Search
Fundamentals of the Sanskrit language for reading and translation purposes. Designed for students with no previous knowledge of Sanskrit.
A study of the emergence of Buddhism as a religion, its basic ideas, spirituality, and literature.
May be repeated for credit when course content differs.
Survey of teachings and practices related to women, gender, and sexuality in world religions.
Historical and contemporary manifestations of violence across diverse religious traditions.
An exploration of matters related to Jewish history, religion, and culture. Can be repeated if course content varies. Prerequisite: RELIG 205 or consent of instructor.
Religion, society and culture in Palestine from the Persian conquest to the time of Jesus. Note: Not open to students with credit in CLASS 380.
Near Eastern texts from the Gilgamesh Epic and Enuma Elish to the Book of Genesis and beyond.
A study of representations of Jesus in various historical and social contexts.
The history and contents of the Qur'an, including a critical comparison of the Qur'an and biblical literature. Prerequisite: One course in RELIG or consent of the instructor.
The history, practices, and politics of contemporary Yoga movements.
A study of the history of Zen/Chan Buddhism in China and Japan in terms of the major movements, their main figures, and samples of the representative texts. Prerequisite: RELIG 240 or EASIA 223, or consent of Instructor.
Introduction to the foundational texts, esoteric rituals, and sexual alchemy associated with Tantric practices in Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain contexts.
Theories and disciplinary approaches in the study of religion, religions, and religious practices. Required for Honors, Majors, and Minors. Prerequisite: 3 units in 200-level RELIG or consent of Program. Note: May be repeated for credit when course content differs. Preference given to RELIG Honors, Majors, and Minors. Students cannot receive credit for both RELIG 475 and 375.
Prerequisite: One course in Old Testament/Hebrew Bible or consent of Program Coordinator.
Prerequisite: one course in Christianity or consent of Program Coordinator.
Guided reading of Arabic sources central to Islamic Studies. Readings are in Arabic, class discussion and written assignments will be English. Sources may include religious, legal, and historical texts. Prerequisite: ARAB 211 or equivalent, or the consent of the department. May be repeated for credit when course content differs. Not open to students with credit in HIST 426.
Prerequisite: RELIG 220, RELIG 222, or 3 units in RELIG at the 300-level, or consent of instructor. May be repeated if course content varies.
May be repeated for credit when course content differs. Prerequisite: one course in Hinduism/SouthAsian Religions or consent of program.
May be repeated for credit when course content differs. Prerequisite: one course in Buddhism or consent of Instructor.
Prerequisite: One of: RELIG 240, RELIG 343, EASIA 223, EASIA 323, EASIA 325 or consent of Instructor. Note: Not open to students with credit in RELIG 442 with the topic Visual and Material Culture in East Asia.
Prerequisite: consent of Program Coordinator.
Preparation of the Honors essay. Formerly RELIG 501.
Preparation of the Honors essay. Formerly RELIG 501.
An in-depth study of the problems of Islamic Studies.
Guided reading of Arabic sources central to Islamic Studies. Readings are in Arabic, class discussion and written assignments will be English. Sources may include religious, legal, and historical texts. Prerequisite: ARAB 211 or equivalent, or the consent of the department. May be repeated for credit when course content differs. Not open to students with credit in HIST 626.
May be repeated for credit when course content differs.
Note: Not open to students with credit in RELIG 542 with the topic Visual and Material Culture in East Asia.
Prerequisite: consent of Department.
Prerequisite: consent of Department.
This is a pass/fail course.
A general overview of the practice of Forestry. This orientation includes an introduction to basic forest measurements, forest management practices, and will include tours of a number of major forest operations in Alberta. Course runs for six days just prior to Fall registration and includes a seminar where students can connect with forestry professors and professionals. Requires payment of additional student instructional support fees. Refer to the Tuition and Fees page in the University Regulations section of the Calendar.
