A field-oriented course taught off campus that provides students with a deeper interdisciplinary understanding of environmental science and natural resource management. Emphasis is placed on methodologies for field data collection necessary to evaluate a variety of natural resources in multiple ecosystems and land use contexts. Students will practice interpreting the landscape through a variety of activities and demonstrate the ability to make natural resource management decisions and recommendations. Lecture, 10 hours, laboratory, 30 hours per week.

An introduction to the concepts and methods of compilation, management, analysis, and display of spatially-referenced and tabular data utilizing vector and raster data models. Lecture will be complemented with computer based laboratory exercises. Lecture, two hours; laboratory, four hours per week.

This course examines the historical development of natural resource and environmental policies, provides an overview of the policy process and key federal agencies which manage natural resources or implement environmental regulations, and introduces basic policy analysis techniques so students can prepare and present a case-specific analysis of existing resource or environmental policy.

This course focuses on unique and timely topics in natural resources and environmental science. A maximum of six credits can be earned.

Study and independent work on selected problems related to natural resources and environmental science conducted under the supervision of a faculty member and with clear relevance to the student's Analytic Skills Development Area (ASDA) and/or Environmental Systems Emphasis Area (ESEA). The goal of NRE 395 is for students interested in research to have an authentic research experience, working directly with a faculty member or graduate student in data collection and analysis, as well as conducting a portion of the research independently.

A learning experience in natural resources and environmental sciences conducted under the direction of a faculty member and with clear relevance to the student's Analytic Skills Development Area (ASDA) and/or Environmental Systems Emphasis Area (ESEA) with supervision from an onsite supervisor. The goal of this requirement is to provide the student with pre-professional learning experience in their chosen emphasis area within natural resources and environmental science.

A survey of the evolutionary relationships among the major plant groups, concentrating heavily on important families of flowering plants. Issues in contemporary systematics will include analyzing taxonomic data sets. Students will gain practical experience learning the language of descriptive botany and using botanical keys in technical manuals for species identification. Field trips highlight the local spring flora. Lecture, 3 hours, laboratory 3 hours; plus 2 Saturday field trips.

Soil reaction/cycling of elements essential to plant growth; rates, timing and placement of nutrient sources in modern crop/soil management systems; plant and soil sampling and analysis to diagnose plant nutrition stress.

This course is designed to provide students with the opportunity to apply the skills and information acquired in previous courses to a real world problem in natural resources and environmental science. The class will focus on a single current issue in Kentucky and will research that issue in depth, using a variety of techniques, including library research, interview, and data collection and analysis. In addition to research and problem-solving skills, written and oral skills will be emphasized. Lecture, three hours; laboratory, two hours per week.

The material covered in NS/CNU/AS 602 consists of two major emphasis areas: (1) properties, biological functions, and metabolism of vitamins, minerals, and bioactive compounds (micronutrients), and (2) influence of functional interactions with these and other nutrients on health and disease. The objective of this course is to provide students with a strong knowledge base related to micronutrient metabolism in the context of select conditions and energy balance.