Natural Resources: Ecosystem Science (M.S.)

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