Dec 21, 2024

Catalog 2021-2022

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Catalog 2021-2022 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Environmental Science, Science Area of Concentration

Important Information

Short Description

Type of Credential

Associate of Science (A.S.) in Science
Area of Concentration - Environmental Science

Program Code

A 146

Contacts and Additional Information

Coordinators for Physical Sciences:

Catonsville Coordinator: August 15 - June 15
Erica DiCara
443-840-4119 or edicara@ccbcmd.edu

Dundalk Coordinator: August 15 - June 15
Robin Minor
443-840-3756 or rminor@ccbcmd.edu

Essex Coordinator: August 15 - June 15
Stephanie Rafferty-Thompson
443-840-2672 or srafferty@ccbcmd.edu

Physical Science Department Chair (all campuses): Year-round
Erica DiCara
443-840-4119 or edicara@ccbcmd.edu

Assistant Dean of Science:

Christine DeStefano
443-840-2673 or cdestefano@ccbcmd.edu

Additional Information:

Opportunities for Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) - Several Science and General Education classes offer PLA. See Portfolio, Departmental Exam, CLEP, DSST, Advanced Placement, and International Baccalaureate.
Articulation and Transfer Agreements

Semester Sequence

This is a suggested full-time schedule for a student who has completed any developmental course work and has no transfer credits. Refer to the College catalog for specific requirements in selecting General Education Courses .

Semester 1*

ENGL 101 - College Composition I 3 Credit(s).
ENVS 101 - Introduction to Environmental Science 3 Credit(s).
ENVS 102 - Introduction to Environmental Science Laboratory 1 Credit(s).
MATH 165 - Pre-Calculus II 4 Credit(s). **
Gen. Ed. Elective - Information Technology (CSIT 101 or CSIT 111 3 Credit(s).

Semester 2

BIOL 110 - Biology I: Molecules and Cells 4 Credit(s).
CMNS 101 - Fundamentals of Communication 3 Credit(s).
GEOG 101 - Introduction to Physical Geography 3 Credit(s).
PHYS 101 - Fundamentals of Physics I 4 Credit(s).
Gen. Ed. Elective - Social and Behavioral Sciences 3 Credit(s).

Semester 3

CHEM 131 - General Chemistry I 4 Credit(s). ***
ECON 163 - Issues in Environmental Economics and Sustainable Development 3 Credit(s).
Gen. Ed. Elective - Arts and Humanities 3 Credit(s).
Program Elective - (BIOL 111 recommended) 3-4 Credit(s).

Semester 4

BIOL 104 or BIOL 106 4 Credit(s).
GEOA 101 - Introduction to Geographic Information Systems 3 Credit(s).
Program Elective (BIOL 230 recommended) 4 Credit(s).
Program Elective 3-4 Credit(s).
Program Elective (if needed to reach 60 credits) 3-4 Credit(s).

Courses Needed for this Area of Concentration*

General Education Requirements and Electives - 30 Credits

General Education Requirements:

CMNS 101 - Fundamentals of Communication 3 Credit(s).
ECON 163 - Issues in Environmental Economics and Sustainable Development 3 Credit(s).
ENGL 101 - College Composition I 3 Credit(s).
ENVS 101 - Introduction to Environmental Science 3 Credit(s).
ENVS 102 - Introduction to Environmental Science Laboratory 1 Credit(s).
MATH 165 - Pre-Calculus II 4 Credit(s). **
PHYS 101 - Fundamentals of Physics I 4 Credit(s).

General Education Electives:

Choose courses in each category from the list of approved General Education Courses . One course must be a Diversity course.

Arts and Humanities 3 Credit(s).
Social and Behavioral Sciences 3 Credit(s).
Information Technology: CSIT 101 or CSIT 111 3 Credit(s).

Program Requirements and Electives - 30 Credits

Program Requirements:

BIOL 104 - Introductory Botany 4 Credit(s).
or
BIOL 106 - Zoology 4 Credit(s).
BIOL 110 - Biology I: Molecules and Cells 4 Credit(s).
BIOL 111 - Biology II: Evolution and Ecology 4 Credit(s).
CHEM 131 - General Chemistry I 4 Credit(s). ***
GEOA 101 - Introduction to Geographic Information Systems 3 Credit(s).
GEOG 101 - Introduction to Physical Geography 3 Credit(s).

Program Electives:

Select credits from the following list of electives to attain 60 credits for the degree. A student’s selection of General Education electives will determine the total elective credits required to reach 60 credits. Additional courses beyond those listed below may be used to complete the degree requirements with the approval of the Program Coordinator/Academic Dean. Electives should be chosen based on the requirements of the transfer institution.

BIOL 104 - Introductory Botany 4 Credit(s).
or
BIOL 106 - Zoology 4 Credit(s). (whichever was not chosen as a requirement)
BIOL 111 - Biology II: Evolution and Ecology 4 Credit(s).
BIOL 230 - Microbiology 4 Credit(s).
ERSC 121 - Physical Geology 3 Credit(s).
ERSC 122 - Physical Geology Laboratory 1 Credit(s).
ERSC 131 - Meteorology 4 Credit(s).
ERSC 141 - Oceanography 3 Credit(s).
or
GEOG 141 - Oceanography 3 Credit(s).
ERSC 142 - Oceanography Laboratory 1 Credit(s).
or
GEOG 142 - Oceanography Laboratory 1 Credit(s).

Total Number of Credits Required for Degree: 60*

Notes

*Credit students who are new to college (no successfully completed transferable college credits from other institutions) are required to take ACDV 101 - Academic Development: Transitioning to College . This 1-credit course is designed to be taken in the first semester at CCBC. Students must provide an official transcript(s) from an accredited institution to document successful completion of college coursework for the ACDV 101 requirement to be waived.

**Competitive transfer programs may require Calculus.

***In order to take CHEM 131 , students must have done one of the following:

Completed CHEM 107 and CHEM 108 with a grade of C or better, OR
Passed the Chemistry placement exam and completed or tested out of (ENGL 052 and RDNG 052) or ACLT 052, and MATH 083, OR
Received permission from the Physical Sciences department chair.

Area of Concentration Description

This area of concentration is designed to help students transfer to colleges and universities that offer a baccalaureate degree with a major in Environmental Science. Beyond the General Education requirements and other degree, program, and elective requirements, this concentration should be considered in light of the requirements of the selected transfer institution. Students should consult with a Program Coordinator for information about specific requirements.

Four-year institutions vary in their requirements for an Environmental Science major. It is recommended that a student consult with an advisor at the transfer institution as soon as possible in order to choose courses at CCBC that meet the requirements at the four-year institution.

Environmental Science is the study of how the natural world functions and how humans interact with the world around us. Environmental Scientists are needed in parks and other natural areas as well as in basic research and policy making positions in both government and industry. ENVS courses mix theory and principles of environmental science with hands-on experiences. Students learn about environmental monitoring and sampling methods and environmental conditions and explore environmental policies and technologies.

Area of Concentration Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this area of concentration, students will be able to:

demonstrate how natural systems operate and interrelate with one another;
critically evaluate how human activities affect natural systems;
delineate natural flows and cycles of chemicals, minerals, water and energy in the environment;
relate the Earth’s dynamic processes to its composition, structure and surface features;
evaluate economic and political issues related to resource use and population growth within the confines of sustainable development;
use data to solve biology problems;
use data to solve chemistry problems;
solve algebra-based physics problems; and
perform environmental science experiments and write coherent laboratory reports.