Natural Resources Graduate Degree Programs

Candidate must fulfill the requirements of the College of Graduate Studies and of the College of Natural Resources. See the College of Graduate Studies section for the general requirements applicable to each degree.

Master of Science. Major in Natural Resources. Thesis and non-thesis options are offered with a major in natural resources. See the respective departmental sections for details.

Master of Natural Resources. Major in Natural Resources. Integrated Natural Resources Option. The Master of Natural Resources (MNR) is an interdisciplinary course-based graduate program designed for mid- and executive-level professionals who wish to enhance their educational credentials for a career in natural resources. The fundamental objective of the MNR graduate program is to integrate and scale various perspectives – ecological, the human dimension, planning, policy and law, and practical tools – into a systems view of natural resources. This unique professional degree is accessible to students of diverse academic backgrounds and will help graduates develop credentials and skills for the effective management of natural resources. The degree consists of 30 semester credits (five credits from each of four MNR program categories – Ecology & Management, Law, Human Dimensions, Policy, Planning, and Tools & Technology, eight elective course credits from the MNR curriculum, and two credits for a case study project). Up to 12 semester credits can be transferred into the program from other institutions. General MNR requirements apply.

The MNR program can be combined with two different certificate programs specializing in restoration ecology and fire science. Admission to the College of Graduate Studies requires a minimum graduate point average (GPA) of 3.0, three letters of reference, and the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).

Complete admission and degree information available online at www.MyMNR.net.

Coursework must include a minimum of 18 credits numbered 500 or above:

A minimum of five credits from each of the four categories below (20 cr):

Ecology and Management

BAE 450	Environmental Hydrology (3 cr)
Fish 540	Wetland Restoration (3 cr)
For 426	Global Fire Ecology and Management (3 cr)*
For 526	Fire Ecology (3 cr)*
REM 440	Wildland Restoration Ecology (3 cr)
REM 459	Rangeland Ecology (2 cr)
REM 560	Ecophysiology (3 cr)

Human Dimensions in Natural Resources

CSS 572	Human Dimensions of Restoration Ecology (3 cr)
EnvS 536	Principles of Sustainability (3 cr)
EnvS 552	Environmental Philosophy (3 cr)
NR 507	Moral Reasoning in Natural Resources (3 cr)

Policy, Planning, and Law

CSS 573	Planning & Decision Making for Watershed Management (3 cr)
CSS 574	Environmental Politics and Policy (3 cr)
CSS 580	estoration Ecology Practicum (2 cr)
For 584	Natural Resource Policy Development (3 cr)
For 587	Wildland Fire Policy (2 cr)
REM 456	Integrated Rangeland Management (3 cr)

Tools and Technology

Bus 552	Management of Scientific Innovation (3 cr)
CSS 593	PR and Communications in Natural Resource Management (3 cr)
Geog 524	Hydrologic Applications of GIS and Remote Sensing (3 cr)
NR 525	Scientific Graphics Design (3 cr)
PolS 553	Public Management Techniques (3 cr)
REM 410	Principles of Vegetation Measurement and Assessment (2 cr)
REM 507	Landscape and Habitat Dynamics (3 cr)

Eight elective course credits from the MNR curriculum (8 cr)

Two credits for a case study project (2 cr)

Courses to total 30 credits for this degree

*Note: Either For 426 or For 526 may be used to satisfy the requirements of this degree.

Master of Natural Resources. Major in Natural Resources. Fire Ecology and Management Option. The Master of Natural Resources (MNR) is an interdisciplinary course-based graduate program designed for mid- and executive-level professionals who wish to enhance their educational credentials for a career in natural resources. The fundamental objective of the MNR graduate program is to integrate and scale various perspectives – ecological, the human dimension, planning, policy and law, and practical tools – into a systems view of natural resources. This unique professional degree is accessible to students of diverse academic backgrounds and will help graduates develop credentials and skills for the effective management of natural resources. General MNR requirements apply.

Complete admission and degree information available online at www.MyMNR.net.

Coursework must include a minimum of 18 credits numbered 500 or above:

Fire Science and Management Core Courses: A minimum of 15 credits (15 cr):

For 426	Global Fire Ecology and Management (3 cr)*
For 451	Fuels Inventory and Management (3 cr)
For 526	Fire Ecology (3 cr)*
For 546	Science Synthesis and Communication (3 cr)
For 557	Advanced Fire Behavior (3 cr)
For 587	Wildland Fire Policy (2 cr)
NR 599	Non-thesis Master’s Research (cr arr)

Ecology Course Group (2-3 cr):

REM 440	Wildland Restoration Ecology (3 cr)
REM 459	Rangeland Ecology (2 cr)
REM 507	Landscape and Habitat Dynamics (3 cr)

Tools and Technology Course Group (4 cr):

REM 407	GIS Application in Fire Ecology and Management (2 cr)
REM 410	Principles of Vegetation Measurement and Assessment (2 cr)
REM 411	Ecological Monitoring and Analysis (2 cr)

Policy, Planning and Law Course Group (3 cr):

CSS 573	Planning & Decision Making for Watershed Management (3 cr)
For 584	Natural Resource Policy Development (3 cr)

Human Dimensions Course Group (3 cr):

CSS 572	Human Dimensions of Restoration Ecology (3 cr)
EnvS 536	Principles of Sustainability (3 cr)
NR 507	Moral Reasoning in Natural Resources (3 cr)

Additional graduate courses to total 30 credits (2-3 cr)

Courses to total 30 credits for this degree

*Note: Either For 426 or For 526 may be used to satisfy the requirements of this degree.

Doctor of Philosophy. Major in Natural Resources. General Ph.D. requirements apply. Doctoral candidates are required to have an understanding of the principles of resource management in areas other than that chosen as a specialization. There is no general college requirement of proficiency in a foreign language for the doctorate, but one may be required by an individual student's committee where this seems desirable.

There is only one major for the Ph.D. degree, "natural resources". However, dissertation topics are selected from disciplinary areas within each department. The single designation for the major is in keeping with the college's philosophy of integrated resource management.