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NRES Courses

 Catalogs

Looking for catalogs of AAMU course offerings? Look no further.

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Bachelor of Science Degree
Major Concentration Minor
Environmental Science

Agricultural Science

Environmental Health Science

Environmental Management

Plant Science

Public & Environmental Health

Soil Science

Plant Biotechnology

Remote Sensing & GIS
Forestry

Ecology

Fish and Wildlife Science

Forest Management

Forest Science

Forestry Business

Fisheries

Wildlife Biology

Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences Classes

Undergraduate
  • NRE 101 - Introduction to Plant Science

    4 credit hours. Study of the fundamental principles of science as related to the basic aspects of plant growth, morphology, physiology, ecology, propagation, and utilization.

    Prerequisite: None

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  • NRE 170 - Introduction to Environmental Science

    3 credit hours. A study of man both as a dominant force and as an inseparable part of the ecosphere. Basic ecological concepts, pollution and pollution control, resources and resource use, human manipulation of ecosystems, the law and environmental problems, the urban environment, problems of population growth, and discussion of other specific environmental issues.

    Prerequisite: None

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  • NRE 199 - Technology in Agricultural & Biological Sciences

    3 credit hours. This course is designed for freshman students who plan to major in the “Agricultural Sciences” including Forestry, Environmental, Biological, Animal, Food, Family and Consumer Sciences. The first part of the course will provide an overview of technological tools for writing reports, data analyses, and presentations. The second part of the course will focus on advanced technology and its applications. This will include geographic information system (GIS), statistics, precision agriculture, remote sensing, and online databases.

    Prerequisite: None

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  • NRE 223 (BIO 223) - Introduction to Environmental Health Science

    3 credit hours. The fundamental of environmental health, covering environmental control agencies, elements of the environment suffering from pollution, environmental pollutants and their sources, effects of environmental pollution, and methods of pollution control.

    Prerequisite: None

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  • NRE 251 - Introduction to Soil Science

    4 credit hours. Fundamental principles of soil science, a comprehensive study of physical, chemical, and biological properties of soils and their applications to crop production and other land uses. (Audio- tutorial).

    Prerequisite: CHE 101

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  • NRE 281 - Introduction to Forestry

     3 credit hours. Principles and practices of forestry. Brief treatment of forest tree biology, dendrology, forest ecology, hydrology, insects and diseases, mensuration, silvicultural methods, products, economics, and management.

    Prerequisite: None

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  • NRE 282 - Dendrology

    3 credit hours. Identification, classification, and silvics of commercially and ecologically important forest plants in the United States.

    Prerequisite: None

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  • NRE 286 - Wildlife Biology and Identification

    3 credit hours. Identification, distribution, life history, and behavior of North American amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals. Emphasis on ecological and zoological aspects of special relevance to management. A laboratory and field course in species identification, techniques of age and sex determination, and behavior analysis.

    Prerequisite: None

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  • NRE 306 - Environmental Microbiology

    4 credit hours (3 clock hour lecture and 2 clock hour lab periods per week). This course is an introduction to the rapidly evolving fields of microbial ecology and environmental microbiology. We are literally surrounded and covered by microorganisms significant in the earth’s habitability and our own survival. Microbial ecology and environmental microbiology attempt to document and enhance our understanding of the diversities and activities of microbial communities and populations. Environmental microbiology has been revolutionized by molecular and genomic technologies.

    Prerequisite: (BIO 101 and BIO 102) or BIO 103

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  • NRE 350 - Soil Morphology, Genesis, and Classification

    4 credit hours. Soil characteristics used in soil survey and identification, factors and processes of soil formation and principles of soil classification systems are addressed.

    Prerequisite: NRE 251

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  • NRE 351 - Soil and Water Conservation

    3 credit hours. A study of soil and water conservation principles as related to wind and water erosion control, water utilization and runoff control, irrigation and drainage principles relating to crop production.

    Prerequisite: NRE 251 and junior or senior standing

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  • NRE 360 - Cooperative Education

    1-6 credit hours. Relevant job-related experiences are arranged with federal and state government or with private industry. Prior approval by student’s advisor is required.

    Prerequisite: None

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  • NRE 365 - Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

     3 credit hours. An introduction to computer-assisted geographic analysis technology used in the management, assessment, and inventory of natural resources.

    Prerequisite: None

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  • NRE 366 - Climate and Global Change

    4 credit hours. Climate and global change; relationships between the sun and the earth; the global structure and variations of the atmosphere and oceans; and the influence of humans and natural processes on the climate system and its variability

    Prerequisite: None

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  • NRE 370 - Natural Resource Conservation and Management

     3 credit hours. An ecological approach to basic conservation principles and techniques. Introduction to policies and techniques for intelligent management and utilization of forests and other natural resources.

    Prerequisite: None

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  • NRE 371 - Forest Mensuration

     4 credit hours. An applied approach to forest measurements, including log, tree and stand measurements, as well as data analysis. Training in commonly used measuring devices is included during a weekly field laboratory.

    Prerequisite: NRE 281

    Corequisites: NRE 375

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  • NRE 372 - Forest Fire Ecology and Management

    2 credit hours. This course will describe the impacts of fire on various forested ecosystems and describe tools for prediction of both the effects and behavior of forest fires. Fire prevention and management techniques will also be discussed.

