Environmental Management

This section contains course descriptions for students entering the Bachelor of Science in Environmental Management program. 

NOTE: See the beginning of Section H for abbreviations, course numbers and coding.

ENVM1001Professional Skills in Forestry and Environmental Management5 ch (3C 3L) (W) (EL)

Develop professional abilities essential for a successful academic and professional career through direct study, research, report writing and giving presentations on current environmental issues, solving system design problems, developing a resume, and practicing interviewing skills. Learning outcomes include introductory level information acquisition and management, oral and written communication, critical thinking, structured problem solving, and time management.

ENVM1002Foundations of Environmental Management and Stewardship4 ch (3C 2L) (EL)

Takes "Big Ideas" approach. It reviews foundational ideas to Forestry, Resource Management, Conservation and Sustainability. Both the historical ideas (the nature of nature, management and Indigenous management, sustained yield, industrial revolution, colonialism, conservation/preservation, etc.) and contemporary ideas (permaculture, limits to growth, ecological footprints, sustainability, managing the commons, and climate change) are discussed with a focus on human values and ethics. The course emphasizes oral and written communication, critical thinking an danalysis, and leadership.

 

Prerequisite: ENVM 1001

ENVM2004Social and Cultural Systems3 ch (3C)

Learn how to describe and measure the structure and function of human communities; and determine how different social and ethnic groups perceive and relate to the physical environment. We will discuss major environmental movements and describe social values, how they change, what influences them and how they result in policy reform and behavioral change. We will cover basic sociological theory including topics such as institutions, the nature of capitalism, and the philosophical underpinnings of resource management (e.g. property rights, religious traditions).Covers basic political theory, with a focus on democracy and democratic processes. Draws on methods and readings from a variety of disciplines, including social ecology, environmental sociology, rural sociology, social network theory, history, and anthropology.

ENVM2021Natural Resource Management, Institutions, Policy and Governance3 ch (3C)

Examines how resource and environmental management systems and tools are developed in cultural and institutional contexts and how these contexts shape the definitions of problems and the management systems proposed as solutions. Included will be analysis of different management regimes and decision-making processes: technocratic, community-based, co-management, network governance, etc. In each case, we will examine the scale of the management issue (local, regional, national, international) and in that context, who has authority, legitimacy, power, accountability, and why; how they obtain, maintain, and enhance them; and implications of each in terms of different management contexts (e.g. common pool resources). Traditional policy-making models will be presented, as well as analytical tools for policy evaluation. Students will develop, defend, and critique a variety of different types of natural resource management plans that involve large-scale environmental changes (including water, air, and land issues), and develop adaptive management strategies that simultaneously account for human and natural systems. 

ENVM2023Climate Change4 ch (2C 3L)

This course begins with an overview of the science of climate change and its historical/projected impacts on environmental, social, and economic systems. Then, mitigation and adaptation policy options that are available to Canada and other countries will be investigated. Particular issues that may be addressed include the role that humans play in creating climate change, the uncertainty involved in making future climate change projections, and municipal plans to adapt to climate change.

ENVM3000Indigenous Perspectives in Natural Resources Stewardship3 ch (1C) (EL)
This course introduces students to Indigenous culture, knowledge and worldviews as these relate to both Indigenous and western traditions of natural resource management. The course will cover Indigenous understandings of relationships with nature and basic  to institutional and policy issues. The course will treat the dynamics introduction of Indigenous institutions and how these relate to and interact with institutions of western society.
ENVM3002Applied Environmental Management 5 ch (3C 3L) (EL)

This course is designed to help students strengthen their skills in: (a) environmental management decision-making, (b) problem-solving, (c) teamwork and project management, and (d) articulating environmental awareness, with strong commitment to environmental sustainability. The course builds on professional and natural resource basics and management competencies developed in earlier courses and will focus on decision making by examining financial, political, and stakeholder acceptability factors, as well as conducting environmental risk assessment and trade-off analyses making appropriate use of models.

Prerequisite: FOR 2006.

