Master of Science (MSc)
Graduate students can select from 18 thesis-based or course based degrees in five different topic areas Conservation Biology, Forest Ecology and Management, Agriculture and the Environment, Reclamation and Restoration of Land and Water, and Environmental Soil Science.
Information on the program requirements for the Master's thesis-based graduate program can be found in the RenR Graduate Program Handbook.
APPLY NOWConservation Biology
MSc in Conservation Biology: An interdisciplinary field of research for students drawing on natural and social sciences with the aim of protecting species and their habitats. Research topics include: environmental issues; status and trend analysis; threats to biodiversity; conservation priorities; strategy development; as well as ethics and values.
MSc in Wildlife Ecology & Management: Students in this field of study conduct research on wild plants and animals across a broad range of ecosystems and biomes. Research topics include: nutritional and behavioral ecology; community ecology; impacts of forest harvest, energy development, and agriculture; indigenous knowledge and co-management of wildlife resources.
MSc in Protected Areas & Wildlands Management: This field of study focuses on biological, social, or economic aspects of wilderness conservation, recreation, and tourism. Research topics include: ecosystem management; protected area planning; socioeconomic issues; eco-tourism; interpretation and environmental education.
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Forest Ecology and Management
MSc in Forest Biology and Management: Students in this field develop a scientific basis for improvements to forest management practices which aim to ensure economic and ecological sustainability now and in the future. Research topics include: integrated forest management; forest ecology, silviculture, fire science, tree physiology, forest genetics, forest entomology, forest regeneration, and wildlife management.
MSc in Water and Land Resources: This field of study focuses on biological, social, or economic aspects of forest resource utilization. Research topics include: land use planning, forest hydrology, watershed management, wetland management, conservation planning, natural resource politics and governance, and environmental risk assessments.
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Agriculture and the Environment
MSc in Agroforestry: A field of study for students focused on the interdisciplinary domain of sciences which integrates the propagation of woody perennials, the raising of crops, and animal husbandry practices with human land use systems. Research topics include: enhancing and sustaining food production; traditional land use systems; socio-economic systems; soil fertility and erosion control.
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Land Reclamation and Soil Science
MSc in Land Reclamation & Remediation: Students in this field develop techniques for reconstructing soil following oil, gas and mining disturbance to avoid soil degradation (erosion), and improve and maintain soil productivity for a variety of end land uses. Research topics include: soil salvaging techniques; removal or reduction of pollutants; soil amendments; revegetation; standards development; and environmental impact assessment.
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MSc in Soil Science: This Field of Study is for students that understand soils as a three-dimensional ecosystem or ecosystem component, and research how to preserve soil and arable land in a world with a growing population. Research topics include: soil morphology and classification; biogeochemical cycles; soil chemistry; soil physics and mineralogy; rhizosphere ecology; soil-plant relationships and soil fertility.