Academic Programs Catalog

College of Agriculture and Natural Resources

Undergraduate Programs


Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources Education

The Bachelor of Science Degree in Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources Education is designed to prepare students for careers as school-based agriculture, food and natural resources teachers at the secondary-level, careers in agricultural and natural resource education fields, or for professional or graduate studies.

Requirements for the Bachelor of Science Degree in Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources Education

  1. The University requirements for bachelor’s degrees as described in the Undergraduate Education section of this catalog; 120 credits, including general elective credits, are required for the Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources Education.

    The University’s Tier II writing requirement for the Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources major is met by completing Community Sustainability 301. That course is referenced in item 3. below.

    Students who are enrolled in the Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources Education major leading to the Bachelor of Science degree in the Department of Community Sustainability may complete an alternative track to Integrative Studies in Biological and Physical Sciences that consists of the following courses: Biological Science 162 and 172, and Chemistry 141. The completion of Biological Science 172 satisfies the laboratory requirement. Biological Science 162 and 172, and Chemistry 141 may be counted toward both the alternative track and the requirements for the major referenced in item 3. below.

    The completion of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources mathematics requirements may also satisfy the University mathematics requirement.
  2. The requirements of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources for the Bachelor of Science degree. Certain courses referenced in item 3. below may be counted toward College requirements as appropriate.
    1. The following requirements for the major:
                     
      a. All of the following courses (61 credits):
      ANS 110 Introductory Animal Agriculture 3
      BS 161 Cell and Molecular Biology 3
      BS 162 Organismal and Population Biology 3
      BS 172 Organismal and Population Biology Laboratory 2
      CEM 141 General Chemistry 4
      CEP 240 Diverse Learners in Multicultural Perspective 3
      CSS 101 Introduction to Crop Science 3
      CSS 210 Fundamentals of Soil Science 3
      CSUS 200 Introduction to Sustainability 3
      CSUS 222A Seminar in Instructional Theory I - Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources Education 1
      CSUS 222B Seminar in Instructional Theory II - Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources Education 1
      CSUS 222C Seminar in Instructional Theory III - Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources Education 1
      CSUS 300 Theoretical Foundations of Sustainability 3
      CSUS 301 Community Engagement for Sustainability (W) 3
      CSUS 316 Campus Apprenticeship in Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources Education 3
      CSUS 317 Foundations of Teaching Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources 3
      CSUS 343 Community Food and Agriculture Systems 3
      CSUS 493 Professional Internship in Community Sustainability 6
      FOR 202 Introduction to Forestry 3
      HRT 203 Introduction to Horticulture 3
      IBIO 355 Ecology 3
      IBIO 355L Ecology Laboratory (W) 1
      b. One of the following courses (3 credits):
      AFRE 100 Decision-making in the Agri-Food System 3
      AFRE 130 Farm Management I 3
      c. One of the following courses (3 credits):
      CSUS 464 Environmental and Natural Resource Policy in Michigan 3
      CSUS 465 Environmental and Natural Resource Law 3
      d. All of the following courses for students admitted into the secondary teacher education program (12 credits):
      CSUS 417 Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources Apprenticeship/Clinical Experience 3
      CSUS 817 Instructional Design and Assessment in Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources Education 3
      CSUS 818 Theory and Practice of Program Planning in Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources Education 3
      CSUS 819 Instructional Theory and Practice in Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources Education 3
      e. All of the following courses for students not pursuing secondary teacher education certification (12 credits):
      CSUS 430 Non-Profit Organizational Management for Community Sustainability 3
      CSUS 433 Grant Writing and Fund Development 3
      An additional 6 credits of electives approved by the student’s academic advisor.