    Prerequisite: NRE 281, NRE 282

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  • NRE 375 - Silviculture

    4 credit hours. A study of ecosystem-based sustainable and adaptive forest management silvicultural systems, regeneration methods and intermediate treatments.

    Prerequisite: NRE 282, NRE 379

    Corequisites: NRE 371

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  • NRE 376 - Forest Pest Management

    3 credit hours. An introductory course on the biology, ecology and management of forest pests, with particular emphasis on insects and tree disease pathogens. The course includes a weekly three-hour laboratory, where students develop skills in insect and pathogen identification and learn to recognize pest problems via associated host tree symptoms.

    Prerequisite: NRE 281, NRE 379

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  • NRE 379 - Forest Ecology

    3 credit hours. An introductory course on the interaction between forest trees and their environment. The course covers basic concepts and theories concerning forest structure, function and dynamics and their application for sustainable forest management.

    Prerequisite: NRE 281, NRE 282

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  • NRE 381 - Wood Products

    3 credit hours. A study of the physical and chemical composition of wood and the products derived from wood.

    Prerequisite: NRE 281

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  • NRE 382 - Forestry Field Techniques I

    3 credit hours. A forestry field technique course that covers timber harvesting, forest mensuration and forest land surveying that is arranged to be taught during weekends, school breaks, or other arranged times.

    Prerequisite: NRE 281

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  • NRE 383 - Forestry Field Techniques II

     3 credit hours. A forestry field techniques course that covers forest management, forest operations, Silviculture, urban forestry and forest recreation that is arranged to be taught during weekends, school breaks, or other arranged times.

    Prerequisite: NRE 281

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  • NRE 384 - Forest Operations Systems and Management

    3 credit hours. Valuation procedures, market forces harvesting and transportation activities, and processing systems that supply human demands for forest products.

    Prerequisite: NRE 281, junior or senior standing

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  • NRE 385 - Forest Recreation

    3 credit hours. An introduction to forest recreation from the planning, policy, legal, and technical standpoints. Campgrounds, picnic areas, trail construction, visitor, and operations management are a few of the major areas covered. Specific information and recommendations on how to perform forest recreation jobs at the technical level are also provided.

    Prerequisite: NRE 281 or sophomore standing

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  • NRE 386 - Principles of Wildlife Management

     3 credit hours. An introduction to the life history requirements, behavioral adaptations, habitat selection, population dynamics, community relationships, and management strategies of terrestrial vertebrates in North America. History of wildlife management, current wildlife policies, and survey of wildlife field techniques are also included.

    Prerequisite: BIO 101 or BIO 103

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  • NRE 387 - Wildlife-Forestry Relationships

    3 credit hours. An in-depth course on the relationships between forest habitat conditions and the abundance, diversity, and physiological condition of wildlife. Examination of wildlife effects on forest regeneration and management practices with consideration of vertebrate pest control strategies. Discussion of wildlife-habitat relationships models, habitat suitability models, and assessment of beneficial and detrimental impacts of forest management on wildlife conservation.

    Prerequisite: NRE 281

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  • NRE 388 - Principles of Fisheries Science

    3 credit hours. Hands-on introduction to fisheries science. Overview of the nature of fisheries, brief introduction to the physiological ecology of aquatic organisms, methods in the capture and identification of local fishes, introduction to trophic interactions, bioassessment, and habitat and water quality assessment.

    Prerequisite: None

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  • NRE 389 - Fisheries Management and Aquaculture

     3 credit hours. Hands-on introduction to the practice of fisheries management and aquaculture. Overview of common and experimental aquaculture methods. Examination of basic fisheries management techniques and experience in fisheries assessment.

    Prerequisite: None

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  • NRE 400 (BIO 433) - Fundamentals of Epidemiology

    3 credit hours. Students will learn the fundamentals of epidemiology. Areas of emphasis include epidemiology definitions and practical applications, measures of morbidity and mortality, descriptive epidemiology, observational and experimental study designs, data interpretation issues, infectious disease epidemiology, environmental epidemiology, and chronic disease epidemiology.

    Prerequisite: CHE 101, CHE 101L

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  • NRE 401 - Floral and Garden Center Management

    4 credit hours. Formerly Nursery and Greenhouse Management.  Management of garden centers, including financing, selecting a location, designing of facilities, greenhouse construction, selection of plant materials, personnel management, selling and advertising, and maintaining plant materials. Principles and practices of establishment and management of a retail flower shop, including store location, buying, floral design, pricing and merchandise control.

    Prerequisite: NRE 101 or instructor consent

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  • NRE 406 (NRE 506) - Soil Microbiology

    4 credit hours. A study of the properties and classes of microorganisms as related to soil and crop production. Effects of microorganisms on the fertility, and chemical, and physical properties of soil, are emphasized.

    Prerequisite: NRE 306

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  • NRE 410 - Forage Management

    3 credit hours. A study of the soil - plant - animal complex as it relates to the morphology, physiology, and utilization of forages. Emphasis will be on agronomic practices and physiological considerations in forage management in Alabama.

