Natural Resources and Environmental Studies Graduate Program Coordinator: Dr. Zoë Meletis

ESM: Ecosystem Science and Management
GEES: Geography, Earth, and Environmental Sciences
ORTM: Outdoor Recreation and Tourism Management
SPS: School of Planning and Sustainability

Annie Booth, Professor (ESM)
David Connell, Professor (ESM)
Darwyn Coxson, Professor (ESM)
Greg Halseth, Professor and Canada Research Chair in Rural and Small Town Studies (GEES)
Ian Hartley, Professor (ESM)
Peter Jackson, Professor (GEES)
Chris Johnson, Professor (ESM)
Kathy Lewis, Professor (ESM
Jianbing Li, Professor (Engineering)
Margot Parkes, Professor (Health Sciences and Northern Medical Program)
Ellen Petticrew, Professor and FRBC Endowed Chair in Landscape Ecology (GEES)
Mark Shrimpton, Professor (ESM)
Youmin Tang, Professor (GEES)
Thomas Tannert, Professor and Canada Research Chair in Tall Wood and Hybrid Structures Engineering (Engineering)
Roger Wheate, Professor (GEES)
Tara Lynne Clapp, Associate Professor (SPS)
Scott Green, Associate Professor (ESM)
Mark Groulx, Associate Professor (SPS)
Steve Helle, Associate Professor (Engineering)
Asif Iqbal, Associate Professor (Engineering)
Eduardo Martins, Associate Professor (ESM)
Zoë Meletis, Associate Professor (GEES)
Philip Mullins, Associate Professor (ORTM)
Tristan Pearce, Associate Professor and Canada Research Chair in Cumulative Impacts of Environmental Change (GEES)
Catherine Whalen, Associate Professor (Education)
Jianhui Zhou, Associate Professor (Engineering)
June Garcia-Becerra, Assistant Professor (Engineering)
Fei Tong, Assistant Professor (Engineering)

Website: www.unbc.ca/nres-graduate-program

The Master of Natural Resources and Environmental Studies (MNRES) is designed to integrate the complementary aspects of resource and environmental issues. It focuses on an interdisciplinary approach to melding traditional science with social science perspectives, and resource planning and management. This degree is designed to attract students with a diverse range of backgrounds and aspirations who share an interest in looking beyond traditional disciplinary boundaries.

The MNRES degree is one Master’s degree route within the Natural Resources and Environmental Studies Graduate Program (the others are an MA and an MSc). The MNRES is the only one of the three degrees that fully embraces the interdisciplinary philosophy of the faculty. There are three factors that determine whether a student pursues the MNRES degree: 1) student’s background; 2) elective courses undertaken at UNBC; and 3) thesis topic. Depending on individualized learning objectives, the MNRES degree allows flexibility in choosing a research emphasis in the social, planned or natural environments from an interdisciplinary perspective.

All students must complete Graduate Colloquia (NRES 701-0.5) twice during their course of studies, as well as Research in NRES (NRES 700-3), an integrated natural resources course (identified from annual course offerings), and a research methods course approved by their supervisor and the coordinator of the NRES Graduate Program. These required courses provide students with an informed, integrated base for understanding multi-faceted resource and environmental issues. Elective courses provide students with the opportunity to pursue their specialized interests within an interdisciplinary context. The MNRES degree also requires the completion of an independent research thesis (NRES 792-12) or project (NRES 793-6).

Thesis Option

Students pursuing the MNRES thesis route must write and defend an independent research thesis (NRES 792-12) which incorporates research design and implementation addressing an integrated research problem. Candidates must complete a minimum of 3 elective credit hours at the graduate level (i.e., at or above the 600 level) that emphasize an integrated approach to natural resource issues. A maximum of 3 credit hours from independent studies can be counted towards the elective requirement. Specific details of coursework are determined by the research area chosen by each student. The supervisory committee will ensure the appropriate selection of elective courses, and may require a student to complete more than 3 credit hours if weaknesses in the student’s background exist (including undergraduate prerequisites for graduate courses) or if additional courses are required for professional accreditation.

