BS: Freshwater Sciences

BS

From the start, you’ll do more than get your feet wet. Our freshwater sciences undergraduates experience:

• Small class sizes taught by leaders in freshwater sciences.
• Access to state-of-the-art labs and equipment, a genomics center and research vessels that provide opportunities to develop skills in the latest scientific techniques.
• The ability to explore a variety of water systems, including the Great Lakes and a confluence of three urban rivers.
• Interdisciplinary curriculum with specialized tracks that can be tailored to your interests.
• UW-Milwaukee is a member of the Freshwater Collaborative of Wisconsin, a partnership that provides students with opportunities for water-related coursework, hands-on experiences, internships, and research opportunities at campuses throughout the Universities of Wisconsin system.

Thinking of a career in freshwater or marine science?

Join us for an information session! This is your opportunity to dig a little deeper into your academic interests.

Freshwater scientists focus on the scientifically sound management of natural and constructed water systems, ensuring equitable and productive use while sustaining biodiversity and freshwater availability. By combining expertise in water resources, social systems, and technology, they develop solutions to the challenges facing freshwater ecosystems through conservation practices and sustainable management strategies.

Freshwater and marine systems are deeply interconnected, making freshwater sciences an essential foundation for those interested in marine science or oceanography. Rivers, lakes, and groundwater feed the oceans, influencing coastal pollution, nutrient cycles, and ecosystem health. Climate change affects both freshwater and marine environments, highlighting the need to study water systems from their sources to their broader environmental impacts in order to fully understand global water dynamics.

At the nation’s only School of Freshwater Sciences, students gain a comprehensive education in freshwater ecosystems, human and environmental health, aquatic research, and climate science, while learning to apply science to shape policy and drive real-world solutions. Understanding the interconnections within water systems—from rivers and lakes to groundwater—is crucial for managing both freshwater resources and their broader environmental impacts.

Students choose from two specialized tracks:

• Aquatic Science Track
  This track focuses on the science behind aquatic systems, exploring the biology, chemistry, and physics that shape freshwater environments. Students have the chance to take courses in fish health and management, aquatic ecology, limnology, hydrology, and water quality monitoring, all while learning about the health of ecosystems, biodiversity, and how humans impact freshwater systems. 
• Water Policy Track
  This track explores water management through economics, law, and policy. Students learn how water resources are managed, study environmental law, and understand the role of public policy and sustainability in protecting water. Courses cover topics such as environmental issues, analysis, and the economics of water use, equipping students with the skills to influence the future of water policy.

Freshwater scientists provide scientifically sound management of natural and constructed water systems for productive and equitable use while sustaining natural biota, diversity and freshwater availability. They also generate solutions to the problems facing freshwater through a complete understanding of water resources, the social systems in which they operate, and the application of technology, conservation, and sustainable management practices.

Studies in Freshwater Sciences will help students prepare for careers in ecological and environmental sciences, natural resources, technology, policy, and business relevant to freshwater systems and resources. A minor in Freshwater Sciences also prepares students for professional careers in business and industry, government, non-profit organizations, as well as graduate studies in freshwater and environmental sciences. 

This program is offered as part of an accelerated graduate program. This fast-track program enables high-achieving students to begin their mater’s degree in their senior year of the freshwater sciences program. Up to 21 credits can be applied toward both a bachelor’s degree and a graduate degree. The five-year program consists of 3.5 years in undergraduate status and 1.5 years in graduate status.

Undergraduate Requirements 

1. Students interested in this opportunity should meet with their undergraduate academic advisor during the fall semester of their junior year to assess their eligibility. To qualify:
   • students must be enrolled in the Freshwater Sciences, BS program and maintain a minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.75. 
   • students must be in progress to complete 105 bachelor’s credits prior to their first term as a graduate student (which corresponds to the spring term of their senior year). 
2. Eligible students should then meet with the graduate program manager and submit their application for the fall term of the following year (which corresponds to the fall term of their senior year). They can apply to either the Freshwater Sciences, MS: Aquatic Science (Professional) or Freshwater Sciences, MS: Water Policy (Professional) program. The application must be submitted before the end of the spring semester of their junior year. 
3. If admitted to the master’s program, students will collaborate with their undergraduate advisor to enroll in two graduate-level courses (six credits) during the fall semester of their senior year. Important: To receive credit for these courses, students must earn a grade of “B” or better. 

Graduate Requirements 

1. To be considered for admission into the Graduate School prior to completing their bachelor’s degree, students must meet the minimum criteria for admission set by the Freshwater Sciences, MS: Aquatic Science (Professional) or Freshwater Sciences, MS: Water Policy (Professional) programs, as well as the UWM Graduate School. The application must be submitted before the end of the spring semester of their junior year for admission to the fall term of the following year (which corresponds to the fall term of their senior year). 
2. Students must also be on track to complete 105 bachelor’s credits before their first term as a graduate student. 
3. Once admitted, students will be considered graduate students and will pay graduate tuition starting in the spring semester of their senior year and continuing throughout their graduate program. 

Students who do not satisfactorily meet graduate school admissions criteria may continue with their Freshwater Sciences, BS degree.