Curriculum

The Field Naturalist and Ecological Planning curriculum emphasizes applied learning in the field. This "service-learning" pedagogy meets actual needs of communities, organizations and natural places.

Coursework the first year features science and field assessment: geology, soils, vegetation, communities, ecosystems and landscapes. We also emphasize intellectual process: the synthesis of too much data, the intersection of ecology and community and communications with the general public.

During the second year, students add more electives and complete a Masters project. Embodied in these projects is the aspiration of the Field Naturalist and Ecological Planning programs to meet and solve real-world objectives and problems. Remaining credits are arranged in consultation with the student's advisor.

Other program requirements include: a rapid field site assessment with a comprehensive exam (the "Field Final"), the delivery of a public seminar at the annual graduate student symposium and a project defense, which includes a public seminar followed by a committee examination.

Below is general FNEP curriculum:

Year One

Summer
  - Reading the Landscape

Fall
  - Fundamentals of Field Science
  - Field Naturalist Practicum
  - Field Botany for Natural Resource Professionals
  - Envisioning a Sustainable Future (EP requirement)
  - Professional Writing

Winter Break
  - Winter Ecology (Typical Elective)

Spring
  - Place-based Landscape Analysis
  - Professional Writing
  - Elective

Summer
  - Master's Project Field Research

Year Two

Fall
  - Land Conservation: Science and Practice (Typical Elective)
  - Professional Writing (0.5 credits)
  - Elective
  - Master's Project Research

Spring
  - Conservation, Systems, and Sustainability
  - Professional Writing (0.5 credits)
  - Elective
  - Master's Project Research

Example Elective Courses