JD/MS in Natural Resources Science and Management: Curriculum

Law School Curriculum

Law School JD degree requirements for students entering Fall 2009 include satisfactory completion of 88 semester credits, and six semesters of full-time enrollment (defined as 12 semester credits or more). First-year students are required to take a core curriculum totaling 30 credits and comprised of the following courses: Beyond that, all courses are elective, except that a student must take a course in Professional Responsibility (3 credits) and Constitutional Law II (3 credits) before graduating. In addition, each student must satisfy a second-year writing requirement (typically by participating in a moot court or serving as a staff member on one of the Law School's law reviews), as well as a third-year writing requirement (typically satisfied by taking a course meeting this requirement, completing an independent research paper meeting this requirement, which may be an MS thesis, Plan B paper, PhD dissertation, or capstone project, or serving as an editor on one of the Law School's law reviews).

To see requirements for students entering in years other than 2009, visit www.law.umn.edu/current/degreerequirements.html.

In addition, all students in the Joint Degree Program in Law, Health & the Life Sciences take a professional seminar. This 1-credit Proseminar is taught cooperatively by faculty involved in the Joint Degree Program, offered on a pass-fail basis, and required each Fall semester that a student is enrolled in the Joint Degree Program.

JD/MS in Natural Resources Science and Management
(Plan A or B)

Interdisciplinary NRSM degree programs are tailored to individual student backgrounds, subject matter interests, and objectives. Graduate students are expected to acquire 2 sets of knowledge and skills: (1) an understanding of the basic components of natural resource management and the science needed to support that management, and (2) specialized knowledge and skills applicable to one or more of the 7 specified tracks of study:

• Forests: biology, ecology, conservation, and management
• Economics, policy, management, and society
• Assessment, monitoring, and geospatial analysis
• Recreation resources, tourism, and environmental education
• Forest hydrology and watershed management
• Forest products
• Paper science and engineering

The MS program emphasizes specialized study in one of the above tracks. Many students entering this program have backgrounds in natural resources related fields. Students without this background are expected to develop a foundation that will permit them to perform effectively in their selected track.

It is recommended that MS students pursue the Plan B (non-thesis) option; however, the Plan A option is available. The Plan B option is designed for students who want a broad technical background. Many entering Plan B students have earned undergraduate degrees in natural resources and have professional backgrounds in related fields. Some are preparing to enter the doctoral degree program, while others have specific professional objectives. The Plan B option allows students to use considerable discretion in course selection. It is recommended students take enough related courses to be exposed to at least three NRSM graduate faculty members in addition to their adviser. If admitted students do not have an undergraduate degree in a related area, they may need to complete additional prerequisite coursework above the 30-credit minimum.

The Plan A option requires a thesis and is suited for students who seek a highly focused research experience. For Plan A students, a broad interpretation of .major field. is encouraged in course selection, since courses offered in other departments often provide concepts and analytical tools that have direct application to student research. Plan A students will take sufficient courses within the selected track in order to become prepared within the chosen research field. Beyond this, course selection is determined by each student.s particular needs under the guidance of an adviser and the NRSM graduate study committee.

JD/MS students will select either the Plan A or the Plan B option. Both options require a total of 30 course credits in the major field and 6 credits in one or more related fields (which may include Law) outside the major. Plan A students register for 10 thesis credits and Plan B students complete 10 additional credits in coursework to meet the 30-credit minimum requirement. MS students must also take a minimum of one graduate seminar (not 2) and complete a Plan B paper or Plan A thesis. The Plan B paper consists of a project that demonstrates familiarity with the tools of research or scholarship, the ability to work independently, and skill in presenting the results of an investigation effectively. A final oral examination is required.

Combining Curricula

Students in the Joint Degree Program combine their Law and science/health curricula by cross-counting up to 12 Law credits in their science or health program and up to 12 non-law credits in their Law School program. For more details, click on "Cross-Counting Courses" above.

JD/MS or JD/PhD students are eligible for a minor in bioethics, bioinformatics, or human genetics.