2024-2025 Academic Catalog

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Bachelor of Science in Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation

Environmental Data Science Major

Program Curriculum

Course List
Code	Title	Credits
Minimum credit hours required for graduation is 120.
Degree Core Requirements (19 credits)
FREC 2214	Introduction to Land and Field Measurements	3
FREC 2314	Forest Biology and Dendrology	2
FREC 2324	Dendrology Laboratory	1
FREC 2614	Human-Environment Systems	3
FREC/NR 4004	Professional Skills in Natural Resources	1
FREC/NR 4014	Natural Resources Economics	3
FREC 4114	Information Technologies for Natural Resource Management	3
FREC 4434	Natural Resource Policy	3
Subtotal		19
Environmental Data Science Major Requirements
Computational Requirements
BIT 3424	Introduction to Business Analytics Modeling	3
BIT 3514	Systems Analysis	3
BIT 3524	Database Management and Design	3
FREC 1044	Introduction to Environmental Data Science	3
FREC 3044	Environmental Data Science	3
FREC 4044	Environmental Data Science Capstone	3
FREC 4214	Forest Photogrammetry and Spatial Data Processing	3
Select one of the following:		3-4
FREC 4244	Hydroinformatics
FREC 3214 & FREC 3224	Forest Biometrics and Forest Measurements Field Laboratory
Subtotal		24-25
Computer Programming Requirement
Select one of the following:		3
CS 1044	Introduction to Programming in C
or CS 1064	Introduction to Programming in Python
or CS 1114	Introduction to Software Design
Advanced Data Science Skills Requirement
Select one of the following:		3
STAT 3616	Biological Statistics
or MATH 2114	Introduction to Linear Algebra
or CS 2064	Intermediate Programming in Python
Natural Science Requirements
BIOL 1115	Principles of Biology Laboratory	1
BIOL 1116	Principles of Biology Laboratory	1
FREC 2004	Forest Ecosystems	3
Subtotal		11
Pathways to General Education
Pathways Concept 1 - Discourse
COMM 1015	Communication Skills (1F)	3
or ENGL 1105	First-Year Writing
COMM 1016	Communication Skills (1F)	3
or ENGL 1106	First-Year Writing
Select three credits in Pathway 1a		3
Pathways Concept 2 - Critical Thinking in the Humanities
Select six credits of Pathway 2		6
Pathways Concept 3 - Reasoning in the Social Sciences
AAEC 1005	Economics of the Food and Fiber System	3
or ECON 2005	Principles of Economics
Select three additional credits		3
Pathways Concept 4 - Reasoning in the Natural Sciences
BIOL 1105	Principles of Biology	3
BIOL 1106	Principles of Biology	3
Pathways Concept 5 - Quantitative and Computational Thinking
MATH 1025	Elementary Calculus (5F)	3-4
or MATH 1225	Calculus of a Single Variable
MATH 1026	Elementary Calculus (5F)	3-4
or MATH 1226	Calculus of a Single Variable
STAT 3615	Biological Statistics (5A)	3
Pathways Concept 6 - Critique and Practice in Design and the Arts
Select three credits in Pathway 6d		3
Select three credits in Pathway 6a		3
Pathways Concept 7 - Critical Analysis of Identity and Equity in the United States ¹
Select three credits in Pathway 7		3
Subtotal		45-47
Free Electives
Select additional credit hours to total at least 120		21
Total Credits		120-123

¹: Some courses have prerequisite or enrollment restrictions. Consult the undergraduate course catalog or the timetable of classes for more information.

Environmental Data Science Notes

Satisfactory Progress: By the end of the semester in which the student has attempted 60 hours (including transfer, advanced placement, advanced standing, and credit by examination), "satisfactory progress" towards a B.S. degree in Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation will include the following minimum criteria:
- Having an in-major and overall grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.0.
- Passing at least 24 semester credits that apply to Pathways for General Education
- Passing the following courses, or their equivalents: BIOL 1105 Principles of Biology, BIOL 1106 Principles of Biology and BIOL 1115 Principles of Biology Laboratory, BIOL 1116 Principles of Biology Laboratory; MATH 1025 Elementary Calculus or MATH 1225 Calculus of a Single Variable.

