We've created a simple worksheet you can use to map out your four year plan and share with your academic advisor.
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Use the four-year academic pathways for each UMBC major/program listed below as a resource for major exploration and development of an individualized degree plan.

Please note that these academic pathways are sample pathways. Students, in consultation with their academic advisor, will create an individualized degree plan, reflecting their academic preparation, interests and goals. Students are strongly encouraged to develop an individualized degree plan by no later than 45 credits earned and to update the plan regularly, in consultation with an academic advisor.

For complete information on degree requirements, reference the Undergraduate Course Catalog (catalog.umbc.edu).

Select a major/program to view its pathway:

Geography & Environmental Systems - Environmental Science & Geography - B.S.

Degree Requirements
Total Academic Credits:
120
Major Credits:
63
Min. Upper-Level Credits:
45
Min. Cumulative GPA:
2.0
§ indicates Benchmark requirements
‡ indicates Gateway courses
Curriculum Notes
  • This sample plan assumes no AP/IB/CLEP or transfer credit and foreign language proficiency up to the 201 level
  • All students must complete a credit-bearing English and Mathematics course in the first year of study
Year One
Fall Semester Credits
GES 110 The Changing Earth: Climate, Ecosystems, Water, and Landscapes (S non-lab GEP) § 3
MATH 151 Calc. & Analytic Geom. (MATH GEP) § 4
CHEM 101 Principles of Chemistry I § 4
SS GEP 3
AH GEP 3
Total 17
Spring Semester Credits
GES 120 Environmental Science & Conservation § 3
BIOL 141 Found. of Biology: Cells, Energy & Org. § 4
CHEM 102 Principles of Chemistry II § 3
ENGL GEP 3
SS GEP 3
Total 16
Year Two
Fall Semester Credits
GES 220 Lab & Field Techniques for Environmental Science (S w/ lab GEP) § 4
GES 286 Exploring the Environment: A Geo-Spatial Perspective § 4
Foreign Language 201 4
AH GEP 3
Total 15
Spring Semester Credits
GES 386 Intro. to Geographic Information Systems 4
GES 300 or 400-level Physical Geo/Environmental Science Elective 3
PHYS 111 or 121 § 4
STAT 350, 351 or 355 § 4
Total 15
Year Three
Fall Semester Credits
GES 308 Ecology § 3
GES 300 or 400-level Phys. Geo/Envir. Sci. Elective 3
AH GEP 3
Elective 3
Elective 3
Total 15
Spring Semester Credits
GES 300 or 400-level Phys. Geo/Envir. Sci. Elective 3
GES 310 or 311 3
SS GEP 3
Upper-level Elective 3
Upper-level Elective 3
Total 15
Year Four
Fall Semester Credits
GES 400-level Physical Geo/Envir. Sci. Elective 3
Writing Intensive Course 3
C GEP 3
Upper-Level Elective 3
Upper-Level Elective 3
Total 15
Spring Semester Credits
GES 400-level Physical Geo/Envir. Sci. Elective 3
Upper-Level Elective 3
Upper-Level Elective 3
Elective 3
Total 12
Advising Coordinator:
Hasnain Ali hali6@umbc.edu Sondheim Building, Room 211