Conservation and Environmental Sciences, BA

At UWM, students with a passion for nature and the environment can obtain a solid education in the natural sciences that are central to environmental science - biology, geosciences, and chemistry - and the social sciences of geography, economics, and politics which guide the application of conservation and environmental science in the real world.

Students at UWM can focus their conservation and environmental science work around land resources, water resources, biological resources/biodiversity, or environmental analysis. Internships and field work complement classroom learning. These opportunities can be found locally at UWM's own Field Station, on Lake Michigan aboard UWM's R/V Neeskay vessel, and at local agencies, or abroad in places as far flung as Iceland, Africa, Romania and the Caribbean.

An active Conservation Club is another student advantage at UWM. Activities range from on-campus sustainability projects to professional networking and more.

UWM’s CES major builds on students’ passion to solve environmental issues through either a BS or a BA degree. The BS requires more courses in math, biology, chemistry, and science and is suitable for careers in field or laboratory work, while the BA has fewer electives in science for a career in public programming, education, or administration.

Because of the breadth and flexibility of this major, students should consult with the Director and/or Coordinator to plan a course of study, preferably before the start of their sophomore year. It is particularly important to begin the introductory course sequences early, since they are prerequisites for advanced courses.

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.

Requirements

Credit numbers reflect total possible credits towards degree. Due to the ability to count courses towards more than one requirement, credit amounts will vary. Please work with your academic advisor on your plan of study.

Preparatory Coursework

Based on individual placement results, some students may be required to complete preparatory coursework before enrolling in the courses listed here. This may include English language or composition preparation, developmental math, introductory chemistry, and/or student support courses for students participating in the First Year Bridge program. 

General Education Requirements (GER)

UW-Milwaukee has General Education Requirements that must be met in order to earn a bachelor’s or associate degree. They include at minimum 30 credits (10 courses) in six categories that are designed to assure basic student competencies and provide a broad body of knowledge as a context for specialization.

Some degree requirements may fulfill GERs. Please review the requirements and consult with your academic advisor.   

Letters and Science Course of Study – Bachelor of Arts Degree

Complete 120 credits including 75 credits in the College of Letters & Science with 36 of the 75 credits in L&S upper-level (numbered 300 or above) courses.

The College requires that students must complete, in residence at UWM, at least 15 credits in upper-division (numbered 300 or above) courses in their major. The College also requires that students complete at least 30 credits overall in residence at UWM. For additional residency and transfer credit limitations, see L&S Undergraduate Policies and Regulations.

Students are also required to complete University-wide General Education Requirements and the specific L&S requirements listed below.

To complete a major, students must satisfy all the requirements of the major as stated in this catalog. Students who declare their majors within five years of entering the UW System as a degree candidate may satisfy the requirements outlined in any catalog issued since the time they entered. Credits used to satisfy the major also may be used to satisfy other degree requirements.

College of Letters & Science Requirements

For the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), students must complete the UWM General Education Requirements as well as these L&S requirements: the International requirement, the Breadth requirement, a Natural Science Lab requirement, the Research requirement, and a Language other than English requirement. The International requirement develops student potential for cross-cultural understanding in a globalizing world. The Breadth requirement ensures that students take classes in a wide variety of subjects, across humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences. The Research requirement calls for students to build critical thinking and oral and written communication skills through conducting an independent research project in their major. The Language other than English requirement further develops student proficiency in a language other than English. And, the requirement that students take an L&S Natural Science lab ensures exposure to and practice with the scientific method in action.

I. Total Credits and Upper-Division Courses Requirement

Students must complete 120 credits including 75 credits in the College of Letters & Science with 36 of those 75 credits in L&S upper-level (numbered 300 and above) courses.

II. Language other than English Requirement

Students doing the B.A. must fulfill a language other than English requirement by either successfully completing the fourth semester of university work or equivalent in one language other than English, or by successfully completing the second semester of university work or equivalent in two languages other than English (including all languages other than English and American Sign Language).  

Language courses (including American Sign Language) other than English taken in high school may be used to satisfy all or part of this requirement. One year of high school language equates to one semester of college work. Proficiency tests approved by the Languages faculty may be used to satisfy all or part of this requirement. 

III. International Requirement

To meet the International Requirement, students must successfully complete some two-course (minimum 6 credits) combination of:

1. Courses with L&S approved international content (see Courses Approved for the L&S International Requirement for course options).
2. Any study abroad course(s).

Students who graduate secondary school in a country other than the U.S. are exempt from this requirement.

IV. Breadth Requirement

In addition to completing the University General Education Requirements, L&S students must complete the Breadth requirement to obtain deeper experience across our three substantive divisions.

The L&S Breadth requirement calls for 9 credits each in L&S courses designated L&S Humanities, L&S Natural Sciences, and L&S Social Sciences breadth. One of the L&S Natural Science breadth courses must include a laboratory or fieldwork experience.

