ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES A.S.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

This program is designed for students who plan to transfer and continue their studies towards a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies, or in related fields such as wildlife management, resources management, conservation biology, or environmental science. This is an interdisciplinary program that provides broad environmental literacy and a solid foundation for exploring the diverse environmental education and career opportunities.

PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOMES

  • Demonstrate an understanding of basic physical and biological principles that govern natural processes
  • Develop an understanding of the socioeconomic and political influence that shape our perceptions of nature and environmental issues
  • Understand the interactions and complexities of environmental problems
  • Gain technical literacy in using documents like maps, photographs, and images to communicate with the relevant audience
  • Gain basic communication skills in using visual, written and oral reports
  • Transfer into a related four-year program

CAREER POSSIBILITIES

Completion of this degree alone could serve as an entry level credential for employment as environmental science and environmental protection technicians. Continuation through transfer institutions would qualify the graduates to pursue public and private career opportunities in conservation, consulting, wildlife, education, green businesses, and various environmental fields. Students develop career-related skills and expertise in areas such as environmental analysis, environmental information and mapping, and environmental health.

TRANSFER INFORMATION

Cayuga has an articulation agreement in Environmental Science with SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry and SUNY College at Brockport.

Students should contact their advisor and/or the Coordinator for Transfer and Articulation in the Centers for Student Engagement and Academic Advisement for information on transfer planning. Early consultation to plan the most appropriate course sequence will optimize transferability.

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

General Education requirements must be met before the AS degree will be granted. The courses listed on this page represent the minimum requirements for the AS degree in Environmental Studies.

Degree requirements for the Environmental Studies A.S. program
COURSES CREDIT HOURS
FIRST SEMESTER
BIOL 103 Biological Principles I 4
ENGL 101 Freshman English I 3
GIS 101
OR
GIS 111
Foundations of Geographic Information Systems
OR
Introduction to Geographic Information Systems
3
BIOL 208 Introduction to Environmental Science 3
Math Elective * 3
16
SECOND SEMESTER
BIOL 104 Biological Principles II 4
ENGL 102 Freshman English II 3
GIS 121 Remote Sensing and Aerial Photogrammetry 3
Math 104 College Algebra or Trigonometry (or higher ) 3
ENGL 221
OR
ENGL 222
OR
ENGL 270
Effective Speech: Public Address
OR
Effective Speech: Group Discussion
OR
Technical Writing
3
16
THIRD SEMESTER
CHEM 103 General Chemistry I 4
BIOL 223 General Ecology 4
General Education DEISJ 3
Health or Physical Education 1
GIS/Science Elective ** 3
15
FOURTH SEMESTER
CHEM 104 General Chemistry II 4
HIST 103
OR
HIST104
OR
HIST105
Pre-History and Early American History
OR
19th Century American History
OR
America in the 20th and 21st Centuries
3
ECON 201
OR
ECON 202
Introduction to Economics I
OR
Introduction to Economics II
GIS/Science Elective ** 3
General Education World History and Global Awareness or the Arts 3
16
TOTAL CREDIT HOURS 63

* Math 102 or higher (MATH 112, 115, 116 or 121 will not fulfill the Math requirement)
** The following will fulfill this requirement: BIOL 225/226/216, GIS 122/205/220, GEOL110, PHYS 103/104/200/201, CHEM 207/208

A prior felony conviction may hinder a student’s ability to enroll in a course or complete the requirements of certain academic programs and/or meet the criteria for licensure required by certain professions.