Course variations

Course summary

This curriculum provides its majors with an understanding of the basic principles of animal biology, ecology and management, and relevant aspects of basic mathematics and natural sciences, computing applications, communications skills and personal and professional development. Graduates find work as environmental specialists, fisheries or wildlife technicians, environmental educators, conservation officers, fish farmers, zoo biologists, and many continue their education in graduate or professional schools. The option concentrates on aquatic ecosystems. Students learn about a variety of aquatic environments and the physical, chemical and biological characteristics of these ecosystems, as well as watershed management.

Program modules

The required courses (15 credits): A ECL 418 Stream Ecology 3 cr, A ECL 486 Aquatic Ecology 3 cr, A ECL 486L Aquatic Ecology Laboratory 1 cr, MATH 160, 165, or 181 Calculus Elective 4 cr, NREM 407 Watershed Management 4 cr; Restricted Electives - A minimum of 19 credits from the following: A ECL 321 Fish Biology 3 cr, A ECL 366 Natural History of Iowa Vertebrates 3 cr, A ECL 401 Introductory Aquatic Animal Health and Medicine 1 cr, A ECL/ENT 425 Aquatic Insects 3 cr, A ECL 440 Fishery Management 3 cr, A ECL 441 Fisheries Techniques 3 cr, A ECL 442 Aquaculture 3 cr, A ECL 515 Ecology of Freshwater Invertebrates 3 cr, A ECL 520 Fisheries Science 3 cr, BIOL 313/GEN 320 Principles of Genetics 3 cr, BIOL 472 Community Ecology 3 cr, BIOL 474 Plant Ecology 3 cr, BIOL 487 Aquatic and Wetland Microbial Ecology 3 cr, BIOL 488 Identification of Aquatic Organisms 1 cr, CHEM 211 Quantitative and Environmental Analysis 2 cr, CHEM 211L Quantitative and Environmental Analysis Laboratory 2 cr, ENSCI 381 Environmental Systems 3 cr, ENSCI 402 Watershed Hydrology and Surficial Processes 4 cr, ENT 370 Insect Biology 3 cr, FOR 453 Forest Resource Policy and Administration 3 cr, GEOL 101* Environmental Geology: Earth in Crisis 3 cr, GEOL 108* Introduction to Oceanography 3 cr, NREM 385 Natural Resource Policy 3 cr, NREM 460 Controversies in Natural Resource Management 3 cr, NREM 532 Human Dimensions of Natural Resource Management 3 cr, NREM 535/A ECL 535I Restoration Ecology 3 cr, STAT 401 Statistical Methods for Research Workers 4 cr, STAT 402 Statistical Design and the Analysis of Experiments 3 cr, TSM 324 Soil and Water Conservation Management 3 cr and TSM 424 Impacts of Agriculture on Water Quality 2 cr.

Entry requirement for international students

Applicants should possess a high school diploma, G.E.D or an equivalent qualification. International students, whose native language is not English, must have a minimum Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score of 530 (paper-based) or 71 (internet-based). Students may also take the IELTS or SAT in lieu of the TOEFL. A minimum score of 420 on the Critical Reading Section of the SAT or an overall score of 6.0 with no sub score below 5.5 in IELTS is required for admission.

Qualification

Bachelor degree

Awarding body

Iowa State University

Department name

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management

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