Environmental Studies and Sustainability

The Department of Community Sustainability offers a Bachelor of Science degree program with a major in Environmental Studies and Sustainability. This program of study is concerned with who uses natural resources, how they use them, and how positive outcomes of use can be enhanced and negative impacts can be mitigated. It examines resource use and allocation through the lenses of community engagement, sustainability and environmental justice. Students benefit from a broad range of interdisciplinary courses, as well as disciplinary and methods courses carefully selected to enhance students’ technical knowledge. Professional internship, and education abroad experiences are encouraged to provide students with experiences beyond the classroom and the university campus. Graduates of this program will be prepared to enter professions in environmental, natural resource, agricultural and community development fields through careers in education, government, private industry, non-profit organizations, and public relations and communications or enter a professional or graduate school program.

Requirements for the Bachelor of Science Degree in Environmental Studies and Sustainability

  1. The University requirements for bachelor’s degrees as described in the Undergraduate Education section of this catalog: 120 credits, including general elective credits, are required for the Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Studies and Sustainability.

    The University’s Tier II writing requirement for the Environmental Studies and Sustainability major is met by completing Community Sustainability 301. That course is referenced in item 3. below.

    Students who are enrolled in the Environmental Studies and Sustainability major leading to the Bachelor of Science degree in the Department of Community Sustainability may complete an alternative track to Integrative Studies in Biological and Physical Sciences that consists of the following courses: Biological Science 162 and 172, and Chemistry 141. The completion of Biological Science 172 satisfies the laboratory requirement. Biological Science 162 and 172, and Chemistry 141 may be counted toward both the alternative track and the requirements for the major referenced in item 3. below.

    The completion of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources mathematics requirement may also satisfy the University mathematics requirement.
  2. The requirements for the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources for the Bachelor of Science degree.

    Certain courses referenced in requirement 3. below may be counted toward College requirements as appropriate.
  3. The following requirements for the major (64 to 66 credits):
    a. All of the following Science Foundations courses (15 credits):
    BS 161 Cell and Molecular Biology  3
    BS  162 Organismal and Population Biology  3
    BS  172 Organismal and Population Biology Laboratory  2
    CEM  141 General Chemistry  4
    IBIO 355 Ecology 3
    b. One of the following Applied Earth Sciences courses (3 or 4 credits):
    CSS 210 Fundamentals of Soil Science 3
    GEO 206 Physical Geography 3
    GLG 201 The Dynamic Earth 4
    c.  All of the following Community Sustainability Core courses (16 credits):
    CSUS  200 Introduction to Sustainability  3
        CSUS  221 Seminar in Environmental and Sustainability Careers  1
         CSUS  300 Theoretical Foundations of Sustainability  3
        CSUS  301 Community Engagement for Sustainability (W)  3
         CSUS  310 History of Environmental Thought and Sustainability  3
        CSUS  400 Topics in Environmental Justice  3
    d.  One of the following Intermediate Energy, Water, Land courses (3 credits):
         CSUS  259 Sustainable Energy and Society  3
         CSUS 320 Environmental Planning and Management 3
         CSUS  354 Water Resources Management  3
    e.  One of the following Advanced Energy, Water, Land courses (3 credits):
         CSUS  426 Conservation Planning and Adaptive Management 3
         CSUS  453 Watershed Planning and Management  3
         CSUS  459 Clean Energy System Policy  3
    f.  Two of the following Community Sustainability Intermediate Electives (6 credits):
         CSUS  215 International Development and Sustainability  3
        CSUS  265 Exploring Environmental and Sustainability Issues and Policy Using Film  3
         CSUS  273 Introduction to Travel and Tourism  3
         CSUS  276 Sustaining our National Parks and Recreation Lands  3
         GEO  221 Introduction to Geographic Information  3
    g.  Two of the following Community Sustainability Advanced Electives (6 or 7 credits):
         CSUS  343 Community Food and Agricultural Systems  3
         CSUS  431 Interpretation and Visitor Information Systems  3
         CSUS  445 Community-Based Environmental and Sustainability Education  3
        CSUS  473 Social Entrepreneurship for Community Sustainability  3
         CSUS  476 Natural Resource Recreation Management  4
    h.  Two of the following Administration and Leadership courses (6 credits):
         CSUS  322 Leadership for Community Sustainability  3
         CSUS  429 Program Evaluation for Community Sustainability  3
         CSUS  430 Non-Profit Organizational Management for Community Sustainability  3
         CSUS  433 Grant Writing and Fund Development  3
    i.  One of the following Policy and Law courses: (3 credits)
         CSUS  464 Environmental and Natural Resource Policy in Michigan  3
         CSUS  465 Environmental and Natural Resource Law  3
    j. A minimum of 3 credits in one of the following courses:
    CSUS 418 Community Sustainability Study Abroad 3 to 6
    CSUS 419 International Studies in Community Sustainability 3 to 12
    CSUS 493 Professional Internship in Community Sustainability 3 to 6
    Students may substitute another appropriate course with approval of the department.

