Typical Four-year Environmental Science and Sustainability BS (Climate Science Focus)

The typical four-year outline for Michigan Tech's environmental science and sustainability bachelor's degree with a focus on climate science 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.

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First Year

Fall Semester
Course Prerequisites Credit
FW 1050 Natural Resource Professional (Essential Ed: Seminar)   2
FW 2051 Field Techniques   2
FW 2060 Fundamentals of Env Sustainability   3
BL 1100 General Biology I   3
UN 1015 Composition   3
MA 1135 Calculus for Life Sciences MA 1030 or higher or placement 4
Total   17
Spring Semester
Course Prerequisites Credit
BL 1200 General Biology II   3
CH 1150 University Chemistry I (Essential Ed: STEM) Math placement 3
CH 1151 University Chemistry I Lab CH 1150 (Corequisite) 1
MA 2720 Statistical Methods MA 1030 or higher or placement 4
Essential Education – Foundations in the Human World   3
Essential Education – Activities   1
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 and CH 1151 4
SS 2300 Environment and Society   3
PH 1110 College Physics I MA 1031 or higher or placement 3
PH 1111 College Physics I Lab PH 1110 (Concurrent) 1
Essential Education – Shape   3
Total   16
Spring Semester
Course Prerequisites Credit
FW 2081 Introduction to Circular Economy   3
FW 3540 Introduction to GIS MA 2720 (Concurrent) 4
Essential Education – Arts and Culture   3
Essential Education – Communication Intensive   3
Total   13

Third Year

Fall Semester
Course Prerequisites Credit
MGT 2000 Team Dynamics   3
SS 4313 Sustainability Science   3
Essential Education – Intercultural Competency   3
Essential Education – Activities   1
Free Elective   3
Total   13
Spring Semester
Course Prerequisites Credit
FW 3110 Natural Resource Policy   3
FW 4421 Climate Change and Forests   3
FW 4710 Environmental Biogeochemistry CH 1150 3
BL 3310 Environmental Microbiology BL 1200 3
Essential Education – Essential Education Experience   3
Essential Education – Activities   1
Total   16

Fourth Year

Fall Semester
Course Prerequisites Credit
FW 3760 Human Dimensions of Natural Resources   3
GE 2640 Atmospheric Observations and Meteorology   3
Free Electives   8
Total   14
Spring Semester
Course Prerequisites Credit
FW 4111 Indigenous Nat Res Mgmt   3
FW 4300 Wildland Fire FW 3020 3
FW 4370 Forest and Landscape Hydrology   3
FW 4860 Env Sci Capstone   3
Free Elective   3
Total   15

Grand total = 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)
  • 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.