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Environmental Science

AS
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Environmental Science is an interdisciplinary academic field of study that deals with the interactions of physical, chemical, and biological processes in ecosystems. It involves a wide range of transferable skills that are useful in the job market.

Green Energy Certificate

DEGREES IN Environmental Science

Environmental Science Associate of Science

AS
The AS provides a foundation of skills for students to transfer to a bachelor's degree major. Articulation agreements are in place with St. Cloud State University and Bemidji State University.
Course List

By the Numbers

60
Credits

Why Choose This Program

The field of environmental science educates students to conserve the ecosystem where we obtain natural resources. This field prepares you to tackle the challenges of environmental issues. A degree in Environmental Science from SCTCC prepares students to obtain a job in a variety of settings from research to clinical labs.

SCTCC offers an AS Degree in Environmental Science that provides an excellent foundation and the skills needed to prepare students for a four-year degree. The program provides an understanding of natural resources and the human impact on ecological processes.

The SCTCC Environmental Science Degree (AS) is transferable to the Environmental Studies program via an articulation agreement with Bemidji State University.

From Degree to Career

When you choose the Environmental Science degree at SCTCC, you’ll save money on your generals before transferring to get your bachelor's degree. Getting your general classes done at SCTCC provides a good foundation when you are ready to transfer.

At SCTCC, we teach students the necessary skills for the workforce. There are various career choices that our graduates can take, so we equip them with the ability to explain and demonstrate the processes of scientific methods during experimental works and demonstrate and apply environmental science concepts and processes.

Our graduates even know how to use instruments and techniques in laboratory and field works, demonstrate the ability to work independently and as a team in laboratory and field works, and describe the functions and processes of environmental systems. We even teach students to demonstrate and apply the technology of GIS and GPS knowledge for virtualization, how to model environmental issues; and interpret spatial patterns using map concepts.

After graduation, our environmental science students can describe the functions and processes of environmental systems, explain the effects of anthropogenic on the Earth systems, and propose solutions to environmental issues.

Graduates understand that their work can impact the planet, so they know how to analyze quantitative data, utilize critical thinking, ethics, and problem-solving skills. Our students even know how to explore how environmental science can develop a sustainable solution to our environmental issues and they understand concepts, effects, and management of renewable and non-renewable energy.

Quick Glance
  • Explain the processes of scientific methods and demonstrate the processes during experimental works.
  • Demonstrate and apply environmental science concepts and processes.
  • Perform using instruments and techniques in laboratory and field works.
  • Demonstrate the ability to work independently and also as a team in the laboratory and field works.
  • Understand and apply the technology of GIS and GPS knowledge for virtualization and modeling environmental issues and Interpreting spatial patterns using map concepts.
  • Describe the functions and processes of environmental systems.
  • Explain the effects of anthropogenic on the earth's systems and propose solutions to environmental issues.
  • Analyze quantitative data, critical thinking, ethics, and problem solving.
  • Explore how environmental science is able to develop a sustainable solution to our environmental issues.
  • Understand concepts, effects, and management of renewable and non-renewable energy.


View all program learner outcomes

Video: Jobs in Environmental Science

Students with an Environmental Science degree from SCTCC have five main career fields they can choose from. Our graduates can work as an environmental scientist, environmental engineer, environmental lawyer, environmental biologist, and environmental geologist.

Environmental Scientist

As an environmental scientist, you can choose to work in a specialized field like oceanographer, climatologist, environmental risk assessment manager, or environmental scientist and specialist (including health). SCTCC graduates can even use their degree to work as environmental science teachers, Geographic Information System (GIS) Specialist, environmental consultant, environmental planner, research analyst in environmental science, or even an energy analyst.

Environmental Engineer

Graduates who want to specialize as environmental engineers can work as agricultural engineers, energy analysts, bioinformatics, and environmental engineering technicians. Our students have even worked as health and safety engineers with the exclusion of mining safety engineers and inspectors.

Environmental Lawyer

SCTCC students interested in pursuing a career as an environmental lawyer are responsible for using the law to find justice for the environment, people, organisms, and wildlife.

Environmental Biologist

Are you a student interested in working as an environmental biologist? Students from our program have the opportunity to work as an ecologist, biogeochemist, marine biologist, wild life biologist, or even a zoologist.

Environmental Geologist

Environmental Science graduates who want to work as an environmental geologist can find careers as paleontologists, hydrologists, and geochemists.

