Faculty of Graduate Studies Regulations
In addition to the General Regulations of the Faculty of Graduate Studies, supplementary regulations have been formalized to complement them. Students are urged to review carefully the General and Supplementary Regulations for a Masters Degree in the University General Calendar upon first registration in the Institute.
In addition to the General Regulations of the Faculty of Graduate Studies, supplementary regulations have been formalized to complement them. Students are urged to carefully review the General and Supplementary Regulations in the University General Calendar upon first registration in the Institute.
1.1 Preamble
The Natural Resources Institute was established in 1968 with a threefold mandate, specifically:
1. To teach resource management skills leading to the Master of Natural
Resources Management (M.N.R.M.) degree;
2. To conduct applied research on current problems in natural resource
management; and
3. To provide a forum for examination of resource issues in order to raise
the level of public awareness.
1.2 Executive Council
The Master of Natural Resources Management (M.N.R.M.) graduate program is the responsibility of the Director. The NRI Executive Council, comprised of faculty members of the Institute, advises the Director on matters pertaining to the functions of the Institute.
1.3 Prerequisite for Admission
A person holding a four-year degree or equivalent may be admitted to the M.N.R.M. program.
1.4 Occasional Students
A student who wishes to take graduate courses in the area of Natural Resources Management for personal interest with no intention of proceeding toward an advanced degree at the University of Manitoba may be registered as an occasional student. Occasional students must meet the same degree and grade point average entrance requirements in the course(s) taken, but receive no credit toward a degree. Under special circumstances, an occasional student may apply to enter the M.N.R.M. program and apply for credit for those courses taken as an occasional student. Such a transfer of credit is not automatic and each case will be judged on its own merit.
1.5 Special Students
Students with a three-year Baccalaureate degree are required to complete a qualifying year outside of the M.N.R.M. program at the undergraduate level (equivalent number of credit hours for a 4 year degree) prior to application for admission to the M.N.R.M. program. Arrangements for registration will be made with other faculties on a case- by- case basis. Courses can be selected in consultation with an NRI faculty advisor.
2.0 MASTER OF NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT PROGRAM
2.1 Admission Committee
Selection of applicants for admission to the M.N.R.M. program is the responsibility of the Natural Resources Institute Admission Committee, which is a sub-committee of the Executive Council, and is composed of the following members:
• The Director or the designate and four full-time faculty members
of the Institute elected from the Executive Council.
• One U of M faculty member external to NRI.
• One student member elected by the NRI Student Association to the
Admission Committee or alternate.
• A quorum of the Admission Committee shall be four members.
2.2 Admission Criteria
To be considered for admission, applicants must:
- Hold a 4 year degree or equivalent from a recognized college or university;
and
- Have a minimum academic grade point of B (3.0) in the final 60 credit
hours (or equivalent) of undergraduate studies.
In addition, the following criteria are used to evaluate applications:
- work experience;
- references;
- degree/program;
- area of research interest;
- quality of written work;
2.3 Appeals on Admission
Rejected applications may be appealed by submitting a written appeal to the Admission Committee within 10 days of notification. Appeals will be considered and the candidate notified of the final decision within three weeks. Final decisions of the Natural Resources Institute Admission Committee may also be appealed to the Faculty of Graduate Studies.
3.0 MASTER’S PROGRAM OF STUDY
The Master’s program in Natural Resources Management combines a broad commitment to sustainability with development of well-focused, practical expertise in natural resources management. The program recognizes that pursuit of sustainability requires attention to ecological, economic and social issues at all levels from the local to the global. But it also expects that most gains are made through specific practical management applications. Therefore, the program is designed around two main elements - interdisciplinary examination of sustainability concerns and defined management project examinations undertaken in this broader context.
3.1 Study Plan
A central feature of the Master’s program is the Study Plan prepared and developed by each student in consultation with a faculty advisor. The objectives of the plan are: (a) to define a research direction; and (b) to organize the student’s course work in the framework for integration and synthesis of interdisciplinary knowledge. The Study Plan should define an area of concentration, identify learning objectives, and set out a strategy for achieving those objectives. As the student’s ideas, interests, and learning evolve, the Study Plan is revised to reflect a program synthesis.
3.2 Faculty Advising
Advising is an integral part of the NRI’s approach to interdisciplinary teaching and learning. When students enter the NRI, they are assigned a preliminary advisor whose role is to facilitate development of the Study Plan. Once individual interests and needs have been defined, the student may be assigned a different advisor who better matches those interests. Throughout the student’s time in the Institute, advisors act as program consultants for the student’s individual area of study. Except in first year, students are not allowed to register in specific courses unless they have an approved Study Plan.
