Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2026

Introduction to Natural Resources Management (Face-to-Face)

NR 1010-02

Course: NR 1010-02
Credits: 3
Term: Fall Semester 2026
Department: Agriculture Sci/Nutritonal Sci
CRN: 30037

Course Description

Survey of the professions of forest, rangeland, and wildlife management and relationship of conservation and multiple uses of wildland resources to the welfare of the state and nation. Three (3) lectures per week. (Fall) [Graded (Standard Letter)]

Required Texts

Managing Our Natural Resources, 6th Edition, Camp and Heath-Camp.
ISBN-13:978-1-285-83507-5

Learning Outcomes

Course Learning Outcomes:

  • Understand the components and history of natural resources and natural resource management.
  • Define terms associated with natural resources and natural resource management.
  • Use and apply factual knowledge, concepts, fundamental principles, and theories of natural resource management.
  • Be proficient with methods used to collect data and assist with the management of natural resources on the landscape scale.
  • Understand and discuss trends related to natural resources.

Additionally, students will also:

  • Develop specific skills related to natural resource management used by professionals in the field.
  • Increase competency regarding natural resource management.
  • Investigate and discuss current topics that influence the management of natural resources.
  • Develop points of view needed by professionals of natural resource management.
  • Develop an appreciation for entities that manage our natural resources.
  • List and describe potential careers associated with the management of natural resources.
  • Critical Thinking - Students demonstrate disciplined processes through activities and become proficient in conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and evaluating information gathered by observation, experience, reflection, reasoning, communication, and data collection to guide belief and action within the realm of natural resource management.
  • Problem Solving - Students design, evaluate, and implement strategies to answer open ended questions or achieve a desired goal of natural resource management.
  • Teamwork - Students demonstrate productive interaction with others (inter/intra class) to complete assignments and activities.

Life Sciences Essential Learning Outcomes:

Upon successful completion of the General Education Life Sciences requirement, students will be able to:

1) Describe and apply approaches to scientific discovery and interpretation of experimental data.
2) Demonstrate understanding of matter, energy, and their influence on biological systems.
3) Describe and apply evolutionary concepts in terms of inheritance, adaptation, and diversity of life.
4) Explain the mechanisms of information storage, expression, and exchange in living organisms or ecosystems.
5) Reflect on the relevance of life sciences in a broader context.

Course Requirements

No course requirements for this class.

Students will earn points for quizzes, assignments, activities, projects, and exams.

Grades are determined by demonstrated achievement of the Course Learning Outcomes and Life Sciences Essential Learning Outcomes.

A letter grade will be assigned according to the following grading scale:

A       >94%
A-      90-93.9% 
B+     87-89.9%
B       83-86.9%
B-      80-82.9%
C+     77-79.9%
C       73-76.9%
C-      70-72.9%
D+     67-69.9%
D       60-66.9%
F       <60%

Semester Point Breakdown
  • Quizzes and class assignments (Examine, Critical Thinking, Communication, Apply, Analyze)     40%
  • Activities (Apply, Critical Thinking, Analyze)                                                                                 10%
  • Project 1 - Self guided field trip brochure (Apply, Critical Thinking, Analyze)                                 10%
  • Project 2 - Game show midterm and final review (Examine, Apply)                                               10%
  • Exam 1 - Midterm exam (Examine, Apply)                                                                                    15%
  • Exam 2 - Final exam (Examine, Apply)                                                                                         15%

Course Outline

Date, Topic, and Reading Assignment

W 9/2 - Syllabus and course expectations
F 9/4 - Preparing for a career in natural resources & code of the west

M 9/7 - Labor Day - No class
W 9/9 - Chapter 1 - Our natural resources
F 9/11 - Chapter 2 - A history of conservation in the US

M 9/14 - Chapter 3 - Concepts in natural resources management
W 9/16 - Case study discussion (page 42 - reintroduction of wolves)
F 9/18 - Chapter 4 - Soil

M 9/21 - Soil activity: Soil horizons and texture
W 9/23 - Soil activity: Web soil survey assignment
F 9/25 - Chapter 5 & 6 & 7 & 12 - Soil erosion & farm/nonfarm erosion control & careers in soil management

