NMC Code 490
The Freshwater Studies program is offered by NMC’s Great Lakes Water Studies Institute. The program is designed to prepare students for both current and emerging career pathways in water related fields. The Freshwater Studies degree program combines unique courses and opportunities for field experiences available through Northwestern Michigan College and our University partners. In addition to the partners in the Great Lakes region, our program has collaborators in selected sites overseas. This freshwater focused program has an interdisciplinary approach designed to offer students the ability to gain unique competencies and credentials of value. The core program of study includes Introduction to Freshwater Studies, Watershed Science, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Oceanography, Meteorology and Climatology, Water Policy and Sustainability, and an Internship experience either locally or overseas. The degree is intended both for students who plan to enter professional fields as well as those who wish to further their studies and complete a bachelor’s degree with university partners located in Traverse City and offsite.
Major Requirements
Course List
| Course |
Title |
Credits |
| ENG 111 | English Composition | 4 |
| 3-4 |
| Professional Communications | |
| English Composition | |
| Technical Writing | |
| 3 |
| Critical Thinking | |
| Contemporary Ethical Dilemmas | |
| Environmental Ethics | |
| 1 | |
| ENV 131 | Oceanography | 4 |
| GEO 115 | Introduction to GIS | 3 |
| ENV 117 | Meteorology & Climatology | 4 |
| ENV 140 | Watershed Science | 4 |
| WSI 105 | Intro to Freshwater Studies | 3 |
| WSI 230 | Water Policy & Sustainability | 3 |
| WSI 290 | Freshwater Studies Internship | 1-3 |
| Total Credits | 60-63 |
Approved Elective Courses by Concentrations
You must take 28 credits of approved electives below. You can choose a specified concentration or any combination of 28 credits below.
Economy and Society - NMC Code 492
Course List
| Course |
Title |
Credits |
| BIO 110 | Essential Biology | 4 |
| BUS 101 | Introduction to Business | 3 |
| BUS 261 | Business Law I | 3 |
| or MGT 241 | Principles of Management |
| ECO 201 | Principles of Macroeconomics | 3 |
| or ECO 202 | Principles of Microeconomics |
| MGT 245 | Principles of Entrepreneurship | 3 |
| MTH 131 | Intro to Prob & Stats | 3 |
| Total Credits | 19 |
Global Freshwater Policy and Sustainability - NMC Code 491
Course List
| Course |
Title |
Credits |
| BIO 110 | Essential Biology | 4 |
| GEO 109 | World Regional Geography | 3 |
| MTH 131 | Intro to Prob & Stats | 3 |
| SPN 202 | Intermediate Spanish II | 4 |
| or SPN 227A | Spanish for Environmental Mgmt |
| Total Credits | 14 |
Science and Technology - NMC Code 493
Course List
| Course |
Title |
Credits |
| MTH 141 | Calculus I | 5 |
| BIO 115 | Cell,Plant & Ecosystem Biology | 4 |
| CHM 150 | General Chemistry I | 4 |
| PHY 121 | General Physics I | 4 |
| Total Credits | 17 |
General - NMC Code 490
Course List
| Course |
Title |
Credits |
| ANT 113 | Intro to Cultural Anthropology | 3 |
| BIO 115 | Cell,Plant & Ecosystem Biology | 4 |
| BIO 116 | Genetic, Evolution, Animal Bio | 4 |
| CHM 150 | General Chemistry I | 4 |
| ECO 202 | Principles of Microeconomics | 3 |
| MTH 121 | College Algebra | 4 |
| MTH 131 | Intro to Prob & Stats | 3 |
| Total Credits | 25 |
Additional Elective Options
Please consult an NMC Freshwater Studies program advisor for scheduling guidelines.
Minimum Program Requirements 60
