Environmental Studies A.S.

School: Mathematics, Science and Engineering
Academic Dept: Biology
HEGIS: 5604

Important Note about Program Requirements

The requirements listed below are for students entering into this program from Fall 2025 to Summer 2026. Students who entered the program during a prior semester will find their specific requirements listed in the Catalog under which they entered. Archived Catalogs are accessible through the dropdown menu above.

Program Description

The Environmental Studies A.S. program at SUNY Westchester Community College is an interdisciplinary program that integrates natural sciences and social sciences, providing students with the foundation to understand how societies deal with pressing environmental issues like pollution, management of natural resources, meeting energy needs, and climate change. Graduates are prepared to transfer into bachelor’s programs in Environmental Studies and to pursue careers that focus on policy development, environmental education and advocacy, and sustainable practices.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, a student will:

Integrate concepts from the natural and social sciences in the analysis of environmental issues.
Demonstrate the ability to use the scientific method of inquiry and analysis to better understand nature, our impact on it and how applied science, technology and public policies may foster sustainable global development.
Explain the human impact on the planet and describe policy options for fostering sustainable decision-making.

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 - Lecture & 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

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

Course	Credits
BIOL 115 - General Biology 1 - Lecture & Lab	4
ENG 101 Writing and Research	3
MATH 131 - College Algebra or higher-level math course	4
The Arts Gen. Ed. Course OR World Languages Gen. Ed. Course	3
Semester Total Credits	14

Semester 2

Course	Credits
BIOL 117 - General Biology 2 - Lecture & Lab	4
BIOL 155 - Environmental Studies - Lecture	3
ECON 102 - Microeconomics	3
ENG 102 Writing and Literature	3
MATH 140 - Statistics	4
Semester Total Credits	17

Semester 3

Course	Credits
BIOL 143 - Environmental Science - Lecture	3
BIOL 144 - Environmental Science - Lab	1
CHEM 113 - Principles of Inorganic Chemistry - Lecture & Lab	4
Environmental Studies Elective	3
PHIL 160 - Ethics	3
POLSC 102 - American Government and Issues OR POLSC 107 - State and Local Government	3
Semester Total Credits	17

Semester 4

Course	Credits
ANTHR 101 - Cultural Anthropology OR SOC 101 - Introduction to Sociology OR PSYCH 101 - Introduction to Psychology	3
HIS 112 - 20th Century United States History	3
Environmental Studies Electives	9
Semester Total Credits	15

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.

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