The typical four-year outline for Michigan Tech's Applied Ecology and Environmental Science bachelor's degree with a focus on molecular ecology and biotechnology provides a semester-by-semester guide to core courses, labs, and requirements.
The Interactive Degree Audit is the official method for tracking the completion of your specific degree requirements. Please be aware that there are multiple ways for students to progress through this major. This is just one sample and adjustments may be required due to curriculum changes. Students should work with their advisor to develop their individual plan. A full list of undergraduate course descriptions is available.
First Year
| Course | Prerequisites | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| FW 1050 Natural Resource Professional (Essential Education: Seminar) | 2 | |
| FW 2010 Vegetation of North America | 4 | |
| FW 2051 Field Techniques | 2 | |
| BL 1400 Principles of Biology (Essential Education: Science) | 3 | |
| BL 1410 Principles of Biology Lab | BL 1400 (Concurrent) | 1 |
| UN 1015 Composition (Essential Education) | 3 | |
| Total | 15 |
| Course | Prerequisites | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| CH 1150 University Chemistry 1 (Essential Education: Stem) | Math Placement | 3 |
| CH 1151 University Chemistry 1 Lab | CH 1150 (Concurrent) | 1 |
| MA 1135 Calculus for Life Science (Essential Education: Math) | Math Placement | 4 |
| Essential Education: Foundations of the Human World | 3 | |
| Essential Education: Shape | 3 | |
| Essential Education: Activities | 1 | |
| Total | 15 |
Second Year
| Course | Prerequisites | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| FW 3020 Forest Ecology | FW 2010 (Concurrent), FW 2051 (Concurrent) | 3 |
| FW 3330 Soil Science (Essential Education: Stem) | CH 1150 and CH 1151 | 4 |
| MA 2720 Statistical Methods | MA 1030 or MA 1032 | 4 |
| PH 1110 College Physics 1 | MA 1031 or MA 1032 or Placement | 3 |
| PH 1111 College Physics 1 Lab | PH 1110 (Concurrent) | 1 |
| Essential Education: Arts and Culture | 3 | |
| Total | 18 |
| Course | Prerequisites | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| FW 2100 Intro to Biochemistry | CH 1150 | 3 |
| FW 3075 Intro to Biotechnology | 3 | |
| FW 3200 Biometrics and Data Analysis | FW 2051 and MA 2720 | 4 |
| FW 3540 Intro to GIS | MA 2720 (Concurrent) | 4 |
| Essential Education: Communication Intensive | 3 | |
| Total | 17 |
Third Year
| Course | Prerequisites | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| FW 3012 Survey of Silviculture | FW 2010 and FW 2051 | 2 |
| FW 3170 Land Measurements/GPS | FW 3540 | 1 |
| FW 3180 Geomorphology, Landscapes, and Ecosystems | 2 | |
| FW 3190 Multi-Resource Assessment | FW 2051 and FW 3020 and FW 3200 | 3 |
| FW 3600 Wildlife Habitat | 3 | |
| FW 3800 Insect Ecology | 2 | |
| FW 3840 Forest Health | 3 | |
| Total | 16 |
| Course | Prerequisites | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| FW 3320 Forest Genetics and Genomics | 3 | |
| FW 4710 Environmental Biogeochemistry | CH 1150 | 3 |
| Essential Education: Experience | 3 | |
| Essential Education: Intercultural Competency | 3 | |
| Essential Education: Activities | 1 | |
| Total | 13 |
Fourth Year
| Course | Prerequisites | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| FW 4800 Communications for Nat Res | 2 | |
| BL 3330 Intro to Genomics | FW 3320 | 3 |
| BL 3490 Principles of Ecology and Evolution | BL 1400 and BL 1410 | 4 |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Essential Education: Activities | 1 | |
| Total | 13 |
| Course | Prerequisites | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| FW 4120 Tree Physiology | 3 | |
| FW 4128 Conservation Genetics | BL 1400 and BL 1410 | 3 |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Total | 12 |
Total credits = 120 Credits
Essential Education Requirements (24 total credits)
Required courses are:
- Essential Ed Seminar (UN 1013 or UN 2013, 1 credit),
- Composition (UN 1015-3 credits),
- a Natural and Physical Science course (3 credits),
- a Communication Intensive course (3 credits),
- an Arts and Culture course (3 credits),
- an Intercultural Competency course (3 credits),
- an Essential Education Experience course (3 credits),
- and 3 credits of Activities for Well-being and Success.
For specific courses, reference Essential Education on the Registrar's website.
Additional Notes
- Prerequisite (pre-req) course must be successfully completed PRIOR to taking the subsequent
course.
- Concurrent Prerequisites (concurrent noted by (C) or ©) may be taken at the same time,
although it is not necessary if the prerequisite course is completed first.
- Required Corequisite (co-req) courses that MUST be taken together in the same semester.
- Class Standing: So (Sophomore Standing earned 30 credits) Jr (Junior Standing earned 60 credits), Sr (Senior Standing earned 90 credits)
- Semester Offered: Noted under electives with F (Fall), Sp (Spring), Su (Summer) or On Demand (no anticipated offering but may show in the schedule, consult with your advisor)
- Concurrent Prerequisites (concurrent noted by (C) or ©) may be taken at the same time,
although it is not necessary if the prerequisite course is completed first.
- Math: Students are placed into an initial math course based on ACT/SAT math score, the online ALEKS assessment, or a math placement exam score for credit (AP, IB, CLEP).
- Transfer, Advanced Placement, or study abroad courses are not included in credit hours used for GPA calculations. Transfer credit is awarded for Michigan Tech equivalent coursework only if a grade of ‘C’ or better (2.00/4.00) or equivalent is earned at a transfer institution. Study abroad credit will be awarded based on passing a course according to equivalent international standards. Advanced Placement credit is awarded according to published AP Exam score standards (also IB and CLEP).
This degree plan is not an official list of degree requirements. Adjustments may be required due to curriculum changes.