Natural Resources and Environment

Study mode:On campus Study type:Full-time Languages: English
Local:$ 21.5 k / Year(s) Foreign:$ 42.3 k / Year(s) Deadline: Feb 1, 2025
22 place StudyQA ranking:3578 Duration:

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We offer fields of study in both social systems and natural systems as part of our MS degree. A baccalaureate degree is required for fields of study emphasizing the social systems, preferably with competence in the biophysical or social sciences, including biology, calculus, and microeconomics. A baccalaureate degree in biology or applied ecology is preferred for programs emphasizing the natural systems, preferably with coursework in chemistry, math, or physics. Outstanding students from a non-biological field are encouraged to apply.

Minimum Number of Credits Required: 42 credit hours including at least 25 hours in School of Natural Resources and Environment courses.

Core Course Requirement: Two core courses, NRE 509, NRE 510, Integrated Analytics Method & Skills requirement.Two courses, minimum three credits total.

Foreign Language Requirement: None.

Work Experience Requirement: None, but one to three years of relevant work experience is very strongly recommended for admission.

Opus Requirement: As part of their degree requirements, SNRE master's students complete a master's project, practicum, or thesis. Non-opus course options are available; requirements differ for each field of study.

Final Examination: Students completing a project must prepare a written report and present their work in a public forum.

Fields of Study

Within the Master of Science Degree program are six fields of study:

  • Behavior, Education and Communication
    Provides insight into how humans and the environment sustain and shape each other.
    • Specific Course Requirement: At least three courses specializing in Behavior, Education and Communication with 9-12. At least two Analytics courses, including NRE 538 or equivalent and another graduate level analytical course. Elective courses are field of study specific and must be a graduate level course at 400-level and above. The faculty advisor will indicate other specific course requirements based on the individual’s background. A minimum of 4 credit hours outside of SNRE are required as cognate courses, which can be double counted with other degree requirements. 
    • Opus Requirement:
      • Option #1: At most 6 credit hours of NRE 700/NRE 701
      • Option #2: 6 credit hours of advanced coursework including at least 1 BEC seminar (600 level), and one skills module, and or any remaining credit hours taken as courses from BEC lists A & B.
  • Conservation Ecology
    Provides training in basic and applied sciences relevant to aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems sciences as well as conservation biology issues related to resource conservation and ecosystem management.
    • Specific Course Requirement: At least three courses specializing in Conservation Ecology with 9 credit hours total. Elective courses are field of study specific and must be a graduate level course at 400-level and above. At least two Analytics courses, including NRE 538 or equivalent and another acceptable graduate level analytical course. The faculty advisor will indicate other specific course requirements based on the individual’s background. A minimum of 4 credit hours outside of SNRE are required as cognate courses, which can be double counted with other degree requirements. 
    • Opus Requirement:
      • Option #1: At most 6 credit hours of NRE 700/NRE 701
      • Option #2: 6-8 credits of Conservation Ecology approved courses; See advisor for non-opus guidance.
  • Environmental Informatics
    Gain knowledge and skills in quantitative and spatial techniques for studying environmental and ecological systems and their interactions with humans and their institutions.
    • Specific Course Requirement: Two core courses, NRE 531: Principles of GIS and NRE 541: Remote Sensing. One Analytics course, NRE 538. At least six credits of Elective courses that are field of study specific and must be a graduate level course at 400-level and above. The faculty advisor will indicate other specific course requirements based on the individual’s background. A minimum of 4 credit hours outside of SNRE are required as cognate courses, which can be double counted with other degree requirements. 
    • Opus Requirement:
      • Option #1: At most 6 credit hours of NRE 700/NRE 701
      • Option #2: Non-Opus - Additional approved courses to total 42 credits.
  • Environmental Justice
    Develop understanding of issues that have launched a worldwide environmental justice movement.
    • Specific Course Requirement: At least three courses specializing in Environmental Justice. Distribution courses with one course focused on international context of Environmental Justice. Elective courses are field of study specific and must be a graduate level course at 400-level and above. At least two Analytics courses, including one statistics course and another graduate level analytical course. The faculty advisor will indicate other specific course requirements based on the individual’s background. A minimum of 4 credit hours outside of SNRE are required as cognate courses, which can be double counted with other degree requirements. 
    • Opus Requirement:
      • Option #1: At most 6 credit hours of NRE 700/NRE 701
      • Option #2: See advisor for non-opus guidance.
  • Environmental Policy and Planning
    Helps students develop skills in: formulating, analyzing and advocating alternative policy strategies; developing new decision-making processes; devising creative approaches to management
    • Specific Course Requirement: Policy Specialization - NRE 562; Planning Specialization - NRE 562 and Planning course. Elective courses are field of study specific and must be a graduate level course at 400-level and above. At least two Analytics courses, including one statistics course and Policy Specialization - NRE 570 and one other economic 7 week course; Planning Specialization - NRE 531. The faculty advisor will indicate other specific course requirements based on the individual’s background. A minimum of 4 credit hours outside of SNRE are required as cognate courses, which can be double counted with other degree requirements. 
    • Opus Requirement:
      • Option #1: At most 6 credit hours of NRE 700/NRE 701
      • Option #2: 8 credits of Environmental Policy and Planning approved courses; 
  • Sustainable Systems
    Provides students an interdisciplinary education to guide the development and transformation of technologies, enterprise and systems for meeting basic human needs in a sustainable manner.
    • Specific Course Requirement: 6 credits in Systems Analysis for Sustainability and at least three courses specializing in Sustainable Design and Technology and Sustainable Enterprise with 9 credit hours total. At least 8 credit hours of Elective courses that are field of study specific and must be a graduate level course at 400-level and above. One statistics course and at least two approved Sustainable Systems Analytics courses. The faculty advisor will indicate other specific course requirements based on the individual’s background. A minimum of 4 credit hours outside of SNRE are required as cognate courses, which can be satisfied by courses meeting other degree requirements but cannot be double counted with other degree requirements. 
    • Opus Requirement:
      • Option #1: 6 credit hours of NRE 700/NRE 701
      • Option #2: 3 credits Sustainable Systems core and 3 credits Advisor approved coursework;
  • Applicants complete a bachelor’s degree from a U.S. college or university accredited by a regional accrediting association; or Complete an international degree that is equivalent to a U.S. bachelor’s degree from a college or university recognized and approved by the Ministry of Education or Commission responsible for higher education in the country where the degree is earned. 
  • Applicants whose native language is not English must demonstrate English proficiency. Applicants are required to provide an official score report. Photocopies and/or faxes of English proficiency scores will not be accepted. IELTS 6.5, IBT TOEFL 85
  • Transcripts
  • Application Fee and Payment
  • Statements and Curriculum Vitae or Resume
  • Letters of Recommendation

Scholarships

  • Rackham International Student Fellowship
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