Bachelor of Science in Environmental Management 

General Office: I.U.C. - Forestry, Room 101
Mailing Address: EM Program
Faculty of Forestry & Environmental Management,
University of New Brunswick,
P.O. Box 4400, Fredericton, N.B.,
Canada, E3B 5A3
Phone: (506) 453-4501
Fax: (506) 453-3538
Email: forem@unb.ca
Website: //www.unb.ca/fredericton/forestry/

NOTE: For Faculty information please see the Bachelor of Science in Forestry program section

General Information

The Bachelor of Science in Environmental Management (BScEM) degree gives students degree options in the interdisciplinary fields of environmental studies and natural resources. The degree offers three majors: People, Policy & Planning, Water Resources Management, and Wildlife Conservation.
BScEM graduates will learn to solve environmental and natural resource problems from a holistic, systems perspective. They will have skills required to characterize, analyze, and predict change in natural systems. Incorporating their knowledge of land, water, air, plants, animals, and people, they will be able to develop comprehensive solutions to environmental challenges that respect multiple perspectives and demonstrate appropriate stewardship of natural resources.

The BScEM program is designed to help students to acquire the following skills and abilities:

  • Technical Outcomes:
    • Characterize a resource, environment or system
    • Analyze a resource, environment or system
    • Predict change over time in a resource, environment or system
    • Synthesize information into comprehensive solutions
  • Professional Outcomes:
    • Information literacy
    • Structured problem solving
    • Computer literacy
    • Communication in a professional manner
    • Respectful social interactions
    • Managing and completing projects independently and as a team

Regulations

Students are strongly advised to read the General University Regulations, Section B of this Calendar to obtain important information not covered in the following:

1.    A minimum of 138 (People, Policy & Planning major), 137 (Water Resources major) or 138 (Wildlife Conservation major) credit hours and completion of all core courses are required for the BScEM degree.

2.    All entering students of the Faculty of Forestry and Environmental Management are required to attend the orientation program as organized by the Faculty.

3.    Students must consult with the Student Services Coordinator, or other designated advisor, to receive advice on course selection. Students who wish to register for more than 22 credit hours in a term must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher in the previous assessment period and obtain permission from the Assistant Dean.

4.    Students will take courses in normal sequence; exceptions require a minimum 3.0 GPA average in the preceding assessment period, and permission of the Student Services Coordinator, or other designated advisor, and the instructor of the course. Courses in which a student is deficient must be taken not later than the next academic year, except by special permission of the faculty.

5.    Degree requirements must be successfully completed in not more than 16 terms during a period of 8 consecutive calendar years from the date of first registration in the program. Transfer students will have the time limit prorated on the basis of advanced credit granted.

6.    A minimum assessment grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 is required at the end of each year. Assessment is in May following the completion of the spring examination period and includes the preceding intersession, Summer School and Spring Extensions.

7.    A student who has been required to withdraw from the program for academic reasons once, and who reapplies for admission following the withdrawal period, may be re-admitted to the program. If re-admitted, the student will automatically be on academic probation. Failure to meet the normal academic requirements at the next time of assessment will result in final dismissal from the program. Further applications for re-admission will not be considered.

8.    C grade minimum is required for all prerequisite and core courses used for credit towards the BScEM degree.

Curriculum

The core program focuses on a wide range of environmental studies with a blend of courses in basic, biophysical, social, and management sciences. In addition, students select one major from People, Policy & Planning, Water Resources Management, and Wildlife Conservation. Opportunity for students to pursue an education of substantial personal choice is provided by elective courses that can be organized in areas of concentration leading to minors. Students may also elect to follow minors offered by other faculties, or take a general variety of courses of personal interest.

Honours Program

Students intending to take the Honours Program must declare their intent to the Assistant Dean prior to the end of the third year of their program and have a CGPA of at least 3.0. All students in the Honours Program are required to complete ENVM 4991 Honours Project.

To graduate in Honours, students must meet certain minimum standards in the course work beyond second year.
1.    Maintain a CGPA of at least 3.0
2.    Achieve a minimum grade of B- in ENVM 4991

Core (Required) Courses

Common Core

Core courses common at all BScEM degrees are listed below. Note that there may be alternative equivalents for introductory chemistry, geology, English, and statistics courses.