    Prerequisite: NRE 101 or (BIO 204, BIO 204L)

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  • NRE 411 - Weed Science and Herbicide Technology

    3 credit hours. Phenology of weeds, habitat management by cultural, mechanical, biological and chemical means, dissipation and phytotoxicity of herbicides. Application and physiological relationships of herbicides and recent advances in weed control problems.

    Prerequisite: NRE 101 or BIO 204, BIO 204L

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  • NRE 417 - Sustainable Crop Production

    3 credit hours. Principles of sustainable agriculture with modern crop production practices, management of biological, physical, and human resources to optimize field crop production in a sustainable and cost-effective manner. Emerging biotechnologies, precision agriculture, etc. are highlighted.

    Prerequisite: NRE 101

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  • NRE 421 - Plant Propagation

    3 credit hours. A study of the principles, processes, methods, and materials involved in sexual and asexual propagation of plants.

    Prerequisite: NRE 101 or instructor consent

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  • NRE 422 - Landscape Design and Construction

    4 credit hours. A study of the principles of landscape design, including symbols, styles, finished drawings, selection and arrangement of plants, sections and elevations design of construction features and computer-aided drawing.

    Prerequisite: None

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  • NRE 423 - Ornamentals I - Trees and Shrubs

     3 credit hours. Type, characteristics, adaptation, maintenance, and functional uses of ornamental plants used in landscape design, with a special emphasis on trees, shrubs, vines, and groundcovers.

    Prerequisite: NRE 101 or instructor consent

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  • NRE 425 - Lawn and Turf Management

     3 credit hours. Methods and principles of establishing and maintaining residential lawns as well as special-purpose turf grasses for commercial landscapes, golf courses or athletic fields, including weed and pest control.

    Prerequisite: None

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  • NRE 427 - Ornamentals II - Flowers and Foliage Plants

    3 credit hours. Identification, culture, and use of herbaceous annuals and perennials, bulbs, herbs and ornamental grasses. Flower bed and border preparation and maintenance; selection, installation, and care of tropical foliage plants in interior settings; use of light, plant acclimatization, growing media, fertilizers, containers, and pest control.

    Prerequisite: NRE 101 or instructor consent

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  • NRE 428 - Fruit and Vegetable Production

    3 credit hours. Commercial fruit and vegetable culture, including site selection and preparation, classes of vegetables, species of fruits, establishment, pest control, and harvesting are emphasized in this course.

    Prerequisite: NRE 101 or instructor consent

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  • NRE 430 - Biostatistics

    3 credit hours. Introductory statistics, with emphasis on the biological sciences. Includes a study of natural distribution systems, sampling techniques, data arrangement, tests of significance, and logical inferences.

    Prerequisite: MTH 113

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  • NRE 431 - Principles of Plant Breeding

    3 credit hours. Principles, methods, and techniques involved in plant breeding, and their application to field crops.

    Prerequisite: BIO 204, BIO 204L, BIO 311, BIO 311L

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  • NRE 432 - Plant Disease Diagnosis

     4 credit hours. A study of the general principles and methods applied in identification, epidemiology, etiology, and control of major plant diseases

    Prerequisite: None

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  • NRE 433 - Introduction to Molecular Genetics

    3 credit hours. The study of prokaryotic DNA structure and replication, restriction analysis, sequencing, transcription, translation, gene regulation and gene expression.

    Prerequisite: instructor consent

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  • NRE 433L - Introduction to Molecular Genetics Laboratory

    1 credit hour. This course emphasizes the basic techniques used in molecular genetics and provides a step-by-step approach and hands-on experience in the field of recombinant DNA technology.

    Corequisites: NRE 433

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  • NRE 435 - Introduction to Bioinformatics

     4 credit hours. An interdisciplinary course melding information and biological sciences. Structure and function of proteins and nucleic acids; retrieval and interpretation of bioinformation, algorithms and software for sequence alignment, similarity searching of sequence databases.

    Prerequisite: General Biology/ Biochemistry, some familiarity with computer programming

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  • NRE 437 - Plant Tissue Culture Methods & Applications

    4 credit hours.

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  • NRE 440 - Seed Production Practices

    4 credit hours. A study of the principles and practices in the production of pure seeds, with emphasis on harvesting, drying and storage; crop and weed seed identification and laboratory practices in seed testing; and official rules for testing seeds and seed laws or marketing.

    Prerequisite: NRE 101 or NRE 310

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  • NRE 441 - Phytophysiology

    4 credit hours. A study of the environment-plant growth interaction in the physiology of plants with emphasis on whole plant processes.

    Prerequisite: NRE 101

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  • NRE 445 - Bioinformatics Applications

    3 credit hours. This course covers the translation and analysis of nucleic acid and protein sequences, with an emphasis on the application of algorithms to biological problems. Discussions include applications to genome and proteome sequences, protein structure, and sequence-structure analysis. Instructions, step by  step tutorials and links for each application are provided

    Prerequisite: None

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  • NRE 450 (NRE 550) - Earth Science

    3 credit hours. An advanced level overview of earth science concepts, processes, and categories, with emphasis on plate tectonics, volcanism, weathering and erosion, global weather and climate, vegetation, and soil. Emphasis on human interactions and relationships with the physical environment and resulting public policy and management conflicts, (e.g., biodiversity as an issue) as well as management strategies are addressed.