3.3 Curriculum
Students in the Master’s program follow an individual Study Plan which includes: (a) 12 credit hours of required courses; (b) a minimum of 15 credit hours of elective courses; and (c) a Master’s thesis. At least 21 credit hours must be at the 700-level, with the remaining 6 credit hours at the 400-level. In certain justifiable cases, a 300-level course may be admissible.
3.4 Required Courses
The required courses in the curriculum are offered by an NRI faculty
member using specific expertise and drawing upon the interests and abilities
from faculty in a wide range of University departments and beyond. Four
course offerings are required (NRI 7182, NRI 7222, NRI 7232, and NRI 7262).
The central academic agenda of the required set of courses is underpinned
by the concept of sustainability – economic –social and ecological
- and includes: (i) assessment of the theoretical foundations and practical
applications of progress toward sustainable management of natural resources;
(ii) understanding of ecosystems as self-organizing and responding systems;
(iii) examination of conventional and alternative social arrangements,
including institutions and tools of governance, as means of improving
human well-being and environmental responsibility.
3.5 Elective Courses
The elective set of courses provides opportunity for in-depth examination
of different issues related to sustainable management of natural resources.
Selection of elective courses by students will be aimed at strengthening
particular areas of expertise. Most of the NRI electives are courses which
have developed over time, and have been offered at the Institute for many
years. Students may also choose electives from courses offered in other
Departments at the University.
3.6 Additional Courses
Extra courses, which are not part of the Master's program, or prerequisite courses, shall be classified as Auxiliary (AX) and will not be included in the student's grade point average determination.
3.7 Advance Credit
Courses taken outside of previous degree programs may be accepted for advance credit. These cases are considered on an individual basis with a recommendation made to the Faculty of Graduate Studies, providing the work completed is consistent with the requirements of the M.N.R.M. program. The decision to grant advance credit must be made at the time of admission. In such cases, the student must have the prospective courses approved by the Director prior to enrolment.
3.8 Academic Standing
A minimum grade of C+ is required for credit in each course. In addition,
a minimum cumulative grade point average of B is required to receive the
M.N.R.M. degree. Subject to the approval of the Faculty of Graduate Studies,
students receiving a grade of C may either repeat a course (with the permission
of the Director) or take an equivalent substitute course.
The Natural Resources Institute normally requires withdrawal of students
receiving a grade of C or lower in more than 6 credit hours or course
work during the program.
All NRI courses (NRI 7XXX) follow a standard grading system as follows:
A+ > 90
A 85-89
B+ 80-84
B 75-79
C+ 70-74
C 65-69
D <65
Students are advised that courses offered by other departments may not
follow the above breakdown.
3.9 Academic Integrity
If you have ever:
• cheated on an exam,
• used the ideas and words of another person without acknowledging
their contribution,
• fabricated or falsified data, or
• conducted yourself in a manner contrary to the ethical standards
of the university,
you have compromised your Academic Integrity. These matters are serious
offenses and if found guilty of such an offense, a student is subject
to serious academic penalty, up to and including expulsion from the university.
Academic Dishonesty has many facets. Some examples and definitions of the most common aspects of Academic Dishonesty are as follows:
Plagiarism – using the words or ideas that were created by another person, without properly crediting that person. If you present someone else’s ideas or words without acknowledging them, you are stealing their work and presenting it as your own. For information on how to avoid plagiarism and how to cite your sources properly, please refer to the following web sites:
http://umanitoba.ca/libraries/units/dafoe/media/plagiarism.pdf
http://www.umanitoba.ca/libraries/units/dafoe/citing.html
Cheating – obtaining the answers to an exam or assignment from a prohibited source. Copying the answer from another student and bringing unauthorized notes to an exam are examples of cheating.
Data Manipulation – creating the data used in a paper or presentation without performing the needed experimental work to produce the data, or changing the data so that your results are what you were hoping for are two examples of data manipulation.
Inappropriate Collaboration – working with other persons (including students) on an assignment when this has not been approved by the instructor constitutes inappropriate collaboration. If the assignment is meant to be done individually and you need help, talk to your instructor!
Transcript Fraud and Manipulation – submitting documents in support of your application that are in any way different from your true academic record. This includes such things as changing grades, adding or omitting courses, or translating course titles or grades incorrectly.
A full description of these terms and other matters relating to plagiarism and cheating can be found in Section 7 of the General Academic Regulations and Requirements of the University of Manitoba. This is available at http://webapps.cc.umanitoba.ca/calendar08/ and can also be found in Section 7 of the 2008-2009 Graduate Calendar.