BIOL 1001 Biological Principles, Part I

BIOL 1006 Applications in Biology, Part I

BIOL 1012 Biological Principles, Part II

BIOL 1017 Applications in Biology, Part II

BIOL 2003 An Introduction to Ecology

CHEM 1303* Introduction to Environmental Chemistry

CHEM 1006* General Chemistry Laboratory I

ENVM 1001 Professional Skills in Forestry and Environmental Management
ENVM 1002 Resource Management Issues, Ethics and Communications 
ENVM 2004 Social and Cultural Systems

ENVM 2021 Natural Resource Management, Institutions, Policy and Governance

ENVM 3002 Applied Environmental Management
ENVM 4020 Management Practicum

ENVM 4973 Environmental Management Field Camp
FOR 1001 Introduction to Forestry

FOR 2006 Management of Natural Systems

FOR 2113 Introduction to Wildlife and Aquatic Ecology

FOR 2505 Forest Soils: Formation and Properties
FOR 4545 Biodiversity and Ecosystem Management
FOR 2881 GIS with Applications in Forestry and Environmental Management

MATH 1823 Calculus for Management Sciences

STAT 2264* Statistics for Biology Students

*Alternative equivalents for course may be available with approval of the Student Services Co-ordinator or another designated advisor.

Majors

Courses required for each major in addition to the above listed common core courses are shown below.

People, Policy & Planning Major

POLS 1803 The Politics of Climate Change 
ENVM 2023 Climate Change
ENVM 2531 Introduction to Hydrometeorology Systems
ENVM 3000 Indigenous Issues and Perspectives in Natural  Resources Stewardship
ENR 3457 Forest Watershed and Water Quality Management
ENVM 4001 Environmental Impact Assessment and Management
BIOL 4233 Conservation Biology
FOR 2425 Autoecology of Forest Vegetation
FOR 4545 Biodiversity and Ecosystem Management
ENVM 5003 Environmental Management Tools

One of the following two:

ECON 3755 Environmental Economics
ECON 3766 Economics of Climate Change

One of the following two:

FOR 3303 Photo-interpretation, Photogrammetry, and Remote Sensing in Forestry
FOR 5284 LiDAR for Forestry and Environmental Management

Two of the following:
ANTH 3117 Human Systems of Exchange: Nature and Culture
ANTH 4114 Culture and Environment
SOCI 3553 Sociology and the Environment
SOCI 3563 Global Perspectives in Environmental Health
HIST 3355 Nature, Culture and the Canadian Environment
HIST 5342 Environmental History of North America
HIST 5345 Natural Resources, Industrialization and the Environment in Atlantic Canada
HIST 3624 A History of Climate Movement (Online)
POLS 4724 Topics in Environmental History and Politics
PHIL 2206 Environmental Ethics
PHIL 3208 Ecological Ethics (Online)
CCS 3405 Media & Environment (O) (Cross-Listed: MAAC 3405)

Water Resources Management Major

ENVM 2003 Introduction to Environmental Studies
ENVM 2023 Climate Change
ENVM 2114 Water Sustainability, Practise, and Technology
ENVM 2531 Introduction to Hydrometeorological Systems
ENVM 3000 Indigenous Issues and Perspectives in Natural Resource Stewardship
ENVM 3201 Urban Hydrology Watershed Management
ENR 3457 Forest Watershed and Water Quality Management
BIOL 3943 Hypothesis Testing in Biology
ENVM 4001 Environmental Impact Assessment and Management
ENVM 4111 Fisheries and Aquatic Techniques
BIOL 4773 River and Lake Ecosystems
FOR 2425 Autoecology of Forest Vegetation

One of the following two:
ECON 3755 Environmental Economics
ECON 3766 Economics of Climate Change

One of the following two:
FOR 3303 Photo-interpretation, Photogrammetry, and Remote Sensing in Forestry
FOR 5284 LiDAR for Forestry and Environmental Management

