Resource and Environmental Management Courses
REM 100 - Global Change (3)
This course provides students with an overview of global environmental change and its causes from a social science perspective, historically and at the present time. Population growth, an increasing ecological footprint and changes in ideology, social organization, economy and technology will be critically reviewed. New ways of thinking in natural and social science will be considered in relation to specific issues such as land, soil and food; energy, raw materials and solid waste; air pollution and transportation; water, oceans and fisheries; climate change; forestry and biodiversity; urbanization, and alternative futures. Breadth-Social Sciences.
REM 200 - Introduction to Resource and Environmental Management in Canada (3)
Explores the natural and social science foundations of resource and environmental management and demonstrates how that knowledge can be used in environmental decision-making. Provides a basic understanding of the nature and management of natural resources, strategic thinking for environmental planning, socio-economic and biophysical trade-offs in natural resource decision making and approaches for addressing uncertain knowledge. Prerequisite: One of REM 100, GEOG 100 or 111, or EVSC 100; and completion of at least 30 credits. Breadth-Social Sci/Science.
REM 281 - Introduction to Sustainable Community Development (3)
Builds an understanding of strengths and weaknesses of conventional approaches to development; rationale for alternative approaches; varying interpretations of community and of development; and essential components for creating local economic development strategies. Sustainable community development is introduced as a framework to meet current social and economic needs while ensuring adequate resources are available for future generations. Prerequisite: 30 units. Not permitted for credit toward the Sustainable Community Development Post Baccalaureate Diploma. Students with credit for SCD 201 or REM 201 or SD 281 may not complete this course for further credit. Breadth-Social Sciences.
REM 311 - Applied Ecology and Sustainable Environments (3)
Students will learn to apply the ecological concepts introduced in prereq courses to applied ecological problems at the population, community, and ecosystem levels of organization. Emphasis will be placed on processes which drive ecological dynamics, on recognizing those processes and dynamics in applied contexts, and on interpreting ecological data. Prerequisite: REM 100 or EVSC 100; BISC 204 or GEOG 215; STAT 101 or GEOG 251 or STAT 201 or equivalent. Quantitative.
REM 321 - Ecological Economics (4)
Introduces students to the concepts and methods of ecological economics. Provides students with grounding in the core principles of conventional economics applied to the environment but then extends this to the integration of economics and ecology to create a new ecological-economic understanding of environmental change and sustainability. Prerequisite: minimum of 45 units. Students with credit for ENV 321 cannot take REM 321 for further credit.
REM 350 - Sustainable Energy and Materials Management (4)
Takes an interdisciplinary approach to sustainable management of society's energy and materials flows. Topics range from thermodynamics and estimates of global resources to market-based policies and governance Institutions. Peak oil, renewable energy and carbon capture and storage are also discussed. The role for green consumerism in light of climate challenge are highlighted. Prerequisite: 45 credit hours.
REM 356 - Institutional Arrangements for Sustainable Environmental Management (3)
This course provides an overview of some basic legislation, agencies, and policies which currently are in use to regulate the natural environment at the international, nation, provincial, regional, and local levels. Its purpose is to present a basic set of evaluative questions which can be used to address the effectiveness and efficiency of the environmental regulatory and management systems currently in use. Prerequisite: REM 100.
REM 363 - Special Topics (3)
REM 370 - Global Resource Issues in Oceanography (3)
Introduces principles of oceanography, including ocean circulation, ocean carbon cycling, nutrients and biological productivity, oceans and the climate system, and ocean resource contributions to global food supply. Provides basic understanding of ocean resource management including transportation, recreation, fisheries, and mining. Prerequisite: EASC 100, EVSC 100, GEOG 111, or REM 100.
REM 375 - Ecology and Conservation of Coastal BC (3)
Investigates the ecosystems and environmental challenges of coastal British Columbia. Examines the major flora and fauna, fundamental ecological principles, anthropogenic drivers of change, and the role of applied science in conservation and management. Prerequisite: 60 units.
