Introductory course covering integrative principles of rivers and streams including biological, chemical, ecological, and physical processes. Students will gain an appreciation of streams as constantly evolving ecosystems as well as skills to scientifically analyze data related to river and stream management. Conservation, restoration, policy, and environmental-justice issues are also covered.
Course Learning Outcomes
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Describe and apply concepts of ecology, conservation, and management for timber, fish, wildlife, and their habitats.
Problem SolvingQuantitative Reasoning -
Describe biotic and abiotic processes, including human impacts that influence ecosystems and contribute to ecological change.
Problem SolvingQualitative ReasoningCommunicationWritten Expression
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Operate tools and equipment commonly used in the natural resources field work.
Problem SolvingCritical Thinking -
Describe and apply concepts of ecology, conservation, and management for timber, fish, wildlife, and their habitats.
Problem SolvingQuantitative Reasoning -
Describe biotic and abiotic processes, including human impacts that influence ecosystems and contribute to ecological change.
Problem SolvingQualitative ReasoningCommunicationWritten Expression -
Select and apply appropriate field techniques to sample, measure, and monitor timber, fish, and wildlife species and their habitat(s).
Problem SolvingCritical Thinking
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Select and apply appropriate field techniques to sample, measure, and monitor timber, fish, and wildlife species and their habitat(s).
Problem SolvingCritical Thinking
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Objectively predict, assess, analyze, synthesize, and evaluate perspectives of diverse stakeholders regarding natural resource problems and issues.
Problem SolvingCritical ThinkingQuantitative Reasoning -
Recognize the role of cultural diversity in resource management and describe the impact of the global distribution of people and wealth on resource use and valuation.
InquiryResearch
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Describe and apply concepts of ecology, conservation, and management for timber, fish, wildlife, and their habitats.
Problem SolvingQuantitative Reasoning -
Describe biotic and abiotic processes, including human impacts that influence ecosystems and contribute to ecological change.
Problem SolvingQualitative ReasoningCommunicationWritten Expression
-
Objectively predict, assess, analyze, synthesize, and evaluate perspectives of diverse stakeholders regarding natural resource problems and issues.
Problem SolvingCritical ThinkingQuantitative Reasoning -
Recognize the role of cultural diversity in resource management and describe the impact of the global distribution of people and wealth on resource use and valuation.
InquiryResearch
Core Topics
- Streams as dynamic physical entities
- Basic ecological theory of streams
- Streams as indicators of ecosystem health, both terrestrial and aquatic
- Energy sources, nutrient cycles, & trophic relationships
- Importance and function of riparian areas
- Management, conservation, and restoration of streams
- Stream water chemistry
- Urban streams, regulated rivers
- Human impacts & impacts to humans, environmental-justice