Minimum of three courses from elective List A and two from elective list B

Elective List A
ENGL 1103 Clear Writing
PHIL 1101 Critical Thinking
SOCI 1525 Introduction to Indigenous Experience
SOCI 1583 Current Social Issues
POLS 1803 Politics and Climate Change
TME 2001 Creativity, Innovation, and Value Creation
LWSO 2003 Law and Society
PHIL 2203 Ethical Issues in Business
PHIL 3208 Environmental Ethics
SOCI 3553 Sociology and the Environment
POLS 4724 Topics in Environmental History and Politics

Elective List B

ESCI 2211 Sedimentology
CS 2703 Introduction to Fluid Mechanics
Either of the following two if the other was taken as part of the core
FOR 3303 Photo-interpretation, Photogrammetry, and Remote Sensing in Forestry
FOR 5284 LiDAR for Forestry and Environmental Management
CE 3403 Environmental Engineering
ESCI 3442 Geohydrology
BIOL 3603 Invertebrate Zoology
ENVM 3261 Data Analysis for Natural Resources
BIOL 4351 Climate Change and Environmental Response
BIOL 4741 Fish Biology
FOR 4545 Biodiversity and Ecosystem Management
CE 5421 Water Quality Treatment

Wildlife Conservation Major

Total number of credit hours from required courses (93 ch) and selections from constrained electives (27-34 ch) must equal a minimum of 119 ch, (or 125 ch with Honours Thesis). An additional 21 ch of electives is required. Minimum total credit hours needed to graduate is 138.

Required Courses (93 ch)

In addition to those listed in the core common to all EM majors, required courses for the Wildlife Conservation Major include the following: 

FOR 2425 Autoecology of Forest Vegetation
BIOL 2063 Lab in Biological Diversity
BIOL 2013 Evolutionary Genetics 
BIOL 2018 Lab in Evolutionary Genetics
FOR 3445 Ecology of Populations and Communities
FOR 4545 Biodiversity and Ecosystem Management
BIOL 4191 Wildlife Management
STAT 2264 Intro Statistics for Biology Students

Constrained Electives (ranges from 27-34 ch, depending on courses taken)

1 of either: ENGL 1103 or ENGL 1144 or ENGL 1145

Elective List A (for 6-8 credit hours, depending on courses taken)

2 courses from the following:

PHIL 1001 Critical Thinking
BIOL 3943 Hypothesis Testing
Field Course (other than ENVM 4973), or comparable directed studies. Either must be approved by counselor;
FOR 4425 Conservation Genetics
FOR 4655 Wildlife Techniques
ENVM 2531 Hydrometeorology
BIOL 4563 Math Biology
BIOL 3293 Population Genetics 
FOR 3303 Photo-Interpretation, Photogrammetry, and Remote Sensing
ENVM 4001 Environmental Impact Assessment

Elective List B (for 5-10 credit hours, depending on courses taken)

2 courses from the following:

BIOL 3703 Vertebrate Zoology
BIOL 3603 Invertebrate Zoology
BIOL 3083 Botany
FOR 4723 Ornithology
BIOL 4732 Mammalogy
BIOL 4741 Fish Biology or BIOL 4746 Lab Studies in Fish Biology (2 ch)
BIOL 3883 Entomology
BIOL 3673 Parasitology or BIOL 4688 Applied Studies in Parasitology (4 ch)
BIOL 3873 Ethology

 

Wildlife Certification: Students who take a specific suite of additional courses could apply to the Wildlife Society to become a certified Associate Wildlife Biologist. The additional courses would require an extra term or two. Contact the Faculty representative for details.

Minor Programs

Minors in People, Policy & Planning, Water Resources Management, and Wildlife Conservation are available. No credit hours for courses in a student's major program may be counted towards a minor. Course substitutions may be made from time to time at the discretion of the Student Services Co-ordinator or designated faculty advisor.

Minor in People, Policy & Planning

A grouping of courses totaling at least 24 credit hours must be taken from within from a program-specific core or required electives. Please see the Student Services Co-ordinator or designated faculty advisor to verify selection of courses.

