NRS 125 Introduction to Conservation and Natural Resources (3 credits)
Foundations of natural resource management and agencies with responsibility for land management; philosophical, theoretical, and historical basis for protected areas; principles and frameworks for managing human use of and recreation on public lands.
NRS 200 (s) Seminar (1-16 credits)
Credit arranged
NRS 201 Introduction to Natural Resource Enterprise Management (2 credits)
Provides an introduction to private sector Natural Resource Management and the Natural Resource Enterprise Management Program. Typically Offered: Fall.
NRS 203 (s) Workshop (1-16 credits)
Credit arranged
NRS 204 (s) Special Topics (1-16 credits)
Credit arranged
NRS 235 Society and Natural Resources (3 credits)
An exploration of how people use, value, manage, impact, and are affected by natural resources; course emphasizes social and economic realities and political and legal processes in a context of current and historical natural resource issues. Two lectures and one 1-hour small discussion group meeting per week.
NRS 299 (s) Directed Study (1-16 credits)
Credit arranged
NRS 310 Social Science Methods (4 credits)
Quantitative, qualitative, and mixed approaches to studying social aspects of conservation and the environment; how to choose and apply selective research methods; design, collection, and statistical analysis of primary and secondary data; program evaluation; reporting results; interpreting research literature; lab exercises in research design, data collection, and analysis; and the communication of research issues and findings to lay and professional audiences. Special fee assessed. Three lectures and 2 hours of lab per week. Recommended Preparation: Basic computer skills. (Fall only)
NRS 311 Public Involvement in Natural Resource Management (3 credits)
Theoretical and applied concepts of public involvement in both public and private sectors of natural resource management; case studies and applied techniques or methods for public involvement; National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) regulations and other public involvement policy or law. Field trip may be required. (Spring only)
NRS 364 Politics of the Environment (3 credits)
Political factors that influence formation, implementation, and impact of public policies aimed at protecting the environment.
NRS 383 Natural Resource and Ecosystem Service Economics (3 credits)
The role and application of economic theories and methods in natural resource and ecosystem service decision-making. Economic tools are applied to the management of forests, fisheries, rangeland, recreation, wildlife, and other contemporary issues. (Spring only)
NRS 386 Managing Complex Environmental Systems (3 credits)
Complex environmental systems are comprised of interconnected social, economic, and environmental components. Explore complex environmental systems frameworks and fundamental principles of sustainability in these systems by examining theory and practice in case studies. Topics may include natural resource scarcity and human conflict, ecosystem service provision, management, and conservation, and land tenure, rights, and justice relating to human access to natural resources.
NRS 387 Environmental Communication Skills (3 credits)
Introduction to communications skills in the context of natural resources, including environmental and cultural interpretation; communication psychology and media applied to noncaptive audiences in natural resource situations. Field trip may be required. Special fee assessed.
NRS 398 (s) Internship (1-16 credits)
Credit arranged
NRS 400 (s) Seminar (1-16 credits)
Credit arranged
NRS 403 (s) Workshop (1-16 credits)
Credit arranged
NRS 404 (s) Special Topics (1-16 credits)
Credit arranged
NRS 440 Restoration Ecology (3 credits)
The ecological restoration of disturbed ecosystems. Fundamental principles from ecology, ecophysiology, and community ecology are used in a systems ecology approach to examine how the structure and function of damaged ecosystems can be restored, with the goal of establishing a stable and self-sustaining ecosystem.
NRS 462 Natural Resource Policy (3 credits)
Political and institutional context for making natural resource policy; emphasis on interaction between private and public sectors and the federal, state, and tribal governments, including an examination of topical issues in natural resource politics.
NRS 472 Remote Sensing of the Environment (4 credits)
Current airborne and satellite systems, data acquisition on ground and from remote locations, instrumentation, imagery interpretation and digital analysis, applications for natural resource science and management. Two 75-minute lectures and one two-hour lab per week. Recommended Preparation: MATH 143. Typically Offered: Fall. Cooperative: open to WSU degree-seeking students.
NRS 473 ECB Senior Presentation (1 credit)
, FSP 473, REM 473, WLF 473. Reporting and presenting the senior project (thesis or internship); taken after or concurrently with REM 497. Serves as the senior capstone course for Ecology and Conservation Biology (ECB).
