Federal Series

The GS-401 Natural Resource Management and Biological Sciences (0401) series covers positions that manage, supervise, lead or perform professional research or scientific work in biology, agriculture or natural resources management that is not classifiable to another more specific professional series in the Natural Resources Management and Biological Sciences Group, 0400.

The University of Idaho offers a variety of online courses in a broad range of topics that in combination with work experience may help you meet the GS-401 OPM Qualification Standards.

The GS-0401 OPM Qualification Standards are defined as:

Courses equivalent to a major course of study in biological sciences, agriculture or natural resources management, chemistry or at least 24 credit hours in biological sciences, natural resources, wildland fire management, forestry or agriculture equivalent to a major field of study, plus appropriate experience of additional education that is comparable to that normally acquired through the successful completion of a full four-year course of study in the biological sciences, agriculture or natural resources.

Typically, courses with the following prefixes are generally acceptable for this standard:

• FOR (Forest Resources)
• GEOG (Geography)
• ENVS (Environmental Science)
• SOIL (Soil Science)
• WLF (Wildlife Science)
• FISH (Fish Sciences)

Other course prefixes, including REM (Rangeland Ecology and Management) or NRS (Natural Resources and Society) offered at the University of Idaho may also be acceptable.

Please make sure to check with the appropriate Human Resources officer to ensure that our courses will qualify for the GS-401 OPM Qualification Standards. All are semester-based courses. Note some prerequisites can be waived by the individual College Departments and instructor. Check the University of Idaho master course schedule to ensure availability.

The GS-408 Ecology (0408) series covers positions that involve primarily advisory, research, analytical or other professional work in the science of ecology. Ecology utilizes a systems approach to study the interrelationships of organisms with each other, with their physical and chemical environment and with society. Such relationships are considered primarily at the levels of individuals, populations, communities and ecosystems. Ecologists analyze biological components and processes in the context of ecosystems including environmental factors, physical-chemical relationships and social relationships. They use quantitative and systems analysis techniques to predict effects of planned or natural changes in ecosystems and to develop understanding of and solutions to ecological problems. The basic title for this occupation is Ecologist.

The University of Idaho offers a variety of online courses in a broad range of topics that in combination with work experience may help you meet the GS-408 OPM Qualification Standards.

The GS-0408 OPM Qualification Standards are defined as:

Courses in biology or a related field of science underlying ecological research that included at least 30 semester hours in basic and applied biological sciences. These hours must have included at least 9 semester hours in ecology and 12 semester hours in physical and mathematical sciences.

Please make sure to check with the appropriate Human Resources officer to ensure that our courses will qualify for the GS-408 OPM Qualification Standards. All are semester-based courses. Note some prerequisites can be waived by the individual college departments and instructor. Check the University of Idaho master course schedule to ensure availability.

