects of natural and managed ecosystems. The department offers a major in natural resources and environmental management, and minors in emergency management and homeland security, energy, environmental management, international resource management, and natural resources. The department also coordinates an interdepartmental minor in environmental policy. 

Students majoring in natural resources and environmental management choose one of the following options: natural resources or environmental management. All majors must complete a common core requirement. Majors should consult with their advisors early in their programs to ensure that they are meeting degree requirements. 

Students have opportunities to use modern laboratories and equipment, conduct research and support resource conservation practices on 420 acres of field properties, attend workshop classes leading to professional certification, and participate in off-campus service learning activities. International and/or domestic field studies are also available. Students are encouraged to participate in internships (professional practice) under the supervision of faculty members and professionals working in governmental agencies, private industry, or non-profit environmental organizations. 

Majors and minors should contact their departmental advisor for additional details about the programs.

MAJOR IN NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENTAL
MANAGEMENT, 60-62 hours

MINOR IN EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AND HOMELAND
SECURITY, 24 hours

MINOR IN ENERGY, 21 hours

MINOR IN ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT, 22 hours

MINOR IN INTERNATIONAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT, 21 hours

MINOR IN NATURAL RESOURCES, 21 hours

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AND HOMELAND SECURITY (EMHS) 

350 Hazardous Materials Health and Safety (3) 
Worker health and safety principles and practices in: handling hazardous materials, waste remediation, and emergency responses to accidental chemical releases and terrorist episodes

351 Introduction to Emergency Management and Homeland Security (3)

Introduction to principles of emergency management and homeland security such as preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation. Other concepts include hazards, communications, management, health issues, and tools utilized in emergency management. Discussion of relevant issues from a multi-disciplinary approach. 

352 Science of WMDs and Technological Hazards (3) 
Application of scientific principles to technological hazards including biological, chemical, radiological, nuclear and explosive weapons (WMDs). Discussion of relevant principles in biology, chemistry, physics, and other sciences. Effects of hazards on air, water, food supplies, and human health. 

389 WMD Awareness and Response (3) 
Awareness of toxicological effects and treatment of biological, chemical, radiological, nuclear, and explosive agents (WMDs). Emergency response to domestic incidents. The Incident Command System. Selection and proper use of chemically-protective clothing. Decontamination principles. 
    Open only to juniors and seniors. 

469 Professional Practice (1-6) 
Supervised experience in emergency planning and management, science of hazards, and/or cyber security. Connects academic with professional experiences. 
    Prerequisite: EMHS 351, 352; permission of the department chairperson. 
    A total of 6 hours of credit may be earned. 
    Open only to juniors and seniors.

493 Special Topics (1-6) 
Provides an opportunity to conduct independent study of emergency management and homeland security topics of special interest to students. 
    Prerequisite: permission of the department chairperson. 
    A total of 6 hours of credit may be earned.

NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT (NREM)

101 Environment and Society (3)
Study of human roles in conservation resource management, environmental quality, and sustainable development. Effects of population and technology on environmental systems including air, energy, minerals, soil, water, vegetation, and wildlife. Environmental ethics, outdoor recreation, and public lands management are also covered. Laboratory and field activities. 

201 Undergraduate Seminar (1) 
Career and internship planning, resume development, overview of natural resource and environmental management, orientation to community environmental resources. Emphasizes professional development of NREM majors. Includes field trip and other activities outside of the classroom. 
    Prerequisite: NREM 101 or equivalent. 
    Open only to NREM majors; others by permission of the department chairperson. 

203 Decision Making in Natural Resource Management (3) 
Application of decision-making principles to natural resource management. Instruction in the use of basic microeconomic principles (investment, capital recovery, property rights, opportunity costs, discounting, compounding, prices) in practical resource management situations within the constraints of environmental laws and regulations. Uses simple algebraic and graphical tools. 

204 American Environmental History (3) 
Designed to give students knowledge of use of resources in the United States by treating, in historical perspective, government policies and private enterprise practices of exploitation and conservation from settlement to the present. Emphasizes the way use of resources has shaped society. 
    Not open to students who have credit in HIST 204. 

205 International Natural Resources: Development and Conservation (3) 
An analysis of problems occurring as a result of development and use of natural resources worldwide. The role of resource management and conservation to enhance the carrying capacity of the earth. A case-study approach to the management of global environmental problems. 

211 Water Resources (3) 
Hydrologic cycle and climate as a basis for water resources distribution and management. U.S. and international water resources issues: U.S. water allocation laws, national and international water conflicts, water quality, drinking water and wastewater treatment, surface and ground water hydrology, municipal water resources development. Includes laboratory and field work. 