REM 381 - Sustainable Community Development Theory and Practice (4)
A theoretical foundation for understanding sustainable development at the community level, including an integrated approach to the environmental, economic, and social aspects of development. Emphasizes economic and policy instruments, and planning tools, for engaging in and implementing SCD. Prerequisite: SCD 201 or REM 201 or REM 281 or SD 281 or completion of 60 units. Students with credit for SCD 301 or REM 301 or SD 381 may not complete this course for further credit. Breadth-Social Sciences.
REM 391 - Directed Studies (3)
Independent study on resource management topics selected in consultation with the supervising instructor. A directed study proposal must be completed and approved by the instructor and the REM undergraduate chair or designate prior to registration. Students may take this course only once. Variable units: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. Prerequisite: 60 units.
REM 412 - Environmental Modeling (3)
Students receive hands-on experience in the construction and analysis of computer simulation models of environmental and ecological systems and problems. Prerequisite: REM 100 or EVSC 100; BISC 204 or GEOG 215; STAT 101 or 201 or 203 or 270 or equivalent; 60 units. Quantitative.
REM 445 - Environmental Risk Assessment (3)
Students receive theory and practical experience in the control and management of hazardous substances in the environment. This includes the application of techniques used to assess toxicological, ecological and human health risks of contaminants within the current regulatory framework. Prerequisite: MATH 151 or 154 or 157; STAT 101 or 103 or 201 or 301 or GEOG 251.
REM 463 - Special Topics (3)
REM 471 - Forest Ecosystem Management (3)
Students will examine the problems of managing forest ecosystems for a variety of societal goals and objectives. The course will start with an examination of the ecological characteristics of forest ecosystems and their dynamics. The second section will focus on the objectives and tools of forest management in an ecological context. The final section of the course will focus on the institutions, economics and policies of forest management, with a focus on British Columbia's historical and current management issues. This course will involve lectures, group discussions, field trips, and exercises. Prerequisite: At least one of REM 311, BISC 304, BISC 310, BISC 404, GEOG 315, or GEOG 316.
REM 481 - Social Enterprise for Sustainable Community Development (4)
Introduction to the theory and practice of social enterprise within a SCD context, including the appropriate form of social enterprise for a particular purpose. Prerequisite: SD 381 or SCD 301 or REM 301 or REM 381. Students with credit for SCD 401 or REM 401 or SD 481 may not complete this course for further credit.
REM 483 - Leadership in Sustainable Community Development (4)
Concerned with approaches that SCD leaders require as agents of change, including tackling complex community issues in addition to offering the innovative tools for engaging others in meaningful collaboration processes. Prerequisite: SD 381 or SCD 301 or REM 301 or REM 381. Students with credit for SCD 403 or REM 403 or SD 483 may not complete this course for further credit.
REM 491 - Directed Studies (3)
Independent study on resource management topics selected in consultation with the supervising instructor. A directed study proposal must be completed and approved by the instructor and the REM undergraduate chair or designate prior to registration. Students may take this course only once. Variable units: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. Prerequisite: 90 units.
REM 601 - Social Science of Natural Resources Management (5)
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.
REM 602 - Professional Planning Practice: Advanced Seminar (5)
A professional planning seminar covering planning practice and planning ethics. This course includes an internship requirement. Prerequisite: Eight REM courses or permission of instructor.
REM 610 - Applied Environmental Toxicology and Environmental Management of Contaminants (5)
A study of the environmental behavior and toxic effects of chemical substances in the environment and the application of methodologies for their assessment and management. Equivalent Courses: MRM610 MRM660.
REM 611 - Population and Community Ecology (5)
A review of population, community, and ecosystem ecology; implications of these areas for methods of resource management and environmental assessment. Equivalent Courses: MRM611.
REM 612 - Simulation Modelling in Natural Resource Management (5)
Methods of constructing simulations models and analyzing them through sensitivity analysis. Application of simulation modelling to research and management of environmental and resource systems. Topics will include management of wildlife, forests, insect pests, fisheries, pollution problems, energy resources, and recreational land use. Prerequisite: REM 611 or permission of the instructor.