Suggested courses to meet Ecology requirements

• FISH 4150 — Limnology (4 credits)
  Physical, chemical and biological features of lakes and streams. (Fall)
  Prereq: STAT 2510 and FOR 2210, REM 2210 or BIOL 3140
• FOR 2210 — Principles of Ecology (3 credits)
  Principles of ecology and their relevance to management of natural resources. Major topics include plant and wildlife population, community, ecosystem and landscape level processes and how these processes interact with the environment. Exploration of how ecosystems are affected by humans and global change. Introduction to the types of questions asked by ecologists, the principal concepts and theories that guide ecological inquiry and the methods that are used to answer ecological questions. Both terrestrial and aquatic systems are considered. (Summer).
  Prereq: BIOL 1020/BIOL 1020L or BIOL 1140 or BIOL 1150 or PLSC 2050; or Permission
• REM 2520 Wildland Plant Identification (2 credits)
  Develop skills to identify and classify major rangeland plants. Focus is on identification of grasses, forbs and shrubs. Discussions will also encompass the ecological roles of wildland plants and ecosystem classifications. This course includes a 1-day field trip. Required for REM majors. (Spring).
• REM 2800 Introduction to Wildland Restoration (2 credits)
  History and overview of the ecological, social and economic aspects of wildland restoration using case studies. Students will explore approaches and philosophies towards restoring and rehabilitating wildlands that have been damaged through natural forces and human activities such as wildfire, overgrazing, cultivation and weed invasion. (Spring).
• REM 3410 Systematic Botany (3 credits)
  Phylogenetic approach to understanding plant systematics and evolution with a primary focus on the flora of the Pacific Northwest. Includes identification of important plant families and the use of dichotomous keys for species identification. (Spring and Summer).
  Prereq: BIOL 1140 or BIOL 1150; and BIOL 2130 or PLSC 2050
• REM 4110 — Wildland Habitat Ecology and Assessment (2 credits)
  This course integrates field sampling with quantitative and theoretical concepts related to scientific research, wildlife habitat and land management practices. Students collect, analyze and report on ecological data in various formats, and learn specific protocols used by professionals to assess wildlife habitat. Class field trips required. Recommended preparation: REM 2520 and REM 2530, REM 3410 or other plant identification class; ability to use excel. Co-enrollment in REM 4100 is recommended. (Fall).
  Prereq: STAT 2510 or Permission
• REM 4290 — Landscape Ecology (3 credits)
  Ecological relationships and conservation issues for biotic communities across the landscape, including spatial and temporal dynamics and patterns, and the importance of landscapes in the maintenance of ecosystem diversity and function. One or more field trips; one 2-3 hour lab period per week. Recommended Preparation: Familiarity with spreadsheet programs and problem-solving using computers. (Spring).
  Prereq: FOR 2210 or REM 2210
• REM 4400 — Wildland Restoration Ecology (3 credits)
  Ecological principles and management practices involved in restoring and rehabilitating wildland ecosystems after disturbance or alteration to return damaged ecosystems to a productive and stable state. (Fall).
  Prereq: FOR 2210 or REM 2210 or equivalent general ecology course
• REM 4590 — Rangeland Ecology (2 credits)
  Application of ecological principles in rangeland management; stressing response and behavior of range ecosystems to various kinds and intensity of disturbance and management practice. Recommended Preparation: courses in general ecology (e.g., REM 2210), technical writing (e.g., ENGL 3170) and vegetation assessment (e.g., REM 4100 or FOR 2740) or Permission. (Fall).

Suggested courses to meet Physical and Mathematical requirements

• GEOG 3850 — GIS Primer (3 credits)
  Intro to basic concepts and applications of geographic information systems (GIS), lab exercises on PC-based GIS packages. Two lectures and 2 hrs of lab a wk. (Fall and Spring).
  Prereq: basic knowledge of PC-based operating systems.
• ENVS 4500 — Environmental Hydrology (3 credits)
  Carries no credit after BE 3550 or CE 3250. Comprehensive understanding of the hydrologic processes associated with the environmental processes. Includes components of the hydrologic cycle, analysis of precipitation and run off, evapotranspiration, routing, peak flow, infiltration, soil and water relationships, snowmelt and frequency analysis. (Spring).
  Prereq: MATH 1700
• FIRE 4410 — Air Quality, Pollution and Smoke (3 credits)
  Assessment of the controls and drivers of emission processes and impacts on air quality from fires, industry and other natural sources. Overview of the combustion and emission process, how these emissions impact the quality of air and what models exist to monitor the emission. Other topics to include: recent EPA and other guidelines for smoke management planning, attainment issues, atmospheric transport and deposition processes. (Spring and Summer).
• REM 4100 — Principles of Vegetation Measurement (2 credits)
  On-line course designed to give an overview of vegetation measurement techniques for grasslands, shrublands, woodlands and forests. Students will gain a solid understanding of how to evaluate and monitor vegetation attributes relative to wildlife habitat, livestock forage, fire fuel characteristics, watershed function and many other wildland values. Recommended Preparation: A basic understanding of how to use computer spreadsheets such as Excel. (Fall only) Students who desire a hands-on and interactive experience with vegetation measurement are encouraged to also enroll in REM 4110 which is a course the builds on the principles delivered in REM 4100 and includes field experiences. (Fall). 
  Prereq: STAT 2510 or permission
• FIRE 4407 — GIS Application in Fire Ecology and Management (2 credits)
  Introduces applications of GIS in fire ecology, research and management including incident mapping, fire progression mapping, GIS overlay analysis, remote sensing fire severity assessments, fire atlas analysis and the role of GIS in the Fire Regime Condition Class concept and the National Fire Plan. Additional assignment/projects required for graduate credit. (Spring).
  Prereq: FOR 3750 or GEOG 3850; or Permission
• WLF 4400 — Conservation Biology (3 credits)
  Patterns of biological diversity; factors producing changes in diversity; values of diversity; management principles applied to small populations, protected areas, landscape linkages, biotic integrity, restoration, legal issues and funding sources. (Fall).
  Prereq: FOR 2210, REM 2210 or BIOL 3140 or Permission

