Freshwater Science and Management Minor

Explore the physical, biological, and social dimensions of freshwater ecosystems to help solve the sustainability challenges of today and tomorrow!

Water is the world’s most precious resource, fueling everything from the food we eat, to the cotton we wear, to the energy we depend upon every day. Where fresh water is available, accessible, and well-managed, biodiversity can be sustained, economies can grow, and communities can thrive. Yet when fresh water is compromised, life as we know it deteriorates and social conflicts that further degrade the environment often manifest. Failure to address these issues puts people and nature at risk.

Students completing the Freshwater Science and Management (FSM) minor will gain strong disciplinary knowledge of the complex relationships between freshwater ecosystems and human societies, including topics associated with freshwater ecology, water quality, hydrology, fluvial geomorphology, watershed management and restoration, environmental engineering, stakeholder processes, and water policy. With a focus on science, management and sustainability, students work with faculty and teaching assistants to understand the myriad of environmental challenges facing freshwater ecosystems and explore the management and policy solutions available. Hands-on instruction and fieldwork offer students rich opportunities for experiential learning and service in a rapidly growing job market.

The Freshwater Science and Management Minor requires a minimum of 27 credits, as follows:

CORE COURSES 19-21 cr – if taking 3cr of FISH 200, will need to increase the number of elective credits to meet the 27cr minimum
ELECTIVE COURSES 6-8 cr – if taking 3cr of FISH 200, will need to take a 8cr minimum in elective courses

NOTE: No more than 10 credits may overlap with the student’s major requirements

  1. Core (19-21 credits):
    1. FISH 200 (3 or 5 credits), FISH/ESRM 447, CEE 478, FISH 400
    2. One of the following options: (1) FISH/BIOL 473 and FISH 474/BIOL 474/CEE 463; (2) CEE 462 and FISH 474/BIOL 474/CEE 463
  2. Electives (minimum 6-8 credits): at least one course must be taken in each of these categories: (1) physical processes; (2) biological and management. Refer to page 2 of the minor checklist for an approved list of courses.
  3. Minimum 15 credits of upper-division courses
  4. Minimum 17 credits taken outside student’s major requirements
  5. Minimum 2.00 cumulative GPA for courses applied to the minor

A printable minor checklist (including a list of approved electives) is available for your convenience.

Enrollment in the Minor

The minor is open to all UW students who have reached 45 credits. Contact your departmental adviser to declare a minor in Freshwater Science and Management – questions about minor coursework may be directed to the SAFS Undergraduate Adviser:

Michael Martinez
mcfm@uw.edu
206-616-9771

Recommended courses

Please pay attention to prerequisites and recommended courses for each of our classes. We recommend chemistry, biology, and pre-calculus.

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