NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

www.bsu.edu/nrem

West Quadrangle 110, 765-285-5780

PROGRAMS

Master of arts (MA) in natural resources and environmental management and master of science (MS) in natural resources and environmental management.

See the Science listing under the College of Sciences and Humanities, page 180, for the doctoral programs in science education and philosophy in environmental science. Specializations within the program include: environmental management, environmental education and communication, international resource management, land management, occupational and industrial hygiene, park and recreation management, and sustainable development.

Admission requirements

Applicants must meet the admission requirements of the Graduate School, take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), complete the departmental application form, and provide letters of recommendation. Applicants whose undergraduate majors are not natural resources or closely related subjects may be required to complete undergraduate courses to acquire background knowledge. Credit for these courses does not apply to graduate degree requirements.

MASTER OF ARTS IN NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

Degree requirements

PREFIX NO SHORT TITLE CR HRS

Required courses

NREM 608 Resch Method 3

609 Seminar 3

RES 697 Research Ppr (1-3) 3

Electives include other NREM

courses and relevant courses

from other departments to be

approved by the graduate advisor 24

———

33 hrs

MASTER OF SCIENCE IN NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

Degree requirements

PREFIX NO SHORT TITLE CR HRS

Required Courses

NREM 608 Resch Method 3

609 Seminar 3

THES 698 Thesis (1-6) 6

Electives include other NREM

courses and relevant courses

from other departments to be

approved by the graduate advisor 21

———

33 hrs

Facilities and Special Programs

Facilities consist of teaching and research laboratories, lecture and discussion class-rooms, a computer lab, a darkroom, a student reading room, and a seminar-conference room. All classrooms and laboratories are accessible to students with disabilities.

University-owned properties—the Hults Environmental Learning Center, Christy Woods, Ball State Wildlife Preserve, and Ginn-Nixon Woods—near the Ball State campus serve as field laboratories for teaching and research. The city of Muncie and surrounding areas offer first-hand study of environmental issues such as air, water, and soil quality, energy issues, land-use planning, and recreational management.

Research equipment includes state-of-the-art instrumentation for analysis of a variety of contaminants of air, water, and land.

Each summer the department sponsors field courses in which students travel to diverse locations for study. Past field courses have studied resource management in the American West, the Great Lakes states, the Appalachians, Central America, and Europe.

In addition to off-campus field courses, the department offers practicum opportunities with federal, state, and private agencies in various facets of resource management.

CERTIFICATE IN EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AND HOMELAND SECURITY

PREFIX NO SHORT TITLE CR HRS

EMHS 552 Sci WMD Tech 3

589 WMD Aware 3

550 Haz Mat Safe (3)

669 Pro Practice (1-3) 3

6 hours from

CS 547 Net Security (3)

EMHS 593 Spec Topics (1-6)

GEOG 534 Atmos Hazard (3)

544 Adv GIS Anly (3)

GEOL 516 Geol Haz Env (3)

ISOM 601 Intro CP Sec (3)

POLS 545 Nat Def Poly (3)

694 Terr Hom Sec (3)

PR 660 PR Theories (3) 6

———

15 hrs

NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT (NREM)

502 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 the instructor.

Prerequisite: permission of the department chairperson.

A total of 6 hours of credit may be earned.

504 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.

Not open to students who have credit in NREM 304.

505 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: permission of the department chairperson.

Not open to students who have credit in NREM 405.

507 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 historical contexts.

Not open to students who have credit in NREM 307.

509 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.

Not open to students who have credit in NREM 309.

511 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 and a graduate-level research project.

515 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 511 or permission of the department chairperson.

520 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: permission of the department chairperson.

521 Soil Resources. (3) The basic properties of the soil portion of the ecosystem. Prime emphasis on the genesis and resulting chemical and physical characteristics of soils. Includes a graduate-level research project.

Prerequisite: CHEM 112, or the equivalent; or permission of the department chairperson.

522 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: CHEM 111 or equivalent; or permission of the department chairperson.

Not open to students who have credit in NREM 322.

524 Soil Classification and Interpretation. (3) Soil genesis, morphology, classification, and survey. The relationship between soils information and land use; practical application in the decision-making process. Emphasizes field study of soils and their uses.

Not open to students who have credit in NREM 324.

