Course Listing

Principles of EMA I

This course will introduce students to the basic principles of environmental monitoring and assessment. Students will learn about contemporary theory in environmental science, environmental ethics, fundamental scientific principles, societal constraints on environmental values, monitoring techniques used for biotic and abiotic parameters, and systems analysis in environmental monitoring and forecasting.

Topics in EMA

This course will provide students with the opportunity to learn about current environmental monitoring and assessment issues and challenges faced by environmental professionals in the field. This course will be comprised of seminars led by instructors, guest lecturers from university and industry, and students.

Principles of EMA II

This course will introduce information on stakeholder perspectives, land-based considerations (e.g., public vs. private lands, Indigenous land claims), environmental law, repair and remediation, as well as the role of environmental impact and action plans. Students should expect to gain a better understanding of key regulating and administrative bodies within the environmental sector; and know methods, considerations and key components used in assessments of current or future-impacted environmental systems. Prerequisite: BEMA 5000H or permission of the instructor.

Data Analysis for Env Professionals

This course will expose students to statistical approaches and tests that are especially relevant to uncontrolled environmental research, including how to conduct original analysis and inference from messy data. Students will gain the ability to quickly,efficiently and correctly determine what analysis to use for a given scenario and how to ensure that the analysis is robus and defensible, develop skills in translating statistical results to environmental inference, and develop familiarity with the open-access R statistical software platform.

Science Communication for Env. Profess.

This course will cover effective writing and presentation of scientific information for both scientific and non-scientific audiences. Issues regarding authorship, language and selection of reputable references will be covered in detail. Students will learn strategies and styles for effective writing and presenting and will learn how to effectively interpret scientific information for non-scientific audiences.

Cross-listed: SUST-5004H

Geomatics I

This course will provide an introductory overview of the geomatics discipline in the context of bioenvironmental monitoring, including geographical information systems (GIS), remote sensing, geomorphometry, and geospatial analysis and modelling. Students will be introduced to analytical operations in vector, raster and integrated environmental datasets, with practical applications learned through lab exercises, online discussions, and both individual and group project activities. Recommended: BEMA 5003H or permission of the instructor.

Genome-based Envtl Monitoring

This course provides insight into how DNA is being used to surveil terrestrial and aquatic wildlife, track environmental contaminants and disease, and monitor the quality of water and food using leading-edge technologies. The content ranges from foundational genetics concepts relevant to how DNA is collected, extracted and analyzed to high-throughput sequencing, metabarcoding and gene editing. Assignments include practical applications of various DNA sequence analyses and presentations of case studies.

Sampling Design in Envt'l Research

This course will introduce students to a variety of quantitative techniques used to make predictions and assessments regarding environmental health and viability. Students will learn how to quantify changes in environmental parameters, model species distributions and population changes, determine the long-term viability of existing populations, and make predictions regarding the fate of ecological communities and ecosystems

Environmental Policy

This course provides a review of environmental legislation in Canada and abroad, and how it relates to the support, management, and exploitation of ecosystems. Specific attention will be given to past and present environmental standards and regulations, Species-at-Risk legislation, international treaties and obligations regarding air, land, and water, as well as anticipated changes to environmental policy that will impact future standards and practices for industrial development and resource exploitation.

Landscape Ecology

This course will provide students with a solid foundation in landscape ecology including new approaches to resource management and conservation that consider ecosystem processes in large spatial and temporal scales. Important concepts central to landscape ecology research such as dispersal, connectivity, and habitat fragmentation will be examined in detail, as well as the current methods used in landscape ecology research design and analysis. . Prerequisite: BEMA 5003H or permission of the instructor.

Population Viability Analysis

This course will introduce students to quantitative and contemporary methods in population viability analysis (PVA). Students will develop skills for robust analysis of a range of plant and animal data to determine rates of change and its variation, extinction time and probability, and population sensitivity to various forms of intervention. Prerequisite: BEMA 5003H or permission of the instructor.

BEMA Placement

This course will consist of a 15-week placement experience with a government agency, industry, or non-governmental agency, or related laboratory or work unit, on themes and principles learned during coursework associated with the M.BEMA degree. Students will work closely with the instructor and placement host to determine deliverables that will be presented to various stakeholders, as technical report(s) and/or presentation(s).

BEMA Capstone

This course will consist of a 1-week capstone experience located at the Trent Peterborough campus that will provide students with the opportunity to present their placement work to peers, participate in professional skills workshops, complete an e-portfolio to showcase their work, and prepare an application for certification as an Environmental Professional in Training (EPt) from ECO Canada.