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-