logo

Travis Idol's Academics Page
Fall Semester

Special Topics: Environmental Ethics (taught occasionally)
Evaluation of Natural Resource Management
Spring Semester

Tropical Forestry and Agroforestry (alternate years)
Internship
Terrestrial Biogeochemistry (alternate years)
Summer Session
Field Course in Tropical Forestry














(back to top)





NREM 380: Tropical Forestry and Agroforestry

Format: Three 50-minute lectures. On alternate Friday class sessions, we will have class presentations and discussions on relevant topics. Two Saturday field trips (half-day) will substitute for individual class sessions. A 3-day optional field trip to the island of Hawaii is scheduled during Spring Break. The department normally subsidize expenses for this trip.

Pre-requisites: BIOL 171 and CHEM 161 or consent of instructor.

Objectives:
  1. Understand the biophysical environment of tropical forests
  2. Become familiar with traditional and modern forest management planning and practices
  3. Develop practical skills in forest inventory measurement and analysis
  4. Understand the traditional role and modern potential of tropical agroforestry as a land management system
Readings:
  1. Kellman, M. and R. Tackaberry. 1997. Tropical environments: the functioning and management of tropical ecosystems. Routledge, New York.
  2. Elevitch, C.R. and K.M. Wilkinson. 2000. Agroforestry guides for Pacific islands. Permanent Agriculture Resources, Holualoa, HI.
  3. Various assigned readings and handouts from the instructor.
Assignments:
  1. Field Trip Assignments: Field trips will be used to collect real-world data on forest structure and dynamics. Students will be expected to summarize and analyze this data according to assignment directions. (15%)
  2. In-class participation: Students will be expected to give presentations on class topics or lead discussion on relevant issues covered in class during the alternate Friday discussion sessions. (20%)
  3. Mid-term examinations: There will be mid-term two examinations during the course of the semester. (20% each)
  4. Final Exam: There will be a final comprehensive examination. (25%)

Expectations: I expect that students will come to class prepared, having reviewed the reading assignment ahead of time. For the Friday discussion sessions, I expect students to come prepared to engage in a meaningful discussion, whether or not they are scheduled to present to the rest of the class. Students can expect that I will follow the syllabus as closely as possible so they can adequately prepare for class. They can expect that I will provide clear instructions for all assignments. They can further expect that I will grade assignments and exams fairly and return them promptly. They can finally expect that I will maintain regular office hours or be available by appointment at a mutually convenient time.























(back to top)




NREM 492: Internship
(syllabus in pdf format)
Pre-requisites: Restricted to NREM undergraduates. Recommended for students with junior year standing.

Course Description

Internship is a 4-credit, writing intensive course that is a graduation requirement for all CTAHR majors. It is offered in spring semesters only and consists of two parts, a one-hour and 15 minute weekly meeting during the semester and a work period during the following summer. The classroom portion features seminars or discussion sessions on professionalism, ethics, conflict resolution, resume preparation, and interviewing skills, which are held jointly with other CTAHR Internship courses. In addition, a field trip incorporates speakers from the animal science/horticultural/agricultural industry or service organizations who discuss their respective businesses, their career development and career opportunities. There are numerous writing assignments, including an extensive report of the field experience, a journal, a term paper, joint session assignments, and a resume. An oral presentation is also required.

The work experience portion of the course is conducted at an approved site. An agreement involving the employer, student and instructor is developed prior to the work experience. A minimum of 135 hours of work experience is required. You will complete a journal and a 10-page written report of the work experience. Your report will include such items as a description of the operation, an analysis of the business (horticultural/agricultural practices, personnel management, etc.), and an evaluation of your work experience in relation to new techniques obtained, relationship to your academic knowledge, and its effect on your future plans. Your employer will complete an evaluation of your performance at the end of your employment. Because part of the course will take place after the spring semester, you will receive an incomplete (I) for the spring semester. The I will be changed to a grade, after your 10-15 page written report and employer evaluation is received.

The purpose of the work experience portion of the course is to obtain experience in a supervised environment that will enable students to: a) acquire work experience in a horticultural/ agricultural industry or related service agency; b) integrate and apply knowledge from your academic program to practical work responsibilities; c) obtain experience in decision-making and to gain an understanding of interpersonal skills needed to work productively with employers, co-workers and customers/clients; d) determine whether you have a real interest in this field as a career; e) develop personal contacts with people in this industry and f) identify weaknesses in your education.
























(back to top)






NREM 686: Terrestrial Biogeochemistry
(syllabus in pdf format)

Format: Two 50-minute lectures and one 50-minute discussion section.

Pre-requisites: Restricted to graduate students or senior undergraduate students. Undergraduate ecology course, e.g. BIOL 265, BOT 351, 453/454 or equivalent and undergraduate soils course, e.g. NREM 304 or equivalent are required.

Objectives: To understand the major components and processes of terrestrial biogeochemistry, with an emphasis on internal nutrient cycling, relationships of biogeochemistry to ecosystem structure and function, and responses to changes in vegetation and climate.

