What is NREM 240: Quantitative Problem Solving in Natural Resources?
The simplest and most accurate answer is that NREM 240 is a quantitative reasoning (QR) course. Whereas foundational mathematics courses seek to develop skills and techniques through deductive reasoning with abstract quantities, QR stresses the application of these skills to concrete quantities in practical contexts. NREM 240 adopts the QR approach but also aims to develop good problem-solving habits-of-mind. One way in which NREM 240 may differ from QR ourses elsewhere is that we deliberately focus on Problem Solving, which is distinct from Exercise Solving. Whereas an exercise is often an opportunity to practice algorithms recently presented by the textbook or instructor (and the "correct answer" can be readily found in the back of the book or a solutions manual), a problem is an intellectual challenge that often requires questioning, organizing information, researching missing information, articulating assumptions, persistence, and creativity. Problems are often harder, particuluary for students who've had few opportunities to truly struggle with authentic problems. With experience (and a little guidance) comes familiarity and confidence with problem solving heuristics and resources. With this in mind, we could say that NREM 240 is a course about learning what to do when you don’t know what to do.
Thematically, we take advantage of the types of measurements and challenges that arise organically in forestry and wildlife management, and that our students (hopefully) find intrinsically interesting. For example, forest mensuration is rich in geometric and trigonometric concepts and methods. Management of wildlife lends itself readily to discussion of exponential and quadratic functions describing population change. Many students encounter these and similar skills in high school and/or first-year college math courses, but many of the same students report frustration when (if?) opportunities to use those skills arise in courses within their major. Acknowledging and addressing this frustration, NREM 240 aims to shape better Forestry and Animal Ecology students by bolstering their relevant quantitative skills and confidence, and better quantitative students by situating their quantitative training in practical problems they can identify with.
Explore for yourself:
NREM 240 has its own open-access textbook, available for free from the ISU digital repository. Note that new editions may be available to current students.
Frequently-asked questions:
Is NREM 240 a statistics class? No…but we collect and use data and employ simple statistical concepts for describing this data.
Is NREM 240 a data science class? No, though students are instructed in best practices for gathering, organizing, and documenting data.
Is NREM 240 a math class? Sort of, but with a focus on applications and the skills they require, rather than the skills and the applications that are convenient.
Does NREM 240 meet my calculus requirement? No. If your degree requires you to complete calculus, you should take calculus. ISU has many options for students with different interests and backgrounds.
Does NREM 240 substitute for college algebra? No. Students who place in college algebra should still complete college algebra prior to enrolling in NREM 240.
What level is the mathematics in NREM 240? The skillsets practiced in NREM 240 are drawn loosely from the ALEKS guidelines for Precalculus, but our coverage of these topics is selective. Topics and skills are selected based on their utility in addressing common natural resource science and management problems—as gleaned from conversations with colleagues and a survey of literature—rather than curricular completeness.