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Environmental Science, Associate in Science

Overview

Narrative

As an Environmental Science student, you will experience a broad and dynamic field that unites a number of disciplines so you can understand the biologic, hydrologic, geologic, and atmospheric components of the Earth and the role of human beings on the Earth. In addition, an information explosion has occurred in Environmental Science that will provide you with opportunities in many facets of the field. With a curriculum that parallels the first two years of most four-year programs, NCC can provide you will the foundational knowledge and skills in this expanding area of science in preparation for transfer to a four-year college or university program.

NCC's program can be customized to prepare you for the range of majors and fields that are based in the environment, including laboratory sciences, wildlife conservation, resource management, environmental law, human ecology, and more. By working closely with an advisor, you can choose the right electives and stay on track with the requirements of the transfer college of your choice.

Features

Northampton has close articulation agreements with a variety of colleges; these agreements will enable you to transfer from NCC to the four-year institution you select. You will receive close advising, and based on your performance, you are assured easy transfer of your credits. Students graduating from NCC often transfer to baccalaureate institutions such as Moravian College, Cedar Crest College, College of the Atlantic, the State University of New York-College of Environmental Sciences and Forestry as well as universities belonging to the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE).

Requirements

We expect you to have a sufficient background in English, math, and chemistry. Students who come to NCC without these previous experiences can take courses to prepare for the more advanced math and science required in the program. We recommend that you take the necessary preparatory classes prior to or during your first semester.

Outcomes

Graduates of the program will:

  • Understand fundamental concepts of Environmental Science, interrelating the functions of living and nonliving systems and the role of humans in the environment.
  • Demonstrate oral and written communication skills necessary for sharing discipline-specific knowledge and communicating professionally.
  • Conduct scientific inquiry and research on environmental topics as those topics relate to science, technology, and society.
  • Proficiently function in laboratory and field settings, demonstrating proper field techniques and using modern scientific instrumentation, including sampling and measuring devices as well as computer technology.
  • Demonstrate understanding of the fundamentals of environmental safety to ensure both personal and group safety.
  • Understand the use of the scientific method to interpret scientific data and make policy recommendations based on the data.

Courses

First Semester

COLS101College Success

1 credits
BIOS107Biology I

4 credits
CHEM120General Chemistry I

4 credits
ENGL101English I

3 credits
MATH
Mathematics Elective (QL) +

3 credits
Environmental Concepts Elective ++

3/4 credits
Total Credit Hours:18-19

Second Semester

BIOS150Biology II

4 credits
CHEM220General Chemistry II

4 credits
ENGL151LEnglish II

3 credits
COMM101Introduction to Communication

3 credits
MATH
Mathematics Elective (QL) +

3 credits
Total Credit Hours:17

Third Semester

BIOS206General Ecology

4 credits
CHEM201GOrganic Chemistry I

4 credits
Environmental Concepts Elective ++

3/4 credits
General Education Elective

3 credits
Total Credit Hours:14-15

Fourth Semester

BIOS210Environmental Biology

4 credits
CHEM251Organic Chemistry II

4 credits
Environmental Concepts Elective ++

3/4 credits
General Education Elective

3 credits
Total Credit Hours:14-15

Total Credit Hours: 63-66

+ Mathematics Elective options: MATH140, MATH145, MATH150, MATH160, MATH175, MATH176, MATH180, MATH181, MATH210, MATH211. To insure transfer, electives should be selected to meet the requirements of the appropriate transfer institution.

++ Environmental Concepts Electives: Students are required to take three electives from among the following courses: BIOS220, BIOS230, GEOG121, GEOG140, GEOG271, GEOL201, HUMA150. To insure transfer, electives should be selected to meet the requirements of the appropriate transfer institution.

  • For the General Education Electives, students must select one course from the list of approved courses in two of the following categories: Arts & Humanities (AH); Social Science: Societies and Institutions over Time (SIT) and Social Science: Scientific Study of Human Behavior (SSHB).
  • One course must be designated Diversity (D).
  • Completion of CHEM201G satisfies the program-related Writing Intensive (WI) requirement. In addition, one General Education Elective course must be taken in a Writing Intensive (WI) section.
  • Computer competencies are included in various program courses. Thus, completing the program automatically satisfies the computing requirement for this program.