REM 613 - Methods in Fisheries Assessment (5)
Introduction to fishing methods, fisheries ecosystems and the effects of fishing. Application of models of fish population dynamics, methods of data analysis and the quantification of uncertainty. Introduction to selected methods for providing scientific advice on the productivity and status of fish stocks. Focus will be primarily on biological aspects of fisheries assessment while illustrating how these interface with economic, social and institutional concerns of managers. Equivalent Courses: MRM613.
REM 614 - Advanced Methods in Fisheries Assessment (5)
Combines fish population dynamics with statistical estimation to provide quantitative assessments of the status of fish populations and fisheries. The course builds upon REM 613 by developing a broader range of biological and mathematical models of fish populations and management procedures, as well as approaches for testing the reliability of these methods. Lab tutorial sessions develop quantitative models, estimation, and simulation approaches for performing and evaluating stock assessment methods that are currently applied in fisheries and wildlife management. Prerequisite: REM 613 or permission of instructor.
REM 621 - Ecological Economics (5)
Introduction to economic concepts for management of the environment and specific natural resources. Key issues are definitions of sustainability, the substitution capability between human-made and natural capital, and the appropriate application of economics to sustainable development analysis and policies. Equivalent Courses: MRM621 MRM662.
REM 625 - Risk Assessment and Decision Analysis for Management of Natural Resources (5)
Use of quantitative methods of risk assessment and decision analysis to explicitly take uncertainty into account when making decisions in management of natural resources. Methods of quantifying uncertainty and the resulting risks. Examples from management of forests, wildlife, fisheries, water resources, energy, and toxic chemicals. Communicating information about uncertainties and the resulting risks to resource managers, the public, and scientists. Advantages and limitations of various quantitative methods. Includes computer laboratories. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.
REM 631 - Earth Systems and Global Change in Environmental Management (5)
Reviews how human and natural processes across earth systems and over a range of scales interact to affect the hydrological cycle, climate, and land surface processes that are relevant to resource management. Equivalent Courses: MRM631.
REM 641 - Environmental and Planning Law (5)
A practical introduction to the legal system that governs the use and protection of natural resources and the environment in Canada. The course also includes an overview of the law that governs land use planning in British Columbia. Prerequisite: Enrollment in a REM graduate program or permission of the department. Students with credit for MRM 641 may not take this course for further credit.
REM 642 - Sustainable Community Planning and Regional Development (5)
Theory and techniques of regional analysis; planning models and their application to key resource sectors. Equivalent Courses: MRM642.
REM 643 - Environmental Conflict and Dispute Resolution (5)
This course examines theoretical aspects of conflict and dispute resolution in natural resource management settings and is designed to assist students in understanding the nature of environmental conflict and the role of environmental dispute resolution (EDR) techniques. Equivalent Courses: MRM660 MRM662.
REM 644 - Public Policy Analysis and Administration (5)
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.
REM 646 - Environmental and Social Impact Assessment and Environmental Management Systems (5)
Evaluation and application of current methodologies for social, economic, and biophysical impact assessment and the ISO 14001 standard for environmental management systems. Equivalent Courses: MRM646.
REM 647 - Parks and Outdoor Recreation Planning (5)
The course examines a combination of both ecological and market-based resource assessment and planning techniques for conservation and use of parks, forests, and protected areas. Visitor behavior and management in recreation and protected areas settings will be examined. Equivalent Courses: MRM647.
REM 648 - The Tourism System (5)
This course will examine the social, environmental and economic components of tourism. Topics will include theoretical concepts and elements of tourism, historical evolution, spatial patterns, and case studies of tourism development in various parts of the world. Discussion of tourism planning and management will focus on the development of tourism as a renewable resource. Equivalent Courses: MRM648.
REM 650 - Energy and Materials Management and Policy (5)
Management strategies and policies to achieve sustainable flows of energy and materials in the economy. Eco-efficiency strategies reduce these flows while resource substitution strategies seek more environmentally benign flows. Applies expertise from economics, ecology, thermodynamics, engineering, geology and behavioral sciences. Equivalent Courses: MRM650.
