Natural Resources Studies Transfer Option, Environmental Science, A.S.

CONTACT

Laurel Carpenter, 413.552.2263, lcarpenter@hcc.edu

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

This program applies towards a Natural Resources Conservation degree at four year colleges. In particular, this program is designed for direct transfer to the Natural Resource Conservation, Wildlife Conservation, and Fisheries Conservation majors in the Department of Environmental Conservation at the University of Massachusetts.

PROGRAM OUTCOMES

Upon completion of this program, students will be able to:

understand the biological, chemical, and physical aspects of air, water, and land pollution and be able to describe human roles in producing those pollution types
describe how environmental systems and human systems function
describe local, national, and international case studies of environmental pollution and be able to describe aspects of environmental justice and ethics surroundings those studies
explain why biodiversity is critical to ecosystem functioning
use concepts of population ecology to understand both wildlife and human population growth and the resulting impacts
apply the concepts of ecology, energy flow, and material cycling to specific environmental problems
organize, present, and write environmental science topics using scientific formatting that would be expected from a career professional
use computer technology, field, and laboratory equipment to conduct physical, chemical, and biological environmental analyses
understand the importance of accurate data collection, recording, and analysis
use knowledge of scientific methods to interpret and think critically about scientific reports, news, or other media

GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS: 30 CREDITS

ENG 101(A) - Composition I Credit(s): 3
ENG 102(A) - Composition II Credit(s): 3
POL 120(B) - State and Local Government Credit(s): 3
SOC 110(B) - Introduction to Sociology Credit(s): 3
HIS 225(C) - American Environmental History Credit(s): 3
Any HIS elective Credit(s): 3
MTH 104(D) - College Algebra Credit(s): 4
ENV 120(E) - Introduction to Environmental Science Credit(s): 4
ENV 140(E) - People and the Environment Credit(s): 4

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS: 30 CREDITS

BIO 107(E) - General Biology I: Introduction to Cell Functions Credit(s): 4
BIO 108(E) - General Biology II: Diversity of Life on Earth Credit(s): 4
CHM 121(E) - Chemistry for Science and Engineering Students I Credit(s): 4
CHM 124(E) - Chemistry for Science and Engineering Students II Credit(s): 4
ENV 125 - Mapping with Geographic Information Systems Credit(s): 3
ENV 137(E) - Environmental Geology Credit(s): 4 ¹
or
ESC 130(E) - Introduction to Oceanography Credit(s): 4 ¹
ENV 253(E) - Aquatic Ecology and Pollution Credit(s): 4
MTH 142(D) - Statistics Credit(s): 3

PROGRAM ELECTIVES: 4 CREDITS

select 1 of the following:
BIO 130(E) - Conservation Biology Credit(s): 4
BIO 230(E) - Ecology Credit(s): 4
ENV 138(E) - Soil and the Environment Credit(s): 4
MTH 108(D) - Precalculus Credit(s): 4

TOTAL: 64 CREDITS

NOTES

¹Recommended choice will depend on the student’s intended transfer institution. Please consult either the program coordinator or transfer coordinator for proper advisement.

This program qualifies for the MassTransfer STEM block, which guarantees credit transfer to Massachusetts state colleges and universities. MassTransfer grants students automatic acceptance to certain Massachusetts state colleges and universities by achieving the minimum grade point average and the HCC degree. Students who enroll in programs with the 28-credit MassTransfer STEM block will need to complete the associate’s degree in order to waive the general education requirements at a Massachusetts State University. In addition to the completion of the associate’s degree and the STEM block at HCC, students will need to complete an additional 12 credits in general education at the four-year college. If a student does not complete the associate’s degree prior to transferring, it is recommended that they complete the 34-credit MassTransfer block. Students should meet with Mark Broadbent, Coordinator of Transfer Affairs, to discuss their transfer plans.

Depending on course selection, 50% of this program can be completed online. Go to Online Learning for more information.

(M032)