The following represents a typical four-year plan of study for a Water Science major.
Year One
| Semester One | |
|---|---|
| NRES 103 Agriculture and Natural Resource Systems | 3 cr |
| SOIL 153 Soil Resources | 4 cr |
| MATH 106 Analytical Calculus (ACE 3)¹ -or- MATH 106B Calculus I for Biology & Medicine |
5 cr |
| ENGL 150 or ENGL 151 or JGEN 200, 300 Writing Course (ACE 1) | 3 cr |
| Total | 15 cr |
| Semester Two | |
|---|---|
| BIOS 101/101L General Biology and Lab (ACE 4) | 4 cr |
| AECN 141 Intro to Economics of Agriculture -or- ECON 211 Microeconomics -or- ECON 212 Macroeconomics (ACE 6) |
3 cr |
| ALEC 102 Ag Leadership -or- COMM 109 Oral Communication (Speech) (ACE 2) |
3 cr |
| GEOL 100 Intro to Geology -or- GEOL 101 Physical Geology -or- GEOL 106 Environmental Geology -or- NRES 108 Earth's Natural Resource Systems (Earth Science Requirement) |
3-4 cr |
| History/Humanities Course (ACE 5) | 3 cr |
| Total | 16-17 cr |
Year Two
| Semester One | |
|---|---|
| WATS 281 Intro to Water Science | 3 cr |
| NRES 220 and NRES 222 Principles of Ecology and Lab* | 4 cr |
| CHEM 109 General Chemistry I | 4 cr |
| STAT 218 Introduction to Statistics | 3 cr |
| BIOS 112/L General Zoology* -or- BIOS 109/L General Botany | 4 cr |
| Total | 18 cr |
| Semester Two | |
|---|---|
| CIVE 353 Hydrology* | 3 cr |
| CHEM 110 General Chemistry II² | 4 cr |
| MSYM 109/L Physical Applications to Agriculture and Lab -or- PHYS 141/L Elementary General Physics and Lab -or- PHYS 151& 153 Elements of Physics and Lab -or- PHYS 221&221 General Physics I and Lab |
5 cr |
| Arts Course (ACE 7) | 3 cr |
| Ethics/Civics/Stewardship (ACE 8) | 3 cr |
| Total | 18 cr |
| Summer Session | |
|---|---|
| Cedar Point Course: Field Course or Career Experience or Option Elective at Cedar Point Biological Station | 4 cr |
| Total | 4 cr |
Year Three
| Semester One | |
|---|---|
| NRES 323 Natural Resource Policy* | 3 cr |
| WATS 354 Soil Conservation & Watershed Management* | 3 cr |
| METR 200 Weather and Climate -or- NRES 208 Applied Climate Science* -or- NRES 408 Microclimate: The Biological Environment |
3-4 cr |
| Science and Technology Course (see bulletin or academic advisor for course options) | 3 cr |
| Elective Course: Water Science Option Requirements (see option for specific courses) | 3 cr |
| Total | 15-16 cr |
| Semester Two | |
|---|---|
| NRES 312 Introduction to Geographic Information Sciences -or- NRES 412 Introduction to Geographic Information Systems |
3-4 cr |
| WATS 465 Resource & Environmental Economics II* | 3 cr |
| WATS 415 Water Resources Seminar* | 1 cr |
| Science and Technology Course (see bulletin or academic advisor for course options) | 3 cr |
| Global Awareness (ACE 9) | 3 cr |
| Elective Course: Water Science Option Requirements (see option for specific courses) | 3-4 cr |
| Total | 16-18 cr |
Year Four
| Semester One | |
|---|---|
| Law, Policy, and Management Course (see bulletin or academic advisor for course options) | 3 cr |
| WATS 498 A Senior Project I | 2 cr |
| JOUR 444 Science Writing* (Communication Requirement) | 3 cr |
| Elective Course: Water Science Option Requirements or Free Electives (see option for specific courses) | 3-4 cr |
| Elective Course: Water Science Option Requirements or Free Electives (see option for specific courses) | 3-4 cr |
| Total | 14-16 cr |
| Semester Two | |
|---|---|
| WATS 498 B Senior Project II | 2 cr |
| Elective Course: Water Science Option Requirements (see option for specific courses) | 3-4 cr |
| Elective Course: Water Science Option Requirements (see option for specific courses) | 3-4 cr |
| Elective Course: Water Science Option Requirements (see option for specific courses) | 3-4 cr |
| Elective Course: Water Science Option Requirements (see option for specific courses) | 3-4 cr |
| Total | 14-18 cr |
Notes
¹Math Placement Exam required to take MATH 106 or MATH 106B
²Course not required for students taking Hydrology Option or Water, Law, and Policy Option.
*Denotes courses taught ONLY during first or second semester. Other courses are usually available during either first or second semester.