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Program Requirements

The ¿´Æ¬ÊÓƵ-STRI Neotropical Environment Option (NEO) is a research-based option for Masters students in the departments of Anthropology, Biology, Bioresource Engineering , Geography, Natural Resource Sciences, Plant Science, and Political Science at ¿´Æ¬ÊÓƵ 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 ¿´Æ¬ÊÓƵ 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 requirements of the department in which they are registered. In addition, NEO students will have to meet the specific requirements of the option.

Thesis Courses (36 credits)

• BIOL 690 Master's Thesis Research 4 (10 credits)

  Offered by: Biology (Faculty of Science)

  Administered by: Graduate Studies

  Overview

  Biology (Sci) : Independent research work under the direction of the Thesis Supervisor and the Supervisory Committee.

  Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2023-2024 academic year.

  Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2023-2024 academic year.

• BIOL 697 Master's Thesis Research 1 (13 credits)

  Offered by: Biology (Faculty of Science)

  Administered by: Graduate Studies

  Overview

  Biology (Sci) : Independent research work under the direction of the Thesis Supervisor and the Supervisory Committee.

  Terms: Fall 2023, Winter 2024

  Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2023-2024 academic year.

• BIOL 698 Master's Thesis Research 2 (13 credits)

  Offered by: Biology (Faculty of Science)

  Administered by: Graduate Studies

  Overview

  Biology (Sci) : Independent research work under the direction of the Thesis Supervisor and the Supervisory Committee.

  Terms: Fall 2023, Winter 2024

  Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2023-2024 academic year.

Required Courses (6 credits)

• 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: 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.

• 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: 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.

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.