Environmental Science and Sustainability

Discover how you can save the planet in this unique sustainability transfer program

Sustainable practices are not only good for the earth, they’re good for careers in business, health care, fashion, journalism, hospitality, technology, law, and tourism—to name just a few!

In the sustainability studies associate degree program at Monroe Community College, you’ll gain a deep and broad understanding of the issues, topics and disciplines that surround sustainability. Sustainability professors are passionate about their subjects and practice what they teach.

This unique transfer program gives you an excellent foundation for future studies in a wide range of disciplines. You could start your career with one of these job titles:

  • Soil and water conservationist
  • Travel guide
  • Buyer and purchasing agent
  • Urban planner
  • Climate change analyst
  • Zoologist and wildlife biologist

Think About the Future in Whole New Ways

Sustainability is grounded on the conviction that we should develop ways to meet our present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

The sustainability studies A.S. program provides you with an understanding of how social, economic, institutional, and environmental aspects of sustainability relate to both the human and the non-human environment.

You’ll study the interrelated trends of population growth, resource consumption and technological progress. You’ll also analyze how individual actions affect social, economic, and environmental systems, and design a solution to a sustainability-related problem.

A diverse range of employers look for professionals with sustainability backgrounds:

  • Unity Health Systems
  • Xerox Corporation
  • University of Rochester
  • Nixon Peabody LLP
  • Haley & Aldrich
  • Carestream Health

To find out more about the sustainability studies associate degree from Monroe Community College, contact the admissions office at admissions@annccb.com or (585) 292-2200.

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND SUSTAINABILITY

A.S. Degree - Transfer Program

Department:Biology

School(s): Science, Technology, Engineering & Math (STEM)

MCC Program Code: SC02

Description
The Environmental Science Program is designed for students interested in pursuing a degree or career in a scientific field related to environmental study. The primary goal of the program is to prepare students for transfer into a B.S. degree program at a 4-year college or university. Environmental Science and Sustainability are very broad disciplines and include study in several branches of science including Biology, Chemistry, and Geology. By completing this program, students will acquire knowledge in these fundamental science disciplines as well as in other liberal arts courses. Students will acquire skills necessary to evaluate and apply that knowledge to better understand environmental topics.

Program Learning Outcomes
1.Summarize major concepts pertaining to the study of environmental science.
2.Apply the scientific method to questions in the discipline of environmental science.
3.Perform laboratory and field techniques to collect data pertaining to environmental science.
4.Analyze and interpret scientific information.
5.Evaluate potential solutions to environmental problems.
6.Incorporate concepts from several disciplines, such as environmental science, economics, and the social sciences, in describing the complexity of environmental issues.

Employment Potential
For related jobs: Career Coach
Occupational Resource: http://www.onetonline.org

Requirements for Program Entrance
Students who plan to complete this program in two years should have, 1) Completed high school biology with a grade of B or higher and a Regents biology examination score of 80 or higher OR completed Biology 120 at MCC with a grade of "C" or higher, 2) Regents chemistry examination score of 70 or higher OR Chemistry 145 at MCC with a grade of "C" or higher, 3) English placement at the English 101 level or higher, 4) Math placement at the level 9 OR Math 165 at MCC with a grade of "C" or higher or permission of the Monroe Community College Biology Department. Recommended high school courses: Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, English Composition.

Distribution Requirements

Credit Hours
FIRST SEMESTER
ENG 101 College Composition OR
ENG 200 Advanced Composition
3
BIO 155 - Introduction to Cell and Molecular Biology OR
BIO 156 - Introduction to Organismal Biology and Ecology (grade of C- or higher required)
4
CHE 151 - General College Chemistry I (grade of C- or higher required)
4
MTH 175 - Precalculus OR
MTH 200 - Applied Calculus OR
MTH 210 - Calculus I
4
COS 101 - College Orientation
1
First Semester Total:
16
SECOND SEMESTER
BIO 116 Introduction to Environmental Science
3
BIO 155 - Introduction to Cell and Molecular Biology OR
BIO 156 - Introduction to Organismal Biology and Ecology (grade of C- or higher required)
4
CHE 152 - General College Chemistry II
4
MTH 160 - Statistics I OR
MTH 200 - Applied Calculus OR
MTH 210 - Calculus I OR
MTH 211 - Calculus II
3-4
Second Semester Total:
14-15
THIRD SEMESTER
BIO 260 - General Ecology
4
SOC 210 - Introduction to Global Studies
3
BIO 225 - Bioanalytical Techniques I OR
GEO 101 - Physical Geology-GR OR
PHY 145 - College Physics I OR
CHE 251 - Organic Chemistry I
4-5
OPEN ELECTIVE
3-4
Third Semester Total:
14-16
FOURTH SEMESTER
GEG 130 - Digital Earth OR
SUS 101 - Introduction to Sustainability
3-4
PHL 103 - Introduction to Ethics
3
GEO 101 - Physical Geology-GR OR
GEO 210 - Environmental Geology OR
PHY 145 - College Physics I OR
PHY 146 - College Physics II OR
CHE 251 - Organic Chemistry I OR
CHE 252 - Organic Chemistry II
4-5
SUNY GENERAL EDUCATION THE ARTS (SUNY-ARTS) ELECTIVE OR
SUNY GENERAL EDUCATION - SOCIAL SCIENCES (SUNY-SOCS) ELECTIVE OR
SUNY GENERAL EDUCATION U. S. HISTORY and CIVIC ENGAGEMENT (SUNY-USCV) ELECTIVE OR
SUNY GENERAL EDUCATION WORLD LANGUAGES (SUNY-WLNG) ELECTIVE*
3
Open Elective
3
Fourth Semester Total:
16-18
TOTAL CREDITS:
60-65
* Recommended: SOC 209 - Environmental Sociology
Revised: 3/28/2024


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