SAMPLE COURSE SEQUENCE FOR ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE A.S.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE PROGRAM
NOT ALL COURSES ARE SCHEDULED EVERY SEMESTER. * OFFERED EVEN YEARS | ** OFFERED ODD YEARS
Check with your advisor for scheduling options.
SEMESTER 1 (FALL)
ENGL 1117: Reading and Writing Critically I BIOL 1100: Environmental Biology BIOL 1220: General Biology I BIOL 2200: Zoology* OR BIOL 2000: Ecology** Total Credits
SEMESTER 3 (FALL) 4cr 3cr 4cr 4cr or 4cr 15
SEMESTER 2 (SPRING)
BIOL 1102: Plant Biology BIOL 1230: General Biology II BIOL 1300: Biol Apps of GIS/Tech* OR BIOL 1310: Env Science Seminar ENGL 1118: Reading and Writing Critically II Total Credits
RCTC Welcome and One Stop Center 507-285-7557
BIOL 2200: Zoology* OR BIOL 2000: Ecology** CHEM 1127: General Chemistry I PHIL 1125: Ethics OR PHIL 1130: Environmental Ethics MATH 2208: Statistics Total Credits
4cr or 4cr 4cr 3cr or 3cr 4cr 15
SEMESTER 4 (SPRING) 3cr 4cr 3cr or 2cr 4cr 13-14
BIOL 1300: Biol Apps of GIS/Tech* OR BIOL 1310: Env Science Seminar BIOL 2300: Genetics CHEM 1128: General Chemistry II SOC 1614: Introduction to Sociology COMM 1114: Public Speaking Total Credits
3cr or 2cr 4cr 4cr 3cr 3cr 16-17
Deb Vang, Program Counselor 507-529-2786 | deb.vang@rctc.edu
ADDITIONAL INFO AVAILABLE ON OUR WEBSITE
www.rctc.edu/program/es
851 30th Avenue SE | Rochester MN 55904 | 507-285-7210 | 1-800-247-1296
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE PROGRAM
Rochester Community and Technical College provides accessible, affordable, quality learning opportunities to serve a diverse and growing community.
www.rctc.edu/program/es | RCTC.EDU
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE DEFINITION
Environmental scientists analyze a wide variety of environmental problems and potential solutions, including alternative energy systems, pollution control, and natural resource management, and may be employed by government, industry, universities, or nonprofit organizations. (Source: britannica.com)
“We abuse land because we regard it as a commodity belonging to us. When we see land as a community to which we belong, we may begin to use it with love and respect.” ~ Aldo Leopold, A Sand County Almanac
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE PROGRAM ABOUT THE PROGRAM
The Environmental Science program is a 60-credit Associate of Science degree that provides a broad-based understanding of basic sciences relevant to understanding important environmental issues in today’s society. The A.S. degree will prepare students with contentbased and experiential-based knowledge in the interdisciplinary field of environmental science. RCTC’s 518-acre campus has a diverse array of habitats to serve as an unparalleled outdoor learning laboratory. Students can gain access
to a career in the field of environmental science or continue on to a four-year degree in an environmental science-related or biology-related field. The program aims to give students practical experience integrating knowledge gained in class with relevant, applied situations in a variety of settings (e.g., city, county, park, nature center, school, etc.). Students apply their knowledge of important environmental issues and seek to gain hands-on work experience during or after the program.
Graduates may pursue employment as environmental science technicians, biological technicians or conservation technicians. An additional career path includes training toward a conservation officer, which could include a two-year program such as Environmental Science at RCTC, as well as law enforcement for Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) license eligibility, which is also available at RCTC. Upon completion of a bachelor’s degree or beyond, career options may include: forester, soil or plant scientist, teacher, wildlife biologist, hydrologist or a natural resource manager. See websites below for more details on careers and transfer opportunities.
rctc.edu/program/es mntransfer.org