Program Description

The Associate in Science (AS) degree program in Environmental Studies is designed for transfer, paralleling the first two years of course content for an Environmental Studies Bachelor’s degree. Coursework focuses on establishing foundations in mathematics, biology, environmental science, political science, and social science, providing a broader understanding of topics like sustainability, global climate change, ecosystem protection, natural resource management, and environmental policy and protection. Graduates of the AS program, who then complete their BS/BA degrees in Environmental Studies, are qualified for careers in environmental education and environmental policy, regulation, and law.

Program Requirements

63 credits are required for the degree:

• General Education - 30 credits
• Required Degree Courses - 33 credits

General Education Requirements - 30 Credits

• Communication - Written and Oral (3 credits): ENG 101 Writing and Research  
   
• Humanities (3 credits): ENG 102 Writing and Literature  
   
• Mathematics (and Quantitative Reasoning) (8 credits):  MATH 131 - College Algebra  or higher-level math course and MATH 140 - Statistics  
   
• Natural Sciences (and Scientific Reasoning) (4 credits): BIOL 115 - General Biology 1 (and Lab)  
   
• Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Social Justice; and US History and Civic Engagement (3 credits): HIS 112 - 20th Century United States History  
   
• Social Sciences (3 credits): ANTHR 101 - Cultural Anthropology  OR  SOC 101 - Introduction to Sociology  OR PSYCH 101 - Introduction to Psychology  
   
• The Arts OR World Languages (3 credits): choose from either category, The Arts  or  World Languages  
   
• US History and Civic Engagement (3 credits): POLSC 102 - American Government and Issues  OR POLSC 107 - State and Local Government  

Where specific courses are not listed within the categories above, courses must be selected from the list of all general education courses . 

Required Degree Courses - 33 credits

• BIOL 117 - General Biology 2 (and Lab)  
• BIOL 143 - Environmental Science  
• BIOL 144 - Environmental Science (Lab)  
• BIOL 155 - Environmental Studies  
• CHEM 113 - Principles of Inorganic Chemistry (and Lab)  
• ECON 102 - Microeconomics  
• PHIL 160 - Ethics  
   
• Environmental Studies Electives (12 credits): select FOUR courses of the following
  • ANTHR 102 - Intro to Archaeology  
  • ANTHR 103 - Biological Anthropology  
  • BIOL 140 - Evolution and Ecology  
  • BIOL 159 - Problems in Pollution  
  • GEOG 101 - World Geography  
  • PHYSC 129 - Introduction to Oceanography (and Lab)  
  • PHYSC 162 - Climate Change and Our Future  
  • PHYSC 165 - Principles of Energy  
  • POLSC 111 - Introduction to World Politics  

Program Map

The program map is a recommended semester-by-semester schedule of courses based on degree requirements and serve as a general guideline to help students complete their program in two years. Although designed for full-time enrollment, these are easily adaptable for part-time study. For additional, individualized guidance, students should review Degree Works and consult an Academic Counselor or Faculty Advisor to ensure they are on track to complete their program.

Semester 1

Semester 2

Semester 3

Semester 4

Minimum Total Credits: 63

Transfer Opportunities

Westchester Community College is committed to facilitating a smooth transfer process to ensure that graduates of the college are prepared to transfer with junior status, and are able to complete a bachelor’s degree within two years of full-time study upon transfer. View 4-year institutions’ transfer agreement information by program here.

Career Opportunities

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