Summary of Thesis Option

Core Courses	16 credit hours
NRES 700-3 Research in Natural Resources and Environmental Studies
NRES 701-0.5 Graduate Colloquia (taken twice)
NRES 792-12 Master of Natural Resources and Environmental Studies Thesis
Methods Course	3 credit hours
Integrated Natural Resources Course	3 credit hours
Elective Courses	3 credit hours
Total Required	25 credit hours

Project Option

The project option is designed primarily for students who wish to enhance their professional career skills. Students pursuing this option must complete a project (NRES 793-6) — an extended position paper, report, or plan — that addresses a major problem or issue relevant to the field of natural resources and environmental studies. Candidates must complete a minimum of 9 credit hours of approved elective courses at graduate level (i.e., at or above the 600 level) that result in a broad, well-informed, and integrated exposure to natural resources and environmental issues. A maximum of 3 credit hours from independent studies can be counted towards the elective requirement. The supervisory committee will ensure appropriate elective course selection, and may require a student to complete more than 9 credit hours if weaknesses in the student’s background exist (including undergraduate prerequisites for graduate courses) or if additional courses are required for professional accreditation.

Students are required to pass an evaluation of the project set by the supervisory committee. 

Summary of Project Option

Core Courses	10 credit hours
NRES 700-3 Research in Natural Resources and Environmental Studies
NRES 701-0.5 Graduate Colloquia (taken twice)
NRES 793-6 Master of Natural Resources and Environmental Studies Project
Methods Course	3 credit hours
Integrated Natural Resources Course	3 credit hours
Elective Courses	9 credit hours
Total Required	25 credit hours

Recommended Progression

The normal time for completion of the MNRES is two academic years. While two years is the recommended timeline, it may be adjusted at the discretion of the supervisory committee to suit a particular student’s research and program needs.

Research in Natural Resources and Environmental Studies (NRES 700-3) is offered annually in the September Semester. Students will normally enroll in this course in Year I of their program. This timing allows students to pursue their area of specialization with method course or elective courses during the September Semester, in order to develop an interest-specific framework within which to pose methodological questions for the thesis or project proposal.

The Graduate Colloquia (NRES 701-0.5), taken twice, is offered during the September and January Semesters. The electives, methods course, and integrated natural resource course are recommended to be taken at any time during Years I and II. The sequencing of courses is determined by the student in discussion with the supervisory committee.

Over the September and January Semesters of Year I, the student, under the direction of the supervisory committee, develops a thesis or project proposal. By the end of the second semester, the student should have successfully defended the thesis or project proposal to the supervisory committee, allowing the student to undertake the collection of data during the summer of Year I. The student is expected to have successfully defended the thesis by the end of Year II.

Admission, Regulations and Committee Structures

Admission Requirements

In addition to the admission application requirements outlined in General Admission of the Graduate Academic Calendar, acceptance to the MNRES program is contingent upon the prospective student finding a member of the faculty to serve as their supervisor. Applicants must also provide a completed Teaching Assistantship Application and a completed Funding Worksheet. Both forms are included with the application material for this program. Normally, at least two of the three letters of recommendation, exclusive of any letter provided by an intended supervisor, must be from individuals who are able to comment on the applicant’s academic and research potential.

Application deadlines are found online at www.unbc.ca/admissions/graduate. The Natural Resources and Environmental Studies MNRES Program accepts students for the September, January and May Semesters.

For additional information about graduate admissions or to download application materials, go to the Office of Graduate Administration website at www.unbc.ca/graduate-administration.

Transfer Students

On the recommendation of the program, the Dean may accept courses taken at other institutions for credit toward a UNBC graduate program.

Normal Time Required for Completion 

Normally, the degree should be completed in two years. Part-time students may take longer to complete the degree depending on their personal circumstances, and the nature of their research involvement.

Committee Structure 

Students are advised by a supervisory committee consisting of at least three members, including the academic supervisor who serves as the Chair of the committee. At least one of the committee members must come from outside the student’s program. The committee is struck during the student’s first term of study.

_{Updated: July 26, 2024}