Master's degree

Program goals

Students completing the MS concentration in Ecological Restoration will develop or strengthen their knowledge and skills allowing them to:

1. Understand theoretical and technical knowledge from ecology, soils and other bio-physical sciences that form the intellectual foundation of ecological restoration
2. Design restoration projects (upland and bottomland forests, wetlands, prairie, and dune) that consider knowledge areas outside students’ current area of expertise and in an interdisciplinary team environment
3. Analyze critically and synthesize relevant primary information sources, such as technical reports and scientific publications
4. Learn various techniques used in ecological restoration, and evaluation and monitoring
5. Understand and appreciate the socio-economic, ethics, laws, policy and political dimensions of ecological restoration

Courses: Click here for "course schedule"

The M.S. Degree Concentration in Ecological Restoration requires a total of 30 credit hours: 15 from courses offered by the major (SFRC) and an additional 15 from other online courses.  Five of the following core courses must be taken; the first course is required:

1. Ecosystem Restoration Principles and Practice (REQUIRED)
2. Ecological Distribution and Management of Invasive Plants, or*
3. Ecology and Restoration of Invaded Ecosystems*
4. Ecology and Restoration of the Longleaf Pine Ecosystem 
5. Watershed Restoration and Management 
6. Natural Resource Policy/Administration (New for fall 2011)
7. Agroforestry in the Southeastern US (New for spring 2012)

*Students should contact us to see which of these two courses will be offered in a given year.

The remaining 15 credits (about 5 courses) of the required total of 30 credits can be chosen from the elective courses, or from other relevant online courses offered from other disciplines or institutions (e.g. Soil and Water Science, Environmental Engineering Sciences).

1. Plant Materials for Conservation and Restoration 
2. Adaptive Restoration Planning 
3. Ecological Restoration of Hardwood Forest Ecosystems (AAMU, note: this course may not be taken during the final semester before graduating )
4. Fire Use and Impacts in the Southeastern US**

**This course is taught in four separate sections each spring semester only to students already enrolled in the 21-day course offered by the National Interagency Prescribed Fire Training Center in Tallahassee, FL.

Final Examination:
The School of Forest Resources and Conservation is required to give a final examination to students as part of their MS graduation requirements.  The examination format (e.g. written or oral), length, breadth, location, and subject matter will be determined by the supervisory committee (Major Advisor plus an additional SFRC faculty member) in concert with the student. The content will be centered on subject matter drawn from the student's coursework. A second SFRC faculty member, to be identified by the Advisor and student working together, will be required to participate in the student’s examination.  The exam should be taken during the last semester of enrollment, but no later than one month prior to the end of the term to allow certification of passing before the Graduate School final submission deadline.  We are confident that this will be a good opportunity for students to review and reflect on what they've learned throughout their tenure in the program.