Environmental Studies

The Degree

Associate in Science (A.S.)

 

The Outlook

Career opportunities for Environmental Studies graduates include positions in fish and wildlife management, natural resource conservation, soil conservation, environmental consulting, land management, and environmental education. Challenging and diverse positions exist in the private sector and with government agencies such as the Department of Environmental Conservation, the Soil Conservation Service, the National Park Service, the Bureau of Land Management, and the Department of Health.

The Program

FLCC's Associate in Science degree program in Environmental Studies is designed to prepare students who plan to transfer to four-year institutions in pursuit of a bachelor's degree. Through classroom and field study, it provides fundamental math and science preparation, knowledge of current environmental issues, and hands-on experience in natural resource management. The program also allows students to enroll in environmental courses and begin studying within their field of interest early in their academic career.

Courses are offered in fish and wildlife; environmental conservation; terrestrial and aquatic ecology; soils, waters and forests; and other science and natural resource-related subjects.

Field work: Field trips to local fish hatcheries and wildlife refuges, work with conservation agencies, and experiences on wilderness camping trips enhance classroom studies. The Muller Conservation Field Station, located at the southern end of Honeoye Lake, provides additional outdoor experiences.

Expeditions: Intensive ecology expedition courses to unique wilderness areas such as the Florida Everglades, Alaska, the Rocky Mountains, and East Coast maritime communities are also offered yearly. From the sea otters of Prince William Sound to the saw grass prairie of the Everglades, students have a rare opportunity to observe and study the animals, birds, plants, and geology of these natural areas. Led by FLCC professors, the itinerary for these three-credit expedition courses may include camping, backpacking, kayaking, and hiking trips.

Technology: Students have the opportunity to use industry-standard research technology such as electro-fishing equipment, water quality probes, GIS computer software, and wildlife tracking radio-telemetry devices.

Ranger School Transfer Opportunity: Through the Forest Technology 1+1 articulation agreement with the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry Ranger School, located in Wanakena, N.Y., you can complete one year of study at FLCC and then transfer to the Ranger School to pursue a career as a surveyor, forest ranger, or forester.

The program at FLCC will introduce you to environmental conservation and focus on the courses necessary for transfer to the Ranger School. At the Ranger School, you continue your studies using the school’s impressive outdoor teaching facilities. The school has a 2,800 acre managed forest and is surrounded by New York’s beautiful Adirondack Park. Graduates of the program work with private companies and public agencies such as the New York Department of Environmental Conservation and the National Park Service.

The Experience

FLCC has a long history of commitment to environmental education. In addition to the Environmental Studies program, the College offers associate degrees in Natural Resources Conservation, Natural Resource Conservation-Law Enforcement, and Ornamental Horticulture. To support these programs, the College's unique campus features modern technology classrooms and outdoor facilities, including an on-campus fish culture center, wildlife observation blinds, an arboretum, and a greenhouse. The campus of more than 275 acres contains second-growth woodlands, wetland areas, streams, and abandoned fields in varied states of natural succession. All are accessible by a system of hiking trails and boardwalks.

A.S. Environmental Studies students are encouraged to participate in science conferences by assisting with the collection and analysis of data from actual environmental field studies, preparation of reports, and presentation of research findings. The skills students develop through these activities help to strengthen confidence and communication abilities that are often required of conservation professionals.

The Graduates

Graduates of this program are prepared to transfer to pursue bachelor's degrees at institutions such as SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry at Syracuse, SUNY Brockport, Colorado State University, Cornell University, Rochester Institute of Technology, Utah State University, Cook College (of Rutgers University), and others that offer degree programs in fields related to the environment.

The Scholarships

Several scholarships are offered for students enrolled in this degree program. For more information, including application procedures and deadlines, visit our Financing your education Web page.

The Faculty

Full-time faculty within the Environmental Studies degree program offer students a wide range of expertise, both through their educational and professional backgrounds. Graduate degrees were earned at such diverse institutions as Syracuse University, Utah State University, SUNY Environmental Science and Forestry, Texas A&M, SUNY Brockport and the University of New Hampshire. Complementing the decades of experience teaching at the college-level, our faculty have lived and worked literally from Maine to Hawaii within the conservation field before bringing their talents to FLCC.

Environmental Studies

Curriculum Requirements

Students are required to complete a minimum of 67 semester hours with a minimum grade point average of not less than C (2.0).

All associate degree programs require English 101 Freshman English and English 102 Introduction to Literature. Students must pass skills assessment for entrance into these courses. Students who are well prepared may substitute ENG 104 English I Honors and ENG 105 English II Honors for ENG101 and ENG102. Students who are considering the English Honors sequence should consult the Director of Honors.

Students must successfully complete:

Humanities

  • ENG101 Freshman English and ENG 102 Introduction to Literature
    or
    ENG104 English I Honors and ENG105 English II Honors
  • 3 credit hours of humanities electives

Social Science

  • 9 credit hours of social science electives

Mathematics and Science

  • CHM 121 Chemistry I
  • BIO 121 General Biology I
  • BIO 122 General Biology II
  • BIO 221 Principles of Ecology
  • 6 credit hours in mathematics electives
  • 3 credit hours in science electives

Natural Resources Conservation

  • CON 100 Introduction to Environmental Conservation
  • CON 102 Introduction to Fish and Wildlife
  • CON 190 Conservation Field Camp
  • 6 credit hours in conservation electives

Health/Physical Education Elective

  • 4 credit hours of health/physical education electives

General Electives

  • 6 credit hours of general electives

Students who are transferring to four-year institutions should follow the general education course requirements for transfer to SUNY and non-SUNY schools. View the general education requirements for more details.

Selection of all electives should be carefully determined through advisement, and should be based on student interest and recommendations from transfer institutions.

Environmental Studies

Sample Schedule

The schedule below shows how the requirements for the A.S. Environmental Studies degree may be met in four semesters. This schedule is an example of one of many possible schedules. It is included here only as an illustration of the type of schedule that might be followed by a full-time student. Many students attending Finger Lakes Community College who have work and/or family obligations choose a different sequence of courses and take more than four semesters to fulfill the requirements for the A.S. Environmental Studies degree. Similarly, students who find they need to take some additional course work to prepare them to do well in the types of courses included in the A.S. Environmental Studies degree program may plan a schedule that takes more than four semesters to complete the degree. All students should consult their advisor when they plan their schedule.

First Semester (17 Credit hours)

  • ENG 101 Freshman English (3)
  • BIO 121 General Biology I (4)
  • CON 100 Introduction to Environmental Conservation (3)
  • Mathematics Elective (3)
  • Social Science Elective (3)
  • Health/Physical Education Elective (1)

Second Semester (17-18 Credit hours)

  • ENG 102 Introduction to Literature (3)
  • BIO 122 General Biology II (4)
  • CON 102 Introduction to Fish and Wildlife (3)
  • Social Science Elective (3)
  • Mathematics OR Science Elective (3/4)
  • Health/Physical Education Elective (1)

Summer Session (3 Credit hours)

  • CON 190 Conservation Field Camp ( )

Third Semester (17-19 Credit hours)

  • BIO 221 Principles of Ecology (3)
  • Conservation Elective (3-4)
  • Mathematics OR Science Elective (3-4)
  • CHM 121 Chemistry I (4)
  • General Elective (3)
  • Health/Physical Education Elective (1)

Fourth Semester (16-18 Credit hours)

  • Conservation Elective (3-4)
  • Mathematics OR Science Elective (3-4)
  • Social Science Elective (3)
  • Humanities Elective (3)
  • General Elective (3)
  • Health/Physical Education Elective (1)