Note: This is the 2023–2024 eCalendar. Update the year in your browser's URL bar for the most recent version of this page, or .
Program Requirements
The À¦°óSMÉçÇø-STRI Neotropical Environment Option (NEO) is a research-based option for Masters or PhD students in the departments of Anthropology, Biology, Bioresource Engineering , Geography, Natural Resource Sciences, Plant Science, and Political Science at À¦°óSMÉçÇø. NEO is aimed at students who wish to focus their graduate research on environmental issues relevant to the Neotropics and latin american countries. NEO favors interdisciplinary approaches to research and learning through the participation of researchers from À¦°óSMÉçÇø and from STRI. Students will complete their research in Latin America and NEO's core and complementary courses will be taught in Panama. NEO's educational approach seeks to facilitate a broader understanding of tropical environmental issues and the development of skills relevant to working in the tropics.
Whether applying to a Master or a PhD, students are expected to meet all the degree.
Thesis Courses (33 credits)
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NRSC 691 M.Sc. Thesis Research 1 (12 credits)
Overview
Natural Resource Sciences : Independent research under the direction of a supervisor towards the completion of the M.Sc. degree.
Terms: Fall 2023, Winter 2024, Summer 2024
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2023-2024 academic year.
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NRSC 692 M.Sc. Thesis Research 2 (12 credits)
Overview
Natural Resource Sciences : Independent research under the direction of a supervisor towards the completion of the M.Sc. degree.
Terms: Fall 2023, Winter 2024, Summer 2024
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2023-2024 academic year.
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NRSC 694 M.Sc. Thesis Research 4 (9 credits)
Overview
Natural Resource Sciences : Independent research under the direction of a supervisor towards the completion of the M.Sc. degree.
Terms: Fall 2023, Winter 2024, Summer 2024
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2023-2024 academic year.
Required Courses (9 credits)
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BIOL 640 Tropical Biology and Conservation (3 credits)
Overview
Biology (Sci) : Long-term research at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute will be organized and synthesized to examine historical assembly and ecological maintenance of tropical communities. This synthesis will draw on phylogenetic concepts for historical insight and will examine the probable resilience of these communities to global change, pollution and biodiversity loss.
Terms: Winter 2024
Instructors: Leung, Brian (Winter)
Restriction: students enrolled in Neotropical Environment Option (NEO) or permission of the instructor
Fees: Graduate students requesting registration in the Neotropical Environment Option pay a fee of $919.56. This fee is used to support the costs associated with transportation and housing while in Panama.
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ENVR 610 Foundations of Environmental Policy (3 credits)
Overview
Environment : Analysis of current environmental policies to reveal implicit and explicit assumptions regarding scientific methods, hypothesis testing, subject/object, causality, certainty, deities, health, development, North-South concerns for resources, commons, national sovereignty, equity. Discussion of implications of such assumptions for building future environmental policies.
Terms: Winter 2024
Instructors: Cronin, Holly (Winter)
Restriction: Enrolment in the Graduate Environment Option or enrolment in the Neotropical Environment Option (NEO) or permission of the instructor.
**Due to the intensive nature of this course, the standard add/drop and withdrawal deadlines do not apply. Add/drop is the second lecture day and withdrawal is the fourth lecture day.
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NRSC 643 Graduate Seminar 1 (1 credit)
Overview
Natural Resource Sciences : Open to students in the M.Sc. Program. Presentation on a selected topic, research proposal, or research results based on progress towards the M.Sc. degree.
Terms: Fall 2023, Winter 2024
Instructors: Driscoll, Brian T (Fall) Driscoll, Brian T (Winter)
Section 001 Micrometeorology, Forest Science and Soil Science students
Section 002 Entomology and Wildlife Biology students
Section 003 Microbiology students
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NRSC 644 Graduate Seminar 2 (1 credit)
Overview
Natural Resource Sciences : Open to students in the M.Sc. Program. Presentation on a selected topic, research proposal, or research results based on progress towards the M.Sc. degree.
Terms: Fall 2023, Winter 2024
Instructors: Driscoll, Brian T (Fall) Driscoll, Brian T (Winter)
Section 001 Micrometeorology, Forest Science and Soil Science students
Section 002 Entomology and Wildlife Biology students
Section 003 Microbiology students
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NRSC 651 Graduate Seminar 3 (1 credit)
Overview
Natural Resource Sciences : Open to students in the M.Sc. Program. Presentation of an M.Sc. student's final thesis results.
Terms: Fall 2023, Winter 2024
Instructors: Driscoll, Brian T (Fall) Driscoll, Brian T (Winter)
Section 001 Micrometeorology, Forest Science and Soil Science students
Section 002 Entomology and Wildlife Biology students
Section 003 Microbiology students
Note: Participation in the MSE-Panama Symposium presentation in Montreal is also required.
Elective Courses (3 credits)
3 credits, at the 500 level or higher, on environmental issues to be chosen in consultation with and approved by the student’s supervisor AND the Neotropical Environment Options Director.