Assignments:

  1. Article Discussions: Each week, 2 major articles will be assigned for both background preparation and discussion in Friday's class. A pair of students will be assigned to lead the discussion of each article, according to guidelines in the syllabus. Other students will be required to participate in the discussion.
  2. Article Reviews: After the Friday discussion, all students will be required to critically evaluate one of the articles discussed in class, according to guidelines in the syllabus.
  3. Two in-class examinations: During Weeks 6 and 11; short-essay format.
  4. Final project: Students will be required to write a research grant proposal according to the format and guidelines of either the EPA STAR program or the NSF dissertation strengthening program, both geared toward graduate students. The research outlined in the proposal should be relevant to the topics covered in class, but it may incorporate ideas and concepts outside of class that fall within the student's discipline area. The completed proposal and a 10-minute presentation outlining the proposed research are due during finals week.






















 

 

 

 


(back to top)






NREM 491: Special Topics-Environmental Ethics

Format: Two 50-minute lectures and a 50-minute discussion section.

Prerequisites: NREM 210 or a basic philosophy course, e.g. PHIL 103.

Objectives:

  1. Learn the basic philosophical foundations of ethics, especially in reference to environmental issues
  2. Understand how ethical principles are applied to environmental study, management, and regulation
  3. Analyze the ethical dimensions of environmental issues at the personal, professional, political, and cultural levels
Assignments:
  1. General discussions of ethical issues.
  2. Case study presentations and formalized debates.
  3. Examinations: Two in-class exams will be given during Weeks 6 and 11. Questions will require either short answer or short essay responses.
  4. Final project: A more detailed case study and presentation in class.
Example Topics:
  1. Basic Ethical Approaches
    • Utilitarianism
    • Deontology and Rights-based ethics
    • Rules to live by and game theory
  2. Economic Approaches to the Environment
  3. From Anthropocentric to Ecocentric Ethics
    • Aldo Leopold and the Land Ethic
    • Deep ecology
    • Ecofeminism
  4. Animal Rights
  5. Professional Ethics Readings for Friday (Oct. 28) Discussion
  6. Agriculture
    • General considerations
    • Biotechnology and GMO's
  7. Sustainable Resource Use:
  8. Endangered Species
  9. Globalization and International Development






















(back to top)





 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(back to top)




NREM 600: Evaluation of Natural Resource Management

Schedule: Monday and Friday from 2:00-3:15 PM.

Pre-requisites: Restricted to NREM graduate students. Basic biology and chemistry course required.

Objective: To analyze the biophysical potential and limitations of natural resource management approaches and evaluate the success or failure of actual management programs.

Assignments: Students will be given occasional assignments and quizzes based on the current topic. A final project will be assigned that may be completed either individually or in groups. A project outline and rough draft will be due during the semester. The final project report and presentation will be due at the end of the semester.

Example Topics:
  1. Soil properties, processes, and conservation issues
  2. The hydrologic cycle and watershed structure and function
  3. Forest productivity, development, and response to management
  4. Evaluation of sustainable forest management
  5. Evaluation of watershed management and modeling
  6. Evaluation of soil conservation practices in the tropics
  7. Using spatial data analysis tools to manage natural resources
  8. Revisiting the ahupua'a approach to natural resource management
Readings: Readings will generally be textbook chapters, technical reports, and scientific articles supplies either in class or online. See links below for specific readings.

Sustainable Forestry
Lecture Notes (pdf)
Readings

  1. Week 1. Introduction to Sustainable Forestry
  2. Week 2. Evaluation of Forestry Certification

 

 

 

 

(back to top)

 

 

 

FOR 398: Field Course in Tropical Forestry
    Schedule:
  • July 16-August 03, 2007
  • Monday through Friday 8:00 AM-5:00 PM
    Pre-requisites:
  • Background and interest in forestry.
  • Coursework or experience in biology, soil science, and forestry.
  • Ideal for forestry undergraduates, new grad students, or forestry professionals.
    Objectives:
  1. Learn about the diversity of tropical forests and the natural history of Hawaii's forests.
  2. Evaluate the role of forest plantations in tropical forestry.
  3. See first-hand the threats to tropical forest conservation.
  4. Visit active forest conservation and restoration projects.
  5. Review forest inventory and analysis techniques.
  6. Develop a draft forest management plan to promote sustainable forestry in Hawaii.
    Assignments: All assignments will be completed in small groups. Students will evaluate group member contributions.
  • Use data supplied by instructors or gathered in the field to evaluate forest and forestry conditions.
  • Discuss forest conservation, restoration, and sustainable forestry options for the tropics and Hawaii.
  • Use forest inventory data to make growth and yield predictions.
  • Final project: develop a preliminary forest management plan for a specific tropical forest in Hawaii.

Course Schedule (subject to change)

    Week 1: Introduction to Hawaii’s Tropical Forests
  1. Tropical Forest Classification and Life Zones in Hawaii
  2. Natural History of Hawaii's Forests and Forestry
  3. Field Trips to Different Forest Life Zones
  4. Assignments: Classifying Life Zones; Discussing Tropical Forest Management Challenges and Opportunities
    Week 2: Plantation Forests and Forestry
  1. Variety of Plantation Forests in the Tropics and Hawaii
  2. Review of Forest Inventory and Analysis Techniques
  3. Field Trips to Various Plantation Forests in Hawaii
  4. Assignments: Forest Growth and Yield Predictions; Discussing the Role of Tropical Plantation Forests
    Week 3: Forest Restoration and Conservation
  1. Global to Local Issues: Loss and Alteration of Forest Cover, Invasive Species, Climate Change
  2. Restoration and Conservation Initiatives in Hawai
  3. Field Trips to Forest Conservation and Restoration Projects in Wet and Dry Forests
  4. Assignments: Develop and Present Miniature Forest Management Plan

Last modified: April 24, 2007