Natural Resources: Ecosystem S - University of N

Tuition Fee

Start Date

Medium of studying

Duration

Program Facts

Program Details

Degree

Masters

Major

Ecology | Environmental Sciences | Natural Environments and Wildlife

Area of study

Natural Science

Course Language

English

About Program

Program Overview

The Natural Resources: Ecosystem Science M.S. program focuses on the ecology, microbiology, and biogeochemistry of soils, groundwaters, and surface waters. Students develop research skills and contribute to scholarship through publication and presentation of findings. Graduates are prepared for careers in academia, government, or the private sector in natural resources management.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

Overview:

The Natural Resources: Ecosystem Science (M.S.) program is designed for students with a background in environmental science, earth science, ecology, or related fields. The program focuses on the ecology, microbiology, and biogeochemistry of soils, groundwaters, and surface waters, with an emphasis on how different ecosystem components interact to respond to management, global change, and other disturbances.

Objectives:

Understand the controls on carbon storage, nutrient transformations, water quality, soil health, and greenhouse gas emissions.
Develop research skills in field, laboratory, and data analysis.
Design and conduct research addressing fundamental or critical issues in natural resources.
Contribute to scholarship through publication and presentation of research findings.
Prepare for careers in academia, government, or the private sector in the field of natural resources management.

Outline:

Core Courses:

NR 903: Approach to Research
NR 993: Natural and Environmental Resources Seminar
NR 996: Natural Resource Education

Research Methods Courses:

Choose one:
NR 905: Grant Writing
BIOL 902: Writing and Publishing Science
BIOL 950: Scientific Communication
GRAD 834: Fundamentals of Citizen and Community Science
Other alternative with approval from the Graduate Coordinator

Data Analysis Courses:

Choose one:
ANFS 933: Design, Analysis, and Interpretation of Experiments
BIOL 811: Experimental Design & Analysis
DATA 800: Introduction to Applied Analytic Statistics
ECON 926: Econometrics I
EDUC 904: Qualitative Inquiry in Research
ESCI 801: Quantitative Methods in Earth Sciences
MATH 835: Statistical Methods for Research
MATH 839: Applied Regression Analysis
MATH 840: Design of Experiments I
NR 909: Analysis of Ecological Communities and Complex Data
NR 913: Hierarchical Modeling in Ecology
PPOL 908: Quantitative Methods for Policy Research
PSYC 805: Research Methodology and Statistics I
PSYC 907: Research Methods and Statistics III
SOC 901: Sociological Methods I: Intermediate Social Statistics
SOC 903: Sociological Methods III: Advanced Social Statistics
SOC 904: Sociological Methods IV: Qualitative and Historical Research Methods

Thesis or Directed Research:

Choose one:
NR 899: Master's Thesis (36 credits)
NR 998: Directed Research (44 credits)

Assessment:

Thesis Option:

Written thesis
Oral defense of thesis

Directed Research Option:

Professional-oriented body of work
Scholarly paper or report suitable for publication
Oral presentation of research findings

Teaching:

The program is taught by a faculty with expertise in ecosystem science, including soil science, hydrology, ecology, and biogeochemistry. The faculty use a variety of teaching methods, including lectures, discussions, field trips, and laboratory work.

Careers:

Graduates of the program are prepared for careers in a variety of fields, including:

Academia: Research and teaching positions in universities and colleges
Government: Natural resource management agencies at the local, state, and federal levels
Private sector: Consulting firms, environmental engineering firms, and nonprofit organizations