Aquatic Ecology and Management at Michigan State University

Programme overview

The Bachelor of Science in Aquatic Ecology and Management at Michigan State University examines the biological, physical, chemical, geological and hydrological aspects of lakes and ponds, rivers and streams, wetlands and groundwaters, with an emphasis on water quality. It provides the understanding and skills for careers protecting and restoring water resources around the North American Great Lakes region and the world.

Faculty: College of Agriculture and Natural Resources | Department: Department of Fisheries and Wildlife | Duration: 120 credits (Bachelor of Science) | Study mode: full-time | Location: East Lansing, MI, United States

What you will study

Core courses include Fundamentals of Fisheries and Wildlife Ecology and Management, Human Dimensions of Fisheries and Wildlife Management, Ecological Problem Solving, Ecology, Fundamentals of Microbiology and a capstone in conservation and management decision making, plus biology, chemistry, physics, calculus and statistics. Students choose from courses such as Great Lakes: Biology and Management, Wetland Ecology and Management, Stream Ecology, Limnology, Oceanography, Hydrogeology, fish and wildlife disease, aquatic field techniques and natural resource policy, and complete at least 3 credits of internship, independent study, study abroad or senior thesis.

Career pathways

Careers related to protecting and restoring water resources around the North American Great Lakes region and the world.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Admission to the major (as a junior): complete at least 56 credits; complete FW 101, FW 101L and FW 293 with a minimum grade of 2.0 in each; pass FW 102 and one calculus course (MTH 124, MTH 132 or LB 118). Students must earn 2.0 or higher in all FW courses used for the major.

Tuition is charged per credit, so the total depends on the modules you register for each year. Current fees are listed in the official fee schedule.

Most first-year students enter in the fall semester. Admission to other semesters may be limited or not available at all.

Transfer applicants can apply for fall (August start), spring (January start) and summer (May start) semesters. International transfer students are not eligible for summer admission.

First-year early action deadline is Nov. 1 (non-binding), with an admission decision by Jan. 15 and the acceptance fee due by May 1. Regular admission has a Feb. 1 priority deadline (decision by Mar. 31) and a final application deadline of Apr. 1, with rolling decisions after Feb. 1. MSU is test optional: applicants may apply without an ACT or SAT score.

The first-year application fee is $75 (or an application fee waiver if eligible). First-year applicants can apply through the MSU application or the Coalition application with Scoir. The application for fall 2027 opens in August.

International first-year applicants have the same deadlines: early action Nov. 1, priority Feb. 1, final Apr. 1, acceptance fee by May 1.

Transfer application deadlines: fall April 1, spring open until capacity is reached, summer March 1. International transfer applicants for fall have a March 1 deadline and must pay the acceptance fee by April 1.

Apply through the official page: https://admissions.msu.edu/apply/first-year

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