Syllabus

** Spring 2012 **
 * CE 598 – Watershed and River Restoration**

Class Meetings: 2:00 pm - 3:15 pm Tues, Thurs Instructor: Mark Stone, Ph.D., P.E. Office: CEC 3048 Office Hours: 3-4 MW and by appointment Office Telephone: 277-0115 E-mail: stone@unm.edu Class website: riverrestoration.wikispaces.com
 * The Essentials **

__ Textbook: __ There are no required textbooks for this class. The following references will be used extensively and can be accessed online: NEH-653: NRCS - Federal Stream Corridor Restoration Handbook [] NEH-654: NRCS – Stream Restoration Design []

__ Suggested Texts __ : Depending on personal interests and research areas, students are encouraged to consider the books listed here- https://riverrestoration.wikispaces.com/Restoration+Resources

Journal papers will be assigned for every class period and will be disseminated through WebCT - https://riverrestoration.wikispaces.com/Weekly+Readings


 * Course Description **

In this class we will explore the principles of restoration and sustainable management of streams and watersheds. This will include an overview of hydrologic, sediment transport, geomorphic, and ecological principles applicable to the assessment of stream channel and watershed condition, developing approaches to stream management and restoration, and evaluating the performance of restoration projects. We will also emphasize the interrelated nature of hydrology, hydraulics, sediment transport, geomorphology, aquatic ecology, and riparian ecology.


 * Organization **

Due to the breadth of the material covered in this course, we will emphasize a holistic perspective on restoration and the interconnectedness of various disciplines and processes. The course material will be covered using a range of techniques including lectures, a class Wiki, field trips, journal paper discussions, student presentations, term papers, and group projects. The lectures are intended to introduce general principles and connect general themes. The students will develop in-depth individual topics of interests through projects, readings, and discussions.

At the conclusion of this class, students will be able to:
 * Class Outcomes **
 * Organize knowledge to write concise, comprehensible, and scientifically defendable interpretations of selected course topics.
 * Use data to compose scientific interpretations/conclusions.
 * Explain the scientific aspects of stream and watershed restoration to non-scientists in a fashion that enhances understanding and decision-making.
 * Obtain/compile and interpret relevant data to describe watershed and stream processes.
 * Explain and predict the effects of natural and anthropogenic stressors on streams and watersheds.
 * Compare and critique the various techniques and/or philosophies of restoration topics.
 * Propose or formulate restoration approaches to specific cases of stream degradation.


 * Requirements **
 * Students will complete a term paper on a selected topic from the class syllabus. (40%)
 * Students will present a summary of their term papers on Saturday (5%)
 * A group project will be completed based on a “real world” restoration project. (20%)
 * Each student will be responsible for facilitating one seminar discussion. (10%)
 * Students are expected to fully participate in seminar discussions. (10%)
 * Students will complete weekly BLOGs of reading assignments online **before class**. (10%)
 * Homework assignments are due at the beginning of class. (5%)
 * Attendance at all lectures, discussions, and field trips is mandatory.


 * Final Grades **
 * Percent || Grade || Percent || Grade ||
 * 100-97.0 || A+ || 89.9-87.0 || B+ ||
 * 96.9-93.0 || A || 86.9-83.0 || B ||
 * 92.9-90.0 || A- || 82.9-80.0 || B- ||
 * 79.9-77.0 || C+ || 69.9-67.0 || D+ ||
 * 76.9-73.0 || C || 66.9-63.0 || D ||
 * 72.9-70.0 || C- || 62.9-60.0 || D- ||
 * <60 || F ||  ||   ||

Each student will generate a term paper directly on the course’s Wiki Page. Topics will be selected from the list of course topics found online. The student working on a given topic will be responsible for leading the discussion on the relevant lecture day. The term paper is worth 40% of the final grade and the quality of the final and intermediate products should reflect this weight. The following intermediate deadlines will be used for developing the term papers.
 * Term Paper **


 * Selection of topic - Due Jan 19; Feedback by Jan 21
 * Preliminary reference list – Due Jan 31; Feedback by Feb 7
 * Detailed outline – Due Feb 14; Feedback by Feb 21
 * 50% draft – Due Feb 28; Feedback by March 6
 * 90% draft – Due March 27; Feedback by April 3
 * Final draft – Due April 10; Feedback by April 17

The goal of the group paper is to develop in-depth descriptions of watershed condition, stream condition, and restoration activities on some of New Mexico’s major streams. Students will work in interdisciplinary teams to produce a report on a selected basin. The following timeline will be used.
 * Group Paper **


 * Group and basin selection - Due Feb 7
 * Preliminary reference list – Due Feb 21; Feedback by Feb 28
 * Detailed outline – Due March 6; Feedback by March 13
 * 50% draft – Due April 3; Feedback by April 10
 * 90% draft – Due April 17; Feedback by April 24
 * Final draft – Due May 3; Feedback by May 10

A detailed description of how to prepare to lead your class discussion can be found on the class Wiki. On your discussion day, be sure to come to class prepared to engage the rest of the class. This can include preparing questions and activities. You can also spur discussion by interacting with the class through the discussion BLOG before class. On all other days, come to class prepared to participate in discussions. Participation is worth 10% of your grade and I will monitor participation closely.
 * Discussions **