Starting: 2025-09-01 REN R 101 - Introductory Forestry Field School
A general overview of the practice of Forestry. This orientation includes an introduction to basic forest measurements, forest management practices, and will include tours of a number of major forest operations in Alberta. Course runs for six days just prior to Fall registration and includes a seminar where students can connect with forestry professors and professionals. Requires payment of additional student instructional support fees. Refer to the Tuition and Fees page in the University Regulations section of the Calendar.
This course introduces students to environmental sciences by exploring the relationship between humans and their environment; especially the issues and science on the biosphere, atmosphere, and its species. Emphasis is on understanding our natural environment, our human impacts, and approaches to sustaining, managing, and restoring our natural resources using real-world issues such as climate change and biodiversity conservation.
Designed to introduce students to the principles and practices of measuring various natural resources and to the visualization, interpretation, and management of data.
Introduction to the classification, identification, distribution, habitat, and ecology of common trees, shrubs and herbaceous species typically found in Alberta and beyond. Lecture and labs emphasize the recognition of identifying characteristics and the use of dichotomous keys to identify about 250 plant species including higher taxa. A self-directed plant collection is mandatory and registered students are encouraged to contact the instructor during the summer months for instructions. Field exercises may take place off campus. This course requires payment of additional student instructional support fees. Refer to the Tuition and Fees page in the University Regulations section of the Calendar.
Principles of plant science for use in agriculture, forestry and environmental sciences. The course covers anatomical and physiological characteristics of vascular and non-vascular plants, including cellular structures, plant reproduction, development and growth, and key functions such as photosynthesis, and water and nutrient transport. The course emphasizes plant structure and function in the context of environmental conditions and genetic adaptation, essential for managed and natural ecosystems under environmental change. Not to be taken if credit received for PL SC 221.
Forests are key to sustaining biodiversity and critical services for society. This course examines interrelationships among forest ecosystem components including climate, soils, trees, plants, insects, wildlife, water, and people. Exploration of the scientific basis, and contemporary challenges in the protection and sustainable management of forests ecosystems. Not to be taken if credit received for REN R 100. Not open to students in the BSc in Forestry or BSc in Forest Business Management programs.
Methods and applications of geographic information systems (GIS), including global positioning systems (GPS), photogrammetry, air photo interpretation and LIDAR, as they relate to natural resource management.
Introduction to animals in the context of conservation, interactions with people, and roles in natural ecosystems. Labs provide a survey of Western Canadian animal life, both vertebrate and invertebrate, with emphasis on recognition of higher taxa and on hierarchical classification. Field trip. Requires payment of additional student instructional support fees. Refer to the Tuition and Fees page in the University Regulations section of the Calendar.
Elementary aspects of soil formation, occurrence in natural landscapes, and classification, including basic morphological, physical, and chemical characteristics employed in the identification of soils. Introduction to soil mineralogy, water movement, reactivity, organic matter, and nutrient cycling for predicting soil performance in both managed and natural landscapes. Prerequisite: 30 units. CHEM 101 and (BIOL 208 or EAS 201) recommended.
Introduces concepts of data science for analysis of problems related to the science and management of renewable resources. The course will use the R programming languages and R packages for manipulating, visualizing and analysing data, and for communicating results of analyses through graphics and literate programming. The use of R for statistics and analysis of spatial data will be introduced.
Principles and practices of measuring and estimating present and future fibre production of forest communities, including applications of statistics, sampling techniques, regression analysis, and computer programming. Prerequisites: 3 units in STAT. Pre- or corequisite: REN R 110. Requires payment of additional student instructional support fees. Refer to the Tuition and Fees page in the University Regulations section of the Calendar.
Introduction to the classification, identification, distribution, habitat, and ecology of common trees, shrubs and herbaceous species typically found in Alberta and beyond. Lecture and labs emphasize the recognition of identifying characteristics and the use of dichotomous keys to identify about 250 plant species including higher taxa. A self-directed plant collection is mandatory and registered students are encouraged to contact the instructor during the summer months for instructions. Field exercises may take place off campus. This course requires payment of additional student instructional support fees. Refer to the Tuition and Fees page in the University Regulations section of the Calendar. Not to be taken if credit received in REN R 120.