When you choose to study at the University of Manitoba, it is YOUR responsibility as a student to understand what constitutes Academic Integrity in order to ensure a successful career as a graduate student.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding the definitions of plagiarism, how to write an assignment without cheating, or any issue relating to Academic Integrity, please discuss the matter with your assigned advisor, the Director, or contact one of the following offices for an appointment:
The Faculty of Graduate Studies, 500 University Centre, ph. 474-9377
Student Advocacy Office, 519 University Centre, ph. 474-7423
http://www.umanitoba.ca/student/resource/student_advocacy/index.shtml
REMEMBER:
THE REPUTATION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MANITOBA, AND THE VALUE OF THE DEGREE
YOU RECEIVE FROM OUR INSTITUTION, IS AFFECTED BY THE ACTIONS AND REPUTATIONS
OF OUR MEMBERS, INCLUDING PROFESSORS, STAFF AND STUDENTS, BOTH PRESENT
AND PAST. THE FAILURE OF EVEN ONE INDIVIDUAL TO MAINTAIN A HIGH DEGREE
OF ACADEMIC INTEGRITY HAS AN IMPACT ON THE ENTIRE UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY
3.10 Minimum Time - Maximum Time
Two years are normally required to complete the program. The minimum time for full time students enrolled in the program is one academic year (in recognition of advanced standing). The maximum time allowed for the completion of the M.N.R.M. degree is 5 years, beginning with the date of first registration in the program. Student progress is assessed on an annual basis, with the right to register in any year being subject to satisfactory academic progress.
4.0 THE MASTER OF NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT THESIS
Candidates for the Master of Natural Resources Management degree are required to complete a thesis, and as such the Thesis Regulations of the Faculty of Graduate Studies apply. For the Master of Natural Resources Management degree, the thesis is an interdisciplinary research project on a resource and environmental management problem. The thesis may entail cooperation with agencies in the community at large and with other Faculties at the University of Manitoba. A minimum of two years from the date of initial registration is generally required to complete the thesis.
The Faculty of Graduate Studies has defined general rules regarding thesis requirements in the General Calendar. In addition to these rules, the Natural Resources Institute has a document entitled Master of Natural Resources Management Thesis Guidelines, which is available from the General Office.
The thesis is an independent written research document resulting from
an interdisciplinary research project, which addresses a practical problem
or issue in natural resources and environmental management. The thesis
should show that the student has mastery of the specific field of natural
resources and environmental management under investigation, and is fully
conversant with the relevant literature. The thesis should also demonstrate
the candidate’s competence in completing a research project. The
thesis may entail cooperation with agencies in the community at large
and with other faculties at the University of Manitoba.
5.0 STUDENT APPEALS
Student appeals regarding final grades must be directed through the Registrar’s
Office to the Director, who in consultation with the instructor of the
course, shall assess all relevant materials and reach a decision.
Student concerns regarding the academic program, oral examinations, disciplinary issues, and any other matters relating to Institute regulations or procedures should first be submitted to the Director for decision. An ad hoc committee will be established to deal with the academic, disciplinary and other pertinent matters. The NRI ad-hoc appeal committee has the following structure: two student members (i.e. student representatives), and three NRI Executive Council members, one of whom will act a non-voting chairperson, except in the case of a tie. If the Director and the ad hoc appeals committee cannot resolve the problem, the matter may be directed to Dean of Graduate Studies for decision. Further appeal may be made to the Faculty of Graduate Studies through the Dean of Graduate Studies. Higher appeal mechanisms are available. Students considering formal appeals at any level should consult the University Office of Student Advocacy. (See the Faculty of Graduate Studies regulations for details)
6.0 USE OF DEGREE DESIGNATION
Students should not be using degree designation for Master’s or PhD, albeit with descriptive abbreviations, prior to their graduation.
For example, students have been found to be placing Masters (Can) for Masters “Candidate” or Masters (ABD) or Masters “all but defended” after their names. Although it may not be intentional, it is potentially highly misleading.
It must be clear that degree designation for a Master’s or PhD student is not allowed until the degree is conferred upon them. Any misrepresentation of a degree designation by a student will be viewed as a type of fraud.
If a student wishes to indicate their status, they may consider using the designation “Master’s Student”.
7.0 CHANGES IN INSTITUTE REGULATIONS
These regulations may be changed by the Executive Council and submitted
for approval to the Faculty of Graduate Studies. In the event of a change
in regulations, students in the program will have the option of accepting
the new regulations or working under the ones in effect at the time of
first registration in the program.