UWM Undergraduate Catalog 2008-09 College of Letters and Science Conservation and Environmental Science

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Glen Fredlund, Associate Professor of Geography, Coordinator

Course of Study: Major

This interdisciplinary major is directed toward students interested in natural resources conservation, environmental assessment, and interpretation of environmental and conservation issues. An overall objective is to provide a multidisciplinary background in these areas and sufficient basic training in biological, chemical, earth, and social sciences to foster an understanding of environmental problems.

As a general guide within the major, students may elect to concentrate their studies in one of four areas:

A. Land Resources

B. Water Resources

C. Environmental Analysis; or

D. Biological Resources

In addition to these focus areas, students interested in environmental education should plan, in consultation with the coordinator, a course of study that includes the course sequence in science interpretation, CES 550/551. It is possible to elect either the BA or the BS degree option, depending partly upon the concentration (see College of Letters and Science section for the general degree requirements).

Because of the breadth and flexibility of this major, students should consult with the director or coordinator early, preferably during the sophomore year, to plan a course of study. It is particularly important to begin the introductory course sequences early since they are prerequisites for advanced courses and for declaring the major. Students wishing to declare the major can obtain the necessary information and materials from the coordinator, the Biological Sciences Department office, or a College of Letters and Science advisor.

Course of Study. A minimum of 54 credits is required, and at least 25 credits must be in courses at the 300 level and above. All students in the major must take the required courses (Parts I, II, III, and IV totaling 33-40 credits). The remaining credits (14-21) must be chosen from among the approved elective courses for the major (see Parts V and VI).

Students must attain a 2.5 GPA on all credits attempted for the major at UWM. In addition, the College requires that students attain a 2.5 GPA on all major credits attempted, including transfer work.

In order to be accepted into the CES major, students should be in their sophomore year and have completed CES 210, Bio Sci 150, and either Geo Sci 100 or Geog 120.

In addition to course work in the major, other skills and background are recommended for this field. Good communication skills are essential; students should take courses in public speaking and technical writing. Computer literacy and knowledge of statistics also are highly desirable. Additionally, introductory courses in economics, ethics, political science, and sociology are recommended. The coordinator or a Letters and Science advisor can provide a current list of recommended courses.

Field Work. It is recommended that students obtain at least one semester of practical work or internship experience, either as an employee or as a volunteer, with state or federal resource management agencies, consulting firms, conservation or environmental organizations, or with nature centers or local parks. Internships for credit must be arranged the semester prior to participation.

Note: Students intending to continue on to graduate school should take math through at least one semester of calculus and at least one semester of organic chemistry. They also should discuss their specific field of interest with the director or coordinator for assistance in selecting appropriate elective courses.

I. REQUIRED INTRODUCTORY CORE COURSES (19 CREDITS)

II. MID-LEVEL DISTRIBUTIONAL COURSES (6-8 Credits) - Select 2 of the following
3 courses:

III. UPPER LEVEL CORE COURSES (7 Credits)

IV. RESEARCH REQUIREMENT (1-6 Credits)

Students must complete one of the following courses, all of which require students to conduct independent research.

V. DESCRIPTIONS OF RECOMMENDED COURSES FOR CONCENTRATION AREAS

An additional 14-21 credits are required for completion of the major. Although these credits may be selected from among any listed under the approved electives in Section VI, it is highly recommended that students select courses in order to build expertise in a focus area.

The following are general descriptions of four focus areas in the major. These are meant only to be a general guide, and specific course selections should be made in consultation with the director or coordinator when planning the major.

The land resources focus area deals with land conservation and management. Students learn to use spatial database and computer geographic information techniques and how to apply these skills to understand human and natural impacts on the landscape. Graduates often find jobs working with governmental agencies or private companies as cartographers, GIS professionals, resource consultants, or conservation planners and managers.

Some focus courses available include:

• conservation of natural resources
• cartography
• geographic information systems
• physical climatology
• land form geography
• soil science
• environmental economics
• environmental geology

Students choosing the water resources focus area study physical and chemical aspects of water as well as the geological and biological processes that influence its distribution, supply, quality, and ecological functions. Numerous governmental agencies and private consulting firms hire graduates to work in the fields of water quality assessment, groundwater monitoring, and lake or stream management.

Some focus courses available include:

• limnology
• organic chemistry
• physical hydrogeology
• chemical hydrogeology
• microbiology
• soil science
• geomorphology
• environmental geology

Students who choose the environment analysis focus area learn how to observe, quantify, measure, and report environmental problems. A strong foundation in the fundamentals of physical and organic chemistry will help students apply analytical skills and find solutions. As environmental chemists or consultants, students often find work in the areas of hazardous waste, air and water quality management, and environmental remediation.

Some focus courses available include:

• organic chemistry
• quantitative analysis
• biochemistry
• microbiology
• chemical hydrogeology
• aquatic microbiology
• physical chemistry
• environmental geology

The biological resources focus area addresses the ecological and organism processes that produce and maintain biodiversity. Courses examine the genetic, physiological, population, and community-level processes that can influence the distribution and abundance of species. Biological resources can prepare students for careers including environmental education, natural resource management, wildlife biology, forestry, and fisheries.

• animal behavior
• behavioral ecology and sociobiology
• comparative ecophysiology
• biology of algae
• plant systematics and evolution
• Invertebrate zoology
• fish ecology and evolution
• evolution and ecology of birds
• plant ecology
• conservation biology
• marine biology
• genetics

VI. LIST OF APPROVED ELECTIVE COURSES IN THE MAJOR

Additional Electives with Approval of Coordinator/Advisor:

Course of Study: Minor

The Conservation and Environmental Science minor requires completion of a minimum of 25 credits distributed among CES courses and approved electives, with at least 12 credits in upper-level (numbered 300 and above) courses. Students must complete at least 9 upper-level credits for the minor in residence at UWM and must attain a 2.5 GPA on all UWM credits attempted for the minor. In addition, the College requires that students attain a 2.5 GPA on all minor credits attempted, including transfer work.

I. Introductory Core Requirements

An introductory course in earth sciences selected from the following (3 cr.):

An introductory course in chemistry selected from the following (4 or 5 cr.):

An introductory course in biology selected from the following (3-4 cr.):

Note: Students pursuing BS degrees and those interested in taking upper-level natural science classes such as Bio Sci 310 (General Ecology) should take Chem 102 and Bio Sci 150 as part of their introductory core requirements.

II. Upper-Level Requirements

a. One of the following (3 cr.)

b. At least 9 upper-level (numbered 300 or above) credits selected from the list of approved elective courses for the CES major. At least 6 of these must be taken outside the student's major program, and at least 3 must be from the natural sciences.

Web Home Pages:
[ College of Letters and Science ]

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University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Undergraduate Catalog 2008-09:
Conservation and Environmental Science
[ College of Letters and Science ]
[ Schools and Colleges ]
[ Contents | How to Use This Book | Calendar | Index ]
[ Admission | Registration | Financial Information | Academic Information ]
[ Administration | About UWM | Academic Opportunities | Campus Resources ]

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