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Program Requirements

The Neotropical Option is offered in association with several University departments, the ³ÉÈËVRÊÓƵ School of Environment, and the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI-Panama) and includes the thesis, comprehensive examination, required courses (9 credits) in Geography, Environment and Biology, and complementary courses (3 credits) chosen from Geography, Agriculture Sciences, Biology, Sociology, Environment, and Political Science. Participation in the MSE-Panama Symposium presentation in Montreal is also required.

Thesis

Required Courses

• BIOL 640 Tropical Biology and Conservation (3 credits)

  Offered by: Biology (Faculty of Science)

  Administered by: Graduate Studies

  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: Fall 2011

  Instructors: Basset, Yves (Fall)

  • Restriction: students enrolled in Neotropical Environment Option (NEO) or permission of the instructor
• ENVR 610 Foundations of Environmental Policy (3 credits)

  Offered by: Bieler School of Environment (School of Environment)

  Administered by: Graduate Studies

  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: Fall 2011

  Instructors: Brown, Peter Gilbert; Naylor, Robin Thomas; Goldberg, Mark (Fall)

  • Restriction: Enrolment in the Graduate Environment Option or enrolment in the Neotropical Environment Option (NEO) or permission of the instructor.

• GEOG 631 Methods of Geographical Research (3 credits)

  Offered by: Geography (Faculty of Science)

  Administered by: Graduate Studies

  Overview

  Geography : General research seminar in human and physical geography.

  Terms: Winter 2012, Fall 2011

  Instructors: Coomes, Oliver T (Winter) Coomes, Oliver T (Fall)

• GEOG 700 Comprehensive Examination 1

  Offered by: Geography (Faculty of Science)

  Administered by: Graduate Studies

  Overview

  Geography

  Terms: Fall 2011, Winter 2012, Summer 2012

  Instructors: Wenzel, George (Fall)

• GEOG 701 Comprehensive Examination 2

  Offered by: Geography (Faculty of Science)

  Administered by: Graduate Studies

  Overview

  Geography

  Terms: Fall 2011, Winter 2012, Summer 2012

  Instructors: Wenzel, George (Fall)

• GEOG 702 Comprehensive Examination 3

  Offered by: Geography (Faculty of Science)

  Administered by: Graduate Studies

  Overview

  Geography

  Terms: Fall 2011, Winter 2012, Summer 2012

  Instructors: Wenzel, George (Fall)

Elective Courses

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.