U
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S.87-69
SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY
MEMORANDUM
FROM:
J.W.G. Ivany,
Chair, SCAP
Nov.19, 1987
TO:
?
Senate
SUBJECT: Graduate Curriculum
?
DATE:
Changes - MRM Program
Reference: SCAP 87-37, 87-38
Action undertaken by the Senate Committee on Academic Planning/Senate
Graduate Studies Committee gives rise to the following motion:
MOTION: ?
"That Senate approve and recommend approval to
S
?
the Board of Governors, as set forth in S.87-69
1)
change in the description of the nature of
the MRM Program
2)
change in course description for MRM 621-
5, MRM 650-5, and MRM 641-5
3)
deletion of prerequisites for MRM 648-5"
S
SIMON F R
A S
E R UNIVERSITY
?
MEMORANDUM ?
NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT PROGRAM
TO: Marg Savage ?
FROM: Randall M. Peterman
Faculty of Applied Sciences
?
Professor
Grad. Studies Comm.
?
NRN Program
SUBJECT: ?
DATE: 26 October 1987
Please find enclosed a revised description of our program to go
into the SFU calendar.
Rationale
The interdisciplinary nature of our master's program is
relatively unique in Canada but it is not widely understood. We wish
to clarify this with the New Descri
p
tion below. We have learned that
many potential applicants have been confused; some thought that our
program was strongly science-based, others thought that it mostly
• focused on social sciences. This confusion even extended to NSERC in
Ottawa; we know of two students in Ontario and Quebec who were
incorrectly told by NSERC staff that they could not hold NSERC
postgraduate scholarships in our program .because we were supposedly
not science-based. We have subsequently clarified this misconception
with NSERC, but obviously considerable confusion may also exist for
students reading the SFU calendar.
The New Description below now more clearly describes the nature
of our program than the previous calendar entry. Thank you for
considering this change.
Randall
61F
Peterman
RNP/jr
0
Description of the nature of the program.
OLD DESCRIPTION
This is a professional program designed for
individuals
with experience in
private organizations or public agencies dealing with resources, and for recent
graduates in various disciplines related to natural resources management.
From time to time courses are scheduled in the evening to permit students to
complete the program on a part-time basis.
The program is intended for Individuals with undergraduate training and
experience in fields such as biology, economics, engineering, forestry, geog-
raphy, geology, or planning. Students take an integrated sequence of courses
from complementary fields. The aim is to develop increased familiarity and
competence In understanding selected aspects of the resources base, strat-
egies and techniques of natural resource analysis and management, and the
biological, social, and economic implications of resource decisions.
NEW DESCRIPTION
THE PROGRAM
The Natural Resources Management Program is a graduate program in
the Faculty of Applied Sciences that leads to a professional masters-
level degree in resource management (MRM degree). Under certain
circumstances, doctoral programs may also be set up under Special
Arrangements. The MRM Program is designed for individuals with
experience in private organizations or public agencies dealing with
natural resources, or for recent graduates in various disciplines
related to natural resources. From time to time, courses are scheduled
in the evening or week-long blocks to permit students to complete the
program on a part-time basis.
Effective management of natural resources requires
interdisciplinary skills as well as expertise in appropriate
specialties. Problems in the management of resources such as forests,
fisheries, wildlife, minerals, water, and agricultural lands are
intensifying as competing demands increase. Expertise in traditional
resource disciplines is currently needed and will continue to be in
demand. But such experts are more effective managers if their
experience and background could be supplemented by a wider exposure to
several disciplines involved in resource problems.
The purpose of the MRM Program is to meet this need for deeper and
broader graduate training in natural resources. it is intended for
individuals with undergraduate training and experience in fields such as
biology, engineering, forestry, and geology as well as business
administration, economics, geography, planning, and other social
sciences. Students take an integrated sequence of courses in
complementary fields, take further courses in their area of
specialization, and do a research project on a topic involving more than
?
is
one traditional discipline. The aim is to give students increased
2
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familiarity and competence in understanding the natural dynamics of
resources, strategies and techniques of natural resource management, and
the biological, physical, social, economic, and institutional
implications of resource decisions. Students also become familiar with
various quantitative methods of analysis and aids to decision making.
This integrated, interdisciplinary emphasis has been part of the MRM
Program since its inception in 1979.
In the field of natural resources, in particular, it is important
that an academic program stress problem-solving and critical thinking
rather than focus primarily on subject matter such as fisheries,
economics or wildlife biology. To this end, the methods of integrating
and synthesizing specialist approaches are stressed in the program. It
does not seek to make economists of social scientists, or biologists of
engineers. But it makes for example, economists aware of legitimate
biological constraints to ideal economic solutions, and permits
economists and biologists to converse together and with individuals from
other disciplines.
Research by faculty and students is intended to evaluate the
effectiveness of existing management policies and to develop new
strategies where appropriate. These strategies often emerge from
research into the biological dynamics of natural resources, or the
institutional, social, economic, or public policy aspects of their
management. Researchers apply a range of methodologies, from benefit-
cost analysis and simulation modelling, to legal and institutional
analyses, and social surveys. Considerable research is done in direct
collaboration with resource management agencies to ensure implementation
of research results.