M 9/28 - Chapter 13 - Water supply and water users
W 9/30 - Water activity: SNOTEL & water data assignment
F 10/2 - Water activity: USGS streamflow/groundwater & water user groups & water data assignment

M 10/5 - Chapter 10 - Wetland preservation and management
W 10/7 - Chapter 16 - Water use planning
F 10/9 - Case study discussion (page 236 - zebra mussel)

M 10/12 - Project 2 - Mid term review
W 10/14 - Midterm exam in Canvas- No Class
F 10/16 - Chapter 8 - Rangeland management

M 10/19 - Fall Break - No class
W 10/21 - Chapter 8 - Rangeland management
F 10/23 - Rangeland activity: Rangeland management - grazing capacity

M 10/26 - Rangeland activity: Rangeland management - rangeland restoration & long term vegetation monitoring methods
W 10/28 - Chapter 19 - Our forests and their products
F 10/30 - Chapter 20 - Woodland management

M 11/2 - Forest activity: Forestry - Tree species, tree height, diameter, volume
W 11/4 - Chapter 21 - Forest enemies and their control
F 11/6 - Chapter 22 - Fire!

M 11/9 - Case study discussion (page 317 - Asian long horned beetle & page 434 Forest and foes)
W 11/11 - Chapter 24 - Fish and wildlife management
F 11/13 - Chapter 25 - Game management

M 11/16 - Chapter 26 - Marine fisheries management
W 11/18 - Chapter 27 - Freshwater fisheries management
F 11/20 - Case study discussion (page 392 - whaling)

M 11/23 - Thanksgiving break - No class
W 11/25 - Thanksgiving break - No class
F 11/27 - Thanksgiving break - No class

M 11/30 - Chapter 29 - Recreation on public lands and water
W 12/2 - Chapter 32 - Fossil fuels
F 12/4  - Chapter 33 - Alternative energy sources management

M 12/7 - Chapter 34 - Metals and minerals
W 12/3 - Chapter 36 - Advanced concepts in natural resources management & Project 1 - Self guided field trip brochure due
F 12/5 - Project 2 - Game show final review

Th 12/17 - Final exam - @ 1:00 PM - 2:50 PM - Open on Canvas all day

*Course outline is subject to change*

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

Assignments are to be submitted on or before the established due date. 

Late work on quizzes and class assignments will be accepted at a 30% deduction. 

There is no makeup for in person activities, midterm exams, and final exams.

If an in person activity, midterm exam, or final exam is missed because of illness or school related commitment, a signed and dated letter from either a doctor or SUU faculty is required to be considered for makeup work arrangements.

Attendance Policy

The professor expects students to arrive to class on time and be prepared to participate in class discussion.

Attendance is very important and students are responsible for making arrangements to get class material when missing class.

Additional Policies and Course Information

Cell phones are to be shut off/silenced during class, unless they are used for class activities.

Students are responsible for transportation to activities within close proximity to SUU campus.

No dogs in class unless it is a certified service dog.

Registration Restriction(s): Intensive English Program majors may not enroll
General Education Category: Life Sciences

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Religious / Conscience Belief Accommodation

RELIGIOUS / CONSCIENCE BELIEF ACCOMMODATION: In accordance with SUU Policy 6.7 Student Belief Accommodation, students may request, in writing, that their faculty accommodate their sincerely held religious or conscience beliefs. Students should provide their faculty with sufficient advanced notice, if possible within the first five (5) business days of the semester or session, or thereafter with good cause for requesting an accommodation after the first five (5) business days.

Faculty must provide a schedule accommodation or excuse an absence, in any course, for students to observe or participate in religious holidays or an organized activity conducted under the auspices of the student’s religious tradition or religious organization.

In courses that are required for graduation or for an academic major, a faculty member may accommodate a religious or conscience belief by modifying an assignment or examination if its content conflicts with the student’s belief. Faculty may decline the accommodation if it would fundamentally alter the course requirements. If declined, the student may request review by a neutral arbiter using the Belief Accommodation Request Form: https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv&layout_id=5

Questions go to Assistant Provost Jake Johnson at johnsonj@suu.edu.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.