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Western Michigan University

Kalamazoo , Michigan ,United States

Freshwater Science and Sustainability—BS

Freshwater is our most precious natural resource, but high demand and limited supply threaten freshwater ecosystems and ensure that human societies will be increasingly challenged by water scarcity and impaired water quality.

In the freshwater science and sustainability program, you'll join students who will tackle the regional, national and global sustainability challenges of freshwater in the 21st century. You'll blend a rigorous academic core with electives meant to further your individual career goals—whether conservation biology, aquatic ecology, resource management, water quality, public health, environmental writing, policymaking, law or others. You'll become part of a community of practitioners devoted to the wise stewardship of our most precious resource.

The freshwater program of study is interdisciplinary and integrative, providing students with the knowledge, training and skills to:

Understand and research freshwater ecosystems, including biology, chemistry, hydrology and limnology, along with the scientific dimensions of freshwater resource management.
Situate freshwater science within the larger environmental, socio-economic and cultural dimensions of sustainable management and problem-solving in freshwater systems.
Our program fosters an understanding of both the core principles within and the intersections between the three pillars of sustainability: environmental, social and economic systems, with a particular emphasis on freshwater sciences.

As a freshwater science and sustainability major, you will take 72 to 74 credit hours of required coursework focused on freshwater and sustainability. Because of the rigorous interdisciplinary nature of the freshwater program, and the large number of credit hours required for the degree, the program does not require a minor. Additionally, this program offers a number of courses in hybrid or online formats. These may include significant fieldwork components required to successfully complete the course. Summer coursework may be required to complete the program.

Intakes

  • Jan
  • May
  • Aug

Application Processing Time in Days: 30

Minimum English Language Requirements

English Level Description IELTS (1.0 -9.0) TOEFL IBT (0-120) TOEFL CBT (0-300) PTE (10-90)
Expert 9 120 297-300 86-90
Very Good 8.5 115-119 280-293 83-86
Very Good 8 110-114 270-280 79-83
Good 7.5 102-109 253-267 73-79
Good 7 94-101 240-253 65-73
Competent 6.5 79-93 213-233 58-65
Competent 6 60-78 170-210 50-58
Modest 5.5 46-59 133-210 43-50
Modest 5 35-45 107-133 36-43
Limited 4 32-34 97-103 30-36
Extremely Limited < 4 < 31 < 93 < 30

Job Opportunity Potential

Career and student employment services supports students by empowering them to develop the skills necessary for reaching their career goals. Through career advising, and learning about career pathways, WMU students get ready for the world of work or service after graduating.

Specific services and programs include:

  • Access to Bronco alumni to help answer career questions.
  • Assistance finding a campus job.
  • Career coaching to learn about career pathways.
  • Creating a professional “brand” using social media and technology.
  • Eight job fairs every year to meet with potential employers.
  • Getting an internship.
  • Perfecting resumes, curriculum vitae, cover letters and job applications.
  • Practice interviewing sessions with professional HR recruiters.

Evaluation training at Western Michigan University is offered at the following levels:

Master's prepares graduates for staff positions in evaluation in diverse settings.
Ph.D. prepares graduates for leadership positions in evaluation in many settings.
Career possibilities

  • Assessment specialist
  • Data analyst
  • Evaluation coordinator
  • External evaluator
  • Internal evaluator
  • Measurement consultant
  • Monitoring specialist
  • Policy associate
  • Program officer
  • Project manager
  • Quality assurance manager
  • Research analyst
  • Statistical programmer

PSW Opportunity

Post-Study Work visa or permit, allowing international students on F-1 visas to work in the US after completing their studies, typically through Optional Practical Training (OPT).

Eligibility:
To be eligible for OPT, students must have been enrolled full-time in a US educational institution for at least one academic year and be seeking work related to their major.

Duration:
Students can apply for up to 12 months of OPT, either before they finish their studies (pre-completion) or after graduation (post-completion).

STEM OPT:
Students in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields can apply for an extended OPT period of up to 24 months.

Contact our PSA counselor for more information

Admission Requirement / Eligibility Criteria

WMU is committed to assisting in the education goals of our future students. Increasing access to higher education is an institutional focus, and to support this effort, we have established an Assured Admission Program for incoming first-year students. A student's academic performance (including a minimum GPA 3.00+ {on a 4.00 scale}) and conduct/behavior are the main criteria for the program.

Minimum English proficiency test scores (for most programs):

  • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): 71 iBT undergraduate, 80 iBT graduate (WMU Institutional Code: 1902)
  • TOEFL Essential: 7 Undergraduate; 8 Graduate
  • International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic: 6.0 undergraduate, 6.5 graduate
  • Pearson Test of English, Academic Module (PTE): 48 undergraduate, 54 graduate or
  • Duolingo: 100 undergraduate, 115 graduate.
  • International Baccalaureate, grade of 5 in English at the Higher Level.
  • General Certificate of Education: A grade of A, B, or C in English from one of the five British-based examining boards undergraduate, a grade of A or B in English from one of the five British-based examining boards graduate.
  • Successful completion of ESL level 112.
  • Successful completion of either four years of upper secondary school or one year of full-time, tertiary (university-level) education from select countries meets WMU English language proficiency requirements.
  • Successful completion of a WMU Pathway II or the final level in the WMU Center for English Language and Culture for International Students (CELCIS).
  • Completion of a WMU degree. 
  • Cambridge Advanced English Certificate: A grade of A, B, or C undergraduate, a grade of A or B graduate.
  • SAT Evidence-based Reading and Writing Subscore (EBRW): 500 (for most programs).
  • Michigan English Test (MET): 48 undergraduate, 57 graduate (for most programs).
  • Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR): B2 undergraduate, C1 graduate (for most programs).

  • Course Type: Full Time
  • Course Level: Bachelors/UG Degree
  • Duration: 04 Year  
  • Total Tuition Fee: 97412 USD
    Average Cost of Living: 14000 USD /year
    Application Fee: 100 USD
This Institution is not directly represented by us and applications / visa support (to them) attract a nominal charge