Principles of forest fire science and management in Canadian forest ecosystems. Introduction to fire science fundamentals and their applications. Topics include fire as a natural disturbance process, mechanisms of fire ignition and spread, fire weather, fire behaviour and fuel management. Models, systems, analytical techniques and policies used to support fire management are explored.
The course introduces basic hydrological principles, the global water cycle, global demand and supply of freshwater, history and current concepts in water resource management, water conflict, water law, and water economics. The course emphasizes Canadian and global water management issues of the 21st century, including water regulation, climate change, drinking water availability, water quality, eutrophication, and freshwater biodiversity. Prerequisite: 30 units.
A philosophical and sociological exploration of historical and contemporary perspectives on human-environmental relationships and their implications. Explores these perspectives in a framework of critical thinking and through case studies.
Combines the concepts and practices of environmental, conservation and forest sciences in an off-campus field experience. Proficiency in sampling, identification, and measurement of biophysical components of terrestrial and aquatic environments is emphasized. Prerequisites: 30 units and REN R 110. REN R 205, REN R 210 and REN R 120 are recommended. Students must take this course after their second program year and prior to completion of the final 30 units of their program. Requires payment of additional student instructional support fees. Refer to the Fees Payment Guide in the University Regulations and Information for Students section of the Calendar.
Focuses on specialized field skills and their application in forest sciences. The course involves off-campus field experiences. Pre- or corequisite: REN R 290. Requires payment of additional student instructional support fees. Refer to the Fees Payment Guide in the University Regulations and Information for Students section of the Calendar.
Directed study in the multiple aspects of renewable resources. Open to second year (or higher) students upon consent of instructor.
Principles and practical techniques currently applied in land reclamation and restoration including: (1) landscape and soil reconstruction practices; (2) passive and active revegetation practices, taking into account the interaction between biotic and abiotic components; and (3) regulations governing land reclamation after industrial disturbance. Prerequisites: REN R 120, REN R 210, and one of REN R 250 or REN R 350.
Principles and elements of environmental assessment with an interdisciplinary focus. Topics include types of environmental assessments and when to use them, the Alberta and Canadian environmental assessment processes, the relevant legal framework, sampling and pathways of effects for different biophysical components, mitigation of environmental impacts and assessment of risk. Prerequisites: 60 units and one of REN R 290 or REN R 299. One course each on soils, plants, wildlife, and water are recommended.
Chemical, physical, and biological properties and processes of soil in relation to site and the growth of forest vegetation; nutrient cycling; influences of surface soil erosion, fertilization, and fire upon forest soil productivity: forest land classification. Prerequisite: REN R 210.
Study of physiological processes in trees. Emphasis on primary and secondary metabolism, gas exchange, transport processes, growth, and environmental effects. Prerequisite: CHEM 101 and (BIOL 107 or PL SC 221) recommended.
Exploration of key concepts regarding the ecology of forest ecosystems at varying temporal and spatial scales. Emphasis will be on relationships between biotic and abiotic components of the ecosystem. Topics covered will include flows of energy and matter, ecosystem dynamics, forest landscapes and biodiversity, impacts of natural and anthropogenic disturbance, forest conservation and ecosystem management. Lab exercises during the first month are held outside. Prerequisite: BIOL 208. Requires payment of additional student instructional support fees. Refer to the Tuition and Fees page in the University Regulations section of the Calendar.
Forest regeneration principles and techniques; stand tending including fertilization, thinning, pruning and drainage; harvesting systems for reforestation; nursery practices; reforestation, the law and current practices. Requires payment of additional student instructional support fees. Refer to the Tuition and Fees page in the University Regulations section of the Calendar. Prerequisite: BIOL 208.
This is an introduction to identification and conservation of the mosses of Alberta, with a strong emphasis on field identification. Students are introduced to the morphological characters used to identify Alberta mosses, with supplementary information about individual species' habitat affinities and distribution within Alberta. Lecture topics include basic morphology, conservation and management of species diversity, and rare/endangered species found within Alberta. Students learn to identify more than 110 species from the province's six major natural regions. Prerequisite: 30 units. PLSC 221 or BIOL 208 or equivalent are recommended.
