Ecosystem Science and Restoration - Terrestrial
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 projects 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: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/#url=List-by-Title.
Bachelor of Science - Ecosystem Science & Restoration; Terrestrial Concentration
W.A Franke College of Forestry & Conservation
Degree Specific Credits: 93-95
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
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 | |
Terrestrial Restoration Concentration Required Courses | 16-17 | |
Terrestrial Restoration Concentration Electives | 9 | |
Social Science Elective Courses | 3 | |
Upper-Division Writing Requirement | 9 | |
Total Hours | 93-95 | |
Lower-Division Major Required Courses
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
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
Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
Complete all of the following courses: | ||
NRSM 344 | Ecosystem Science and Restoration Capstone | 5 |
NRSM 385 | Watershed Hydrology | 3 |
NRSM 389E | Ethics and Sustainability | 3 |
or NRSM 349E | Climate Change Ethics/Policy | |
NRSM 422 | Nat Res Policy/Administration | 3 |
NRSM 465 | Foundations of Restoration Ecology | 3 |
or BIOE 447 | Ecosystem Ecology | |
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
Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
Complete the following course: | ||
BIOE 370 | General Ecology | 3 |
Total Hours | 3 | |
Minimum Required Grade: C-
Terrestrial Restoration Concentration Required Courses
Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
Complete all of the following courses: | ||
BIOO 105N | Introduction to Botany | 3 |
BIOO 335 | Rocky Mountain Flora | 3 |
M 162 | Applied Calculus | 4 |
NRSM 210N | Soils, Water and Climate | 3 |
Complete one of the following courses: | 3-4 | |
BIOE 448 | Terrestrial Plant Ecology | |
FORS 330 | Forest Ecology | |
NRSM 462 | Rangeland Ecology | |
Total Hours | 16-17 | |
Minimum Required Grade: C-
Terrestrial Restoration Concentration Electives
Note: No double dipping is allowed with core courses.
Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
Complete 9 credits of the following courses: | 9 | |
BIOE 342 | Field Ecology | |
BIOE 416 | Alpine Ecology | |
BIOE 447 | Ecosystem Ecology | |
BIOE 448 | Terrestrial Plant Ecology | |
BIOE 451 | Landscape Ecology | |
BIOE 458 | Forest and Fire Ecology | |
BIOO 320 | General Botany | |
BIOO 433 | Plant Physiology | |
FORS 202 | Forest Mensuration | |
FORS 250 | Intro to GIS for Forest Mgt | |
FORS 330 | Forest Ecology | |
FORS 331 | Wildland Fuel Management | |
FORS 333 | Fire Ecology | |
FORS 347 | Multiple Resource Silviculture | |
GEO 318 | Earth's Changing Climate | |
NRSM 360 | Rangeland Mgt (equiv 260) | |
NRSM 408 | Global Cycles and Climate | |
NRSM 415 | Environmental Soil Science | |
NRSM 418 | Ecosystem Climatology | |
NRSM 465 | Foundations of Restoration Ecology | |
NRSM 462 | Rangeland Ecology | |
WILD 470 | Conserv of Wildlife Populatns | |
Total Hours | 9 | |
Minimum Required Grade: C-
Social Science Elective Courses
Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
Complete one of the following courses: | 3 | |
ECNS 433 | Economics of the Environment | |
FORS 320 | Forest Environmental Economics | |
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
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-