Other courses to meet Overall requirements

• ENVS 4850 — Energy Efficiency and Conservation (3 credits)
  Includes aspects of science, policy and economics of energy use and efficiency measures. Considers use trends and existing and potential efficiencies primarily on a national scale with some consideration of both global and local situations. Focuses on residential and transportation energy with some coverage of commercial and industrial energy use. (Fall).
• FIRE 4451 — Fuels Inventory and Management (2 credits)
  Tools, quantitative analysis and approaches for inventory and management of fuels for wildland fires over large, diverse areas in forests, woodlands, shrubland and grasslands. Critically review and synthesize relevant scientific literature.
  Prereq: FOR 3750, REM 1440 and FOR 2740 or REM 4110
• FOR 4310 — Forest Policy and Administration (2 credits)
  Evaluation of land and forest problems and policies in the U.S.; analysis of current conditions and policies; historical development of governmental and private agencies concerned with the administration of forest conservation program. Recommended Preparation: FOR 2350. (Summer).
  Prereq: Junior standing
• REM 4560 — Integrated Rangeland Management (3 credits)
  Management strategies for integrating grazing with other natural resource values such as wildlife, water, timber, recreation and aesthetics; emphasis on herbivore ecology including ecological impacts of grazing, ways to manage grazing and nutritional relationships between plants and free-ranging ungulates on rangeland, pastureland and forest ecosystems. One 4 to 5-day field trip. Recommended Preparation: REM 151. (Spring).
  Prereq: ENGL 3130 or ENGL 3170

The GS-454 Rangeland Management (0454) series covers positions that require primarily professional knowledge and competence in rangeland management to perform work involving the preservation, development and management of rangelands. This includes the ability to analyze and protect the natural resources, to develop programs and standards for rangeland use and conservation and to advise State officials and private and Indian landowners in rangeland management practices. The basic title for this occupation is Rangeland Management Specialist.

University of Idaho offers a variety of online courses in a broad range of topics that in combination with work experience may help you meet the GS-454 OPM Qualification Standards.

The GS-0454 OPM Qualification Standards are defined as one of the following:

1. Degree: range management; or a related discipline that included at least 42 semester hours in a combination of the plant, animal and soil sciences, and natural resources management, as follows:
   1. Range Management — At least 18 semester hours of course work in range management, including courses in such areas as basic principles of range management, range plants, range ecology, range inventories and studies, range improvements and ranch or rangeland planning.
   2. Directly Related Plant, Animal and Soil Sciences — At least 15 semester hours of directly related courses in the plant, animal and soil sciences, including at least one course in each of these three scientific areas, i.e., plant, animal and soil sciences. Courses in such areas as plant taxonomy, plant physiology, plant ecology, animal nutrition, livestock production and soil morphology or soil classification are acceptable.
   3. Related Resource Management Studies — At least 9 semester hours of coursework in related resource management subjects, including courses in such areas as wildlife management, watershed management, natural resource or agricultural economics, forestry, agronomy, forages and outdoor recreation management.
2. Combination of education and experience: at least 42 semester hours of course work in the combination of plant, animal and soil sciences and natural resources management shown above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

Please make sure to check with the appropriate Human Resources officer to ensure that our courses will qualify for the GS-454 OPM Qualification Standards. All are semester-based courses. Note some prerequisites can be waived by the individual College Departments and instructor. Check the University of Idaho master course schedule to ensure availability.