NRS 475 Local and Regional Environmental Planning (3 credits)
This course focuses on environmental planning by governments, nonprofit organizations, and collaborative partnerships at the local and regional level. Students will study a variety of planning approaches, such as community visioning and policy and management tools. Topics will include planning for public health, natural areas, working landscapes, and the built environment. Typically Offered: Varies.
NRS 476 Environmental Project Management and Decision Making (4 credits)
Integrated, interdisciplinary approaches to project and program management and decision making. Emphasis on environmental planning techniques, scenario development, analysis, and application of geospatial tools such as GIS and remote sensing. Direct experience and basic skills for project and program development and evaluation. Typically Offered: Varies.
NRS 478 LIDAR and Optical Remote Sensing Analysis (3 credits)
LIDAR and optical remote sensing data play a key role in natural resource and environmental research and management. Students will use open-source software to efficiently and effectively work with optical and LIDAR remote sensing datasets. Topics include introduction to open-source software for LIDAR and optical remote sensing analysis, acquisition and pre-processing of optical and LIDAR remote sensing data, and remote sensing analysis approaches that allow conversion of remotely sensed data into management/research relevant information. This course focuses on development and application of practical skills through project-based learning. For graduate credit, primary literature review, discussion, and a class project including evaluation and writeup of unique and advanced datasets is also required.
NRS 482 Outdoor Leadership Expedition (3 credits)
This expedition based course will explore the practice of leadership, using the wilderness experience as the classroom. Topics include trip planning, small group dynamics, decision-making, communication and expedition behavior. Examining leadership theory, modeling of leadership techniques, written assignments, and backcountry skill development are used to support learning.
NRS 484 Forest Policy and Admin (2 credits)
Evaluation of land and forest problems and policies in the U. S. ; analysis of current conditions and policies; historical development of governmental and private agencies concerned with the administration of forest conservation program. Recommended Preparation: FOR 235.
NRS 485 Ecology and Conservation Biology Senior Project (1-3 credits, max 3)
Scholarly work; learning objectives include development and formal proposal of a specific project and conducting the project or research with the guidance of a faculty mentor.
NRS 487 Environmental Education (3 credits)
Concept and techniques of environmental education with emphasis on informal education settings such as residential and day-use environmental education centers, nature centers, visitor centers. Field trip may be required. (Spring only)
NRS 488 NEPA in Policy and Practice (3 credits)
In-depth review of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), its legislative background and history, significant case law, and Council of Environmental Quality (CEQ) Guidelines. Students will review examples of agency Categorical Exclusions, Environmental Assessments, and Environmental Impact Statements. Students will evaluate whether specific documents "meet the intent or spirit" of NEPA, compare state vs. federal NEPA regulations, and review at least one federal agency’s NEPA procedures.
NRS 490 Wilderness and Protected Area Management (3 credits)
Historical and legal aspects of the wilderness and protected area concepts; conceptual and applied approaches, considering both ecological and sociological elements; recent research. (Spring, alt/years)
NRS 497 Senior Thesis (2-4 credits, max 4)
Independently plan and conduct a thesis project; write and defend the thesis under supervision of an advisor.
NRS 498 (s) Internship (1-16 credits)
Credit arranged
NRS 499 (s) Directed Study (1-16 credits)
Credit arranged For the individual student; conferences, library, field, or lab work.
NRS 500 Master's Research and Thesis (1-16 credits)
Credit arranged
NRS 501 (s) Seminar (1-16 credits)
Credit arranged. Seminar examining a wide range of topics that cross-cut the diverse areas of expertise of faculty and graduate students in the Department of Natural Resources and Society. Each course focuses on a specific cross-cutting topic with special emphasis on examining how the topic is viewed with multiple perspectives across disciplinary boundaries. Emphasis is also placed on student cohort building, networking, and professional career development.
NRS 502 (s) Directed Study (1-16 credits)
Credit arranged
NRS 503 (s) Workshop (1-16 credits)
Credit arranged. Selected topics in the conservation and management of natural resources.
NRS 504 (s) Special Topics (1-16 credits)
Credit arranged
NRS 505 (s) Professional Development (1-16 credits)
Credit arranged. Credit earned in NRS 505 will not be accepted toward graduate degree programs.
NRS 506 Fundamentals of Research (2 credits)
Research approaches, designs, and methodologies as applied in biophysical and social science natural resource professions. Cooperative: open to WSU degree-seeking students.
