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Bachelors

Freshwater Sciences, BS: Aquatic Science

University of Wisconsin Milwaukee
Milwaukee , United States
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Students
Tuition Fee
Not Available
Start Date
Not Available
Medium of studying
On campus
Duration
4 years
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Program Details
Degree
Bachelors
Major
Aquaculture | Ecology | Environmental Sciences
Area of study
Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries | Natural Science
Education type
On campus
Timing
Full time
Course Language
English
About Program

Program Overview

Freshwater Sciences, BS: Aquatic Science

The Freshwater Sciences program at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee provides students with a comprehensive understanding of freshwater systems, including the social, economic, and environmental factors that impact these systems. The program prepares students for careers in ecological and environmental sciences, natural resources, technology, and policy relevant to freshwater systems and resources.


Overview

Freshwater scientists play a crucial role in managing natural and constructed water systems for productive and equitable use while sustaining natural biota, diversity, and freshwater availability. They generate solutions to problems facing freshwater through a complete understanding of water resources, social systems, and the application of technology, conservation, and sustainable management practices. Students in the Freshwater Sciences program take a broad curriculum and choose from two tracks: Water Policy or Aquatic Sciences. Both tracks combine core classes in natural sciences, mathematics, economics, and computer science with additional coursework in areas such as sustainability and environmental law.


Requirements

To complete the BS in Freshwater Sciences degree, students must earn a minimum of 120 credits. Students in this program must complete at least 30 credits in residence at UWM and maintain an average of at least 2.00 in all 300-level and above courses in the freshwater sciences major.


General Education Requirements (GERs)

UW-Milwaukee has General Education Requirements that must be met to earn a bachelor's degree. Some program requirements, including Foundation Courses, fulfill the campus GERs. Students should review the requirements and consult with their academic advisor.


Foundation Courses

  • BIO SCI 150: Foundations of Biological Sciences I (satisfies GER-NS+) - 4 credits
  • BIO SCI 152: Foundations of Biological Sciences II (satisfies GER-NS+) - 4 credits
  • CHEM 102: General Chemistry - 5 credits
  • CHEM 104: General Chemistry and Qualitative Analysis - 5 credits
  • COMPSCI 202: Introductory Programming Using Python - 3 credits
  • ECON 103: Principles of Microeconomics (satisfies GER-SS) - 3 credits
  • MTHSTAT 215: Elementary Statistical Analysis (satisfies QL-B) - 3 credits
  • MATH 213: Calculus with Life Sciences Applications - 4 credits
  • or MATH 231: Calculus and Analytic Geometry I Total Credits: 31

Core Courses

  • FRSHWTR 101: Elements of Water - 3 credits
  • FRSHWTR 120: Preparing for a Career in Freshwater Sciences - 1 credit
  • FRSHWTR 201: The Water Environment - 3 credits
  • FRSHWTR 202: Life in Water - 4 credits
  • FRSHWTR 391: Water and Natural Resource Economics - 3 credits
  • FRSHWTR 392: Water, Energy, Food, and Climate - 3 credits
  • FRSHWTR 361 - 3 credits
  • Select one of the following: - 3-4 credits
    • FRSHWTR 464: Chemical Hydrogeology
    • GEO SCI 400: Water Quality
    • GEO SCI 562: Environmental Surface Hydrology
  • FRSHWTR 660: Professional and Capstone Planning - 1 credit
  • or FRSHWTR 662: Thesis Research Planning and Proposal Development
  • FRSHWTR 661: Undergraduate Capstone - 3 credits
  • or FRSHWTR 663: Undergraduate Research and Thesis
  • GEOG 215: Introduction to Geographic Information Science - 3 credits Total Credits: 30-31

Aquatic Science Track Requirements

Required Courses

  • PHYSICS 120: General Physics I (Non-Calculus Treatment) - 4 credits
  • or PHYSICS 209: Physics I (Calculus Treatment)

Electives

Choose at least 9 credits from the following list, including at least 3 FRSHWTR credits:


  • FRSHWTR 321: Exploration of Inland Seas
  • FRSHWTR 322: Ecology and Evolution of Freshwater Organisms
  • FRSHWTR 341: Sanitation and Sustainability
  • FRSHWTR 342: Water Pollution, Technology and Management
  • FRSHWTR 362: Calculating Nature
  • FRSHWTR 421: Molecular Level Tools to Understand Larger Scale Change
  • FRSHWTR 471
  • FRSHWTR 511: Ichthyology
  • FRSHWTR 512: Freshwater Sciences Practicum: (Topic: Brew City Aquaponics)
  • FRSHWTR 513: Field Experimentation and Analysis in Freshwater Sciences
  • FRSHWTR 514: Analytical Techniques in Freshwater Sciences
  • FRSHWTR 524: Aquatic Isotope Biogeochemistry
  • FRSHWTR 562: Principles of Aquaculture Systems
  • FRSHWTR 563: Finfish Aquaculture and Nutrition Principles
  • FRSHWTR 564: Water Quality in Aquaculture
  • FRSHWTR 567: Fish Health
  • ATM SCI 240: Introduction to Meteorology
  • BIO SCI 310: General Ecology
  • BIO SCI 406: Marine Biology
  • BIO SCI 505: Conservation Biology
  • BIO SCI 512: Limnology I
  • CES 651: Principles of Stream Management and Restoration
  • CIV ENG 311: Introduction to Energy, Environment and Sustainability
  • GEOG 403: Remote Sensing: Environmental and Land Use Analysis
  • GEOG 415: Hydrogeography
  • GEOG 515: Watershed Analysis and Modeling
  • GEOG 525: Geographic Information Science
  • GEO SCI 400: Water Quality
  • GEO SCI 463: Physical Hydrogeology
  • MATH 305: Introduction to Mathematical and Computational Modeling
  • PH 303: Climate Change, the Environment and Human Health Total Credits: 13

Electives

With the help of their academic advisor, students will select electives to complete the 120 total credits required for the degree. Electives are tailored to each student's interests and career goals. Students may choose a related area of specialization outside of the Freshwater Sciences by completing any minor or interdisciplinary certificate offered by UWM, typically comprised of 18-22 credits. In some cases, students may choose to study two related areas, or they may complement a certificate or minor with other courses of interest.


Aquatic Science Example Pathway

Plan of Study Grid Year 1


  • Semester 1:
    • FRSHWTR 120: Preparing for a Career in Freshwater Sciences - 1 credit
    • CHEM 100: Chemical Science - 4 credits
    • MATH 105: Introduction to College Algebra (QLA) - 3 credits
    • ENGLISH 101: Introduction to College Writing - 3 credits
    • Humanities GER - 3 credits Total Credits: 14
  • Semester 2:
    • FRSHWTR 101: Elements of Water - 3 credits
    • CHEM 102: General Chemistry - 5 credits
    • MATH 115: Precalculus - 4 credits
    • BIO SCI 150: Foundations of Biological Sciences I - 4 credits Total Credits: 16

Year 2


  • Semester 3:
    • FRSHWTR 202: Life in Water - 4 credits
    • CHEM 104: General Chemistry and Qualitative Analysis - 5 credits
    • MATH 213: Calculus with Life Sciences Applications - 4 credits
    • BIO SCI 152: Foundations of Biological Sciences II - 4 credits Total Credits: 17
  • Semester 4:
    • FRSHWTR 201: The Water Environment - 3 credits
    • ENGLISH 102: College Writing and Research - 3 credits
    • MTHSTAT 215: Elementary Statistical Analysis (QLB) - 3 credits
    • 1st semester World Language - 4 credits
    • Arts GER - 3 credits Total Credits: 16

Year 3


  • Semester 5:
    • ECON 103: Principles of Microeconomics (SS) - 3 credits
    • COMPSCI 202: Introductory Programming Using Python - 3 credits
    • FRSHWTR 361 - 3 credits
    • 2nd semester World Language - 3 credits
    • GER OWC-B - 3 credits Total Credits: 15
  • Semester 6:
    • FRSHWTR 392: Water, Energy, Food, and Climate - 3 credits
    • FRSHWTR 391: Water and Natural Resource Economics - 3 credits
    • PHYSICS 120: General Physics I (Non-Calculus Treatment) - 4 credits
    • FRSHWTR 464: Chemical Hydrogeology - 4 credits Total Credits: 14

Year 4


  • Semester 7:
    • FRSHWTR 660: Professional and Capstone Planning - 1 credit
    • GEOG 215: Introduction to Geographic Information Science - 3 credits
    • AS Elective - 3 credits
    • AS Elective - 3 credits
    • Humanities GER - 3 credits
    • Additional Elective - 3 credits Total Credits: 16
  • Semester 8:
    • FRSHWTR 661: Undergraduate Capstone - 3 credits
    • Social Science GER - 3 credits
    • AS Elective - 3 credits
    • Cultural Diversity GER - 3 credits Total Credits: 12 Total Credits: 120

Accelerated Program Option

This program is offered as part of an accelerated bachelor's/master's program. For more information, see Accelerated Master's Degrees.


Honors in the School of Freshwater Sciences

Dean's Honor List

GPA of 3.500 or above, earned on a full-time student's GPA on 12 or more graded credits in a given semester.


Honors College Degree and Honors College Degree with Distinction

Granted to graduating seniors who complete Honors College requirements.


Commencement Honors

Students with a cumulative GPA of 3.500 or above, based on a minimum of 40 graded UWM credits earned prior to the final semester, will receive all-university commencement honors.


Final Honors

Earned on a minimum of 60 graded UWM credits:


  • Cum Laude - 3.500 or above
  • Magna Cum Laude - 3.650 or above
  • Summa Cum Laude - 3.800 or above
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