The Great Lakes contain 20 percent of the world's surface freshwater and Michigan has a wide diversity of lakes, streams and wetlands, making it an ideal place to study freshwater science and sustainability, Two Michigan schools are now working together to offer an opportunity for students to learn more about fresh water.
Western Michigan University and Northwestern Michigan College have joined forces to expand the study of the critical natural resource that is in limited supply and under threat.
Together the two schools have created an interdisciplinary curriculum that leads to students earning a bachelor of science in freshwater science and sustainability.
The new degree program officially begins in September. At WMU-Traverse City and NMC's Great Lakes Campus two courses toward the program are being offered through WMU's Extended University Programs division at its northern Michigan regional location, starting May 5.
Students have a number of options through the program. Students may enroll in the bachelor's-only version of the program offered on WMU's main campus in Kalamazoo. Or those who want to conduct all of their freshwater science and sustainability studies in Traverse City may enroll at NMC and earn an associate degree, then seamlessly transfer to WMU-Traverse City and complete the final two years of coursework required for the bachelor's degree
Hans Van Sumeren, director of NMC's Great Lakes Water Studies Institute, says the new bachelor's degree program reflects an ideal use of both institutions' assets, and fills an important educational niche as well.
"Education in water-related areas is critical to developing sustainable practices and innovative strategies to meet global demands on this critical resource," Van Sumeren says. "This collaboration between NMC and WMU and our freshwater-focused degrees demonstrates how our institutions are providing students the training needed to meet these demands head on."
Source: Jeanne Baron, Western Michigan University
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