NRS 507 Moral Reasoning in Natural Resources (3 credits)
Exploration of the practical aspects of moral reasoning on current issues in natural resources. The purpose of the course is to discover the essence of reasoning, rationality, and reflection on moral and ethical dilemmas with regard to current issues in natural resources.
NRS 508 Foundations of Natural Resources and Society (1 credit)
Team-taught course introducing the five foundations of the NRS Graduate Program, namely: Philosophy of Science, Concepts and Theory in Science, Methods and Data, Science Application, and Professional Development. Emphasis is also placed on student cohort building with one or more field trips.
NRS 509 Writing a Scientific Article (2 credits)
Students will write and prepare to submit a scientific manuscript over the semester. We will workshop and discuss issues including writing styles, choosing a journal, and peer review. Students should have data ready to write up at the start of the semester. This course is appropriate for social, biophysical, and interdisciplinary scientists.
NRS 552 Current Lit in Remote Sensing (1 credit, max arranged)
Review, present, and discuss recent articles related to remote sensing of the environment. Students choose, critically review, and discuss the articles to develop critical-thinking skills, remote sensing research strategies, and confidence in their knowledge of the literature. Graded P/F.
NRS 555 Human Dimensions of Natural Resources (3 credits)
Application of theory and methods from behavioral, social, and policy science to conservation and natural resources management. Focus on multiple perspectives for managing fish, wildlife, and ecosystems, understanding how data that concern human behavior are collected and interpreted, and how insights integrate into management, rule-making, and policy. This requires knowledge of how people think and act toward resources and subsequent effects on those resources and management. The seminar format will use primers and case studies in addition to direct exposure to people, agencies, and organizations involved in Idaho’s and the Pacific Northwest’s fish, wildlife, and ecosystem management. Cooperative: open to WSU degree-seeking students.
NRS 556 Team Leadership for Environmental Educators (1 credit)
This course provides participants with the theoretical understandings and practical tools needed to develop an effective leadership practice. Students will be asked to build upon their life experience and their experience at MOSS to provide context for discussions and practice. Topics to be covered include group dynamics, strengths-based personal development, conflict resolution, and a survey of popular leadership theory. McCall Field Campus. (Fall only)
NRS 557 Community Leadership for Environmental Educators (1 credit)
This course explores the leadership theories and tools needed to create culture, build trust, and maintain efficiencies within small and large organizations. In particular, it will explore how organizations and teams confront change in order to find success. Students will be asked to build upon their life experience and their experience at MOSS to provide context for discussions and practice. McCall Field Campus. (Spring only)
NRS 560 Place-based Ecology I (4 credits)
Cover plant and animal community ecology from both a qualitative and quantitative perspective. Topics will include: community interaction of plants and animals; community dynamics, succession, and disturbance; basic data collection and statistical analysis of habitat association data; and the effect of abiotic factors on community structure. (Fall only)
NRS 562 Field Science Teaching (2 credits)
Address basic natural history concepts for instructors involved in experiential environmental education with students 12 to 18 years old. Field activities, readings, and instructor modeling of teaching techniques will be included in the format of the course. The course will focus on how to engage each student to learn ecological principles and apply them in a field teaching setting. (Fall only)
NRS 563 Place Based Env. Education (4 credits)
Educating students so that they have the skills and knowledge base in order to begin to understand the human and natural environment in which they live is a complicated endeavor. This course is designed to provide a foundation of educational pedagogy, a survey of place-based literature in areas critical to this educational endeavor, and opportunities for personal and professional application. (Fall only)
NRS 564 Teaching Environmental Education in a Winter Environment (2 credits)
Address basic principles of ecology during winter. Emphasis will be placed on field experiences including principles of teaching in a winter environment, winter weather, and organism adaptation to winter. (Spring only)
NRS 565 Science Communication and the Environment (4 credits)
Examines the flow of scientific information between experts and non-experts, with emphasis on educational settings. Project-based and includes practice in digital storytelling, documentary film, blogs, podcasts, public talks, and field experiences. McCall Field Campus. (Spring Only)
NRS 566 Place-based Ecology II (4 credits)
Explore how plants and animals manage the unique survival challenges of winter. Delve into fundamentals of winter ecology including the changing snowpack, life under the ice, plants and animals in the winter environment and plant-animal interactions. The middle of the course addresses environmental change and interactions with winter ecology. At the end of the semester, the springtime environment will be used to study fundamental chemical and physical processes that drive the natural world emerging out of its apparent hibernation. Work outdoors to gain hands-on knowledge and practical experience. Field experiences will be fundamental in developing ecological understanding, with field trips to various locations to gain crucial insight into the natural world during the winter and spring seasons. Outdoor experience and learning will be complemented by lectures, group discussions, readings, and field experiments.
