Environmental Science 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 Science A.S. program at SUNY Westchester Community College offers a comprehensive scientific foundation to understand and address critical environmental issues such as the biodiversity crisis, habitat loss, and climate change. With a curriculum grounded in biology, chemistry, and earth science, students develop the knowledge base and scientific skills to analyze human impacts on the environment and propose solutions. Graduates are prepared to transfer into bachelor’s programs in Environmental Science, paving the way for a wide range of environmental careers such as wildlife conservation, water and air quality protection, and ecosystem management and restoration.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, a student will:

Demonstrate the ability to evaluate environmental problems with a scientific perspective.
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.
Demonstrate the ability to use science to explain the human impact on the biosphere.

Accreditation

SUNY WCC is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. https://www.sunywcc.edu/about/accreditation/

Program Notes

No additional notes for this program.

Program Requirements

64 credits are required for the degree:

General Education - 30 credits
Required Degree Courses - 34 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 or MATH 161 Precalculus (Functions & Coordinate Geometry)
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 (6 credits): ANTHR 101 - Cultural Anthropology OR GEOG 101 - World Geography OR POLSC 111 - Introduction to World Politics OR PSYCH 101 - Introduction to Psychology ; and ECON 102 - Microeconomics OR POLSC 102 - American Government and Issues OR POLSC 107 - State and Local Government
The Arts OR World Languages (3 credits): choose from either category, The Arts or World Languages

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 - 34 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
ECON 102 - Microeconomics OR POLSC 102 - American Government and Issues OR POLSC 107 - State and Local Government	3
ENG 101 Writing and Research	3
MATH 131 - College Algebra	4
The Arts Gen. Ed. Course OR World Languages Gen. Ed. Course	3
Semester Total Credits	17

Semester 2

Course	Credits
BIOL 117 - General Biology 2 - Lecture & Lab	4
PHYSC 143 - Earth Science - Lecture & Lab	4
ENG 102 Writing and Literature	3
MATH 140 - Statistics	4
Semester Total Credits	15

Semester 3

Course	Credits
CHEM 107 - Inorganic Chemistry 1 - Lecture & Lab	5
BIOL 143 - Environmental Science - Lecture	3
BIOL 144 - Environmental Science - Lab	1
Environmental Science Electives	6
Semester Total Credits	15

Semester 4

Course	Credits
ANTHR 101 - Cultural Anthropology OR GEOG 101 - World Geography OR POLSC 111 - Introduction to World Politics OR PSYCH 101 - Introduction to Psychology	3
CHEM 111 - Inorganic Chemistry 2 - Lecture & Lab	5
HIS 112 - 20th Century United States History	3
Environmental Science Electives	6
Semester Total Credits	14

Minimum Total Credits: 64

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.