The course includes an introduction to the hydrology, biogeochemistry and ecology of wetland ecosystems. Topics covered include wetland classifications, geomorphic settings, distributions, functions and ecosystem services. Human use, alteration and management of wetlands are examined. An emphasis is placed on wetlands and wetland management in Western Canada, including boreal peatlands and prairie marshes. A full day field trip on a Saturday is required. Prerequisite: BIOL 208 or EAS 201. Not to be taken if credit received for BIOL 333. Requires payment of additional student instructional support fees. Refer to the Tuition and Fees page in the University Regulations section of the Calendar.
Harvesting and transportation methods and technologies as applied to wood-harvesting operations. This is a general course for students who desire a basic knowledge of current technologies used to conduct forest operations. Normally offered in alternate years. Prerequisite: 60 units.
Principles of forest fire science and management in Canadian forest ecosystems. Fire science fundamentals and their applications for addressing complex social, ecological and economic fire management challenges. Topics include fire as a natural disturbance process, mechanisms of fire ignition and spread, fire weather, fire behaviour, and fire occurrence prediction. Models, systems, analytical techniques and policies used to support fire management operations and decisions are explored in relation to contemporary fire management issues.
Soil formation, with emphasis on landscape processes as factors in soil development; pedogenic processes and their relation to environmental issues; soils; vegetation, and geological associations; kinds and distribution of soils in Canada; soil classification; field examination and computer-assisted learning of soils and their landscape. Field trips. Prerequisite: REN R 210. Not to be taken if credit received for REN R 441.
The anatomy and identification of woods; biological, chemical, and physical properties of wood and its components. Lumber, pulp and paper, and reconstituted wood products technologies. Concept of integrated utilization. Lab exercises may include field trips. May require payment of additional student instructional support fees. Refer to the Tuition and Fees page in the University Regulations section of the Calendar.
Principles of physical and land-use hydrology. The interaction of vegetation, soils, and storage processes with physiography and climate in regulation of hydrologic processes and hydrologic response of watersheds including effects of disturbance on these functions. Prerequisite: REN R 210.
Global soil and water resources and their current rates of degradation. The main processes of degradation (erosion, loss of organic matter, salinization, pollution) and their causes. Consequences of degradation and conservation of resources through improved land use practices. Prerequisite: REN R 210.
Introduction to the theoretical foundation for conservation science. Elements of population, community and landscape ecology will be reviewed, and their application to realworld challenges discussed. Objective is to provide students with the scientific tools to evaluate and develop conservation strategies for maintaining diversity in human-altered systems. Ethical and philosophical aspects of the sociopolitical arena in which conservation decisions are made and implemented are also explored. Not to be taken if credit received for ENCS 364 or BIOL 367. Prerequisites: 30 units, and BIOL 208 or (BIOL 108 and REN R 110).
A study of landscape properties - pattern, process and scale - and their relationship to broad-scale ecological and environmental issues in northern systems. Prerequisite: REN R 364.
Principles and practices of restoring ecosystem structure, function and biodiversity after natural or anthropogenic disturbances. The course focuses on ecological theory and how to apply it to ecological restoration. Topics include landscape processes and connectivity, soil-plant processes, techniques, philosophy and ethics and societal aspects of ecological restoration. Prerequisite: BIOL 208.
Basic principles in plant genetics and resource utilization including tree improvement and reclamation will be covered. Regular lectures will be supplemented with guest lectures and one lab exercise or field trip per month, an individual or group term report and a group report presentation/poster will be assigned. Lab exercises may include field trips, with times to be confirmed. Requires payment of additional student instructional support fees. Refer to the Tuition and Fees page in the University Regulations section of the Calendar. Prerequisite: 30 units.
Principles of ecology as applied to the management of fisheries and wildlife communities. Topics include the growth and regulation of populations, interactions among species and their environments, tools and techniques used to assess and manage fisheries and wildlife. Special emphasis will be placed applying knowledge using case studies and class exercises to demonstrate key principles. Prerequisite: BIOL 208.
