Environmental Science Major

This major provides students with an interdisciplinary approach on how to apply research methods, assessment techniques and management strategies to resolve environmental problems. It 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.

As a requirement for graduation, all non-teaching earth, environmental and geographical sciences department majors must have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.25 for all courses constituting the major curriculum. Exceptions must be requested via petition to the department's appeal committee.

For department information or additional degree requirements, go to the Earth, Environmental and Geographical Sciences department page.

For related information from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, http://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/home.htm

Total Credits Required

120

General Education

30-40


Required Courses in Major	70-73
Students must complete the core and one of four areas of concentration. GC 101 should be taken during the first year of the program.

Core	54-57
BI 210 Principles of Ecology [SCII]	4
CH 111 General Chemistry I [SCII]	5
CH 112 General Chemistry II	5
CH 220 Introduction to Organic Chemistry or	5
CH 315 Organic Chemistry I (3 cr.) and
CH 317 Organic Chemistry Laboratory I (1 cr.) and
CH 325 Organic Chemistry II (3 cr.) and
CH 327 Organic Chemistry Laboratory II (1 cr.)
GC 101 Introduction to Environmental Science [INTT]	4
GC 202 Soils	4
GC 225 Introduction to Maps	2
GC 235 Quantitative Methods	4
GC 320 Environmental Policy and Regulation	4
GC 335 Geographic Information Systems	4
GC 488 Earth and Environmental Science Capstone Research or	4
GC 475 Environmental Impact Assessment (4 cr.)
MA 161 Calculus I [QUAR]	4
PH 201 College Physics I [SCII] or	5
PH 220 Introductory Physics I (5 cr.) [SCII]

Concentration	16
Choose 16 credits from one of the following concentrations, with no more than 12 credits from one prefix without prior approval.

Natural Resources
At least one course must have a BI prefix.

BI 240 Conservation Biology (4 cr.)
BI 305 Ecology of the Northern Forest (4 cr.) [SCII]
BI 310 Ecology Theory and Methods (4 cr.)
BI 441 Fisheries Management (4 cr.)
BI 442 Wildlife Management (4 cr.)
BI 466 Stream Ecology (4 cr.)
EC 345 Environmental and Natural Resource Economics (4 cr.)
GC 401 Biogeography (4 cr.)
GC 425 Remote Sensing (4 cr.)
GC 428 Spatial Analysis (4 cr.)
GC 491 Internship (2 - 6 cr.)
RE 172 Introduction to Wildland Firefighting (3 cr.)
RE 371 Protected Area Management (3 cr.)
SP 432 Environmental Communication (4 cr.)

Pollution Control and Remediation
CH 241 Chemical Equilibrium (3 cr.)
CH 242 Quantitative Analysis (2 cr.)
CH 430 Environmental Chemistry (5 cr.)
CH 435 Gas and Liquid Chromatography (2 cr.)
CH 450 Biochemistry I (4 cr.)
CH 452 Biochemistry II (4 cr.)
CH 454 Biochemical Techniques (4 cr.)
GC 385 Weather and Climate (4 cr.)
GC 425 Remote Sensing (4 cr.)
GC 428 Spatial Analysis (4 cr.)
GC 465 Hydrology (4 cr.)
GC 491 Internship (2 - 6 cr.)

Water Resources
At least one course must have a BI prefix.

BI 314 Introduction to Marine Biology (4 cr.)
BI 410 Ecology of the Great Lakes (4 cr.)
BI 411 Limnology (4 cr.)
BI 441 Fisheries Management (4 cr.)
BI 465 Aquatic Insect Ecology (4 cr.)
BI 466 Stream Ecology (4 cr.)
GC 370 Geomorphology (4 cr.)
GC 385 Weather and Climate (4 cr.)
GC 390 Oceanography (2 cr.)
GC 425 Remote Sensing (4 cr.)
GC 428 Spatial Analysis (4 cr.)
GC 465 Hydrology (4 cr.)
GC 491 Internship (2 - 6 cr.)
GC 492 Research in Water Science (2 cr.)

Renewable Energy Technologies
ET 221 Solar Power (3 cr.)
ET 222 Wind Power (3 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.)
MET 200 Introduction to Alternative Energies (3 cr.)
MET 230 Bioenergy (3 cr.)
PH 393 Experimental Instrumentation and Analysis (4 cr.)

Other Required Courses	8
BI 111 Introductory Biology: Principles	4
BI 112 Introductory Biology: Diversity	4

This major does not require a minor.

Recommended Electives
It is recommended that students consult with their advisor and consider taking an internship and courses in foreign language and cultures, business, economics and policy-related courses.

Prerequisite Notes:

Mathematics placement at MA 103 or higher are prerequisites to GC 235. MA 171 is recommended.

GC 100 and GC 205 are prerequisites to various GC courses.

MA115 is a prerequisite to MA 161.

MA 161 is a prerequisite to PH 220.

MA 171 is a prerequisite to BI 310.

Bulletin Year: 2017 - 2018 Undergraduate Bulletin | View the current NMU Catalog.