Sustainable Parks, Recreation and Tourism

The Department of Community Sustainability offers a Bachelor of Science degree in Sustainable Parks, Recreation and Tourism. By combining a body of specialized professional knowledge with the study of natural, social, management and behavioral sciences, the program provides an opportunity for students to obtain a broad, interdisciplinary education which emphasizes a professional area of knowledge integrated with the tenets of sustainability. The major is designed to prepare students for professional positions related to the management and enjoyment of the outdoors. Such positions include management of public parks, forests and protected areas, non-profit lands and facilities such as camps, and commercial enterprises that provide goods and services to outdoor enthusiasts. Meeting people’s outdoor leisure needs, enhancing the quality of life, and providing sustainable economic and social development are hallmarks of the major.

Students in the Sustainable Parks, Recreation and Tourism major will acquire an understanding of natural resource recreation and tourism that integrates sustainability and effectively links theory with practice while engaging the community. This includes the concepts of leisure, tourism, recreation and sustainability, as well as operation of recreation delivery systems, policy, administration, management, planning and evaluation.

Government, non-profit and for-profit entities offer a variety of career opportunities in the parks, recreation and tourism field. These opportunities include careers in park and land management, recreation and conservation law enforcement, nature and cultural interpretation, non-profit camp and adventure organization management, commercial recreation enterprise management of cruise ships, resorts, marinas, adventure travel firms, outfitting and guiding services and in coordinating and promoting tourism systems at from the local, state and federal levels through convention and visitor bureaus, chambers of commerce, economic development organizations and industry associations. Graduates are also well prepared for graduate studies relating to the park, recreation and tourism field, as well as a broad range of social and natural science disciplines.

Requirements for the Bachelor of Science Degree in Sustainable Parks, Recreation and Tourism

  1. The University requirements for bachelor's degrees as described in the Undergraduate Education section of this catalog; 120 credits, including general elective credits, are required for the Bachelor of Science degree in Sustainable Parks, Recreation and Tourism.

    The University's Tier II writing requirement for the Sustainable Parks, Recreation and Tourism major is met by completing Community Sustainability 301. That course is referenced in item 3. below.

    The completion of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources mathematics requirement may also satisfy the University mathematics requirement.
  2. The requirements of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources for the Bachelor of Science degree.

    Certain courses referenced in requirement 3. below may be counted toward College requirements as appropriate.
  3. The following requirements for the major:
                   
