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: 92-94
Required Cumulative GPA: 2.0
Catalog Year: 2018-2019
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 | 25-26 | |
| 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 | 92-94 | |
Lower-Division Major Required Courses
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Complete all of the following courses: | ||
| NRSM 121S | Nature of Montana | 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 | 3 |
| 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 | |
| Introduction to Statistics | ||
| Forest Biometrics | ||
| Intro to Biostatistics | ||
| Total Hours | 25-26 | |
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 Forestry & Conservation | 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 | |
| Ecosystem Science and Restoration Practicum | ||
| Internship (ESR Capstone Internship Experience) | ||
| 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 | |
| Terrestrial Plant Ecology | ||
| Forest Product Manufacturing | ||
| 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 | |
| Field Ecology | ||
| Alpine Ecology | ||
| Ecosystem Ecology | ||
| Terrestrial Plant Ecology | ||
| Landscape Ecology | ||
| Forest and Grassland Ecol | ||
| General Botany | ||
| Plant Physiology | ||
| Forest Mensuration | ||
| Intro to GIS for Forest Mgt | ||
| Forest Ecology | ||
| Wildland Fuel Management | ||
| Fire Ecology | ||
| Multiple Resource Silviculture | ||
| Climate System Dynamics | ||
| Rangeland Mgt (equiv 260) | ||
| Global Cycles and Climate | ||
| Environmental Soil Science | ||
| Ecosystem Climatology | ||
| Foundations of Restoration Ecology | ||
| Rangeland Ecology | ||
| 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 | |
| Economics of the Environment | ||
| Forest Environmental Economics | ||
| Collab in Nat Res Decisions | ||
| Climate and Society | ||
| Advanced Water Policy | ||
| Environment & Development | ||
| Total Hours | 3 | |
Minimum Required Grade: C-
Upper-Division Writing Requirement
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Complete three of the following courses: | 9 | |
| Freshwater Ecology | ||
| Forest Ecology | ||
| Ecosystem Science and Restoration Capstone | ||
| Collab in Nat Res Decisions | ||
| Foundations of Restoration Ecology | ||
| Ecosystem Science and Restoration Practicum | ||
| Senior Thesis | ||
| Total Hours | 9 | |
Minimum Required Grade: C-