Typical Four-year Outline: Applied Ecology and Environmental Science BS (Molecular Ecology and Biotechnology Focus)

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

Spring Semester
Course Prerequisites Credit
CH 1150 University Chemistry 1 Math Placement 3
CH 1151 University Chemistry Lab 1 CH 1150 (Corequisite) 1
CH 1153 University Chemistry Recitation CH 1150 (Corequisite) 1
MA 1135 Calculus for Life Sciences Math Placement 4
Essential Education – Foundations in the Human World   3
Essential Education – SHAPE   3
Total   15

Second Year

Fall Semester
Course Prerequisites Credit
FW 3020 Forest Ecology FW 2010 (Concurrent), FW 2051 (Concurrent) 3
FW 3330 Soil Science CH 1150, 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 (Corequisite) 1
Essential Education – Arts & Culture   3
Total   18
Spring Semester
Course Prerequisites Credit
FW 2100 Intro to Biochemistry CH 1150 3
FW 3075 Intro to Biotechnology   3
FW 3200 Biometrics & Data Analysis FW 2051 & MA 2720 4
FW 3540 Intro to GIS MA 2720 (Concurrent) 4
Essential Education – Communication Intensive   3
Total   17

Third Year

Fall Semester (Taken as block at Ford Center)
Course Prerequisites Credit
FW 3012 Survey of Silviculture FW 2010 & 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 & FW 3020 & FW 3200 3
FW 3600 Wildlife Habitat   3
FW 3800 Insect Ecology   2
FW 3840 Forest Health   3
Total   16
Spring Semester
Course Prerequisites Credit
FW 3320 Forest Genetics & Genomics   3
Free Elective   3
Essential Education – Experience   3
Essential Education – Intercultural Competency   3
Essential Education – Activities for Well-being and Success   1
Total   13

Fourth Year

Fall Semester
Course Prerequisites Credit
FW 4800 Communications for Natural Resources   2
BL 3330 Intro to Genomics FW 3320 3
BL 3490 Principles of Ecology & Evolution BL 1400, BL 1410 4
FW 4710 Environmental Biogeochemistry CH 1150 3
Essential Education – Activities for Well-being and Success   1
Total   13
Spring Semester
Course Prerequisites Credit
FW 4120 Tree Physiology   3
FW 4128 Conservation Genetics BL 1400, BL 1410 3
Free Elective   3
Free Elective   3
Essential Education – Activities for Well-being and Success   1
Total   13

Total credits = 120 Credits

Essential Education Requirements (37 total credits)

Required courses are:

  • a Math course (3 credits),
  • a Natural and Physical Science course (3 credits),
  • STEM courses (6 credits),
  • a Foundations in the Human World course (3 credits),
  • Composition UN 1015 (3 credits),
  • a Communication Intensive course (3 credits),
  • an Intercultural Competency course (3 credits),
  • an Essential Ed Seminar course (UN 1013 or UN 2013 or major-specific, 1-3 credits),
  • an Arts and Culture course (3 credits),
  • a SHAPE elective (3 credits)
  • an Essential Education Experience course (3 credits),
  • and 3 credits of Activities for Well-being and Success.

Up to five Essential Education requirements and the Michigan Tech Seminar may be shared (double-counted) with major requirements. Students should work with their advisor to determine which major requirements may satisfy Essential Education requirements.

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)
  • 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.