NRS 567 Environmental Education Teaching Practicum I (2 credits)
The teaching practicum is an opportunity to improve teaching methods and techniques and expand professional skills under the guidance of mentors at a residential environmental learning center. Teaching in a residential environmental learning center consists of classroom lectures and demonstrations with groups up to 30, as well as field teaching groups of 8 to 10. (Fall only)
NRS 568 Environmental Education Teaching Practicum II (2 credits)
The teaching practicum is an opportunity to improve teaching methods and techniques and expand professional skills under the guidance of mentors at a residential environmental learning center. Teaching in a residential environmental learning center consists of classroom lectures and demonstrations with groups up to 30, as well as field teaching groups of 8 to 10. (Spring only)
NRS 569 Environmental Education Teaching Practicum III (2 credits)
The teaching practicum is an opportunity to improve teaching methods and techniques and expand professional skills under the guidance of Teton Science School staff. Teaching at the Teton Science School consists of classroom lectures and demonstrations with groups up to 30, as well as field teaching groups of 8 to 10. (Spring Only)
NRS 574 Environmental Politics and Policy (3 credits)
Political and institutional context for the formulation, implementation, and evaluation of U. S. environmental policy.
NRS 575 Leadership for the Environmental Educator (2 credits)
Addresses basic outdoor leadership theory and practice for instructors involved with experiential environmental education with students 12 to 18 years old. Includes a back country trip, class work, instructor modeling, peer feedback and reflective practice. Focuses on the individual student’s understanding of leadership theory and ability to put theory into practice as a member of a community of learners. McCall Field Campus. (Fall only)
NRS 576 Environmental Project Management and Decision Making (2 credits)
Integrated, interdisciplinary approaches to environmental project and program management and decision making. Emphasis on environmental planning techniques, scenario development, analysis, and application of geospatial tools such as GIS and remote sensing. Direct experience and basic skills for project and program development and evaluation.
NRS 578 LIDAR and Optical Remote Sensing Analysis (3 credits)
LIDAR and optical remote sensing data play a key role in natural resource and environmental research and management. Students will use open-source software to efficiently and effectively work with optical and LIDAR remote sensing datasets. Topics include introduction to open-source software for LIDAR and optical remote sensing analysis, acquisition and pre-processing of optical and LIDAR remote sensing data, and remote sensing analysis approaches that allow conversion of remotely sensed data into management/research relevant information. This course focuses on development and application of practical skills through project-based learning. For graduate credit, primary literature review, discussion, and a class project including evaluation and writeup of unique and advanced datasets is also required.
NRS 580 Restoration Ecology Practicum (2 credits)
Capstone experience in the Restoration Ecology Certificate Program. Students work independently to develop plan for implementing and assessing the success of ecological restoration; plan must synthesize literature, concepts, and challenges; plan shall be written with graphics and electronic submission for possible Internet publication.
NRS 588 NEPA in Policy and Practice (3 credits)
In-depth review of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), its legislative background and history, significant case law, and Council of Environmental Quality (CEQ) Guidelines. Students will review examples of agency Categorical Exclusions, Environmental Assessments, and Environmental Impact Statements. Students will evaluate whether specific documents "meet the intent or spirit" of NEPA, compare state vs. federal NEPA regulations, and review at least one federal agency’s NEPA procedures.
NRS 592 Emerging Media Outreach in Natural Resources (3 credits)
This course introduces students to basic media skills in photography, audio, video, microblogging, social media, content management, basic coding — and blog on a topic of their choice. Students also will explore and share their field experience through a variety of media, and will engage and examine social media uses for advertising, marketing and public relations outreach in natural resources.
NRS 598 (s) Internship (1-16 credits)
Credit arranged
NRS 599 (s) Non-thesis Master's Research (1-16 credits)
Credit arranged. Research not directly related to a thesis or dissertation.
NRS 600 Doctoral Research and Dissertation (1-45 credits)
Credit arranged
