Course Syllabus

Course: NR 2030

Division: Natural Science and Math
Department: Natural Resources
Title: Agricultural Ecosystem Management

Semester Approved: Summer 2019
Five-Year Review Semester: Fall 2024
End Semester: Spring 2025

Catalog Description: This course will cover food production's dependence on natural resources for feeding a growing U.S. and world population. Historical and modern crop and livestock production practices and innovations along with developments in sustainable agronomic practices will be covered.

Semesters Offered: Spring
Credit/Time Requirement: Credit: 3; Lecture: 3; Lab: 0

Justification: This class is a required class for all NR AAS students. It is also an elective for AS natural resource majors. This course will meet the needs of all natural resource majors and establish a common foundation for the relationship of food production to the use of and sustainability of natural resources.


Student Learning Outcomes:
Students will be able to discuss how to manage sustainable cropping systems and grazing methods in multiple ecosystems. Students will be assessed through assignments, in-class exercises, exams, and a final project.

Students will understand key components relating to the ecological relationship between soil, water, plants, livestock, and wildlife in natural and agricultural environments. Students will be assessed through assignments, in-class exercises, exams, and a final project.

Students will understand the social, economic, and environmental impacts and challenges facing production agriculture. Students will be assessed through assignments, in-class exercises, and exams.

Students will assess the advantages and disadvantages of bio-technology used in agriculture. Students will be assessed through assignments, in-class exercises, and exams.

Students will understand the history of agriculture in the United States and the food needs of a growing world population. Students will be assessed through assignments, in-class exercises, and exams.


Content:
Course objectives will be accomplished by providing students with exposure to the following concepts and learning experiences:• Food needs for a growing world population.• Arable land for crop and livestock production. • Sustainable crop production and cropping systems• Soil hydrology and irrigation methods• Livestock production• Methods of sustainable agriculture• Interactions of soil, water, animals, and plants in an ecosystem.• Role of bio-technology in production agriculture and natural resource management.

Key Performance Indicators:
Assignments  10 to 40%

Classroom exercises 10 to 30%

Exams 30 to 50%

Final Project 10 to 30%


Representative Text and/or Supplies:
In-house developed materials


Pedagogy Statement:
Course material and concepts will be integrated using classroom discussions, group projects, readings, written assignments, hands-on field exercises, exams, and a final project.

Instructional Mediums:
Lecture

IVC

Maximum Class Size: 32
Optimum Class Size: 24