Environmental Science, Area of Concentration in Arts & Sciences (AS)
Award: Associate of Sciences Degree
No. of credits required: 60
For more information: Contact Professor Tami Imbierowicz, 443-412-2122, timbierowicz@harford.edu or Assistant Professor Andy Adams, 443-412-2283, anadams@harford.edu (August 15 – June 15); and stem@harford.edu or Admissions, 443-412-2019, admissions@harford.edu (year-round).
Program Description
The A.S. degree in Environmental Science offers students the opportunity to transfer to a senior institution as well as to gain applied skills in order to compete in the job market for technical positions. Environmental scientists engage in work to protect the environment, study the properties of underground and surface waters, locate water and energy resources, predict water-related geologic hazards, and offer environmental site assessments and advice on indoor air quality and hazardous-waste- site remediation.
Program Goals
At the successful completion of the AS Environmental Science degree program, the student will be able to:
- Describe and apply scientific principles and utilize the mathematical tools that are basic to supporting environmentally-related work in science and technology.
- Explain environmental regulations in relationship to scientific principles and law and the impact of these regulations on business.
- Comply with the pertinent environmental regulations by understanding the scientific, technical and legal issues involved, and assist in developing environmental monitoring programs.
- Interpret environmental analysis to provide input to technical and process decisions.
- Transfer to an environmentally-related curriculum at a four-year institution.
Transfer Information
Students planning to transfer to a four-year college or university should check the degree requirements of that institution. If they differ significantly from those listed, students should consult with an advisor for academic guidance.
Employment Information
Federal, State, and local governments employ over half of all environmental scientists and specialists. The strongest job growth is expected to be in private-sector consulting firms. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average growth rate for occupations in this field is 11% from 2014-2024.
Diversity Requirement
To satisfy the diversity requirement: Associate degree students must complete one 3-credit diversity course (D). It is recommended that students select one of the 3-credit (GB), (GH), (GI) course electives from those that also appear on the approved list of diversity course graduation requirements.
Degree Requirements
Recommended Course Sequence
| First Semester | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| CHEM 111 | General Chemistry I (GL) | 4 |
| ENG 101 | English Composition (GE) | 3 |
| ENV 111 | Introduction to Environmental Science (GS) | 3 |
| Arts/Humanities Elective (GH) | 3 | |
| Physical Education Elective | 1 | |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| Arts/Humanities Elective (GH) | 3 | |
| BIO 120 | General Biology I (GL) | 4 |
| GEOG 101 | Physical Geography (GB) | 3 |
| MATH 109 or MATH 203 |
Precalculus Mathematics (GM) 1 or Calculus I (GM) |
4 |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Third Semester | ||
| BIO 121 | General Biology II (GL) | 4 |
| Select one of the following: | 4 | |
| Introductory Physics I (GL) | ||
Core Elective 1,2 |
||
| Behavioral/Social Science Elective (GB) | 3 | |
| Core Elective 2 | 6 | |
| Credits | 17 | |
| Fourth Semester | ||
| Behavioral/Social Science Elective (GB) | 3 | |
| Core Electives 2 | 12 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Total Credits | 60 | |
| 1 | Consult Program Director to ascertain which course(s) best suit individual needs. |
| 2 | Core electives are chosen based on the transfer institution degree program. The student is encouraged to consult the transfer institution and HCC advisors to select core electives. |
Core Electives
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BIO 110 | Introduction to Plant Sciences (GL) | 4 |
| BIO 107 | General Zoology | 4 |
| BIO 202 | Biodiversity | 3 |
| BIO 205 | Microbiology (GL) | 4 |
| BIO 208 | Genetics | 4 |
| CHEM 112 | General Chemistry II A (GL) | 4 |
| CHEM 204 | Analytical Chemistry | 4 |
| CHEM 207 | Organic Chemistry I | 4 |
| CHEM 208 | Organic Chemistry II | 4 |
| ECON 102 | Microeconomics (GB) | 3 |
| ENV 112 | Environmental Science Laboratory (GL) | 1 |
| ENV 122 | Introduction to Soil Sciences | 3 |
| ENV 191 | Indep Study: Environ Science | 1 |
| ENV 193 | Independent Study: Environmental Sciences | 3 |
| ENV 202 | Environmental Law | 3 |
| ENV 220 | Principles of Environmental Analysis I | 4 |
| ES 105 | Earth Science (GS) | 3 |
| ES 106 | Earth Science Laboratory (GL) | 1 |
| ES 108 | General Meteorology (GL) | 4 |
| GEOG 203 | Fundamentals of Geospatial Technology | 3 |
| GEOG 204 | Introduction to Geographic Information Systems | 4 |
| HLTH 104 | Environmental Health (GI) | 3 |
| MATH 204 | Calculus II (GM) | 4 |
| MATH 216 | Introduction to Statistics (GM) | 4 |
| PHYS 102 | Introductory Physics II (GL) | 4 |
| SCI 109 | Introduction to Energy & Sustainability (GS) | 3 |
General Education Degree Requirements
Note: The following codes identify courses which satisfy the General Education Degree Requirements:
Behavioral/Social Science (GB)
English Composition (GE)
Arts/Humanities (GH)
Interdisciplinary and Emerging Issues (GI)
Biological/Physical Laboratory Science (GL)
Mathematics (GM)
Biological/Physical Science (GS)