Required Courses:

ECON 3755 Environmental Economics
ENVM 2004 Social and Cultural Systems
ENVM 2021 Natural Resource Mgmt., Institutions, Policy, and Governance
ENVM 4001 Environmental Impact Assessment and Management

Two courses from:

BIOL 2003 Introduction to Ecology
ENVM 2023 Climate Change
FOR 4545 Biodiversity and Ecosystem Management

Optional List:

BIOL 3459 Economic Botany
BIOL 4191 Wildlife Management
BIOL 4233 Conservation Biology
BIOL 4351 Climate Change and Environmental Responses
BIOL 4773 River and Lake Ecosystem
BIOL 4863 Environmental Biology
CE 3403 Introduction to Environmental Engineering
CE 5411 Water Supply and Wastewater Removal
CHE 5313 Energy and the Environment
ENVM 2114 Water Sustainability: Practice and Technology
ENVM 3111 Estuary and Ocean Ecosystems
ENVM 3112 Water Resource Management
ENVM 4002 Stakeholder Approaches to Environmental Problem Solving
ENVM 2003 Environmental Management: People, Policy & Planning
FOR 3313 Digital Image Processing in Remote Sensing
FOR 4625 Integrated Management of Insects and Fungi
ESCI 3442 Geohydrology
ESCI 4452 Environmental Impact Assessment
HIST 5342 Environmental History of North America
HIST 5345 Natural Resources, Indust. and Envir. in Atlantic Canada
PHYS 2902 Environmental Physics
RSS 4123 Recreation and Environment
SOCI 3553 Sociology and Environment

Minor in Water Resource Management

A grouping of courses totaling at least 24 credit hours taken from within a program-specific core or constrained electives, including four courses from the following list:

BIOL 4741 Fish Biology
BIOL 4773 River and Lake Ecosystems
ENVM 3532 Ecohydrology
ENVM 3111 Estuary & Ocean Ecosystems
ENVM 3112 Water Resources Management
BIOL 3633 Biological Oceanography
ENVM 3201 Urban Hydrology and Water Management
FOR 3457 Forest Watershed and Water Quality Management

Minor in Wildlife Conservation

Students must pass a minimum of 24 ch (approx. 8 courses) taken from the following list of courses. A minimum of 6 courses must be selected from the required list. The remaining credit hours (approx. 2 courses) can be selected from courses not already taken from the required list, or from the optional list.

Required List:

BIOL 4233 Conservation Biology
BIOL 2063 Biological Diversity
BIOL 2068 Lab in Biological Diversity

Choose two from:

BIOL 3883 Entomology
FOR 4723 Ornithology
BIOL 4732 Mammalogy
BIOL 4741 Fish Biology

Choose one from:
BIOL 4191 Wildlife Management
FOR 4665 Wildlife Investigational Techniques

Optional List:

BIOL 2013 Evolutionary Genetics
BIOL 2018 Lab in Evolutionary Genetics
FOR 3445 Population and Communities
BIOL 3083 Botany
BIOL 2003 Introduction to Ecology
BIOL 3541 Plant Ecology
BIOL 3603 Invertebrate Zoology
BIOL 3703 Vertebrate Zoology
BIOL 3873 Ethology
BIOL 4641 Coastal Marine Ecology
BIOL 4746 Laboratory Studies in Fish Biology
BIOL 4773 Aquatic Ecology
BIOL 4851 Ecology of Marine Birds
BIOL 4863 Environmental Biology
BIOL 6183 River Habitats and Hydraulics
FOR 2113 Introduction to Forest Wildlife Ecology
FOR 3445 Ecology of Populations and Communities
FOR 4425 Biodiversity and Ecosystem Management
FOR 4625 Integrated Management of Insects and Fungi
ESCI 1001 The earth: Its Origin, Evolution and Age
RSS 4123 Recreation and Environment

Major Program:

A Major or Secondary Major in any of the programs (People, Policy & Planning, Water Resources Management, or Wildlife Conservation) can be arranged between any Faculty at UNB and the Faculty of Forestry and Environmental Management, subject to the conditions given by the home faculty. Consultation and approval of the Program Directors in each faculty are required. Completion of a Major or Secondary Major usually requires between 24 to 48 credit hours of courses.