Chair of the Natural Science and Environmental Studies Graduate Committee:  Dr. Ken A. Otter

 

Joselito M. Arocena, Professor, and Canada Research Chair, Soil and Environmental Sciences (Environtmental Science and Engineering) 

Darwin Coxson, Professor (Ecosystem Science and Management) 

Robert Ellis, Professor (Business Administration) 

Oscar Garcia, Professor, and Forest Renewal BC Endowed Chair in Forest Growth and Yield Ecosystem Science and Management)

Greg Halseth, Professor, and Canada Research Chair, Rural and Small Town Studies (Geography)

Peter Jackson, Professor (Environmental Science and Engineering)

Annie Booth, Associate Professor (Environmental Arts)

Philip Burton, Associate Professor (Ecosystem Science and Management)

John Curry, Associate Professor (Environmental Planning)

Scott Green, Associate Professor (Ecosystem Science and Management)

Ian Hartley, Associate Professor (Ecosystem Science and Management)

Chris Hawkins, Associate Professor, and Forest Renewal BC Endowed Chair in Mixed Wood Ecology and Management  (Ecosystem Science and Management)

Kathy Lewis, Associate Professor (Ecosystem Science and Management)

Chris Opio, Associate Professor (Ecosystem Science and Management)

Ellen Petticrew, Associate Professor, and Forest Renewal BC Endowed Chair in Landscape Ecology (Geography)

Paul Sanborn, Associate Professor (Ecosystem Science and Management)

Mark Shrimpton, Associate Professor (Ecosystem Science and Management)

John Shultis, Associate Professor (Outdoor Recreation and Tourism Management)

Youmin Tang, Associate Professor , and Canada Research Chair, Climate Prediction and Predictability (Environmental Science and Engineering)

Roger Wheate, Associate Professor (Geography)

Pamela Wright, Associate Professor (Outdoor Recreation and Tourism Management) 

David Connell, Assistant Professor (Environmental Planning)

Steve Helle, Assistant Professor (Environmental Engineering) 

Christopher Johnson, Assistant Professor (Ecosystem Science and Management)

Orland Wilkerson, Assistant Professor (Environmental Planning)

Jane Young, Assistant Professor (Ecosystem Science and Management)

 

Website: http://www.unbc.ca/nres

The Master of Natural Resources and Environmental Studies (MNRES) is designed to integrate the complementary aspects of resource and environmental issues. It focuses on an interdisciplinary approach to melding traditional science with social science perspectives, and resource planning and management. This degree is designed to attract students from a diverse range of backgrounds and aspirations, who share an interest in looking beyond traditional disciplinary boundaries.

The MNRES degree is one Master's degree route within the Faculty of Natural Resources and Environmental Studies (the others are a MA and a MSc). The MNRES is the only one of the three that fully embraces the interdisciplinary philosophy of the Faculty. There are three factors that determine whether a student pursues the MNRES degree: 1) student's background; 2) elective courses undertaken at UNBC and 3) thesis topic. Depending on individualized learning objectives, the MNRES degree allows flexibility in choosing a research emphasis in the social, planned or natural environments from an interdisciplinary perspective.

All students must participate in a graduate seminar course (NRES 704-1.5) at least twice during their course of studies, take a course in integrated resource management (NRES 703-3), and complete a research design and methods course (NRES 705-3).These required courses will provide students with an informed, integrated base for understanding multi-faceted resource and environmental issues. Elective courses will provide students with the opportunity to pursue their specialized interests within an interdisciplinary context. The MNRES degree also requires the completion of an independent research thesis (NRES 792-12) or non-thesis project (NRES 793-6).

Thesis Option

Students pursuing the MNRES thesis route must write and defend an independent research thesis (NRES 792-12) which incorporates research design and implementation addressing an integrated research problem. Candidates must complete a minimum of 6 elective credit hours at graduate level (i.e., at or above the 600 level) that emphasize an integrated approach to natural resource issues. A maximum of 3 credits from independent studies can be counted towards the elective requirement. Specific details of course work will be determined by the research area undertaken by each student. The supervisory committee will ensure the appropriate selection of elective courses, and may require a student to complete more than 6 credits if weaknesses in the student's background exist (including undergraduate prerequisites for graduate courses) or if additional courses are required for professional accreditation.

