Environmental Science, A.S.

Environmental Science is an interdisciplinary science major for students interested in the exploration of human interactions with the natural world. The major provides a broad foundation to the biological, physical, and chemical processes of the natural world. Additional coursework in mathematics, geographic information systems, earth science, environmental economics, and environmental policy highlights the interdisciplinary nature of environmental science. The major focuses on environmental processes, problems, and solutions.

* Milestone Courses should be taken in the order shown. This will help you stay on track and graduate on time.

Semester 1

ENV-105 Environmental Science/Lab Credits: 4 *
ENG-111 College Writing I Credits: 3
GenEd -CCC Community & Cultural Contexts Credits: 3
MAT-197 Precalculus Credits: 4
or
MAT-281 Calculus I Credits: 4

Total Credits: 14

Semester 1 Advising Note

The A.S. Environmental Science Program is appropriate for students who are interested in pursuing a B.S degree in Environmental Science or a B.A. degree in Environmental Studies
General Education Requirements Quantitative Problem Solving and Scientific Reasoning are satisfied by this program.
This map assumes a student enters the College ready to enroll in MAT-197 Precalculus .
Students need to complete seven General Education courses during semesters 1 & 2. These do not need to be completed in any sequence.
For students planning to apply to a B.S. Program in Environmental Science: Take MAT-281 Calculus I and complete PHY-251 Physics I/Lab
For students planning to apply to a B.A. Program in Environmental Studies: Take MAT-197 Precalculus and complete PHY-201 General Physics I/Lab

Semester 2

ENG-112 College Writing II Credits: 3 *
MAT-181 Statistics I Credits: 3
BIO-195 General Biology I & Lab Credits: 4
GenEd -E General Education Elective Credits: 4
Choose one of the following:
ENV-111 Survey of Renewable Energy or, ENV-113 Introduction to Oceanography/Lab or, ENV-115 Earth Science or, ENV-120 Tropical Field Studies
GenEd -CW Creative Work Credits: 3

Total Credits: 17

Semester 2 Advising Note

ENV-120 is a study abroad course in a tropical country.
To lighten semester load, it is recommended to complete the General Education courses in the Summer

Semester 3

BIO-196 General Biology II & Lab Credits: 4 *
ECO-220 Environmental Economics Credits: 3
or
ENV-222 Environmental Policy, Law, and Management Credits: 3
CHM-201 General Chemistry I & Lab Credits: 4
PHY-201 General Physics I/Lab Credits: 4
or
PHY-251 Physics I/Lab Credits: 4

Total Credits: 15

Semester 3 Advising Note

For students planning to apply to a B.S. Program in Environmental Science: Take MAT-281 Calculus I and complete PHY-251 Physics I/Lab
For students planning to apply to a B.A. Program in Environmental Studies: Take MAT-197 Precalculus and complete PHY-201 General Physics I/Lab

Semester 4

Elective- Option Elective Credits: 4
Option Elective:
BIO-210 Population Ecology & Lab , ENV-211 Environmental Microbiology/Lab , ENV-250 Global Environmental Change , MAT-281 Calculus I , (see semester advising note), PHY-202 General Physics II/Lab , PHY-252 Physics II/Lab
Elective- Option Elective Credits: 4
Option Electives:
BIO-210 Population Ecology & Lab , ENV-211 Environmental Microbiology/Lab , ENV-250 Global Environmental Change , MAT-281 Calculus I , (see semester advising note), PHY-202 General Physics II/Lab , PHY-252 Physics II/Lab
CHM-202 General Chemistry II & Lab Credits: 4
GIS-224 Intro to Geographic Information Systems Credits: 4 *

Total Credits: 16

Semester 4 Advising Note

MAT-281 Calculus I cannot be used as a program elective unless you have also completed MAT-197 Precalculus .
Successful completion GIS-224 Intro to Geographic Information Systems course will require access outside of class to Windows computers with ArcGIS for Desktop installed; evaluation licenses will be made available for students to install ArcGIS onto their own Windows computers. ArcGIS for Desktop will also be provided in two public computers on campus for students without personal computers.
Apply for Graduation
Any course, other than those listed, must be approved by the program director.

Upon Completion of This Concentration Graduates Will Be Able To:

Identify, define, and explore the major concepts of environment processes, problems, and solutions
Investigate a variety of scientific methods and techniques to study the environment
Demonstrate effective oral and written communication skills about environmental findings
Analyze the cultural, ethical, economic, and government policy aspects of current and emerging environmental concerns

Career Outlook

Students majoring in Environmental Science prepare for a variety of entry-level careers in the private, public and non-profit sector involving resource conservation and sustainability. Entry-level careers include environmental monitors, assistants, and technicians. This program will allow students to transfer to four-year colleges and universities to seek a bachelor’s degree in environmental science or environmental studies. A bachelor’s or graduate degree is required for professional positions in education, outreach, environmental planning, environmental conservation, natural resource management, environmental consulting, environmental monitoring, environmental engineering, hazardous materials, and occupational health and safety.

Employment of environmental scientists and specialists is projected to grow 8 percent from 2018 to 2028, faster than the average for all occupations. Heightened public interest in the hazards facing the environment, as well as increasing demands placed on the environment by population growth, are expected to spur demand for environmental scientists and specialists Link to Bureau of Labor Statistics https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/environmental-scien-tists-and-specialists.htm