Suggested courses to meet Range Management requirements (18 semester hours)

Basic Principals Range Plants of Range Management

REM 1510 — Rangeland Principles (3 credits)
Rangelands are vast landscapes that cover most of western North America and the earth. Students will examine the ecological principles that cause these grasslands, shrublands, woodlands and deserts to change or stay the same. How humans use and manage these ecosystems will also be explored. The modern challenges of rangeland management must be met with broad thinking and new, sustainable practices to maintain and restore rangelands and the human communities that rely on them. Course requires in-class projects and field experience(s).

Range Plants

REM 2520 — Wildland Plant Identification (2 credits)
Develop skills to identify and classify major rangeland plants. Focus is on identification of grasses, forbs and shrubs. Discussions will also encompass the ecological roles of wildland plants and the ecosystem classification. This course includes a 1-day field trip. Required for REM majors. (Spring).

REM 4400 — Wildland Restoration Ecology (3 credits)
The ecological restoration of disturbed ecosystems. Fundamental principles from ecology, ecophysiology and community ecology are used in a systems ecology approach to examine how the structure and function of damaged ecosystems can be restored -- with the goal of establishing a stable and self-sustaining ecosystem.
Prereq: NR 3210, FOR 2210, REM 2210, WLF 2200, BIOL 3140 or permission

Range Improvement

REM 2800 — Introduction to Wildland Restoration (2 credits)
History and overview of the ecological, social and economic aspects of wildland restoration using case studies. Students will explore approaches and philosophies towards restoring and rehabilitating wildlands that have been damaged through natural forces and human activities such as wildfire, overgrazing, cultivation and weed invasion.

Range Inventories and Studies

REM 4100 — Principles of Vegetation Measurement (2 credits)
This course introduces theory and application of quantitative and qualitative methods for measuring and monitoring vegetation in grasslands, shrublands, woodlands and forests. Students will gain a solid understanding of how to measure and evaluate vegetation attributes and design and implement monitoring programs relative to wildlife habitat, livestock forage, fire fuel characteristics, watershed function and many other wildland values. (Fall only)
Recommended Preparation: A basic understanding of how to use computer spreadsheets such as Excel. Students are encouraged to also enroll in REM 4600 for field experience in collecting vegetation data that will be used in this course. Graduate students should enroll in REM 5200 - Advanced Vegetation Measurements and Monitoring.
Prereq: STAT 2510 or permission

WLF 4110 — Wildland Habitat Ecology and Assessment (2 credits)
This course integrates theoretical concepts with field sampling related to scientific research, wildlife habitat and land management practices. Students collect, analyze and report on ecological data in various formats, and learn specific protocols used by professionals to assess wildlife habitat. Class field trips are required for on-campus students and alternative field assignments will be required for remote, online students. Additional assignments required for graduate credit.
Recommended Preparation: REM 2520 and REM 2530, REM 3410 or other plant identification class; introductory statistics course; ability to use excel. Co-enrollment in REM 4100 is recommended.

Range Ecology

REM 4290 — Landscape Ecology (3 credits)
Ecological relationships and conservation issues for biotic communities across the landscape, including spatial and temporal dynamics and patterns, and importance of landscapes in maintenance of ecosystem diversity and function. One or more field trips; one 2-3 hour lab period per week. (Spring only)
Recommended Preparation: Familiarity with spreadsheet programs and problem-solving using computers.
Prereq: FOR 2210 or REM 2210

REM 4590 — Rangeland Ecology (3 credits)
Application of ecological principles in rangeland management; stressing response and behavior of range ecosystems to various kinds and intensity of disturbance and management practice. Recommended Preparation: courses in general ecology (e.g., REM 2210), technical writing (e.g., ENGL 3170) and vegetation assessment (e.g., REM 4100 or FOR 2740) or Permission. Students are encouraged to also enroll in REM 4600 for field experience in collecting vegetation data that will be used in this course.