Directed study in the multiple aspects of renewable resources. Open to third or fourth year students upon consent of instructor. Some sections require payment of additional student instructional support fees. Refer to the Tuition and Fees page in the University Regulations section of the Calendar.
Directed research, with the intent of preparing the student for graduate studies. Generally undertaken in the fourth year of study, over the course of the fall and winter terms and results in an undergraduate thesis. Students wishing to enrol must obtain permission from an instructor, as well as the Associate Chair, Undergraduate, Department of Renewable Resources. Prerequisite: 60 units and consent of instructor.
Directed research, with the intent of preparing the student for graduate studies. Generally undertaken in the fourth year of study, over the course of the fall and winter terms and results in an undergraduate thesis. Students wishing to enrol must obtain permission from an instructor, as well as the Associate Chair, Undergraduate, Department of Renewable Resources. Prerequisite: 60 units and consent of instructor.
Individual study. Problems in specialized areas of forest science. Prerequisite: consent of Instructor.
Principles, complexity, and diversity of agroforestry. Classification of agroforestry systems. Agroforestry systems in North America, specifically Canada. Plant and soil aspects of and interactions among the components in agroforestry systems. Use of agroforestry systems to enhance land productivity and sustainability. Socioeconomic aspects of agroforestry. Prerequisite: 60 units of university courses.
Starting: 2025-09-01 REN R 414 - Agroforestry Systems
Principles, complexity, and diversity of agroforestry. Classification of agroforestry systems. Agroforestry systems in North America, specifically Canada. Plant and soil aspects of and interactions among the components in agroforestry systems. Use of agroforestry systems to enhance land productivity and sustainability. Socioeconomic aspects of agroforestry. Prerequisite: 60 units. Normally offered in alternate years.
Abundance, distribution, behaviour, and geochemical cycling of trace elements in the environment, including micronutrients essential to plants and animals, and potentially toxic heavy metals; geochemical behaviour of trace elements in the hydrosphere-biosphere-atmosphere system and the relative importance of natural and anthropogenic contributions to the cycling of these elements.
Stress physiology of trees and tree seedlings; mechanisms of stress action and stress resistance; effects of silvicultural practices on growth and physiology; planting stress. Prerequisite: consent of Instructor.
Readings, discussions and exercises on current topics in silviculture. Possible topics include: forest microsites, forest competition, plantation forestry, partial-cut systems, or intensive management. Normally offered in alternate years. Prerequisite: REN R 323.
An introduction to the identification, biology, and ecology of lichens in Alberta, which comprise a diverse and under-studied component of Alberta's flora. An emphasis on current research questions and methods. Combined lecture and laboratory, including microscopy, chemical testing, and interpreting morphology. Term project decided upon by students, and may include original research in taxonomy, ecology or lichen biomonitoring. Students learn to identify more than 80 species from across Alberta. Normally offered in alternate years.
This course is a combination of lecture/lab and directed studies to develop advanced GIS skills. A focus of the course is an individual spatial analysis project. Prerequisite: EAS 221, FOREN 201, or REN R 201.
The purpose of this course is to expose students to key themes in science policy in the Canadian North, and to prepare students for careers at the northern science-policy interface. Case studies from the Canadian North will be used to explore the main themes of the course. Offered at Yukon University only. Prerequisite: 60 units.
Analytical techniques used by renewable resource managers for management of wildland areas for single or multiple outputs; problems of defining optimality when confronted with competing uses and multiple outputs. Prerequisite: 60 units. REN R 215 and (AREC 214 or 3 units in MATH)
Problem solving, decision making and planning in relation to the management of forest resources. Application of models and related tools. Public involvement and issues management will be addressed. Prerequisites: REN R 323, REN R 430 and one of REN R 295 or REN R 299.