    Prerequisite: None

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  • NRE 451 (NRE 551) - Environmental Toxicology

    3 credit hours. Toxic effects of environmental chemicals on living systems, the chemical and biological characteristics of major pollutants, their origins and uses, and the exposure, transformation and elimination of toxic substances by biological systems.

    Prerequisite: (CHE 102, CHE 251) or instructor consent

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  • NRE 452 (NRE 552) - Soil Fertility and Fertilizers

    3 credit hours. A study of the relationship of soil chemistry, forms of nutrients in soils, and role of plant nutrients in crop production, as well as other factors associated with soil productivity; and basic concepts of fertilizer application and manufacturing.

    Prerequisite: CHE 102, NRE 251

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  • NRE 453 (NRE 553) - Hazardous Waste Management

    3 credit hours. The impact, technologies, problems and issues associated with hazardous wastes, and management practices are emphasized in this course. Case studies of hazardous waste spills, risk assessments, and remediation techniques are included.

    Prerequisite: None.

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  • NRE 460 (NRE 560) - Soil Chemistry

    3 credit hours. Chemical and mineralogical composition of soil; fundamental chemical properties of soils; nature and properties of soil colloids; cation exchange phenomena in soils; soil reaction, and soil acidity are addressed in this course.

    Prerequisite: CHE 101, CHE l0lL, CHE 102, CHE 102L, NRE 251

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  • NRE 461 (NRE 561) - Soil Physics

     4 credit hours. A study of physical make-up and properties of soil, including structure, thermal relationships, consistency, plasticity, water and their interrelatedness.

    Prerequisite: PHY 201, NRE 251

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  • NRE 465 (NRE 565) - Applications of Geostatistics

    3 credit hours. Use of geostatistical models in sampling experimental design, mapping contaminant concentration, risk analysis, remediation, planning and probability analyses. Conceptual development of theory and action in managing natural resources.

    Prerequisite: NRE 430 or UPL 275

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  • NRE 470 (NRE 570) - Soil, Plant, and Water Analysis

    4 credit hours. Chemical and instrumental methods in the analysis of soil, plant, and water samples;  experimental and descriptive inorganic and organic analyses; atomic and molecular absorption and emission spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, X-ray diffraction and fluorescence, gas and ion chromatography, and ion-selective electrodes.

    Prerequisite: CHE 221, NRE 251.

    Note: This course is a capstone course for the Environmental Science program. Therefore, students majoring in this program cannot substitute this course

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  • NRE 471 (NRE 571) - Aerial Photo-Interpretation

    3 credit hours. Detection, identification and analysis of objects or features from aerial photographs. Sensing devices and other equipment related to photogrammetry application are utilized. Interpretation of terrain, vegetation, and cultural features is emphasized.

    Prerequisite: MTH 112, MTH 113

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  • NRE 472 (NRE 572) - Soil, Water, and Air Pollution

    3 credit hours. The fate of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and other agricultural and industrial pollutants in relation to environmental quality as well as the effects of these factors on checks and balances of natural terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

    Prerequisite: NRE 251 with minGrade C

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  • NRE 474 - Forest Ecological Management

    2 credit hours. A study of the integrated management of forest resources including plant, site and landscape processes, as well as interrelationships of forestry practices, wildlife and range management, hydrology, recreation, and other demands.

    Prerequisite: NRE 365, NRE 371, NRE 375, NRE 376, NRE 379, NRE 387, NRE 430

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  • NRE 475 (NRE 575) - Principles of Wetlands

    3 credit hours. The importance of wetlands for wildlife, waste treatment, flood control, and water quality is emphasized. Biological, chemical, and physical processes, which occur in natural and constructed wetlands, are addressed. Field trips are required.

    Prerequisite: CHE 102, CHE 102L, NRE 251

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  • NRE 476 (NRE 577) - Remote Sensing of the Environment I

    4 credit hours. The course is designed to provide principles of remote sensing, sensor and their applications and to develop skills in remote sensing data processing, and analysis in a different disciplines including natural resource assessment and management, land use planning, and environmental monitoring.

    Prerequisite: None

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  • NRE 477 (NRE 577) - Insect Biology and Pest Management

    3 credit hours. Biology of insects, taxonomy, basic structure and function, ecology and the management of insect pest populations. The course includes a weekly three-hour laboratory, where students develop insect identification and collecting skills.

    Prerequisite: None

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  • NRE 478 (NRE 578) - GIS, Spatial Analysis, and Modeling

     4 credit hours. This intermediate Geographic Information Systems course prepares students for advanced principles of GIS class. Principles and methods of spatial analysis and their application to different disciplines such as urban planning, environmental science, and natural resource management. Integrate geographic concepts and techniques used in spatial analysis, network analysis and 3D analysis with both raster and vector data structures.

    Prerequisite: NRE 365

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  • NRE 480 (NRE 580) - Natural Resource Policy

    3 credit hours. Evaluation of land and forest problems and policies in the United States, including an analysis of current social and resource characteristics that have shaped policy in the United States.

