M.S. in Natural Resources

Program Overview

Our faculty are experts in forestry, wildlife biology, recreation management, aquatic sciences, watershed management, environmental sciences, environmental philosophy, sociology, policy, planning, economics, and conflict resolution.

In addition, the Rubenstein School is home to interdisciplinary fields such as conservation biology, ecological economics, and ecological design. Through strong relationships with a network of conservation organizations, the program establishes a solid curricular base to support academic leadership in conservation. Graduate students can also earn a Certificate in Ecological Economics.

Concentrations

Many Rubenstein School graduate students pursue a general Natural Resources degree outside the concentration model. Students can also choose to pursue their degree within one of the concentrations below.

Aquatic Ecology and Watershed Science

The Aquatic Ecology and Watershed Science concentration provides students with the research experience and academic training needed to pursue careers in the aquatic sciences. Students take courses in the aquatic and watershed sciences and supporting fields (e.g., statistics, GIS, remote sensing) and carry out thesis-based research.

Research topics may be related to fish, plankton or benthic ecology, aquatic biogeochemistry, aquatic ecotoxicology, watershed science and management, wetlands, modeling of aquatic systems, and more.

Degree requirements in addition to the general M.S. in Natural Resources requirements:

• At least 12 additional credit hours of courses in aquatic and watershed sciences or supportive fields (approved by the student's studies committee)
• A comprehensive written examination
• 6-15 credit hours of thesis research
• An oral defense of the thesis

Environment, Society and Public Affairs

In the M.S. concentration Environment, Society and Public Affairs, graduate students increase their understanding of and capacity to address social dilemmas we face in responding effectively to environmental and natural resource issues. Upon completion of their degree, graduates typically move into jobs with government or non-profit organizations or with consulting firms.

Graduate students in this concentration may focus on social dilemmas in contexts that include environmental policy and planning in local, state, federal, and international arenas; community studies, human behavior, and environmental sociology; public participation, social justice, conflict resolution, and decision making; land use planning and geospatial analysis; ecological economics; and park and wilderness management.

Degree requirements in addition to the general M.S. in Natural Resources requirements:

Students take courses in social, integrative, and ecological dimensions of the environment. Students also work with their academic advisor and committee to design and complete a capstone experience of between 3 and 6 credits. 

• Coursework in social dimensions of environment and natural resources in consultation with the student's advisor.
• A course in methods/ tools, chosen in consultation and with approval from the student's advisor and studies committee. For those with no previous methods or tools courses it is recommended that two courses from this category are taken.
• A course in natural or physical science relating to the student's program of study (may be waived for students who have a science-related undergraduate degree).
• Masters Research Thesis or Masters Project credits - at least 6 credits for thesis; 3-6 credits for project.

Environmental Thought and Culture

The concentration in Environmental Thought and Culture is an individually-designed Master's degree for motivated students who seek to pursue a broad and transdisciplinary curriculum of graduate work in environmental studies, with a strong foundation in the ethical and philosophical traditions that inform environmental theory and action. The concentration balances depth in the student's research area with breadth in the range of skills and approaches required for skillful engagement with environmental issues.

Possible areas of study include environmental communication and cultural studies; environmental ethics and philosophy; environmental justice; ecological restoration ethics; ecofeminist theory and practice; environmental education and interpretation; environmental planning and international development; environmental politics and advocacy; Indigenous peoples and the environment; human behavior and the environment; recreation and tourism studies; religion and ecology; science/technology studies and the environment; and sustainability/sustainable community development.

Degree requirements in addition to the general M.S. in Natural Resources requirements:

• At least 15 credits in Concentration area of study
  • To be individually designed with approval of Graduate Studies Committee. Choice of courses should indicate a focus or specialization within environmental thought and culture (broadly defined), with a conceptually integrated curriculum of courses supporting the student's research project and drawn from the humanities, the social sciences, the natural and applied sciences, and/or other areas. Electives to be chosen from the following lists or other petitioned courses
• Masters Research Thesis or Masters Project credits - at least 6 credits for thesis; 3-6 credits for project

Forest and Wildlife Sciences

Forest and Wildlife Sciences are unique in that the faculty have maintained a distinction between Forest Science and Wildlife Science to allow graduate students to identify themselves, and research can still follow these traditional lines. However, the faculty have chosen to collaborate and have meetings as a whole to encourage more interdisciplinary work. Students work with faculty who conduct research in forest and field ecosystems on broad landscape-based projects or projects at the tree or wildlife species level.

Students in Forest Science can study a diversity of topics related to faculty expertise and including but not limited to: sustainable forest management, forest ecosystem health, invasive species, tree physiology, forest carbon and bioenergy, and remote sensing of forest landscapes.

Students in Wildlife Science can study a broad set of topics including population dynamics, sustainable forest ecosystem management, wildlife behavior, wildlife-habitat relationships, and landscape ecology.

Degree requirements in addition to the general M.S. in Natural Resources requirements:

• Masters Research Thesis or Masters Project credits - at least 6 credits for thesis; 3-6 credits for project
• A comprehensive examination with both a written and oral component
• An oral defense of thesis or project

Curriculum

All M.S. in Natural Resources students take Envisioning a Sustainable Future (2 credits) and Applied Ecology, Environment and Society (2 credits). The degree requires a minimum of 30 credit hours with additional requirements depending on concentration.

More information in the UVM Catalogue

Deadlines

Fall Deadline: January 1
Spring Deadline: November 1 *deadline extended to Dec. 1 for domestic applicants only (due to immigration/visa deadlines).
Summer Deadline: April 1

Admissions Requirements

Acceptability to a potential faculty advisor holding an appointment in the Rubenstein School and the UVM Graduate College.

The Rubenstein School does not require a GRE.

Outcomes

Design and execute original and ethical research to address fundamental challenges in the environment and natural resources;

Apply mastery of theory and knowledge at an advanced level consistent with the highest standards of their concentration;

Develop skills in oral and written communication to present work and publish in the field;

Engage in practices that support their professional aspirations; 

Apply and personalize an analysis of power and privilege in the context of their unique work;

Identify the societal relevance of their unique work as it relates to contemporary social-ecological systems.

Costs and Scholarships

Rubenstein School Graduate Assistantships and Fellowships

UVM Graduate College Funding Information

More

Contact the Rubenstein School Graduate Program Coordinator at rsenrgc@uvm.edu or 802-656-2511.

Learn about finding a faculty advisor, preparing an application, and other programs in the Rubenstein School