ENVM3201Urban Hydrology and Water Management 4 ch (2C 3L)

This course focuses on hydrological theories and tools needed for urban watershed management, involving water supply, conservation and treatment. Topics include storm-water retention on and flow through porous and impervious surfaces, and subsequent run off generation. Students will learn about urban water management systems and best -management engineering approaches dealing with flood control and point to non-point residential, industrial and traffic-induced pollution issues.

Prerequisites: FOR 2281 and (ENVM 2531 or ENVM2023).
ENVM2261Data Analysis for Natural Resources3 ch (2C 1L)
Develop a foundation in statistical data analysis with a focus on application in natural resources sciences. Build upon concepts introduced in STAT 2264/2263 and explore how researchers and managers move from formulating questions to collecting data to analyzing results. Investigate approaches to study design with review of a range of statistical tests including t-tests, ANOVA, ANCOVA, correlation, and different forms of regression, with examples based in natural resources science. Gain valuable hands-on experience in statistical analysis in R. Note: Credit cannot be obtained for ENVM2261 and ENVM3261.
ENVM3457Forest Watershed and Water Quality Management 5 ch (3C 3L) (EL)

Emphasizes principles affecting forest watershed management at the landscape level. Leads from analyzing temporal and spatial data about water retention and flow to building hydrological and GIS-based mapping models. Watershed related issues and exercises deal with effects of weather, climate, atmospheric deposition, pollution and watershed operations on forest type, productivity, carbon and nutrient sequestration, cycling, water quality, soil erosion and on- and off-road trafficability. 

Prerequisite: FOR 2281 and FOR 2505 or permission of instructor
ENVM4001Environmental Impact Assessment and Management 3 ch (3C) (EL)

Focuses attention on the implementation of environmental problem solving techniques. Students will learn many practical methods for assessing problems and justifying solutions. These may include such activities as preparing media pieces and briefing notes to government officials, setting up environmental impact assessments and audits, testing for water/soil/air contamination, and surveying the public/industry on various issues. Throughout these activities, students will be required to critically examine the social, political, philosophical, economic, and ecological outcomes of their activities.

ENVM4002Stakeholder Approaches to Environmental Problem Solving3 ch (3 C/S)

Most environmental issues have many sides including scientific, social, political, and economic, and comprise multiple players and stakeholders promoting divergent points of view. This course is designed to explore these elements in detail. Current national, regional and local problems will be brought to the class by a number of guest speakers in order to help students critically analyze the roots of the problems and possible solutions. The problems discussed will include such issues as environmental scope, biodiversity decline, climate changes, air and water quality, population and consumption per capita, biotechnology and genetically altered foods. 

ENVM4020Management Practicum8 ch (3C 3L) (EL)

Practical exercise in landscape management, desinged to provide an opportunity to integrate skills and knowledge gained throughout the program. Working with a client and/or the public, students work within the management planning framework to develop an integrated landscape management plan related to natural resource management of the environment and ecosystems today and into the future. Learning modules are porvided specific to the needs of the project. Additional topics include project management, conflict resolution, professional practice, and associations. The project requires each group to complete a management strategy (plan) report and presenation.

Prerequisite: ENVM 3002, FOR 2281, and (ENVM 3457 or FOR 3445). 

ENVM4101Professional Internship in Forestry and Environmental Management (Cross-Listed: FOR 4101)3 ch (3C) (LE) (W) (EL)

Under the supervision and mentorship of a senior manager with an industrial, government, environmental non-governmental organization (ENGO) or community agency, students will observe supervision, supervise others, get feedback, critically reflect on their experience by combining academic and experiential supervision knowledge, and present it in a written report and oral presentation. In addition to supervision, students will enhance their formal and informal critical thinking and communication abilities. Students cannot receive credit for both ENVM 4101 and FOR 4101

Prerequisite: Prior work experience and a minimum of 70-ch in BScEM. 
ENVM4111Applied Aquatic Sciences Techniques3 ch (3L) (EL)

Gain knowledge in techniques used commonly in aquatic science, getting practical experience in various sampling and analysis techniques, including: stream habitat characterization, water quality and quantity assessment, macroinvertebrate collections, and laboratory methods for sample preparation and analysis. Field collections will be followed by appropriate data evaluation learning database management techniques, descriptive statistics, and summary report writing.   