Summary of Thesis Option

Core Courses	9 credits
Elective Courses	6 credits
MNRES Thesis	12 credits
Total Required	27 credits

Non-Thesis Project Option

The non-thesis project option is designed primarily for students who wish to enhance their professional career skills. Students pursuing this option must complete a project (NRES 793-6) —an extended position paper, report, or plan—that addresses a major problem or issue relevant to the field of natural resources and environmental studies. Candidates must complete a minimum of 12 credit hours of approved elective courses at graduate level (i.e., at or above the 600 level) that result in a broad, well-informed, and integrated exposure to natural resources and environmental issues. A maximum of 3 credits from independent studies can be counted towards the elective requirement. The supervisory committee will ensure appropriate elective course selection, and may require a student to complete more than 12 credits if weaknesses in the student's background exist (including undergraduate prerequisites for graduate courses) or if additional courses are required for professional accreditation.

Summary of Project Option

Core Courses	9 credits
Elective Courses	12 credits
MNRES Project	6 credits
Total Required	27 credits

Recommended Progression

The normal time for completion of the MNRES is two academic years. While this is the recommended time line, it may be adjusted at the discretion of the supervisory committee to suit a particular student's research and program needs.

The Research Design and Methods course (NRES 705-3) will be offered annually in the Fall Semester. Students will normally enrol in the Research Design and Methods course in Year I of their program. This timing will allow students to pursue their area of specialization with elective courses during the September Semester, in order to develop an interest-specific framework within which to pose methodological questions for the thesis or project proposal. It will also allow those students lacking a sufficient background in statistics to meet the course prerequisite.

The Graduate Seminar (NRES 704-1.5) will be offered during all September and January Semesters. Students will take NRES 704-1.5 at least twice.

Electives and Integrated Resource Management (NRES 703-3) may be taken at any time during Years I and II. The sequencing of courses will be determined by the student in discussion with the supervisory committee. Over the September and January Semesters of Year I, the student, under the direction of the supervisory committee, will develop a thesis or project proposal. By the end of the second semester, the student should have successfully defended the thesis or project proposal to the supervisory committee.

This will allow the student to undertake the collection of data during the Summer of Year I. It is expected that the student will have successfully defended the thesis by the end of Year II.

Admission, Regulations and Committee Structures

Admission Requirements

In addition to the admission application requirements outlined in Section 1.0 of the Graduate Academic Calendar, acceptance to the MNRES program will be contingent upon the prospective student finding a member of the faculty to serve as her/his supervisor. Applicants must also provide a completed Continuing Teaching Assistantship Application and a completed Funding Worksheet. Both forms are included with the application material for this program. Normally, at least two of the three letters of recommendation, exclusive of any letter provided by an intended supervisor, must be from individuals who are able to comment on the applicant's academic and research potential.

 

Application deadlines are found in this calendar under "Semester Dates" or online at: www.unbc.ca/calendar/graduate, also under "Semester Dates." The Natural Resources and Environmental Studies MNRES Program accepts students for the September and January Semesters.

For additional information about graduate admissions or to download application materials, go to the Graduate Programs website at www.unbc.ca/graduateprograms.

 

Transfer Students

On the recommendation of the program concerned, the Associate Dean of Graduate Programs may accept courses taken at other institutions for credit toward a UNBC graduate program.

Normal Time Required for Completion

Normally, the degree should be completed in two years. Part-time students may take longer to complete the degree depending on their personal circumstances, and the nature of their research involvement.

Committee Structure

Students will be advised by a supervisory committee consisting of at least three members, including the academic supervisor who will serve as the chair of the committee. To ensure multi-disciplinarity, at least one of the committee members must come from outside the supervisor's program. The committee will be struck during the student's first term of study.