Northern Michigan University...Michigan's ThinkPad University
 

Program Office

3005 New Science Facility

Phone: 906-227-1359

Fax: 906-227-1621

 

Web page

www.nmu.edu/
environmentalscience

 

Program Director

Ronald C. Sundell

rsundell@nmu.edu

 

Program Advisory

Committee

Biology

John G. Bruggink

 

Chemistry

Lesley J. Putman

 

Economics

Karin M. J. Steffens

 

Geography

M. Jean Ferrill

 

Mathematics and

Computer Science

G. Jailan Zalmai

 

Physics

David J. Lucas

 

Political Science and

Public Administraion

Steven E. Nelson

 

Student

Organizations

• Student Environmental Science Organization

 

Facilities

• Environmental Resource Room

• Lake Superior Research Boat

• Native Plants Study Area

• Students also  can utilize the large range of laboratory facilities and field equipment associated with the seven departments involved in the program. See each department's facility list for details.

  
 
2003-2004
Undergraduate Bulletin
 
 
 

Environmental Science
 

 

Environmental Science at NMU

The environmental science program is an interdisciplinary approach offered jointly by the departments of Biology, Chemistry, Geography and Political Science and Public Administration.

 

Environmental Science Program

The environmental science major provides students with an interdisciplinary approach on how to apply research methods, assessment techniques and management strategies to resolve environmental problems. The program provides students an opportunity to gain an understanding of how the physical, biological and social sciences interact with each other in this field of study. The program is designed to prepare students for a variety of professions dealing with both natural and human-made environments as well as graduate study. Because of the interdisciplinary nature of the environmental field, it is important for students to be proficient in a range of technical skills such as ecological assessment, chemical analysis and geographic information systems. Students should also be familiar with a broad array of environmental policies and regulations, and possess effective communication skills.

 

Environmental scientists are often required to interact with professionals from a diverse number of disciplines or specialties. Therefore, all environmental science majors will take a 36 credit-hour core of courses that provide a basic understanding in several environmentally related disciplines. Students also must complete 25 to 30 credit hours in one of three areas of program emphasis: (1) biological science, (2) physical science, or (3) environmental policy. The track selected by the student will appear on his or her transcripts.

 

Environmental Science Program Policies

Each environmental science major must select an area of emphasis (biological sciences, physical sciences or environmental policy) upon entering the program. Also, a student must select a faculty adviser from one of the associated departments. For example, a student entering the biology track must select the designated environmental science program adviser from the Biology Department. Similarly, a student in the physical science track will select a designated faculty member in the Chemistry Department, and students enrolled in the policy track must choose a designated adviser from either the Geography Department or Political Science and Public Administration Department.

 

As a requirement for graduation, environmental science majors must maintain the minimum grades and cumulative grade point average as set forth by each of the participating departments. For example a student in the biology track must maintain the same academic standards as biology majors. Likewise, students in the physical track must maintain academic standards as set forth by the Chemistry Department and those in the environmental policy track must maintain the academic standards as determined by the department of their adviser in either the Departments of Geography or Political Science and Public Administration.
 

 

Baccalaureate Degree Program

Environmental Science Major

Total Credits Required for Degree

128

Liberal Studies

30-40*

Health Promotion

2

Major (Core + Emphasis)
Students must complete the core and one of the three areas of emphasis.  ENV 101 should be taken during the first year of entering the program.

 

Core

36

ENV 101 Introduction to Environmental Science
Satisfies one of the foundations of natural sciences/mathematics requirements.

4

BI 210 Principles of Ecology

4

CH 111 General Chemistry I
Satisfies one of the foundations of natural sciences/mathematics requirements.

5

CH 112 General Chemistry II

5

GC 100 Physical Geography

4

GC 225 Introduction to Maps

2

GC 320 Environmental Policy and Regulation

4

GC 335 Geographic Information Systems

4

MA 171 Probability and Statistics or
Satisfies the formal communication studies requirement.

4

BI 412 Biometrics or

 

GC 235 Quantitative Methods

 

Biological Sciences Emphasis

25

BI 240 Conservation Biology

4

BI 310 Ecology Theory and Methods

3

BI 402 Microbial Ecology

3

BI 411 Limnology

4

BI 441 Fisheries Management

3

BI 442 Wildlife Management

4

GC 401 Biogeography

4

Physical Sciences Emphasis

27-30

CH 220 Introductory Organic Chemistry or

5-8

CH 321-322 Organic Chemistry I and II

 

CH 241 Chemical Equilibrium

3

CH 242 Quantitative Analysis

2

CH 340 Environmental Chemistry

5

GC 202 Soils

4

GC 370 Geomorphology

4

GC 465 Hydrology

4

Environmental Policy Emphasis

28

GC 330 Planning Theory and Practice

2

GC 340 Land Use Controls

2

GC 470 Environmental Ethics

4

GC 475 Environmental Impact Assessment

4

PS 309 State and Local Government

4

PS 401 Seminar in Public Policy Analysis

4

PS 407 Principles of Public Administration

4

SP 432 Environmental Communication

4

Environmental Science Electives
Choose from the following or any course from one of the above emphases, other than the student's chosen emphasis.  No more than eight credits can be taken under a single prefix.

12-16

BC 415 Intercultural Communication (4 cr.)

 

BI 303 General Microbiology (5 cr.)

 

BI 305 Ecology of the Northern Forest (3 cr.)

 

BI 410 Ecology of the Great Lakes (4 cr.)

 

BI 421 Invertebrate Zoology (4 cr.)

 

BI 424 General Entomology (4 cr.)

 

BI 433 Local Flora (2 cr.)

 

BI 460 Ichthyology (3 cr.)

 

BI 461 Herpetology (3 cr.)

 

BI 462 Ornithology (3 cr.)

 

BI 463 Mammalogy (3 cr.)

 

BI 498 Directed Studies in Biology (1-4 cr.)

 

BI 499 Internship (1-6 cr.)

 

CH 435 Gas and Liquid Chromatography (2 cr.)

 

CH 490 Senior Research and Seminar I (2-4 cr.)

 

CH 491 Senior Research and Seminar II (2-4 cr.)

 

EC 345 Environmental and Natural Resource Economics (4 cr.)

 

GC 385 Weather and Climate (4 cr.)

 

GC 425 Remote Sensing (4 cr.)

 

GC 428 Spatial Analysis (4 cr.)

 

GC 491 Internship (2-6 cr.)

 

GC 498 Directed Studies in Geography (1-4 cr.)

 

PH 201 College Physics I (5 cr.)

 

PH 202 College Physics II (5 cr.)

 

PH 220 Introductory Physics I (5 cr.)

 

PR 231 Introduction to Public Relations (4 cr.)
PR 250 co-requisite is waived

 

PS 105 American Government (4 cr.)
Satisfies one of the foundations of social science requirements.

 

PS 215 Introduction to Law (4 cr.)

 

PS 332 Administrative Law (4 cr.)

 

PS 491 Internship in Public Policy or Law (2-6 cr.)

 

PS 498 Directed Studies in Political Science  (1-4 cr.)

 

SP 401 Persuasion (4 cr.)

 

Other Required Courses

8

BI 111 Introductory Biology: Principles

4

BI 112 Introductory Biology: Diversity

4

 


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Last Updated: Monday, October 27, 2003