527 Soil Conservation and Management. (3) Principles and methods of controlling soil erosion, stressing use of basic soil concepts. Management systems and individual practices, with special emphasis on soil resource maintenance.

Not open to students who have credit in NREM 327.

531 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, alter-native energy systems, resource policy, and research.

Not open to students who have credit in NREM 331.

535 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.

Not open to students who have credit in NREM 335.

541 Air Quality. (3) Focuses on the contamination of the atmospheric environment. Topics include major contaminants; measurement techniques; dispersion; effects on the atmosphere, human health, vegetation, and materials; regulatory requirements and practices; control measures; noise pollution. Lab and field experiences.

Not open to students who have credit in NREM 241.

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

Not open to students who have credit in NREM 346.

547 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.

Not open to students who have credit in NREM 347.

548 Asbestos and Lead Management. (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. State certifications available on successful completion. Field and hands-on experiences.

Not open to students who have credit in NREM 348.

553 Turfgrass Management. (3) Maintenance of turfgrass lawns, golf courses, athletic fields, playgrounds, parks, and roadsides. Practical management recommendations including regional adaptation of grasses, soils, fertilization, general maintenance practices, diseases, and insect control. Stresses the identification of grass and weed species.

557 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.

Not open to students who have credit in NREM 357.

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

Not open to students who have credit in NREM 371.

572 Applied Research Methods in Resource Management. (3) Designed to train students in 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.

Not open to students who have credit in NREM 372.

573 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 571 or permission of the department chairperson.

Not open to students who have credit in NREM 473.

577 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.

Not open to students who have credit in NREM 477.

581 Site Remediation Technologies. (3) Engineering principles applied to selected environmental problems. Underground storage tank closure and removal; environmental site assessments; remediation of severely disturbed environments; site safety issues. Some environmental chemistry.

Prerequisite: NREM 221 or 521; CHEM 111, 112; or permission of the department chairperson.

Not open to students who have credit in NREM 481.

585 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).

Not open to students who have credit in NREM 385.

586 Computer Applications in Environmental Management. (3) Use of computer software applications for data analysis and management of natural and human-controlled environments. Work with word processors, spreadsheets, statistical analysis packages, presentation graphics, Web browsers/editors, and computer simulation models. Requires basic understanding of computer operation.

Prerequisite: permission of the department chairperson.

Not open to students who have credit in NREM 286.

Open only to NREM majors.

587 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.

Not open to students who have credit in NREM 387.

588 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.

592 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.

Not open to students who have credit in NREM 392.

595 Teaching Environmental Education. (3) Opportunities for enriching instruction through environmental education in formal and nonformal educational settings. Studies conservation, outdoor and environmental education, including teaching techniques and instructional resources used in each.

Not open to students who have credit in NREM 395.

597 Special Studies in Environmental and Natural Resource Sciences. (1-3) Special academic study opportunities in the environmental and natural resource sciences.

Prerequisite: permission of the department chairperson.

A total of 6 hours of credit may be earned, but no more than 3 in any one semester or term.

608 Research Methodologies in Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences. (3) Development of concepts and skills for those preparing for graduate research in natural resources and environmental sciences. Introduction to research designs, data-gathering techniques, data analysis, and research planning. Emphasizes interpreting published research and the drafting of a concise research proposal.

609 Seminar. (3) Presentations of graduate student research or program projects. Discussion and critical examination of resource/environmental topics. Assessment of scientific inquiry by data analysis and interpretation.

Prerequisite: NREM 608 or permission of the department chairperson.

669 Advanced Professional Practice. (1-3) Advanced supervised professional 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.

697 Advanced Topics in Environmental and Natural Resource Management.

(1-3) Advanced special topics course in environmental and natural resources management.

Prerequisite: permission of the department chairperson.

A total of 6 hours of credit may be earned, but no more than 3 in any one semester or term.

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AND HOMELAND SECURITY (EMHS)

550 (NREM 550) 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.

Not open to students who have credit in EMHS 350.

551 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.

Not open to students who have credit in EMHS 351.

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

589 (NREM 589) 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.

593 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.

669 Professional Practice. (1-3) Supervised experience in emergency planning and management, science of hazards, and/or cyber security. Connects academic with professional experiences.

A total of 3 hours of credit may be earned.