    Prerequisite: NRE 281

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  • NRE 481 (NRE 581) - Hydrology and Watershed Management

    3 credit hours. This course addresses the occurrence and movement of water over the earth’s surface. The hydrologic cycle, surface runoff relations, relationship of precipitation to stream flow with frequency analysis, unit hydrograph theory, flood routing, probability in hydrology, hydrologic simulation and stochastic methods in hydrology are covered.

    Prerequisite: instructor consent

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  • NRE 483 (NRE 583) - Forest Resources Economics

    3 credit hours. A discussion of the market, price, and cost affecting factors as they relate to timber-harvesting techniques used for determining the best economic alternative. Seniors only.

    Prerequisite: NRE 281, ECO 230

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  • NRE 484 (NRE 584) - Ecological Processes

    3 credit hours. A review of ecological concepts and processes. Investigations into the ecological role of fire and wetlands are also included.

    Prerequisite: None

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  • NRE 486 - Environmental Policy and Law

    3 credit hours. An understanding of the environmental law system by examining various laws, policies, and cases within the U.S. legal system that are used to minimize, prevent, or remedy the consequences of actions which damage or threaten the environment, public health or safety.

    Prerequisite: None

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  • NRE 488 - Wildlife Techniques

    3 credit hours. Field and lab procedures for determining sex and age, capture and marking, physiological indices, harvest surveys, population estimation procedures, and habitat evaluation. Includes mapping with geographic information systems, orienteering and field safety. Introduce students to a broad range of  methods and equipment used by wildlife professionals to gather information on wild animals and their habitat. In addition, this course will emphasize the characteristics of a particular technique that might make it superior to others in practical situations.

    Prerequisite: None

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  • NRE 490 - Special Problems

    1-3 credit hours. The student selects a problem within his or her major interest that is planned and executed under the supervision of a faculty member.

    Prerequisite: instructor consent

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  • NRE 491 - Seminar and Scientific Writing

    1 credit hour. A course designed to help students develop skills and techniques associated with data gathering and presentation by using audio-visual equipment. Guest speakers will also present topics of general interest in agriculture and environmental science.

    Prerequisite: None

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  • NRE 493 - International Exchange and Study Abroad

    1-12 credit hours. Students entering into this program will register for 6-16 credit hours at the home institution and pay fees at the home institution, but actually take a load equivalent to the credit hours for which they registered at one of the cooperating international institutions. Courses will be determined between home institution advisor, student, and host institution mentor.

    Prerequisite: None

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  • NRE 494 (NRE 594) - Irrigation and Drainage Systems

    4 credit hours. Students will learn designing and construction of irrigation and drainage structures. This course integrates soil and water physics; irrigation development; crop water requirements & scheduling; irrigation planning and design; drainage criteria; design discharges; surface/sub-surface drainage systems design; irrigation drainage structures; land grading and excavation; lab and field exercises and measurements.

    Prerequisite: For NRES students – NRE 351. For Civil Engineering students – (EGC 305, CE 305) or instructor consent

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  • NRE 495 - Soil and Water Conservation Applications

    3 credit hours. Advanced theory and practice of soil and water conservation engineering. Applications of soil and water conservation theory and practice. Design and construction of effective soil and water conservation structures

    Prerequisite: None

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  • NRE 496 - Environmental Health Internships

    3 credit hours. Those students enrolled in Environmental Health Science program will gain additional field experience, career mentoring, and research opportunities through summer employment/internships with partners such as state and local Departments of Public Health, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), National Institutes of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), and biotech industries involved in biomedical research, etc.

    Prerequisite: None

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  • NRE 497 - Forest Ecological Management Project

     4 credit hours. Capstone course with teams of students applying their accumulated knowledge to identify, analyze, and solve real forest ecosystem management problems. Student teams prepare a written management plan for a property, taking into account ecological economic, social, and legal constraints.
    Senior standing and major in Forestry required.

    Prerequisite: Senior standing, NRE 365, NRE 371, NRE 375, NRE 376, NRE 379, NRE 387, NRE 430, NRE 474, NRE 483.

    Note: This course is a capstone course for the Forestry program. Therefore, students majoring in this program cannot substitute this course

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Graduate
  • NRE 500 - Techniques for Teaching Horticulture in k-12

    3 credit hours. Provides horticultural education as a supplement to general science and botany. Experiences with ornamentals, floriculture, fruits, vegetables and soil to improve understanding of nature and horticulture.

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  • NRE -501 - Floral and Garden Center Management

    3 credit hours. Management of garden centers, including financing, selection of a location, design of the facilities, greenhouse construction, selection of plant materials, personnel management, marketing, and maintenance of plant materials. Principles and practices of establishment and management of a retail flower shop.

    Prerequisite: NRE 101 or instructor consent.

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  • NRE 502 - Scientific Writing in Biological Sciences

    3 credit hours. Preparation of scientific evidence for the thesis or dissertation or for publication in scientific journals, parts of the scientific paper, graphical and tabular presentation of data, sources of funding to support research, writing research grants, the editorial process, elements of style, and ethics.

