Environmental Science (A.S.)

Study environmental science at JCC

The Environmental Science degree at Jamestown Community College prepares you for transfer into four-year college programs to continue your studies in a wide variety of environmental fields. You can pursue careers in environmental biology, natural resource management, conservation science, forest ecosystem science, fisheries and wildlife biology, natural history, ecology, ethnobotany, soil science, and sustainable agriculture.

JCC’s program emphasizes how sustainability and environmental ethics merge with human institutions and scientific study. You’ll use scientific tools and technologies to evaluate and address current and future environmental challenges. Faculty will guide you to explore decisions and actions connected with being responsible local and global citizens, and understand how a more sustainable world will nurture healthier ecosystems, vibrant human communities, and stronger economies.

2022 median pay for environmental scientists and specialists: $76,480/year according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Where to study at JCC

Environmental science skills

After you complete the program, you will be able to:

  • Demonstrate an understanding of the methods environmental scientists use to explore natural phenomena and human impacts, including observation, hypothesis development, measurement and data collection, experimentation and field research, evaluation of evidence, and employment of appropriate mathematical analysis.
  • Critically evaluate and analyze contemporary environmental problems at the interface of nature, human institutions, and scientific study.
  • Analyze ethical dilemmas raised by environmental science, society, and technology, attempt to identify personal values that affect how one thinks about these dilemmas, and consider diverse perspectives in the process.
  • Demonstrate application of scientific data, concepts, and models in environmental science.
  • Demonstrate and apply an understanding of interdisciplinary explorations and scientific tools and technologies essential for addressing the emerging environmental challenges and opportunities of this century.

Career opportunities

Your education and fields of specialization will strongly influence your career following graduation, and it's important to research the fields you are interested in. You can work toward many career roles, including:

  • Agricultural engineer
  • Anthropologist
  • Bioinformatics
  • Climatologist
  • Ecologist
  • Entomologist
  • Environmental biologist, engineer, lawyer, teacher, scientist
  • Health and safety engineer
  • Hydrologist
  • Landscape architect
  • Marine biologist
  • Microbiologist
  • Molecular biologist
  • Oceanographer
  • Paleontologist
  • Petroleum engineer
  • Seismologist
  • Wildlife biologist
  • Zoologist

Semester 1

  SUNY
  JCC
Course
Credits
Requirements Met

BIO 1551: Introduction to Environmental Science

3
SUNY: Natural Sciences JCC:Global Perspectives JCC:Scientific Reasoning: Natural Sciences

BIO 1552: Introduction to Environmental Science – LAB

1
SUNY: Natural Sciences JCC:Applied Learning JCC:Scientific Reasoning: Natural Sciences

BIO 1570: Principles of Cell & Molecular Biology

4
SUNY: Natural Sciences JCC:Applied Learning JCC:Scientific Reasoning: Natural Sciences

CHE 1550: College Chemistry I

4
SUNY: Natural Sciences JCC:Scientific Reasoning: Natural Sciences

ENG 1510: English Composition I

3
SUNY: Humanities JCC:College Composition

INT 1555: Inquire

2
JCC:Critical and Integrative Reasoning
  • CHE 1550 eligibility: MAT 1600 or corequisite MAT 1590.

Semester 2

  SUNY
  JCC
Course
Credits
Requirements Met

BIO 1580: Principles of Ecology & Evolution

4
SUNY: Natural Sciences JCC:Scientific Reasoning: Natural Sciences

CHE 1560: College Chemistry II

4
SUNY: Natural Sciences JCC:Scientific Reasoning: Natural Sciences

ENG 1530: English Composition II

3
SUNY: Written & Oral Communication JCC:College Composition JCC:Oral Communication

MAT 1600: Precalculus (or higher)

4
SUNY: Math JCC:Mathematical Reasoning
  • CHE 1560 prerequisite/corequisite: MAT 1600 or higher (or eligibility: MAT 1710).

Semester 3

  SUNY
  JCC
Course
Credits
Requirements Met

BIO 2550: Conservation Biology

3
SUNY: Natural Sciences JCC:Global Perspectives JCC:Scientific Reasoning: Natural Sciences

Elective

3

ECO 1530: Contemporary Economic Problems or

ECO 2610: Macroeconomic Principles or

ECO 2620: Microeconomic Principles

3
SUNY: Social Sciences JCC:Scientific Reasoning: Social Sciences

Program Core Elective

Recommended:

BIO 2650: Ecology

3

Elective

Recommended:

ANT 1520: Cultural Anthropology

3
SUNY: Diversity SUNY: Social Sciences JCC:Cultural Understanding JCC:Diversity: Equity, Inclusion, and Social Justice JCC:Global Perspectives JCC:Scientific Reasoning: Social Sciences

Semester 4

  SUNY
  JCC
Course
Credits
Requirements Met

Program Core Elective

Choose a course from the approved list

4

Program Core Elective

Recommended:

GLG 1510: Physical Geology or

GLG 1550: Earth Science

3-4
SUNY: Natural Sciences

Elective

1-2

Social Sciences Elective*

Recommended:

HIS 1520: World History Since 1500 or

HIS 1530: US History Before 1865 or

HIS 1540: US History Since 1865

3
SUNY: U.S. History and Civic Engagement SUNY: World History and Global Awareness JCC:Cultural Understanding JCC:Global Perspectives

Program Core Elective

Recommended:

BIO 2660: Zoology

4
SUNY: Natural Sciences
  • *Requirements Met depends on course choice.