Graduation Requirements

Degree Requirements: An in-major and overall GPA of 2.0 is required for graduation.
Minimum hours for degree is 120.
In accordance with university guidelines, courses stratifying degree core requirements may not be double counted to satisfy other areas of a degree (e.g. Pathways requirements).
Policy on Student Exchange: If studying overseas or at another U.S. university, begin planning at least 9 months prior to your departure to allow time to determine what substitutions, if any, will be allowed and to arrange your schedule to ensure that all requirements for graduation will be met.
In-major GPA Computation: All degree core and Environmental Data Science major requirements will factor into the in-major GPA.
Curriculum Planning: Students should plan early with their advisors to determine appropriate sequences for their courses. Some courses must be taken in sequence to satisfy prerequisites.

Acceptable Substitutions

STAT 3615 Biological Statistics: STAT 3005 Statistical Methods
BIOL 1105 Principles of Biology: CHEM 1035 General Chemistry
BIOL 1115 Principles of Biology Laboratory: CHEM 1045 General Chemistry Laboratory

Foreign Language Requirement

Foreign Language Requirement: A sequence of two (2) foreign language courses is required for graduation unless two (2) high school credits of the same foreign language or six (6) transfer credit hours of foreign language have been earned. These credits do not count toward graduation. See catalog section on "Graduation Requirements."

Note: Students do not need to follow this plan exactly. This is an example plan.

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Fall Semester		Credits
COMM 1015 or ENGL 1105	Communication Skills (Pathway 1f) or First-Year Writing	3
BIOL 1105	Principles of Biology (Pathway 4)	3
BIOL 1115	Principles of Biology Laboratory	1
MATH 1025 or MATH 1225	Elementary Calculus (Pathway 5f) ¹ or Calculus of a Single Variable	3
FREC 1044	Introduction to Environmental Data Science	3
Pathways Core Concept (example: Pathways 2 Course)		3
	Credits	16
Spring Semester
COMM 1016 or ENGL 1106	Communication Skills (Pathway 1f) or First-Year Writing	3
BIOL 1106	Principles of Biology (Pathway 4)	3
BIOL 1116	Principles of Biology Laboratory	1
MATH 1026 or MATH 1226	Elementary Calculus (Pathway 5f) or Calculus of a Single Variable	3
CS 1064 or CS 1114 or CS 1044	Introduction to Programming in Python ² or Introduction to Software Design or Introduction to Programming in C	3
Free Electives		3
	Credits	16
Second Year
Fall Semester
FREC 2214	Introduction to Land and Field Measurements	3
FREC 2314	Forest Biology and Dendrology	2
FREC 2324	Dendrology Laboratory	1
Pathways Core Concept (example: Pathways 2 Course)		3
Pathways Core Concept (example: Pathways 3 Course)		3
Free Electives		3
	Credits	15
Spring Semester
FREC 2004	Forest Ecosystems	3
FREC 2614	Human-Environment Systems	3
AAEC 1005 or ECON 2005	Economics of the Food and Fiber System (Pathway 3) or Principles of Economics	3
Pathways Core Concept (example: Pathways 7 Course)		3
STAT 3615	Biological Statistics (Pathway 5a)	3
	Credits	15
Third Year
Fall Semester
FREC 4114	Information Technologies for Natural Resource Management	3
FREC 4004	Professional Skills in Natural Resources	1
BIT 3424	Introduction to Business Analytics Modeling ³	3
STAT 3616 or MATH 2114 or CS 2064	Biological Statistics or Introduction to Linear Algebra or Intermediate Programming in Python	3
Free Electives		3
	Credits	13
Spring Semester
FREC 3044	Environmental Data Science	3
FREC 4214	Forest Photogrammetry and Spatial Data Processing	3
BIT 3514	Systems Analysis	3
Pathways Core Concept (example: Pathways Concept 6D Course)		3
Free Electives		3
	Credits	15
Fourth Year
Fall Semester
FREC 4014	Natural Resources Economics	3
Pathways Core Concept (example: Pathways Concept 1A Course)		3
BIT 3524	Database Management and Design	3
Free Electives		3
Free Electives		3
	Credits	15
Spring Semester
FREC 4434	Natural Resource Policy	3
FREC 4044	Environmental Data Science Capstone	3
Students may choose FREC 4244 or FREC 3214 . If student chooses FREC 3214, FREC 3224 must be taken as well.
FREC 4244 or FREC 3214	Hydroinformatics or Forest Biometrics	3
Pathways Core Concept (example: Pathways Concept 6A Course)		3
Free Electives		3
	Credits	15
	Total Credits	120

New Footnote
¹: Students planning to take MATH 2114 must select MATH 1225.
²: Students planning to take CS 2064 must select CS 1064.
³: EDS students must force-add BIT 3424; consult with advisor about prerequisites and force-add procedure.