    Prerequisite: ENG 304.

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  • NRE 503 - Techniques for Land Judging

    3 credit hours. Fundamental principles of soil science as related to land, differences in soils and their capabilities, methods of soil conservation and improvement, treatments to improve productivity and selection of suitable home sites.

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  • NRE 505 - Instrumental Techniques for Plant & Soil Science

    3 credit hours (1 clock hour lecture and 4 clock hour lab period per week). The principles and practice of atomic absorption spectrophotometry, Kjeldahl digestion, gas chromatography, amino acid analysis, electrophoretic separation techniques, inductive couple plasma mass-spectroscopy (ICPMS), inductive couple plasma (ICP), ion chromatography (IC), scanning electron microscopy, thermocouple psychrometry, porometry, and immunoassay.

    Prerequisite: instructor consent

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  • NRE 506 - Soil Microbiology

    4 credit hours. A study of the properties and classes of microorganisms as related to soil and crop production. Effects of microorganisms on the fertility, and chemical, and physical properties of soil, are emphasized.

    Prerequisite: BIO 101, BIO 102, BIO 330

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  • NRE 510 - Forage Management

    3 credit hours. A study of the soil-plant-animal complex as it relates to the morphology, physiology and utilization of forages. Emphasis will be on agronomic practices and physiological considerations in forage management in Alabama.

    Prerequisite: NRE 101 or (BIO 203, BIO 204)

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  • NRE 511 - Weed Science and Herbicide Technology

    3 credit hours. Phenology of weeds, habitat management by cultural, mechanical, biological and chemical means, dissipation and phytotoxicity of herbicides. Application and physiological relationships of herbicides and recent advances in weed control problems.

    Prerequisite: NRE 101 or (BIO 204, BIO 204L).

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  • NRE 512 - Field Research Techniques in Argronomy

    2 credit hours. Principles of field plot research, Hypothesis and treatments, procedures in large/small plot experimentation, such as laying out of experiments, size and shape of plots, border effects, selection of valid error term, parameters, technique of data collection, their summarization and publication of results or research paper.

    Prerequisite: instructor consent.

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  • NRE 514 - Crop Production Technology

    3 credit hours. Emphasis on techniques for different soil, climate, moisture, and temperature requirements for successful crop production.

    Prerequisite: NRE 101, NRE 310.

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  • NRE 515 - Seed Biology

    4 credit hours. Biological and physiological aspects of seed development, maturation, longevity, dormancy, storability, invigoration treatments, and process of germination in agriculture (crop, vegetable, and tree seeds will be emphasized).

    Prerequisite: NRE 440 and instructor consent.

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  • NRE 517 - Sustainable Crop Production

    3 credit hours. Principles of sustainable agriculture with modern crop production practices, management of biological, physical, and human resources to optimize field crop production in a sustainable and cost-effective manner. Emerging biotechnologies, precision agriculture, etc. are highlighted.

    Prerequisite: None.

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  • NRE 520 - Vegetable Crop Production

    3 credit hours.

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  • NRE 521 - Plant Propagation

    3 credit hours. Principles, processes, methods and materials involved in sexual and asexual propagation of plants.

    Prerequisite: NRE 101 or instructor consent.

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  • NRE 522 - Landscape Design and Construction

    4 credit hours. Advanced landscape design, including finished drawings, selection and arrangement of plants, design of construction features, preparation of bills of materials, and cost estimates.

    Prerequisite: NRE 423.

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  • NRE 523 - Ornamentals I - Trees and Shrubs

    3 credit hours. Type, characteristics, adaptation, maintenance, and functional uses of ornamental plants used in landscape design with a special emphasis on trees, shrubs, vines and groundcovers.

    Prerequisite: NRE 101 or instructor consent.

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  • NRE 524 - Horticulture Marketing and Management

    3 credit hours. An analysis of produce marketing, pricing, postharvest handling, supply and demand, and marketing crops through produce outlets and differing management and scenarios. Resource "game playing."

    Prerequisite: instructor consent.

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  • NRE 525 - Lawn and Turf Management

    3 credit hours. Methods and principles of establishing and maintaining residential lawns as well as special-purpose turf grasses for commercial landscapes, golf courses or athletic fields, including weed and pest control.

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  • NRE 527 - Ornamentals II - Flowers and Foliage Plants

    3 credit hours. Identification, culture, and use of herbaceous annuals and perennials, bulbs, herbs and ornamental grasses. Flower bed and border preparation and maintenance; selection, installation, and care of tropical foliage plants in interior settings; use of light, plant acclimatization, growing media, fertilizers, containers, and pest control.

    Prerequisite: NRE 101 or instructor consent.

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  • NRE 528 - Fruit and Vegetable Production

    3 credit hours. Commercial fruit and vegetable culture, including site selection and preparation, classes of vegetables, species of fruits, establishment, pest control, and harvesting are emphasized.

    Prerequisite: NRE 101 or instructor consent.

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  • NRE 529 - Biostatistics

    4 credit hours. For biology and agriculture related majors, emphasizes the application of statistical ideas and methods to the experimental and comparative studies by addressing descriptive statistics, probabilities, statistical inference, hypothesis testing and related errors, power and sample size, applications of statistical tests (e.g., chi-square, analysis of variance, regression, correlation, and nonparametric approaches), statistical assumptions, and statistical software applications.

