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 30 units. Breadth-Social Sci/Science.
REM 221 - Systems Thinking and the Environment (3)
Introduces systems thinking in the context of environmental and sustainability challenges using system archetypes and system dynamics theory. Analytical and modeling techniques are applied to understand and project systems complexity. Prerequisite: One of: Math 12 Foundations of Mathematics, Math 12 Pre-calculus, MATH 100, MATH 197 or MATH 198. And one of: EVSC 100, GEOG 102, GEOG 111 or REM 100. Students with credit for ENV 221 may not take this course for further credit. Quantitative.
REM 281 - Sustainable Communities, Sustainable World (3)
Introduces the challenges and opportunities for developing sustainable communities and a sustainable world, through the framework of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Builds an understanding of strengths and weaknesses of conventional approaches to development and of sustainable development. Emphasis on urban areas in the Global North and Global South. Prerequisite: 30 units. 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 319 - Environmental Law (3)
Provides a practical introduction to the legal system governing the use and protection of the environment in Canada. A central theme is the difference between the law on paper and the law in practice. Prerequisite: 45 units. Students who have taken ENV 399-3 "Special Topics in Enviromental Law" in 2012 may not enroll in this course for further credit. Students with credit for ENV 319 may not take this course for further credit.
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: 45 units. Students with credit for ENV 321 cannot take REM 321 for further credit. Breadth-Social Sciences.
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 units.
REM 355 - Sustainable Transportation Management (3)
Explores trends in the transportation sector according to a resource and environmental management perspective, including air quality and greenhouse gas impacts. The perspective is interdisciplinary, organized around transitions to alternative fuels, efficiency and reduced vehicle use. Skills to be developed include sustainability management, lifecycle analysis and policy analysis. Prerequisite: 45 units or permission of instructor.
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. Students with credit for REM 356W may not take this course for further credit.
REM 356W - 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. Students with credit for REM 356 may not take this course for further credit. Writing.
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 - Building Sustainable Communities: Concepts and Cases (4)
Engages students in how to plan and cultivate sustainability at the community and city level, taking into consideration the environmental, economic, and social aspects of development. Explores and analyzes policy instruments, planning tools, and strategies from around the world for engaging people and institutions in building sustainable communities. Prerequisite: 45 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 406 - Indigenous People and Co-management (4)
Introduces several basic co-management models, a framework for analyzing conditions which permit co-management institutions to develop and thrive, the dilemmas of communities involved in co-management and the challenges for governments working with them, with special but not exclusive attention to Canadian Indigenous communities. Prerequisite: REM 356 and 75 units.
REM 407 - Indigenous Governance and Resource Relationships (4)
Explores diverse Indigenous perspectives on governance, resource, land and water management, intergovernmental relations and economic development in the context of contemporary settler colonialism in Canada. Skills include critical thinking, anti-colonial, economic, political and policy analyses. Prerequisite: 75 units or permission of instructor.
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 423 - Research Methods in Fisheries Assessment (4)
Introduction to quantitative methods for providing scientific advice on the status, productivity and effects of fishing of fish stocks. Includes development and application fish population dynamics models, data analysis, and the quantification of uncertainty. Focus will be primarily on biological aspects of fisheries assessment while illustrating how these interface with economic, social and institutional concerns of management agencies. Prerequisite: BISC 204 or GEOG 215; STAT 101 or 201 or 203 or equivalent; MATH 151 or 154 or 157 or equivalent; 60 units.
REM 427 - Avalanche Risk Management (4)
Interdisciplinary introduction to snow avalanches and the management of the associated risks. Embedded in an overall risk management framework, the course discusses the physics of avalanche formation, identification and characterization of avalanche terrain, the fundamentals of hazard assessment, and mitigation approaches in different contexts with practical examples from in Canada. Prerequisite: 60 units, including one of MATH 150, MATH 151, MATH 154 or MATH 157 and one of STAT 101, STAT 201, STAT 203, STAT 270 or GEOG 251. Or permission of the instructor.
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 446 - Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (4)
Theory and practice of environmental and social impact assessment. The course will review and critically evaluate the regulatory frameworks, institutions and methods associated with impact assessment for resource and industrial development, transportation, public utilities, regional planning and public policy, using examples from British Columbia and Canada. Prerequisite: REM 100 or 200 and 75 units.
REM 454 - Water Security (4)
Students investigate dimensions of the global environmental crisis related to water security, including: human rights, political science, development economics, gender policies, geopolitics, regional integration and security, international law, national legislation, public health, trade, agriculture, energy generation, and water resources management. Prerequisite: 75 units and REM 100 or EVSC 100 or GEOG 100.
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 - Sustainable Communities Leadership Lab (4)
Students develop the skills to lead change toward sustainability at the community level. Starting with a process of analyzing a particular social or environmental challenge, and using a collaborative approach, they develop a promising idea into a feasible plan for a project or social enterprise. Prerequisite: 60 units and SD 281 or REM 281 or SD 201 or DEVS 201 or SCD 201 or REM 201. Students with credit for SCD 401 or REM 401 or SD 481 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 495 - Resource and Environmental Management Capstone (4)
By guiding students through the inception, development and communication of a novel interdisciplinary research project, this course will provide students with an opportunity to integrate the knowledge and skills they gained through their undergraduate degree. Students will work corroboratively to conceive, investigate and present an original research project that addresses a real-world environmental issue of the students' choice. Prerequisite: 90 units or permission of instructor. Students with credit for REM 491 - Directed Studies taken as the REM Capstone only may not take this course for further credit.
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 697 - MRM Thesis (18)
Thesis course for the MRM - thesis stream degree.
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 (6)
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. Students with credit for MRM 699 may not take this course for further credit.
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 (18)
Students with credit for MRM 899 may not take this course for further credit.