Ranch or Rangeland Planning

REM 4560 — Integrated Rangeland Management (3 credits)
Management strategies for integrating grazing with other natural resource values such as wildlife, water, timber, recreation and aesthetics; emphasis on herbivore ecology including ecological impacts of grazing, ways to manage grazing and nutritional relationships between plants and free-ranging ungulates on rangeland, pastureland and forest ecosystems. One 4 to 5 day field trip. (Spring only)
Recommended Preparation: REM 151.
Prereq: ENGL 3130 or ENGL 3170

Suggested courses to meet Related Plant, Animal and Soil Sciences requirements (15 semester hours)

REM 3410 — Systematic Botany (3 credits)
Phylogenetic approach to understanding plant systematics and evolution with a primary focus on the flora of the Pacific Northwest. Includes identification of important plant families and the use of dichotomous keys for species identification. (Spring and Summer).
Prereq: BIOL 1140 or BIOL 1150; and BIOL 2130 or PLSC 2050

Suggested courses to meet Related Resource Management requirements (9 semester hours)

ENVS 4500 — Environmental Hydrology (3 credits)
Comprehensive understanding of the hydrologic processes associated with the environmental processes. Includes components of the hydrologic cycle, analysis of precipitation and run off, evapotranspiration, routing, peak flow, infiltration, soil and water relationships, snowmelt and frequency analysis. (Spring only)
Prereq: MATH 1430 or vertically related higher course

FIRE 3326 — Fire Ecology (3 credits)
The global study of wildfire as a biophysical and ecological process, including controls of wildfires, ecological effects of wildfires, fire history and fire in the context of global environmental change. Evolutionary plant adaptations to fire and mechanistic impacts of fire on organisms. Current issues in fire science in the Western US and globally, including readings and discussions of recent scientific literature.
Prereq: FOR 2210, REM 2210 or WLF 2200

FOR 4100 — Fire Effects and Management (3 credits)
Understanding fire effects is a very important part of fire management. This course will discuss the direct and indirect effects of fire on humans, soils, water, plants and animals. In addition to learning the concepts surrounding fire effects, students will complete a literature review on an area of interest and will experience fire effects firsthand in the field.
Recommended preparation: FOR 2210 or WLF 2200.

FIRE 4451 — Fuels Inventory and Management (2 credits)
Tools, quantitative analysis and approaches for inventory and management of fuels for wildland fires over large, diverse areas in forests, woodlands, shrubland and grasslands. Critically review and synthesize relevant scientific literature.
Prereq: FOR 3750, REM 1440 and FOR 2740 or WLF 4110

GEOG 3850 — GIS Primer (3 credits)
Intro to basic concepts and applications of geographic information systems (GIS), lab exercises on PC-based GIS packages. Two lectures and 2 hours of lab per week.
Prereq: basic knowledge of PC-based operating system.

FIRE 4410 — Air Quality, Pollution and Smoke (3 credits)
Assessment of the controls and drivers of emission processes and impacts on air quality from fires, industry and other natural sources. Overview of the combustion and emission process, how these emissions impact the quality of air and what models exist to monitor the emission. Other topics to include: recent EPA and other guidelines for smoke management planning, attainment issues, atmospheric transport and deposition processes.

FIRE 5100 — GIS Application in Fire Ecology and Management (2 credits)
Introduces applications of GIS in fire ecology, research and management including incident mapping, fire progression mapping, GIS overlay analysis, remote sensing fire severity assessments, fire atlas analysis and the role of GIS in the Fire Regime Condition Class concept and the National Fire Plan. Additional assignment/projects required for graduate credit. (Spring only)
Prereq: FOR 3750 or GEOG 3850; or Permission

WLF 4400 — Conservation Biology (3 credits)
Patterns of biological diversity; factors producing changes in diversity; values of diversity; management principles applied to small populations, protected areas, landscape linkages, biotic integrity, restoration, legal issues and funding sources. (Fall only)
Prereq: FOR 2210, REM 2210 or BIOL 3140 or Permission

