Program Overview

Introduction to the Master of Business Administration Master of Forestry Combined Program

The Department of Renewable Resources offers programs leading to the course-based degrees of Master of Agriculture, Master of Forestry, and thesis-based degrees of Master of Science, and Doctor of Philosophy. The Faculty of Agricultural, Life and Environmental Sciences and the Faculty of Business offer two course-based programs of joint study that enable students to earn both the Master of Business Administration and Master of Agriculture degrees or both the Master of Business Administration and Master of Forestry degrees, after two calendar years of full-time study.

Program Description

Graduate studies in the Department of Renewable Resources encompass a broad spectrum of scientific and management applications in natural and managed landscapes. Graduate studies in the Department of Renewable Resources fall within five major research themes briefly defined as: Conservation Biology, Forest Ecology and Management, Agriculture and the Environment, Reclamation and Restoration of Land and Water, and Environmental Soil Science.

Research Areas

Thesis research is conducted within the major research themes, however, the following eight fields of study are the approved specializations for the thesis-based programs:

• Agroforestry (MSc only)
• Conservation Biology
• Forest Biology and Management
• Land Reclamation and Remediation
• Protected Areas and Wildland Management
• Soil Science
• Water and Land Resources
• Wildlife Ecology and Management

Entrance Requirements

The Departments minimum admission requirements are an appropriate undergraduate degree with an admission GPA of at least 3.0 on the 4-point scale from the University of Alberta, or an equivalent qualification and standing from a recognized institution. The admission GPA will be calculated on the last 60 units of graded coursework completed, or on the equivalent of the last two years of full-time graded coursework.

Specific Admission Requirements

• Applicants to the Master of Forestry must have a BSc in Forestry or a BSc in an allied discipline such as Geography, Biological Sciences, Agriculture or Environmental and Conservation Sciences.
• Applicants to the Master of Agriculture must have a BSc in Agriculture or a BSc in an allied discipline such as Geology, Biological Sciences, Forestry or Environmental and Conservation Sciences.
• Where applicable, applicants must provide proof of English Language Proficiency, which can be demonstrated by:
  • a TOEFL score of 90 (Internet-based), or equivalent,
  • an equivalent score on an approved English language examination.

Application Requirements

All applicants are also required to submit the following:

• Curriculum Vitae
• Research Statement Form
• Three letters of reference In addition, all applicants for the thesis-based graduate programs (MSc, PhD) must have a faculty member agree to supervise their program before admission is approved.

Application Deadlines

• Fall Term (September): March 15 for MAg/MF programs; May 15 for MSc/PhD programs
• Winter Term (January): July 31 (MSc/PhD only)
• Spring Term (May): December 1 (MSc/PhD only)
• Summer Term (July): March 15 (MSc/PhD only)

Program Requirements

The Faculty of Agricultural, Life and Environmental Sciences and the Faculty of Business offer a program of joint study that permits students to earn both the MBA and MF degrees in two years of full-time study. Students in the first year of either the regular MBA program or the MF regular program, as well as new entrants, are eligible to apply for the joint program. Professional experience is highly desired.

Courses

Graduate courses can be found in the course listings. Courses offered by the Department of Renewable Resources include those under the following subject headings:

• Environmental and Conservation Science (ENCS)
• Renewable Resources (REN R)

Tuition and Fees

Most students are either on scholarships or funded by research grants obtained by professors in the Department. A limited number of graduate teaching and research assistantships, administered by the Department, are available to well-qualified candidates. Exceptional applicants will be nominated by the Department for MSc and PhD recruitment scholarships offered by the Faculty of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies.

Scholarships and Financial Support

The Faculty of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies administers over $29 million each year in scholarships, awards, and financial support for graduate students, as well as financial and loan advising. Additional scholarships are also available for specific faculties and programs.