Fina1ly, In spite of of Its interdisciplinary nature, students in
the MRM Program can hold major scholarships from a variety of
disciplinary agencies including NSERC (Natural Sciences and Engineering
Research Council), SSHRC (Social Sciences and Humanities Research
Council), and CMHC (Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation).
SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY
FACULTY OF APPLIED SCIENCES?
NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT PROGRAM
1EMORANDUM
TO: ?
Dr. Margaret Savage, Chair ?
FROM: Dr. Randall N. Peterman
Faculty of Applied Sciences
?
Professor
Graduate Studies Committee ? MRM Program
SUBJECT: Course Revision ?
DATE: 13 October, 1987
MRM 621-5
Would you kindly consider the following revised course description
for MRM 621-5 at the next meeting of the FAS Graduate Studies Committee
meeting. Thank you.
OLD DESCRIPTION
MRM 621-5 Economics of Natural Resources
Application of economic theory to natural resources management
problems, with a view to assessing existing and alternative
policies. Topics include benefit-cost analysis, economics of
preservation, pricing of natural resource services, alternative
pollution-control strategies, and fisheries management.
NEW DESCRIPTION
Application of economic theory to
problems with a view to assessing
policies. Includes theoretical ai
resource pricing, market failure,
strategies for specific resources
environment.
natural resources management
existing and alternative
alysis of concepts such as
taxation, etc., and management
such as forestry, fisheries, and
Randall N. Peterman
RATLONALE: ?
Need to clarify the bipolarity in the economics course
between, on the one hand, theoretical concepts and, on the
other, their application to the analysis of specific
resource sectors.
L
.
?
SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY
FACULTY OF APPLIED SCIENCES?
NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT PROGRAM
MEMORANDUM
TO: ?
Dr. Margaret Savage, Chair ?
FROM: Dr. Randall M. Peterman
Faculty of Applied Sciences
?
Professor
Graduate Studies Committee ?
MRM Program
SUBJECT: Course Revision ?
DATE: 13 October, 1987
MRM 650-5
Would you kindly consider the following revised course description
for MRM 650-5 at the next meeting of the FAS Graduate Studies Committee
meeting. Thank you.
OLD DESCRIPTION
HRM 650-5 Energy Use and Policies
.
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An historical perspective of energy use and future prospects
for fossil fuels, hydroelectricity, geothermal, nuclear, solar,
wind, and other sources; factors affecting energy demand.
(Offered every second year.)
NEW DESCRIPTION
Integration of energy supply and demand analysis in order to
formulate comprehensive energy management policies.
Randall M. Peterman
RATIONALE: ?
Need to update course description in order to account
for the rapid evolution in recent years of the approach
to energy ,
resource management.
.
SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY
FACULTY OF APPLIED SCIENCES
NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT PROGRAM
MEMORANDUM
TO: ?
Dr. M. Savage, Chair
?
FROM:
?
Randall M. Peterman
lAS Graduate Studies Committee
?
Professor
MRM Program
SUBJECT: MRM Course Revision
?
DATE: 24 September,. 1987
Would you kindly consider the following course revision at the next
meeting of the Faculty of Applied Sciences Graduate Studies Committee.
fIRM 641-5 Law and Resources
OLD DESCRIPTION
Advance study of legal interventions related to resource planning and
environmental control. Topics considered include planning law, law of
pollution control, legal aspects of land management, property rights, resource
taxation, and problem of managing common pool resources.
REVISED DESCRIPTION
A study of legal interventions related to resource planning and environmental
control. The course looks at several aspects of environmental and resource
law including administrative and constitutional law, fisheries and forestry
regulation, and native rights.
Randall M. Peterman
RMP/jr
RATIONALE: ?
The course is now being taught by a permanent faculty
member instead of sessionals and as a result the topics
covered in the course are different than were originally
proposed when this course was originally set up 8 years
ago.
LI
.
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'I
SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY
FACULTY OF APPLIED SCIENCES?
NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT PROGRAM
MEMORANDUM
TO: ?
Dr. M.
Savage, Chair
?
FROM: ?
Randall M. Peterman
FAS Graduate Studies Committee
?
Professor
MRM Program
SUBJECT: MRM Course Revision
?
DATE: 25 September, 1987
Would you kindly consider the following course revision at the next
meeting of the Faculty of Applied Sciences Graduate Studies Committee.
fr/RN 648-5 The Tourism System
OLD PREREQUISITES
Prerequisites: MRM 601, 611, 621, 642, or permission of instructor.
REVISED PREREQUISITES
Prerequisites: none.
&4dit
Randall M. Peterman
RMP/j r
RATIONALE: Prerequisite courses were originally listed In error.
In addition, experience in teaching this course over
the last year demonstrated that prerequisites are not
necessary.
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