The GS-460 Forestry (0460) series covers positions that require primarily professional knowledge and competence in forestry science. The work includes development, production, conservation and utilization of the natural resources of forests and associated lands; the inventory, planning, evaluation and management of each forest resource including timber, soil, land, water, wildlife and fish habitat, minerals, forage and outdoor recreation including wilderness, in relationship with each other to meet both present and future public and local private needs and demands; the protection of resources against fire, insects, disease, floods, erosion and other depredations; the valuation, management and protection of forest lands and properties; the interpretation and communication of principles, facts and legislation upon which the management of forest land rests; and the development of new, improved or more economic scientific methods, practices or techniques necessary to perform such work. The basic title for this occupation is Forester.

The University of Idaho offers a variety of online courses in a broad range of topics that in combination with work experience may help you meet the GS-460 OPM Qualification Standards.

The GS-0454 OPM Qualification Standards are defined as one of the following:

1. Degree: forestry; or a related subject-matter field that included a total of at least 30 semester hours in any combination of biological, physical or mathematical sciences or engineering, of which at least 24 semester hours of course work were in forestry. The curriculum must have been sufficiently diversified to include courses in each of the following areas:
   1. Management of Renewable Resources — study of the science and art of managing renewable resources to attain desired results. Examples of creditable courses in this area include silviculture, forest management operations, timber management, wildland fire science or fire management, utilization of forest resources, forest regulation, recreational land management, watershed management and wildlife or range habitat management.
   2. Forest Biology — study of the classification, distribution, characteristics and identification of forest vegetation, and the interrelationships of living organisms to the forest environment. Examples of creditable courses in this area include dendrology, forest ecology, silvics, forest genetics, wood structure and properties, forest soils, forest entomology and forest pathology.
   3. Forest Resource Measurements and Inventory — sampling, inventory, measurement and analysis techniques as applied to a variety of forest resources. Examples of creditable courses include forest biometrics, forest mensuration, forest valuation, statistical analysis of forest resource data, renewable natural resources inventories and analysis, and photogrammetry or remote sensing.
2. Combination of education and experience: courses equivalent to a major in forestry or at least 30 semester hours in any combination of biological, physical or mathematical sciences or engineering, of which at least 24 semester hours were in forestry. The requirements for diversification of the 24 semester hours in forestry are the same as shown above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

Please make sure to check with the appropriate Human Resources officer to ensure that our courses will qualify for the GS-460 OPM Qualification Standards. All are semester-based courses. Note some prerequisites can be waived by the individual College Departments and instructor. Check the University of Idaho master course schedule to ensure availability.

Suggested courses to meet Management of Renewable Resources requirements

ENVS 4500 — Environmental Hydrology (3 credits)
Carries no credit after BE 3550 or CE 3250. Comprehensive understanding of the hydrologic processes associated with the environmental processes. Includes components of the hydrologic cycle, analysis of precipitation and run off, evapotranspiration, routing, peak flow, infiltration, soil and water relationships, snowmelt and frequency analysis. (Spring).
Prereq: MATH 1700

FIRE 4410 — Air Quality, Pollution and Smoke (3 credits)
Assessment of the controls and drivers of emission processes and impacts on air quality from fires, industry and other natural sources. Overview of the combustion and emission process, how these emissions impact the quality of air and what models exist to monitor the emission. Other topics to include: recent EPA and other guidelines for smoke management planning, attainment issues, atmospheric transport and deposition processes. (Spring and Summer).
Prereq: Junior standing

FOR 4310 — Forest Policy and Administration (2 credits)
Evaluation of land and forest problems and policies in the U.S.; analysis of current conditions and policies; historical development of governmental and private agencies concerned with the administration of forest conservation program. Recommended Preparation: FOR 2350. (Summer).
Prereq: Junior standing

WLF 4400 — Conservation Biology (3 credits)
Patterns of biological diversity; factors producing changes in diversity; values of diversity; management principles applied to small populations, protected areas, landscape linkages, biotic integrity, restoration, legal issues and funding sources. (Fall).
Prereq: FOR 2210, REM 2210 or BIOL 3140 or Permission

