Typical Four-year Outline: Environmental Science and Sustainability BS (Geospatial Focus)

The typical four-year outline for Michigan Tech's environmental science and sustainability bachelor's degree with an geospatial focus 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   2
FW 2051 Field Techniques   2
FW 2060 Fundamentals of Environmental Sustainability   3
BL 1100 General Biology I   3
MA 1135 Calculus for Life Sciences MA 1030 or higher or placement 4
UN 1015 Composition   3
Total   17
Spring Semester
Course Prerequisites Credit
BL 1200 General Biology II   3
CH 1150 University Chemistry I Math placement 3
CH 1151 University Chemistry I Lab CH 1150 (Concurrent) 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
PH 1110 College Physics I MA 1031 or higher or placement 3
PH 1111 College Physics I Lab PH 1110 (Concurrent) 1
SS 2300 Environment and Society   3
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
PH 1210 College Physics II PH 1110 3
PH 1200 Physics by Inquiry II PH 1111 1
Essential Education: Arts and Culture   3
Total   14

Third Year

Fall Semester
Course Prerequisites Credit
FW 4180 Ethics of Conservation   2
SS 4313 Sustainability Science   3
Free Elective   3
Essential Education: Intercultural Competency   3
Essential Education: Communication Intensive   3
Essential Education: Activities   1
Total   15
Spring Semester
Course Prerequisites Credit
FW 3110 Natural Resource Policy   3
FW 4710 Environmental Biogeochemistry CH 1150 3
BL 3310 Environmental Microbiology BL 1200 3
FW 4545 Map Design with Gis FW 3540 2
Essential Education: Essential Ed Experience   3
Essential Education: Activities   1
Total   16

Fourth Year

Fall Semester
Course Prerequisites Credit
FW 3760 Human Dimensions of Natural Resources   3
FW 4540 Remote Sensing of the Environment   3
FW 4542 Remote Sensing Lab   1
FW 4554 GPS Field Techniques   2
Free Electives   6
Total   15
Fall Semester
Course Prerequisites Credit
FW 3760 Human Dimensions of Natural Resources   3
FW 4540 Remote Sensing of the Environment   3
FW 4542 Remote Sensing Lab   1
FW 4554 GPS Field Techniques   2
Free Electives   6
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.