221 Soil Resources (3) 
Soil as an integral part of our resource base and its relationship to other natural resources; its origin, development, and classification. The physical, chemical, and biological properties, with emphasis on the practical applications of soil science to natural resources planning. Includes laboratory and field work. 

241 Air Resources (3) 
Survey of atmospheric characteristics and processes as they influence management of natural resources. Current air pollution issues; regulatory requirements and practices. Laboratory and field experiences. 

286 Computer and Quantitative Applications (3) 
Work with various computer tools and data analysis packages as applied to topics in resource management. Requires basic understanding of computer operation. 
    Open only to NREM majors; others by permission of the department chairperson. 

299X Experimental/Developmental Topics (3-6) 
Topics relevant to the discipline. Course titles will be announced before each semester. 
    A total of 6 hours of credit may be earned. 

304 Sustainable Agriculture (3) 
Natural resource use in agricultural systems with emphasis on principles of sustainability. Includes integrated pest management, permaculture, and other production practices that conserve soil, water, and biological resources. Field trips included. 

307 Environmental Management in Developing Countries (3) 
Survey of challenges facing management of urban environments and the rural-urban interface in the developing nations of Asia, Africa, Latin America, and Pacific Oceania. Features interdisciplinary approach with frequent guest speakers to discuss existing and potential management, economic, technical, and policy solutions in their regional, cultural, and historic contexts. 

309 Human Dimensions of Global Change (3) 
Systematic exploration of major topics of human and environmental change from local to global scales, including: population, energy, agriculture, industry, technology, urbanization, water, climate, natural hazards, socioeconomic systems, land use, trade, marginalized societies, and biodiversity. 
    Prerequisite: junior standing; or permission of the instructor. 

315 Water Quality Management (3) 
Effects, consequences of point and non-point sources of pollution on quality of surface and drinking water; occurrence, sources and effects of regulated and unregulated contaminants; role of regulations in water quality management in U.S., centralized drinking water and wastewater treatment. Laboratory analysis of water quality parameters; may include field work. 
    Prerequisite: NREM 211 or permission of the department chairperson. 

320 Wetland Characterization (3) 
Study of wetland functions and values. Delineation of wetland boundaries according to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers criteria (wetland hydrology, hydric soils, hydrophytic vegetation). Includes a substantial component of field work. 
    Prerequisite: NREM 221; permission of the department chairperson. 

322 Soil Quality (3) 
Chemical, physical, and biological properties of soil that affect plant production and other land uses. Emphasizes nutrient cycles in natural and cropped systems. Use and fate of pesticides. Land application of agricultural and urban wastes. 
    Prerequisite: NREM 221 or its equivalent; CHEM 111 or its equivalent or permission of the department chairperson. 

324 Soil Classification and Interpretation (3) 
Includes soil genesis, morphology, classification, and survey. Stresses the relationship between soil information and the land-use decision-making process with practical applications provided. Considerable emphasis is placed on field study of soils and their uses. 
    Prerequisite: NREM 221 or permission of the department chairperson. 

327 Soil Conservation and Management (3) 
Stresses principles and methods of control of soil erosion using basic soil concepts. Studies management systems and individual practices with special emphasis on soil resource maintenance. 
    Prerequisite: NREM 221 or permission of the department chairperson.

331 Energy and Mineral Resources: Issues and Choices (3) 
Appraisal of the problems, prospects, and societal and technical issues surrounding the use of energy and mineral resources. Emphasizes environmental problems and ecoenergetics, consideration of the natural resource base, distribution and production problems, conservation, alternative energy systems, resource policy, and research. 

335 Renewable Energy and Sustainable Technology (3) 
Exploration of alternative/renewable energy systems (wind, solar, hydro, biomass, geothermal, fuel cells). Case studies of sustainable technology emphasize topics including industrial ecology (life-cycle analysis, design for the environment, clean manufacturing, and impact assessment) and appropriate technology applications in developing countries. Problem-solving applications using various approaches. 

346 Indoor Environmental Quality (3) 
Focuses on air quality in residential and nonresidential indoor environments; contaminants; health effects; sick buildings; diagnosis and measurement; mitigation measures. Lab and field experiences. 

347 Occupational/Industrial Hygiene (3) 
Introduces the principles of assessing and controlling exposures to workplace hazards. Topics include occupational disease; exposure to contaminant gases, dusts, radiation, noise, and biological agents; ergonomic concerns; regulatory requirements; engineering control; and personal protection equipment. 

348 Asbestos and Lead Assessment (3) 
Principles and practices associated with conducting asbestos and lead inspections and exposure hazard assessments. Discussion of use, health effects, assessment methods, and regulatory requirements. Field and hands-on experiences.  