    Prerequisite: MTH 112 or higher level.

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  • NRE 530 - Principles of Experimentation

    4 credit hours. Introduction of experimental designs used in biology and agriculture related fields, emphasizing error variance minimization and estimation, bias avoidance, confounding control, temporal and spatial dimensions, qualitative and quantitative variables, restrictions on randomization, nesting, fixed and random factors, and mixed models. Applications of related statistical software are included.

    Prerequisite: NRE 529

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  • NRE 531 - Principles of Plant Breeding

    3 credit hours. Principles, methods and techniques involved in plant breeding and its application to field crops.

    Prerequisite: BIO 203, BIO 204, BIO 311.

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  • NRE 532 - Plant Disease Diagnosis

    4 credit hours. General principles and methods in identification, epidemiology, etiology and control of major plant diseases.

    Prerequisite: instructor consent.

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  • NRE 533 - Introduction to Molecular Genetics

    3 credit hours. Prokaryotic DNA structure and replication, restriction analysis, sequencing, transcription, translation, gene regulation, and gene expression.

    Co-requisite: must be taken with NRE 533L
    Prerequisite: At least one course each in biology and genetics or instructor consent.

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  • NRE 533L - Introduction to Molecular Genetics Laboratory

    1 credit hour. Basic techniques used in molecular genetics and provides a step-by-step approach and hands-on experience in the field of recombinant DNA technology.

    Co-requisite: NRE 533.

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  • NRE 524 - Cytogenetics

    4 credit hours. Chromosome structure, mechanics and behavior, their significance for problems of genetics, evolution and the origin of species. Emphasizing inter- and intrachromosomal aberrations and heteroploidy.

    Prerequisite: A course in genetics.

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  • NRE 535 (CS 525) - Introduction to Bioinformatics

    4 credit hours. An interdisciplinary course melding information from molecular biology and computer/information sciences. Structure and function of proteins and nucleic acids, retrieval and interpretation of bioinformation, algorithms and software use for sequence alignment, similarity searching of nucleic acid/protein sequence databases, and exposure to JAVA and PERL.

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  • NRE 536 - Regression Analysis

    3 credit hours. Analysis and interpretation of linear, multiple and polynomial regression models using standard computer programs. Correlation, stepwise methods, and use of dummy variables included. Emphasis on application and use of analysis.

    Prerequisite: NRE 529 or equivalent.

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  • NRE 537 - Plant Tissue Culture Methods and Applications

    3 credit hours. Application of tissue culture techniques for the improvement of economic plants; hands-on laboratory procedures will be emphasized.

    Prerequisite: CHE 102, BIO 204 and instructor consent.

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  • NRE 538 - Plant Genetics

    2 credit hours. Both qualitative and quantitative gene actions are considered. Methods of testing hypotheses, chromosome mapping, selection procedures, gain from selection procedures, measuring heritability and other factors are covered.

    Prerequisite: A course in genetics.

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  • NRE 539 - SAS-Programming

    3 credit hours. Statistical analysis of data using the Statistical Analysis System (SAS). Data entry and manipulation, report writing, and effective use of SAS manuals will be emphasized, along with selection and execution of important SAS procedures.

    Prerequisite: NRE 430 or NRE 529.

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  • NRE 540 - Seed Production Practices

    4 credit hours. Principles and practices in the production of pure seeds, with emphasis on harvesting, drying and storage, crop and weed seed identification and laboratory practices in seed testing, official rules for testing seeds, and seed laws for marketing.

    Prerequisite: NRE 101 or NRE 310.

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  • NRE 541 - Phytophysiology

    4 credit hours. A study of the environment-plant growth interaction in the physiology of plants with emphasis on whole plant processes.

    Prerequisite: NRE 101.

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  • NRE 545 - Bioinformatics Applications

    3 credit hours. Analysis of genomic data, high-throughput sequencing, functional genomics, and proteomics. Emphasizes mastering of various tools for analyzing DNA, RNA, and protein data, understanding of underlying algorithms, and their application to biological problems.

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  • NRE 550 - Earth Science

    3 credit hours. An advanced level overview of earth science concepts, processes, and categories, with emphasis on plate tectonics, volcanism, weathering and erosion, global weather and climate, vegetation, and soil. Emphasis on human interactions and relationships with the physical environment and resulting public policy and management conflicts, (e.g., biodiversity as an issue) as well as management strategies are addressed.

    Prerequisite: None

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  • NRE 551 - Environmental Toxicology

    3 credit hours. Toxic effects of environmental chemicals on living systems, the chemical and biological characteristics of major pollutants, their origins and uses, and the exposure, transformation and elimination of toxic substances by biological systems.

    Prerequisite: (CHE 102, CHE 251) or instructor consent

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  • NRE 552 - Soil Fertility and Fertilizers

    3 credit hours. A study of the relationship of soil chemistry, forms of nutrients in soils, and role of plant nutrients in crop production, as well as other factors associated with soil productivity; and basic concepts of fertilizer application and manufacturing.

