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

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 – SHAPE   3
Essential Education – Activities for Well-being and Success   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 1150/51 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 & Society   3
Total   14
Spring Semester
Course Prerequisites Credit
FW 2081 Intro to Circular Economy   3
FW 3540 Intro 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 & 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 for Well-being and Success   1
Total   15
Spring Semester
Course Prerequisites Credit
FW 3110 Natural Resource Policy   3
BL 3310 Environmental Microbiology BL 1200 3
FW 4545 Map Design w/ GIS FW 3540 2
Free Elective   3
Essential Education – Essential Education Experience   3
Essential Education – Activities for Well-being and Success   1
Total   16

Fourth Year

Spring Semester
Course Prerequisites Credit
FW 4111 Indigenous Nat Res Mgmt   3
FW 4860 Env Sci Capstone   3
FW 4380 Landscape Ecology & Planning MA 2720 3
Free Elective   6
Total   15

Grand total = 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.