357 International Community Development (3) 
Application of practical methods to problems of development in poor rural agrarian communities and environmental management in poor urban communities in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Emphasizes face-to-face methodologies to the identification and development of workable solutions to resource and environmental problems of disadvantaged populations in developing nations. 

369 Professional Practice/Experiential Learning (1-3) 
Professional or other experiential learning experiences in environmental/natural resource management, studies, or education. 
    Prerequisite: permission of the department chairperson. 
    A total of 3 hours of credit may be earned. 

371 Outdoor Recreation and Society (3) 
The role of outdoor recreation in modern society. Perspectives ranging from local to global. Examination of the history of outdoor recreation in the United States to the present day, with emphasis on issues in both public and private sectors. May require one weekend field trip in addition to regular laboratory periods. 

372 Applied Research Methods in Resource Management (3) 
Social science applications in natural resource and environmental management. These applications include quantitative and qualitative survey research designs, analysis of social data, and applications of survey results to political processes. Perspectives range from local to international. 

385 Wastewater Management (3) 
Effects of wastewater on receiving waters, need for wastewater treatment, principles of wastewater treatment technologies: onsite, centralized, conventional and alternative treatment technologies; management and regulatory strategies. Includes field trip(s). 
    Prerequisite: NREM 211 or permission of the department chairperson. 

387 Solid and Hazardous Waste Management (3) 
Delineation of solid and hazardous waste management in the United States. Waste reduction, recycling, processing, and disposal methods are discussed. Technical, political, and economic aspects of waste management. Effects of improper disposal on environmental quality. 
    Prerequisite: junior standing or permission of the department chairperson. 

390 Honors Colloquium in Natural Resources (1-3) 
Exploration of selected issues in natural resources, with emphasis upon individual projects, study, and discussion. 
    A total of 3 hours of credit may be earned. 
    Open only to honors students; others with permission of the department chairperson. 

392 Environmental Interpretation (3) 
Develops skills and techniques necessary to the interpretation of ecological and environmental characteristics of earth systems. Emphasizes field work and creative presentation of concepts, and organization and management of interpretive programs including sites and facilities. 
    Prerequisite: NREM 101 or its equivalent; junior standing. 

395 Teaching Environmental Education (3) 
Opportunities for enriching instruction through environmental education in formal and non-formal educational settings. Studies conservation, outdoor and environmental education, including teaching techniques and instructional resources used in each. 
    Prerequisite: NREM 101 or permission of the department chairperson. 

402 Field Study (1-6) 
Off-campus field studies of a specific geographic area with emphasis on resource management. Details of arrangements (including group travel plans and housing) will be provided by instructor. A maximum of 3 hours of credit applies to the NREM major. 
    Prerequisite: NREM 101 or its equivalent; permission of the department chairperson. 
    A total of 6 hours of credit may be earned. 

405 Integrated Resource Management (3) 
Systems perspective on holistic or integrated planning and management of natural resources. Stresses data analysis and its role in the decision-making process. 
    Prerequisite: all core courses in natural resources and environmental management (or concurrent enrollment); senior standing. 

473 Outdoor Recreation Planning and Administration (3) 
Application of basic principles and procedures for the planning and administration of resource-based and activity-based recreation areas. May require one weekend field trip as well as in-class field trips. 
    Prerequisite: NREM 371 or permission of the department chairperson. 

477 Wilderness and Society (3) 
Defining wilderness, understanding its unique significance, and analyzing techniques of past and present management. Includes study of research in perception and use. Weekend trip to the Deam Wilderness—Hoosier National Forest or a state forest back country area. 
    Prerequisite: junior standing. 

481 Site Remediation Technologies (3) 
Engineering principles applied to specific environmental problems. Underground storage tank closure and removal; environmental site assessments; remediation of severely disturbed environments; site safety issues. Some environmental chemistry. 
    Prerequisite: CHEM 111, 112; NREM 211, 221; or permission of the department chairperson. 

488 Site Assessment and Remediation (3) 
Experience with Phase I and Phase II environmental site assessments. Conventional and innovative technologies for remediation of contaminated soils and groundwater. Review of relevant environmental regulations. Some environmental chemistry. 
    Prerequisite: CHEM 231 or permission of the instructor. 
    Open only to juniors or seniors. 

497 Special Studies in Environmental and Natural Resource Sciences (1-3) 
Opportunity to pursue special studies interests in environmental and natural resource sciences. 
    Prerequisite: permission of the department chairperson. 
    A total of 3 hours of credit may be earned.