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Ecosystem Science and Restoration - Aquatic

The major in Ecosystem Science and Restoration prepares students to understand how ecosystems work to solve pressing environmental problems or help restore degraded ecosystems. Students can select one of two options:

  • the terrestrial concentration, which focuses on the understanding and repair of terrestrial ecosystems; and

  • the aquatic concentration, which focuses on aquatic ecosystem function and watershed restoration.

Students engage in field-based learning, contribute to cutting-edge restoration or ecosystem science projects, and are challenged to apply ecological theory to research and restoration practice. The major requires completion of a nine-credit restoration capstone, during which students gain hands-on real-world experience planning and implementing research or restoration projects in partnership with natural resource management agencies and organizations in western Montana.

A degree in Ecosystem Science and Restoration prepares students for careers as ecologists or restoration practitioners with non-profit, private, or governmental agencies and for graduate school in ecology or natural resource management. Students who graduate with this major may qualify for the following federal civil service jobs:

  • biological technician (Series 0404),

  • ecologist (Series GS-408),

  • forester (Series G-460),

  • hydrologist (Series GS-1315) and

  • soil conservationist (Series GS-457).

More information on federal civil service requirements can be found at: http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/standards/indexes/alph-ndx.asp.

Bachelor of Science - Ecosystem Science & Restoration; Aquatic Concentration

W.A Franke College of Forestry & Conservation

Degree Specific Credits: 94-95

Required Cumulative GPA: 2.0

Catalog Year: 2020-21

General Education Requirements

Information regarding these requirements can be found in the General Education Section of the catalog.

Summary

Course List

Code

Title

Hours

Lower-Division Major Required Courses

6

Lower-Division Outside Major Required Courses

26-27

Upper-Division Major Required Courses

21

Upper-Division Outside Major Required Courses

3

Aquatic Restoration Concentration Required Courses

17

Aquatic Restoration Concentration Electives

9

Social Science Elective Courses

3

Upper-Division Writing Requirement

9

Total Hours

94-95


Lower-Division Major Required Courses

Course List

Code

Title

Hours

Complete all of the following courses:

NRSM 121S

Environmental Science and Sustainability

3

or NRSM 170

International Envir. Change

NRSM 265

Elements of Ecological Restoration

3

Total Hours

6

Minimum Required Grade: C-


Lower-Division Outside Major Required Courses

Course List

Code

Title

Hours

Complete all of the following courses:

BIOB 160N

Principles of Living Systems

3

BIOB 161N

Prncpls of Living Systems Lab

1

BIOB 260

Cellular and Molecular Biology

4

BIOB 272

Genetics and Evolution

4

CHMY 121N

Introduction to General Chemistry

4

CHMY 123

Introduction to Organic and Biochemistry

4

COMX 111A

Introduction to Public Speaking

3

or THTR 120A

Introduction to Acting I

Complete one of the following courses:

3-4

STAT 216

Introduction to Statistics

FORS 201

Forest Biometrics

WILD 240

Intro to Biostatistics

Total Hours

26-27

Minimum Required Grade: C-


Upper-Division Major Required Courses

Course List

Code

Title

Hours

Complete all of the following courses:

NRSM 344

Ecosystem Science and Restoration Capstone

5

NRSM 385

Watershed Hydrology

3

NRSM 422

Nat Res Policy/Administration

3

NRSM 465

Foundations of Restoration Ecology

3

or BIOE 447

Ecosystem Ecology

NRSM 389E

Ethics and Sustainability

3

or NRSM 349E

Climate Change Ethics/Policy

NRSM 494

Ecosystem Science and Restoration Seminar

1

Complete one of the following courses:

3

NRSM 495

Ecosystem Science and Restoration Practicum

NRSM 498

Internship (ESR Capstone Internship Experience)

NRSM 499

Senior Thesis

Total Hours

21

Minimum Required Grade: C-


Upper-Division Outside Major Required Courses

Course List

Code

Title

Hours

Complete the following course:

BIOE 370

General Ecology

3

Total Hours

3

Minimum Required Grade: C-


Aquatic Restoration Concentration Required Courses

Course List

Code

Title

Hours

Complete all of the following courses:

BIOE 428

Freshwater Ecology

5

GEO 101N

Introduction to Physical Geology

3

GEO 102N

Introduction to Physical Geology Lab

1

M 171

Calculus I

4

M 172

Calculus II

4

Total Hours

17

Minimum Required Grade: C-


Aquatic Restoration Concentration Electives

Note: No double-dipping with core courses is allowed.

Course List

Code

Title

Hours

Complete 9 credits from the following courses:

9

BIOE 342

Field Ecology

BIOE 439

Stream Ecology

BIOE 447

Ecosystem Ecology

BIOE 451

Landscape Ecology

BIOE 453

Lake Ecology

BIOO 340

Biology and Mgmnt of Fishes

FORS 250

Intro to GIS for Forest Mgt

GEO 318

Earth's Changing Climate

GEO 420

Hydrogeology

GEO 421

Hydrology

GEO 460

Process Geomorphology

GPHY 284

Intro to GIS and Cartography

NRSM 210N

Soils, Water and Climate

NRSM 408

Global Cycles and Climate

NRSM 418

Ecosystem Climatology

NRSM 465

Foundations of Restoration Ecology

WILD 485

Aquatic Invertebrate Ecology

Total Hours

9

Minimum Required Grade: C-


Social Science Elective Courses

Course List

Code

Title

Hours

Complete one of the following courses:

3

ECNS 433

Economics of the Environment

FORS 320

Forest Environmental Economics

GPHY 335

Water Policy

NRSM 326

Climate and Society

NRSM 379

Collab in Nat Res Decisions

NRSM 427

Advanced Water Policy

NRSM 475

Environment & Development

Total Hours

3

Minimum Required Grade: C-


Upper Division Writing Requirement

Course List

Code

Title

Hours

Complete three of the following courses:

9

BIOE 428

Freshwater Ecology

BIOE 447

Ecosystem Ecology

FORS 330

Forest Ecology

NRSM 344

Ecosystem Science and Restoration Capstone

NRSM 379

Collab in Nat Res Decisions

NRSM 465

Foundations of Restoration Ecology

NRSM 495

Ecosystem Science and Restoration Practicum

NRSM 499

Senior Thesis

Total Hours

9

Minimum Required Grade: C-