Program Overview

Master of Agriculture Specialization in Conservation and Restoration of Land and Water (Renewable Resources)

Program Overview

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.

Why Study This Program?

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.

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.

• 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.
• 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

Course Requirements (30 units)

• 15 units of topical electives from:
  • R SOC 551 - Engagement and Public Policy
  • R SOC 560 - Perspectives on Traditional Knowledge
  • R SOC 675 - Public Participation and Conflict Resolution
  • REN R 540
  • REN R 541 - Advanced Soil Formation, Classification and Landscape Processes
  • REN R 542 - Soil Biogeochemistry
  • REN R 550 - Advanced Soil Chemistry
  • REN R 552 - Agricultural Sustainability and the Environment
  • REN R 595 - Advanced Land Reclamation
  • REN R 743
  • REN R 744 - Environmental Soil Chemistry
  • REN R 745
  • REN R 750 - Soil and Water Conservation
  • REN R 544 - Soil Remediation
• 3 or 9 units of free electives selected from:
  • REN R at the 500- to 700-level
  • FOREC at the 500- to 700-level
  • R SOC at the 500- to 700-level
• 6 or 12 units selected from:
  • REN R 906 - Research Project
  • REN R 906A/B
  • REN R 912 - Research Project
  • REN R 912A/B

Professional Development and Ethics Requirements

Students are required to fulfill the GPS Professional Development Requirement and the GPS Ethics and Academic Citizenship Training Requirement.

Length of Program

The program is designed to be completed in 16 to 20 months. However, with a heavier than normal course load, the program can be completed in 10 to 12 months, or it may be completed on a part-time basis. The maximum time to complete the program as set by the Faculty of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies is six years.

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.