Please note:
To view the Spring 2024 Academic Calendar, go to www.sfu.ca/students/calendar/2024/spring.html.
Resource and Environmental Management
The master of resource management program is designed for recent graduates from a range of disciplines and for individuals with experience in private organizations or public agencies dealing with natural resources and the environment.
Admission Requirements
Applicants must satisfy the University admission requirements as stated in Graduate General Regulations 1.3 in the SFU Calendar. Contact the School of Resource and Environmental Management directly for more information. Those with degree qualifications in fields not directly related but with extensive experience in resource management are encouraged to apply.
Applicants will vary in their preparation for the various disciplines in the school. Therefore, admission to the school may be conditional upon the completion of certain undergraduate courses. Students must be familiar with the material covered in an undergraduate course in parametric and non-parametric statistics. Detailed application information, including the application deadline, can be found on the department's website.
Program Requirements
Program options consist of either 11 courses and a research project (course-based stream) for a minimum of 61 units, or seven courses and a thesis (thesis-based stream) for a minimum of 47 units. Both the project and thesis require high-quality research. The thesis stream is more research intensive, producing a final thesis document that is larger in scope than a project and that makes a distinct original contribution to knowledge.
Course-based Stream
Students complete the following courses*
An introduction to the relevance of social science perspectives, data and analytical tools in resource management, especially as these complement, supplement or critique perspectives from natural science or economics. Equivalent Courses: MRM601.
Explores the foundations of applied population, community, and ecosystem ecology within the context of contemporary management and conservation strategies. Topics are explored by way of interactive lectures, field trips, and group activities exploring imperiled species recovery, protected area design, and ecosystem-based management.
Introduction to economic concepts for management of the environment and specific natural resources. Key topics include market failure, cost-benefit analysis, non-market valuation, pollution economics, analysis of transboundary environmental problems and the application of economics to sustainable development analysis and policies.
Reviews how climate change is impacting multiple facets of earth system (e.g atmosphere, oceans, and freshwater systems). Examines challenges faced by environmental managers as they attempt to mitigate or adapt to these changes.
An intensive field course introducing students to the diversity of issues and viewpoints concerning management of natural resources. Problem areas will include forestry, mining, fisheries and wildlife management, energy, recreation and land use planning. Graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis. Equivalent Courses: MRM698.
Sustainability research and practice are by nature interdisciplinary. Both demand that results are mobilized to diverse audiences outside the academy. Through a combination of workshops, peer-to-peer learning, self-designed assignments, and interactive lectures, students will expand their professional toolbox with cutting-edge research, communication, and leadership skills to help them advance their sustainability research and practice goals.
and one of
Theory and techniques of regional analysis; planning models and their application to key resource sectors. Equivalent Courses: MRM642.
Analysis of methods of policy-making and problem solving with particular emphasis on natural resource issues. Topics include goal setting, problem definition, program scheduling, policy evaluation, policy implementation and public administration. A practical analysis of the structure and processes surrounding major contemporary policy issues. Equivalent Courses: MRM644.
and four graduate elective courses (18 units minimum chosen in consultation with the student's supervisor)
and a research project
A research project dealing with a specific interdisciplinary problem in resource management, administration or allocation. The study must result in the preparation of a formal paper and the presentation of a seminar. Graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis. Students with credit for MRM 699 may not take this course for further credit.
Thesis Stream
Students complete one of
Explores the foundations of applied population, community, and ecosystem ecology within the context of contemporary management and conservation strategies. Topics are explored by way of interactive lectures, field trips, and group activities exploring imperiled species recovery, protected area design, and ecosystem-based management.
Reviews how climate change is impacting multiple facets of earth system (e.g atmosphere, oceans, and freshwater systems). Examines challenges faced by environmental managers as they attempt to mitigate or adapt to these changes.
and one of
An introduction to the relevance of social science perspectives, data and analytical tools in resource management, especially as these complement, supplement or critique perspectives from natural science or economics. Equivalent Courses: MRM601.
Theory and techniques of regional analysis; planning models and their application to key resource sectors. Equivalent Courses: MRM642.
Analysis of methods of policy-making and problem solving with particular emphasis on natural resource issues. Topics include goal setting, problem definition, program scheduling, policy evaluation, policy implementation and public administration. A practical analysis of the structure and processes surrounding major contemporary policy issues. Equivalent Courses: MRM644.
and all of the following*
Introduction to economic concepts for management of the environment and specific natural resources. Key topics include market failure, cost-benefit analysis, non-market valuation, pollution economics, analysis of transboundary environmental problems and the application of economics to sustainable development analysis and policies.
An intensive field course introducing students to the diversity of issues and viewpoints concerning management of natural resources. Problem areas will include forestry, mining, fisheries and wildlife management, energy, recreation and land use planning. Graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis. Equivalent Courses: MRM698.
Sustainability research and practice are by nature interdisciplinary. Both demand that results are mobilized to diverse audiences outside the academy. Through a combination of workshops, peer-to-peer learning, self-designed assignments, and interactive lectures, students will expand their professional toolbox with cutting-edge research, communication, and leadership skills to help them advance their sustainability research and practice goals.
and two graduate elective courses (six units minimum chosen in consultation with the student's supervisor)
and a thesis
*In exceptional cases, if a student provides evidence of advanced education that is equivalent to one of the required courses, a waiver may be granted for that course.
Accelerated Master's
SFU students accepted in the accelerated master’s within the School of Resource and Environmental Management may apply a maximum of 10 graduate course units, taken while completing the bachelor’s degree, towards the upper division electives of the bachelor’s program and the requirements of the master’s degree. For more information go to: https://www.sfu.ca/gradstudies/apply/programs/accelerated-masters.html.
Program Length
Students are expected to complete the program in six terms. Note that co-op placement(s) may extend terms to completion.
Other Information
Both the thesis and the research project must be submitted to the library upon completion.
REM's Cooperative Education (Co-op) Program provides opportunities for graduate students to work in governmental or private resource management organizations to gain professional experience. REM students remain in strong demand across several employment sectors, but most placements continue to be within the Federal and Provincial governments. Participation in the Co-op program is optional.
Academic Requirements within the Graduate General Regulations
All graduate students must satisfy the academic requirements that are specified in the Graduate General Regulations, as well as the specific requirements for the program in which they are enrolled.