Prerequisites: FOR 2113 and BIOL 2003, or permission of the instructor. 

ENVM4973Environmental Management Field Camp2 ch (5 Days) (EL)

An intensive 5-day series of field exercises, starting before the Fall Term, and designed to allow students to refine and demonstrate their practical field skills. Evening sessions provide overviews of the scope of forest-ecosystem management generally, and in relation to the specific field-camp situation. Students are charged for food and lodging and part of travel costs. 

Corequisite: ENVM 4020 or (ENVM 4991 and FOR 4004)

ENVM4991Honours Project6 ch (W) (EL)

ENVM honours students must complete a thesis project that is approved by the Faculty and supervised by a Faculty member. This course involves submitting a detailed project report and an oral defense in a seminar-style presentation. Students should consult with Assistant Dean of Undergraduate Studies prior to the end of third year to discuss project requirements and potential topics. NOTE: Minimum CGPA for acceptance is 3.0 

ENVM4003Environmental Management Tools3 ch (3C) (EL)

Presents students with a wide array of tools used to assess and manage activities  that impact the environment. Tools considered may include environmental indicator measurement, environmental risk assessment, life-cycle assessment, environmental management systems, sustainable forest management certification, and others. Presentations will be given by faculty members, students, and working professionals that demonstrate the use of these environmental management tools and identify issues associated with them. Note: Credit cannot be obtained for ENVM4003 and ENVM5003. 

ENVM2532Ecological Modelling4 ch (3C 2L)

Gain essential skills in translating intricate ecological processes into simplified models. Develop proficiency in widely-used tools, including spreadsheet and modelling software. Master the art of constructing models and conducting simulations. Learn how to use the potential of ecological models for forecasting, and develop skills on interpreting model implications, and translate them into meaningful recommendations that drive sustainable environmental practices.  Note: Credit cannot be obtained for ENVM2532 and ENVM1532. 

 

Prerequisite: FOR 1001
ENVM3532Ecohydrology3 ch (3 L)
Introduces the topic of ecohydrology and expands on the introduction to hydrological principles and processes offered in earlier courses, before introducing aquatic biota and the concept of ecological systems. Students develop comprehension of the hydrological cycle, structure and dynamics of rivers, wetlands, lakes, and as groundwater in the waterscape. Materials will demonstrate the interconnectivity among hydrology and ecology, followed by the exploitation of water resources by humans.Prerequisites: FOR 2113 and (ENVM 2114 or ENVM 3201)
ENVM4920Environmental Management Stewardship Report (Full Year)6 ch (1C 3L) (EL)
Stewardship report for ForEM second undergraduate degree students only.Prerequisite: Completion of FOR 4020
ENVM2006 Introduction to Natural Resources Management 4 ch (2C 3L) (EL)

Introduces natural resources management concepts and practices for a variety of natural systems so that students can effectively work across related disciplines. Objectives: (a) introduce key concepts and issues applicable to contemporary natural resources management; (b) introduce quantitative methods to help understand and evaluate natural resources management problems and planning strategies. Note: Credit cannot be obtained for ENVM2006 and FOR2006. 

Prerequisite: ENVM 1001. 
ENVM2101Ecosystem Valuation 4 ch (2C 2L)

Introduces relevant theory to explore the application of economic analyses related to the use and protection of the natural environment, such as water, air, land, and renewable energy resources. Explore how environmental economics factor in with carbon accounting and market analysis, the impacts of climate change, and the valuation of ecosystem goods and services and other natural assets.

Co-requisite: ENVM2532 or permission of instructor. 
ENVM4910Directed Studies in Environmental Management I 3 ch (EL)
With approval of the Faculty, a student may carry out directed studies of specific problems or areas in environmental management. 
ENVM4911Directed Studies in Environmental Management II 3 ch (EL)

With approval of the Faculty, a student may carry out directed studies of specific problems or areas in environmental management. This is the second course in a series. 

Prerequisite: ENVM 4910