REM 651 - Project Evaluation and Non-market Valuation Methods (5)
This course extends environmental and ecological economics concepts to the field of project appraisal and non-market valuation. Includes the methods and limitations of standard cost-benefit analysis (CBA), as well as new techniques in the valuation of non-market environmental resources and ways to incorporate considerations such as the depletion of natural resources in project work. The course concludes with treatment of a number of alternatives to CBA, including multi-attribute techniques and the precautionary principle. Prerequisite: ECON 200, REM 621, or permission of instructor.
REM 652 - Community Tourism Planning and Development (5)
The course critically examines approaches employed by communities incorporating tourism into their development strategies. Techniques for optimizing the resource potential of communities from economic, social, cultural and environmental perspectives are explored with a view toward developing policies for 'appropriate' community tourism. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.
REM 655 - Water Planning and Management (5)
Evaluation of theoretical models and management experiences; federal, provincial and international institutional arrangements and jurisdictional responsibilities; emerging problems and opportunities. This is primarily a field course in which water and environmental management systems in British Columbia are compared with those in the states of Washington, Oregon, and California. Equivalent Courses: MRM655, MRM662.
REM 656 - Environment and Development (5)
Introduces students to issues of environmental resource use in developing countries. Covers environmental issues in development, integrated conservation and development projects, community-based resource management, and global and ecological economics perspectives. Includes a one-week field trip to Baja, Mexico.
REM 658 - Energy and Materials Systems Modeling (5)
Theory, background, and practical experience in the use of a range of techniques for policy modelling of energy and materials flows in society with the aim of demonstrating how more environmentally and socially sustainable trajectories can be achieved. Techniques include: simulation modelling, optimization modelling, econometric and other forms of parameter estimation, input-output modelling, game playing models, and integrated systems models. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.
REM 660 - Special Topics in Natural Resources Management (5)
Special topics in areas not currently offered within the offerings of the resource and environmental management program.
REM 661 - Special Topics in Resources Management (5)
Special Topics in areas not currently offered within the offerings of the resource and environmental management program.
REM 662 - Special Topics in Resource Management (5)
Special Topics in areas not currently offered within the offerings of the resource and environmental management program.
REM 663 - Special Topics in Resource Management (5)
Special topics in areas not currently offered within the offerings of the resource and environmental management program.
REM 664 - Directed Studies (5)
Special topics in areas not currently offered within the offerings of the resource and environmental management program.
REM 665 - Directed Studies (5)
REM 667 - Special Topics (3)
Special topics in areas not currently offered within the offerings of the resource and environmental management program.
REM 668 - Special Topics (3)
Special Topics in areas not currently offered within the offerings of the resource and environmental management program.
REM 670 - Introduction to Forestry (5)
Examines the theory and practice of forest management based on an understanding of the linkages between forest ecosystem dynamics, economics, policy and social management. Principles are illustrated with reference to contemporary forestry issues. Prerequisite: REM 611 or permission of instructor.
REM 690 - Practicum I
First term of work experience in the School of Resource and Environmental Management's Co-operative Education Program. Graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis. Equivalent Courses: MRM690.
REM 691 - Practicum II
Second term of work experience in the School of Resource and Environmental Management's Co-operative Education Program. Graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis. Prerequisite: Students must have completed at least one term's courses and permission of REM's co-op co-ordinator.
REM 698 - Field Resource Management Workshop (3)
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.
REM 699 - Research Project (10)
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. Equivalent Courses: MRM699.
REM 801 - Principles of Research Methods (5)
Students will develop skills and insight into the design, implementation and analysis of interdisciplinary research in natural resource and environmental management. This will help prepare students to carry out their own research projects. Students who entered REM during or prior to the Fall 1994 term and who have received credit for any one of MRM 601, 611 or 621 may not take REM 801 for credit. Equivalent Courses: MRM801.
REM 802 - Research Approaches for REM PhD Students (5)
This course is designed for all REM PhD students, although considerable course material may be of interest and value to other REM students. The course will emphasize preparing PhD students for their breadth comprehensive exams by discussing and evaluating various viewpoints in published debates related to the three topic areas of comprehensive exams: resource and environmental economics, policy and planning and environmental science. The course will also cover planning and carrying out the PhD research, as well as effectively communicating research results. Equivalent Courses: MRM802.
REM 899 - PhD Thesis (10)
Equivalent Courses: MRM899.