Suggested courses to meet Forest Biology requirements

FOR 2210 — Principles of Ecology (3 credits)
Principles of ecology and their relevance to management of natural resources. Major topics include plant and wildlife population, community, ecosystem and landscape level processes and how these processes interact with the environment. Exploration of how ecosystems are affected by humans and global change. Introduction to the types of questions asked by ecologists, the principal concepts and theories that guide ecological inquiry and the methods that are used to answer ecological questions. Both terrestrial and aquatic systems are considered. (Online summer only).
Prereq: Biol 1020/Biol 1020L or Biol 1140 or Biol 1150 or PlSc 2050; or Permission

REM 2520 — Wildland Plant Identification (2 credits)
Develop skills to identify and classify major rangeland plants. Focus is on identification of grasses, forbs and shrubs. Discussions will also encompass the ecological roles of wildland plants and the ecosystem classification. This course includes a 1-day field trip. Required for REM majors. (Spring).

GEOG 3850 — GIS Primer (3 credits)
Intro to basic concepts and applications of geographic information systems (GIS), lab exercises on PC-based GIS packages. Two lectures and 2 hrs of lab a wk. (Fall and Spring).
Prereq: basic knowledge of PC-based operating system.

REM 3410 — Systematic Botany (3 credits)
Phylogenetic approach to understanding plant systematics and evolution with a primary focus on the flora of the Pacific Northwest. Includes identification of important plant families and the use of dichotomous keys for species identification. (Spring and Summer).
Prereq: BIOL 1140 or BIOL 1150; and BIOL 2130 or PLSC 2050

Suggested courses to meet Forest Resource Measurements and Inventory requirements

GEOG 3850 — GIS Primer (3 credits)
Intro to basic concepts and applications of geographic information systems (GIS), lab exercises on PC-based GIS packages. Two lectures and 2 hrs of lab a wk. (Fall and Spring).
Prereq: basic knowledge of PC-based operating system.

FIRE 4451 — Fuels Inventory and Management (2 credits)
Tools, quantitative analysis and approaches for inventory and management of fuels for wildland fires over large, diverse areas in forests, woodlands, shrubland and grasslands. Critically review and synthesize relevant scientific literature.
Prereq: FOR 3750, REM 1440 and FOR 2740 or REM 4110

FIRE 4407 — GIS Application in Fire Ecology and Management (2 credits)
Introduces applications of GIS in fire ecology, research and management including incident mapping, fire progression mapping, GIS overlay analysis, remote sensing fire severity assessments, fire atlas analysis and the role of GIS in the Fire Regime Condition Class concept and the National Fire Plan. Additional assignment/projects required for graduate credit. (Spring).
Prereq: FOR 3750 or GEOG 3850; or Permission

REM 4100 — Principles of Vegetation Measurement (2 credits)
On-line course designed to give an overview of vegetation measurement techniques for grasslands, shrublands, woodlands and forests. Students will gain a solid understanding of how to evaluate and monitor vegetation attributes relative to wildlife habitat, livestock forage, fire fuel characteristics, watershed function and many other wildland values. Recommended Preparation: A basic understanding of how to use computer spreadsheets such as Excel. (Fall only) Students who desire a hands-on and interactive experience with vegetation measurement are encouraged to also enroll in REM 4110 which is a course the builds on the principles delivered in REM 4100 and includes field experiences. (Fall).
Prereq: STAT 2510 or permission

REM 4110 — Wildland Habitat Ecology and Assessment (2 credits)
This course integrates field sampling with quantitative and theoretical concepts related to scientific research, wildlife habitat and land management practices. Students collect, analyze and report on ecological data in various formats, and learn specific protocols used by professionals to assess wildlife habitat. Class field trips required.
Recommended preparation: REM 2520 and REM 2530, REM 3410 or other plant identification class; ability to use excel. Co-enrollment in REM 4100 is recommended. (Fall).
Prereq: STAT 2510 or Permission