NATRS 461 - Wildlife Ecology

Credits: 5
Students examine, identify and determine important wildlife habitats and their characteristic plants and animals within an ecological and management context through outdoor application of concepts. Discusses identification of species and habitats as well as life histories and ecology of important species. Examines and critiques scientific principles and management implications. Students organize and carry out a scientific sampling and assessment in the field.

Enrollment Requirement: NATRS 161 and MATH& 146 with grades of 2.0 or higher or concurrent enrollment; and instructor consent.

Course Outcomes:
Students who successfully complete this class will be able to:

Demonstrate knowledge of basic wildlife ecology principles including population dynamics.
Apply skill and knowledge to collect wildlife habitat and ecology data needed for habitat assessment and management.
Access, read and understand scientific and government documents related to wildlife ecology topics.
Conduct and write up a wildlife related research project.

Program Outcomes

Attain a job in the Natural Resources field.
Manage Forestland and Resources to attain positive outcomes.
Demonstrate effective written and verbal communications between industry partners and cooperator.

College-wide Outcomes

Critical Thinking - Critical thinking finds expression in all disciplines and everyday life. It is characterized by an ability to reflect upon thinking patterns, including the role of emotions on thoughts, and to rigorously assess the quality of thought through its work products. Critical thinkers routinely evaluate thinking processes and alter them, as necessary, to facilitate an improvement in their thinking and potentially foster certain dispositions or intellectual traits over time.
Responsibility - Responsibility encompasses those behaviors and dispositions necessary for students to be effective members of a community. This outcome is designed to help students recognize the value of a commitment to those responsibilities which will enable them to work successfully individually and with others.
Quantitative and Symbolic Reasoning - Quantitative Reasoning encompasses abilities necessary for a student to become literate in today’s technological world. Quantitative reasoning begins with basic skills and extends to problem solving.
Written Communication - Written Communication encompasses all the abilities necessary for effective expression of thoughts, feelings, and ideas in written form.