This course will cover various aspects of disturbance ecology, including concepts of disturbance frequency, severity, intensity; ecological resilience and resistance and ecosystem responses to and recovery from disturbance. Students will define what a disturbance is and critically evaluate disturbance types and their characteristics in different ecosystems and their implications for conservation, sustainability of ecosystems, and application to reclamation / restoration. Prerequisites: 60 units and BIOL 208.
Introduction to the main components of the soil biota; the metabolic and molecular diversity of microbial populations and their role in soil processes; the microbiology and biochemistry of decomposition of organic matter in soil; biogeochemical cycling of N, P, S, Si, base cations and metals; and the application of soil microbiology to selected environmental problems. Prerequisite: REN R 210.
Quantitative characterization of soil physical properties. Description and measurement of soil physical properties and transport processes in soils. Examples from areas of land resource management, soil remediation, agriculture, and forestry will be used to illustrate the principles. Prerequisite: 60 units. REN R 210 recommended.
Chemical processes in soil and related terrestrial environments and the consequences of these processes as they relate to soil productivity, environmental quality and pollution of soil and water. The course describes fundamental chemical concepts such as soil solution and solid phase chemistry, sorption phenomena, ion exchange, oxidation-reduction reactions and speciation of metals. These concepts are used to predict the fate (distribution, transport, bioavailability and transformation) of inorganic and organic contaminants in soil. The chemical principles provide fundamental knowledge to develop soil reclamation strategies and nutrient management practices for enhanced crop production. Prerequisites: 3 units in CHEM and REN R 210.
Essential plant nutrients; driving factors of nutrient bioavailability and cycling; plant uptake and utilization of nutrients; evaluation of soil fertility in terms of nutrient deficiencies and responses; management of soil fertility challenges from both productivity and environmental perspectives; assessing options of nutrient sources. Lab exercises may include field trips. May require payment of additional student instructional support fees. Refer to the Tuition and Fees page in the University Regulations section of the Calendar. Prerequisite: REN R 210.
The basic principles by which the cycles of water, carbon, and nutrients through soils, plants, and the atmosphere are controlled in terrestrial ecosystems under different climates. Interrelationships among water, carbon and nutrient cycles in natural and managed ecosystems that have developed in different climatic zones. Environmental consequences of human intervention in the cycles for food and fibre production in different ecosystems. Prerequisite: REN R 210. PL SC 221 or BOT 340 recommended.
Starting: 2025-09-01 REN R 446 - Climates and Ecosystems
The basic principles by which the cycles of water, carbon, and nutrients through soils, plants, and the atmosphere are controlled in terrestrial ecosystems under different climates. Interrelationships among water, carbon and nutrient cycles in natural and managed ecosystems that have developed in different climatic zones. Environmental consequences of human intervention in the cycles for food and fibre production in different ecosystems. Prerequisite: REN R 210. REN R 121, PL SC 221 or BOT 340 recommended. Normally offered in alternate years.
This course focuses on understanding and managing insects and diseases in natural and managed forest ecosystems and characterizes how they interact with the environment and each other to affect ecosystem functions and properties. Prerequisites: minimum of 54 units at university level and BIOL 208.
Measurement, modelling, and forecasting the future development of attributes of trees and forest stands. Tree taper, volume, and biomass estimation, recruitment, growth, yield, and survival functions, site quality estimation, and simulation modelling including linkages to forest inventory, applications of remote sensing, and reference data programs for monitoring and model development. Prerequisite: REN R 215.
Problem solving, decision making and planning in relation to wildland fire management. Integration of fire management planning into broader forest management, land management, and community protection planning efforts. Application of models and related tools. Prerequisites: (REN R 201 or EAS 221) and (REN R 249 or REN R 340).
Land-management issues that influence the sustainability of both agriculture and the land resource. Role of ecological processes in determining sustainability and the development and adoption of practices that facilitate long-term viability of both agriculture and biophysical resources. The concept of the agro-ecosystem and application of ecological principles to agricultural land management. Use of environmental indicators to measure and predict long-term sustainability of agricultural land management. Prerequisites: 60 units at university level including (REN R 210 or SOILS 210), and (BIOL 208 or PL SC 221).