Curriculum
Natural Resources Management Minor
Non-Biology Majors: 19 credit hours minimum
Biology Majors: 18 credit hours minimum
Please consult with an advisor or the current edition of The University of Alabama academic catalog for prerequisites for any of the courses below.
Required Foundational Courses
Non-biology majors:
BSC 114:115 (or honors Equivalent BSC 118) Principles of Biology I. Four hours.
Three lecture hours and one laboratory period. Study of general biological principles including the chemical basis of live, cellular biology including cell structure and metabolism, genetics, evolution, and a survey of simple organisms including viruses, bacteria, protest, and fungi. Usually offered in summer school.
BSC 116:117 (or Honors Equivalent BSC 120) Principles of Biology II. Four hours.
Three lecture hours and one laboratory period. Study of the structure, function, and ecology of organisms including bryophytes, vascular plants, invertebrate animals, and vertebrate animals.
AND
BSC 340 Principles of Natural Resource Conservation. Three hours.
A study of the basic principles of natural resources conservation, including fundamental concepts in natural resource conservation and management. Discussion will include conservation of natural resources such as soil, water, air, forests, rangelands, energy, wildlife and fisheries, based on scientific principles.
OR
GY 339 Natural Resources and Environmental Planning. Three hours.
Natural Resource Environmental Planning (3hrs) Analyzes human interactions with the physical environment and ways of dealing with them. Integrates environmental science, social science, and planning, and includes environmental impact assessment.
Biology majors:
BSC 340 Principles of Natural Resource Conservation. Three hours.
A study of the basic principles of natural resources conservation, including fundamental concepts in natural resource conservation and management. Discussion will include conservation of natural resources such as soil, water, air, forests, rangelands, energy, wildlife and fisheries, based on scientific principles.
Specialty Courses
Non-biology majors choose at least one course. Biology majors choose at least two courses from the following list. (Course listing subject to change.)
BSC 303. Field Zoology. Three hours.
A field-based course with lecture and lab combined. A survey of the taxonomy, ecology, and identification of local biota.
BSC 414. Dendrology. Three hours.
Lecture and laboratory. Identification, classification, characteristics, and distribution of the principal forest trees of the United States. Two weekend field trips are required.
BSC 415. Wetland Plant Ecology. Three hours.
An in-depth analysis of wetland ecology emphasizing the biology and ecology of vascular plants, including plant adaptations to anaerobic soils, reproductive adaptations, habitat and plant zonation, and the role of plants in ecosystem function.
BSC 428. Biology of Fishes. Four hours.
Three lecture hours and one laboratory period. Survey of the structure, function, ecology, and classification of fishes.
BSC 475. General Entomology. Four hours.
Three lecture hours and one laboratory period. Survey of the structure, function, classification, and habits of insects.
BSC 480. Plant Ecology. Three hours.
This course examines the ecology of plants at different levels: individual, population and community.
BSC 497. Special Topics: Forestry. Three hours.
BSC 497. Special Topics: Wildlife Management. Three hours.
GY.415. Endangered Species. Three hours.
An examination of the individuals, institutions, research, controversies, and policies that have developed around wildlife extinction, ecological problems associated with extinction, and endangered species. The course also explores the stories of several lost or vanishing species and how humans have contributed to the issue of wildlife conservation and extinction.
GY 472. Soil Science. Four hours.
Three lecture hours and required field and lab work. Introduction to the study of soils, including soil formation, classification, and the interpretation of soils to reconstruct environmental histories.
GY 489. Forest Ecology Vegetation Analysis. Four hours.
Three lecture hours and required field work. Study of the nature of forest communities and the interrelationship of organisms that compose them.
GY 492. Eastern Forest Communities. Four hours.
This course focuses on the biotic and abiotic elements that create distinct forest communities throughout the Central Hardwood and Southern Mixed Forest Regions of the Eastern United States. The class includes lecture, lab, and field formats.
NEW 401. Birds and Birding. Four hours.
An introduction to birding, associated bird conservation, and management practices. Basic field identification methods will be reviewed and practiced, and larger conservation issues related to birds will be discussed. Habitat management practices intended to enhance the populations of desirable species such as quail and waterfowl will also be addressed.
NEW 490. Everyday Wildlife in Alabama. Three hours.
Lectures and field trips. Study of general wildlife practices needed to improve rural and urban wildlife populations as well as wildlife predator control. Others topics will cover recreational fishponds, wildlife identification and how to use aerial photography in wildlife management.
NEW 490. Everyday Forestry in Alabama. Three hours.
Lectures and field trips. Study of general forestry practices needed including identification of major tree species, insects and diseases in Alabama, and forest practices needed to help manage woodlands.
New.490. Belize. Three hours.
This is an on-site course taught in the rainforests and barrier reefs of Belize, which has emerged as in international leader in conservation efforts. It is designed for students who are interested in conservation issues, biogeography, marine sciences, ornithology and birding, archaeology, and outdoor adventures.
BSC325. Tropical Plant Diversity. Four hours.
Study four of Ecuador’s most important ecosystems: rainforests of the Amazon basin, Choco forests of northwestern Ecuador, high elevation Paramos, and cloud forests on the upper Andean slopes. Biological and cultural diversity will be explored throughout three weeks of intensive field studies.
Policy, Planning, and Economics
Non-biology majors choose one course. Biology majors choose at least two courses from the following list. (Course listing subject to change.)
BSC 482. Conservation Biology. Three hours.
A thorough examination of the principles of conservation biology.
EC 480. Environmental and Natural Resources Economics. Three hours.
Survey of the techniques used to estimate benefits of environmental improvements, and an analysis of public policy relating to the environment and use of natural resources.
GY 351. Geography of Alabama. Three hours.
Study of the varied geographical dimensions of the state of Alabama, both past and present.
GY 409. Forest History and Restoration. Four hours.
This course covers the theories, tools and techniques used in historical ecology with a focus on the establishment of reference conditions for habitat conservation and restoration efforts.
GY 339. Natural Resource Environmental Planning. Three hours.
Analyzes human interactions with the physical environment and ways of dealing with them. Integrates environmental science, social science, and planning, and includes environmental impact assessment.
GY 452. Environmental Decision Making. Three hours.
Review of the history of natural resources in the U.S. and current environmental topics, followed by discussion of techniques to facilitate environmental decision making and management.
GY 460. Environmental Management. Three hours.
Introduces students to the impact of humans on the planet and the patterns of human behavior necessary to preserve and manage the environment in a self-sustaining manner.
NEW 230. Environmental Studies. Four hours.
This interdisciplinary course engages students in the study of environmental problems, including an examination of fundamental assumptions about the ethical human-nature relation and of how to value nature.
NEW 365. Environmental Policy. Three hours.
A review of the major developments in U.S. environmental regulation considered in a global context. U.S. and U.N. legal structures, agencies, and NGOs are addressed, as well as the impact of economic and cultural factors on resource use and other policy decisions. Evolving institutional approaches to energy use are also examined.