Please refer to the list of Courses Approved for the L&S Breadth Requirement.

 V. The Major

The College of Letters and Science requires that students attain at least a 2.0 GPA in all credits in the major attempted at UWM. In addition, students must attain a 2.0 GPA on all major credits attempted, including any transfer work. Individual departments or programs may require higher GPAs for graduation. Some departmental majors require courses from other departments. Students should contact their major department for information on whether those credits will count as part of the major GPA. The College requires that students must complete, in residence at UWM, at least 15 credits in upper-division (numbered 300 or above) courses in their major.

Research Requirement

Within their majors, students must complete a research experience approved by the L&S faculty.  A list of courses satisfying the research requirement in each major can be found here.

VI. The Minor

Conservation and Environmental Science Major Requirements

The Conservation and Environmental Science (CES) major requires a minimum of 54 credits, 29 of which are advanced-level. All students in the major must fulfill the required 36 credits (25 lower-level core credits, and 11 advanced-level credits) and an additional 18 advanced-level credits from among the approved CES upper-level electives.

Students must complete the courses listed below, including at least 15 upper-division (numbered 300 and above) credits in the major in residence at UWM. The College of Letters & Science requires that students attain at least a 2.0 GPA on all credits in the major attempted at UWM. In addition, students must attain a 2.0 GPA on all major credits attempted, including any transfer work.

List of Approved Electives for the CES Major 

Approved CES Course Electives Outside of the College of Letters and Science

Although the following courses may count as credits toward the CES major requirements, they do not count to satisfy the advanced L&S credits requirement for the degree. Consult the program coordinator before enrolling any of these courses.

Other Potential Courses

Because of the interdisciplinary nature of the Conservation and Environmental Science Program, students are encouraged to work with the program coordinator to identify classes that will enable them best to gain the knowledge to achieve their goals. CES students can petition the Program to accept many classes beyond those listed above, if they are appropriate for the major and the individual student's program of study. For example, the following courses may apply:

Conservation and Environmental Science BA/BS Learning Outcomes

Students graduating from the Conservation and Environmental Science program will be able to: 

• Students will be able to describe, summarize, and explain the core concepts and frameworks of earth science, biological science, and chemistry. 
• Students will be able to apply science as a process to environmental problems and solutions. 
• Students will be able to relate the social, political, and economic processes that contribute to environmental problems and solutions. 
• Students will be able to explain policy and regulatory processes that contribute to environmental problems and solutions. 
• Students will be able to analyze coupled human and environmental systems using a systems thinking approach. 
• Students will be able to critique various perspectives of environmental issues. 
• Students will be able to develop and present a proposed solution to a complex environmental problem. 
• Students will be able to effectively communicate environmental science to the public. 

Declaration of Major

Students wishing to declare the major can obtain the necessary information by contacting the CES Program Coordinator’s office (Lapham Hall, Room 366) or their College of Letters and Science advisor.

Letters & Science Advising

During your time at UWM, you may have multiple members of your success team, including advisors, peer mentors and success coaches. Letters & Science students typically work with at least two different types of advisors as they pursue their degrees: professional college advisors and faculty advisors. L&S college advisors advise across your entire degree program while departmental faculty advisors focus on the major.

College advisors are located in Holton Hall (or virtually for online students) and serve as your primary advisor. They are your point person for your questions about navigating college and completing your degree. College advisors will:

• Assist you in defining your academic and life goals.
• Help you create an educational plan that is consistent with those goals.
• Assist you in understanding curriculum, major and degree requirements for graduation, as well as university policies and procedures.
• Provide you with information about campus and community resources and refer you to those resources as appropriate.
• Monitor your progress toward graduation and completion of requirements.

Faculty advisors mentor students in the major and assist them in maximizing their development in the program. You will begin working with a faculty advisor when you declare your major. Faculty advisors are an important partner and will:

• Help you understand major requirements and course offerings in the department. 
• Explain opportunities for internships and undergraduate research and guide you in obtaining those experiences.
• Serve as an excellent resource as you consider potential graduate programs and career paths in your field.

Students are encouraged to meet with both their college advisor and faculty advisor at least once each semester. Appointments are available in-person, by phone or by video. 

Currently enrolled students should use the Navigate360 website to make an appointment with your assigned advisor or call (414) 229-4654 if you do not currently have an assigned Letters & Science advisor. Prospective students who haven't enrolled in classes yet should call (414) 229-7711 or email let-sci@uwm.edu.

College of Letters and Science Dean's Honor List

GPA of 3.750 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, as listed in the Honors College section of this site.

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 and be awarded the traditional gold cord at the December or May Honors Convocation. Please note that for honors calculation, the GPA is not rounded and is truncated at the third decimal (e.g., 3.499).

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.