    Prerequisite: CHE 102, NRE 251

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  • NRE 553 - Hazardous Waste Management

    3 credit hours. The impact, technologies, problems and issues associated with hazardous wastes, and management practices are emphasized in this course. Case studies of hazardous waste spills, risk assessments, and remediation techniques are included.

    Prerequisite: None.

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  • NRE 560 - Soil Chemistry

    3 credit hours. Chemical and mineralogical composition of soil; fundamental chemical properties of soils; nature and properties of soil colloids; cation exchange phenomena in soils; soil reaction, and soil acidity are addressed in this course.

    Prerequisite: CHE 101, CHE l0lL, CHE 102, CHE 102L, NRE 251

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  • NRE 561 - Soil Physics

     4 credit hours. A study of physical make-up and properties of soil, including structure, thermal relationships, consistency, plasticity, water and their interrelatedness.

    Prerequisite: PHY 201, NRE 251

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  • NRE 565 - Applications of Geostatistics

    3 credit hours. Use of geostatistical models in sampling experimental design, mapping contaminant concentration, risk analysis, remediation, planning and probability analyses. Conceptual development of theory and action in managing natural resources.

    Prerequisite: NRE 430 or UPL 275

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  • NRE 570 - Soil, Plant, and Water Analysis

    4 credit hours. Chemical and instrumental methods in the analysis of soil, plant, and water samples;  experimental and descriptive inorganic and organic analyses; atomic and molecular absorption and emission spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, X-ray diffraction and fluorescence, gas and ion chromatography, and ion-selective electrodes.

    Prerequisite: CHE 221, NRE 251.

    Note: This course is a capstone course for the Environmental Science program. Therefore, students majoring in this program cannot substitute this course

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  • NRE 571 - Aerial Photo-Interpretation

    3 credit hours. Detection, identification and analysis of objects or features from aerial photographs. Sensing devices and other equipment related to photogrammetry application are utilized. Interpretation of terrain, vegetation, and cultural features is emphasized.

    Prerequisite: MTH 112, MTH 113

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  • NRE 572 - Soil, Water, and Air Pollution

    3 credit hours. The fate of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and other agricultural and industrial pollutants in relation to environmental quality as well as the effects of these factors on checks and balances of natural terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

    Prerequisite: NRE 251 with minGrade C

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  • NRE 575 - Principles of Wetlands

    3 credit hours. The importance of wetlands for wildlife, waste treatment, flood control, and water quality is emphasized. Biological, chemical, and physical processes, which occur in natural and constructed wetlands, are addressed. Field trips are required.

    Prerequisite: CHE 102, CHE 102L, NRE 251

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  • NRE 576 - Remote Sensing of the Environment I

    4 credit hours. The course is designed to provide principles of remote sensing, sensor and their applications and to develop skills in remote sensing data processing, and analysis in a different disciplines including natural resource assessment and management, land use planning, and environmental monitoring.

    Prerequisite: None

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  • NRE 577 - Insect Biology and Pest Management

    3 credit hours. Biology of insects, taxonomy, basic structure and function, ecology and the management of insect pest populations. The course includes a weekly three-hour laboratory, where students develop insect identification and collecting skills.

    Prerequisite: None

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  • NRE 578 - GIS, Spatial Analysis, and Modeling

     4 credit hours. This intermediate Geographic Information Systems course prepares students for advanced principles of GIS class. Principles and methods of spatial analysis and their application to different disciplines such as urban planning, environmental science, and natural resource management. Integrate geographic concepts and techniques used in spatial analysis, network analysis and 3D analysis with both raster and vector data structures.

    Prerequisite: NRE 365

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  • NRE 580 - Natural Resource Policy

    3 credit hours. Evaluation of land and forest problems and policies in the United States, including an analysis of current social and resource characteristics that have shaped policy in the United States.

    Prerequisite: NRE 281

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  • NRE 581 - Hydrology and Watershed Management

    3 credit hours. This course addresses the occurrence and movement of water over the earth’s surface. The hydrologic cycle, surface runoff relations, relationship of precipitation to stream flow with frequency analysis, unit hydrograph theory, flood routing, probability in hydrology, hydrologic simulation and stochastic methods in hydrology are covered.

    Prerequisite: instructor consent

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  • NRE 583 - Forest Resources Economics

    3 credit hours. A discussion of the market, price, and cost affecting factors as they relate to timber-harvesting techniques used for determining the best economic alternative. Seniors only.

    Prerequisite: NRE 281, ECO 230

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  • NRE 584 - Ecological Processes

    3 credit hours. A review of ecological concepts and processes. Investigations into the ecological role of fire and wetlands are also included.

    Prerequisite: None

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  • NRE 594 - Irrigation and Drainage Systems

    4 credit hours. Students will learn designing and construction of irrigation and drainage structures. This course integrates soil and water physics; irrigation development; crop water requirements & scheduling; irrigation planning and design; drainage criteria; design discharges; surface/sub-surface drainage systems design; irrigation drainage structures; land grading and excavation; lab and field exercises and measurements.

    Prerequisite: For NRES students – NRE 351. For Civil Engineering students – (EGC 305, CE 305) or instructor consent

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