Core Course Test-Out Information
Core Courses
Our core courses are an important component of our master's curriculum. They have three primary objectives:
1- To provide a common background in ecological and social sciences for all incoming MS students
2- To develop skills in the quantitative analysis of systems and systems thinking for all MS students
3 - To foster critical thinking and the habit of cross-disciplinary interaction among students
Should you waive out of a core course? We recognize that some students enter our MS program with significant years of experience and knowledge. Students who wish to test-out of either NRE 509 or NRE 510 must complete this petition for approval prior to taking the exam.
- You may elect to take only 1 core course (509 or 510) test-out exam. You may elect to test out of one or both of the NRE 510 test-out exams.
- Test results will be posted a few days after the exam the first week of class.
- Assume that you will be in the core course until your score reflects otherwise. You are able to add/drop courses until the 3rd week of class via Wolverine Access.
Students who have taken BE502/501 (micro-econ) through Ross do not need to take NRE 510 B/Part 2. Please send an email to our Registrar (jennperk@umich.edu) and she will issue an override to the part one NRE 510A. Be alert: Students are not eligible to take any of the other environmental economic course modules until after completing NRE 510B (or BE502/501).
Please note: If you pass the exam, you do not gain the credits, but rather you fulfill the spirit of the core course requirement. In 2011, 29 of 33 students passed NRE 509; 2 of 4 passed NRE 510. 'Pass' was in tiers - some passed with flying colors, others passed but with some hesitations and knowledge gaps, and were encouraged to either enroll in the NRE 509 lab for 1 credit, or another type of course. We will use this same format for Fall 2013.
Draft Syllabus of the three core courses for MS students:
- NRE 509 (fall term 2012 - OLD COPY) Ecology: Science of Context and Interaction
- NRE 510 (fall term 2012 - part 1 OLD COPY) Environmental Decision Making and Governance
- NRE 510 (fall term 2012 - part 2 OLD COPY) Economics and Environment
- NRE 580 (winter term 2012 - OLD COPY) Environmental Assessment (no test-out option)
If you wish to take the optional test-out exam, you must petition first for approval.
Petition to Test-Out of Core Course(s) - DUE SEPTEMBER 4, 2013 (by 4pm) to Sondra Auerbach. Exam date AFTER Orientation - Thursday Sept 5 TBD or Friday Sept 6 TBD. Further discussion about the test-out exam will take place during the first day of class.