    a. All of the following courses (12 to 15 credits):
    CSUS 200 Introduction to Sustainability 3
    CSUS 300 Theoretical Foundations of Sustainability 3
    CSUS 301 Community Engagement for Sustainability (W) 3
    CSUS 493 Professional Internship in Community Sustainability 3 to 6
    b. Six of the following courses (18 or 19 credits):
    CSUS 273 Introduction to Travel and Tourism 3
    CSUS 276 Sustaining Our National Parks and Recreation Lands 3
    CSUS 430 Non-Profit Organizational Management for Community Sustainability 3
    CSUS 433 Grant Writing and Fund Development 3
    CSUS 473 Social Entrepreneurship for Community Sustainability 3
    CSUS 474 Advanced Topics in Tourism Management 3
    CSUS 476 Natural Resource Recreation Management 4
    c. One of the following courses (3 or 4 credits):
    FOR 419 Applications of Geographic Information Systems to Natural Resources Management 4
    GEO 221 Introduction to Geographic Information 3
    d. Five of the following courses (14 or 15 credits):
    ACC 230 Survey of Accounting Concepts 3
    CSS 210 Fundamentals of Soil Science 3
    CSUS 310 History of Environmental Thought and Sustainability 3
    CSUS 354 Water Resources Management 3
    CSUS 429 Program Evaluation for Community Sustainability 3
    CSUS 431 Interpretation and Visitor Information Systems 3
    CSUS 445 Community-Based Environmental and Sustainability Education 3
    CSUS 464 Environmental and Natural Resource Policy in Michigan 3
    CSUS 465 Environmental and Natural Resource Law 3
    EEM 255 Ecological Economics 3
    FI 320 Introduction to Finance 3
    FOR 215 Introduction to Wildland Fire 2
    GBL 323 Introduction to Business Law 3
    HB 100 Introduction to Hospitality Business 2
    HB 237 Hospitality Lodging Systems 3
    HB 267 Management of Food and Beverage Systems 3
    MGT 325 Management Skills and Processes 3
    MKT 327 Introduction to Marketing 3


Minor in Sustainable Natural Resource Recreation Management

The Minor in Sustainable Natural Resource Recreation Management is available as an elective to students who are enrolled in bachelor’s degree programs at Michigan State University. Focusing on the management of people, facilities, natural resources and organizations that provide natural resource recreation opportunities, it targets students considering careers in public land management, commercial recreation enterprises, non-profit resource based camps and educational facilities, rural community development, forestry, fisheries, wildlife, criminal justice (conservation/recreation law enforcement), landscape architecture, environmental policy or agriculture. The minor offers students the opportunity to integrate knowledge of social, biological and physical sciences, natural resources and ecosystems to sustainably manage for outcomes that include outdoor recreation.

With the approval of the department that administers the student’s degree program, courses that are used to satisfy the requirements for the minor may also be used to satisfy the requirements for the bachelor’s degree.

Requirements for the Minor in Sustainable Natural Resource Recreation Management

The student must meet the requirements specified below:

1. Both of the following courses (7 credits):
CSUS 276 Sustaining Our National Parks and Recreation Lands 3
CSUS 476 Natural Resource Recreation Management 4
2. One of the following courses outside the student’s course requirements for the major (3 or 4 credits):
ANS 110 Introductory Animal Agriculture 4
CSS 101 Introduction to Crop Science 3
CSUS 200 Introduction to Sustainability 3
CSUS 273 Introduction to travel and Tourism 3
FOR 202 Introduction to Forestry 3
FW 101 Fundamentals of Fisheries and Wildlife Ecology and Management 3
3. Two of the following courses, one of which is outside the student’s course requirements for the major (5 to 7 credits):
CSS 210 Fundamentals of Soil Science 3
CSUS 278 Introduction to Conservation, Recreation and Environmental Enforcement 1
CSUS 354 Water Resources Management 3
CSUS 431 Interpretation and Visitor Information Systems 3
CSUS 464 Environmental and Natural Resource Policy in Michigan 3
CSUS 465 Environmental and Natural Resource Law 3
CSUS 473 Social Entrepreneurship and Community Sustainability 3
CSUS 474 Advanced Topics in Tourism Management 3
FOR 404 Forest Ecology 3
FOR 412 Wildland Fire 2
FOR 466 Natural Resource Policy 3
FW 419 Applications of Geographic Information Systems to Natural Resources Management 4
GEO 221 Introduction to Geographic Information 3
IBIO 355 Ecology 3