The SCTCC Environmental Science degree has so many options for students so they can find the right career path for them. If you are interested in helping the planet, our program is right for you.

Quick Glance

The following are the five main career fields in Environmental Science

Environmental Scientist

  • Oceanographer
  • Climatologist
  • Environmental risk assessment manager
  • Environmental scientists and specialists, including health
  • Environmental science teachers
  • Geographic Information System (GIS) Specialist
  • Environmental consultant
  • Environmental Planner
  • Research analyst in environmental science
  • Energy analyst

Environmental Engineer

  • Agricultural Engineer
  • Energy analyst
  • Bioinformatics
  • Health and safety engineers, except mining safety engineers and inspectors
  • Environmental engineering technicians

Environmental Lawyer: responsible for using the law to find justice for the environment, people, organisms, or wildlife.

Environmental Biologist

  • Ecologist
  • Biogeochemist
  • Marine Biologist
  • Wild life Biologists
  • Zoologist

Environmental Geologist

  • Paleontologist
  • Hydrologists
  • Geochemist
More Career Information

Environmental Science Careers

Career Fields in Environmental Science

Career Services

For students who want to continue their education, SCTCC has an agreement with two Minnesota schools to ensure you can pursue your academic dreams. The SCTCC associate’s degree in Environmental Science fully transfers to a bachelor’s degree program at St. Cloud State University and Bemidji State University.

Environmental Science students in lab
Environmental Science students in lab
Environmental Science lab
Environmental Science students outside
Environmental Science students outside

Ready to Take the Next Step?

Are you ready to learn more about the Environmental Science program and being a student at SCTCC?

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Request Information

Fill out this form to receive useful information that's specific to your program.

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Connect with the Admissions team

  • Call us at 320-308-5089
  • Email us at recruitment@sctcc.edu

  • On campus Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Visiting campus is an excellent opportunity to learn about SCTCC programs, the application process, and tour the state-of-the-art-labs and classrooms.

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Cyclone Tour

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Express Enroll for Fall 2025

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Cyclone Tour

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Paying for College

Students choose SCTCC for a lot of reasons, but saving money is one reason we hear from almost every student at SCTCC. We’ve got a breakdown of the costs for the program, along with information on financial aid and scholarships.

Apply just once and you are considered for all eligible SCTCC scholarships.

Program Costs   Applying for Financial Aid   SCTCC Scholarships
SCTCC is the best value with tuition at $6124. MinnState university is $9959. UofM is $14962. MN private university is $50979. *Based on average 2024 tuition & fees for 15 credits or full-time for an academic year. Some institutions charge additional fees.  Fees vary by program. For exact costs, contact the institution that interests you. The listed costs do not include room & board.
SCTCC Geology Field Trip to the North Shore
SCTCC Geology Field Trip to the North Shore

Program Info for Current Students

The Environmental Science Program provides an opportunity for students to work on research projects. Students can conduct research project individually or with a team. This will increase students’ knowledge and skills in the field of environmental science. The field of research could be in the following areas, but are not limited:

Environmental Science and Issues:
  • Water Issues and Pollution.
  • Air Pollution
  • Forest Issues
  • Soil Erosion
Medical Geology
  • Toxicity and Human Health

While taking courses in the Environmental Science Program, students can conduct a research project which is part of class assignments. At the end of a semester, students have an opportunity to present their projects at the Environmental Science Symposium.

December 2018 Symposium

May 2019 Symposium

December 2019 Symposium

Environmental Science Club

SCTCC Student Clubs

Environmental Science Instructors

SCTCC logo

Kristin Lingle

TPT Biology Instructor

kristin.lingle@sctcc.edu
320-308-5101
Ali Alsaffar

Ali Alsaffar

Adjunct/TPT Environmental Science Instructor

ali.alsaffar@sctcc.edu
320-308-5377

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05.10.22
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Environmental Science Students Visit Bemidji State

Environmental Science students had the opportunity to take part in a research project at Bemidji State University when instructor Khaldoun Ahmad took his class to BSU in April. “The students had a...
12.09.21
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Environmental Science Students get a Sample of DNA Research

Environmental Science students CJ Berger and Gracie Wilhelm are getting experience with DNA samples that will be published in a peer review journal to help determine how human activities are impacting...
06.17.20
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Environmental Science Degree Positions Grads for Success

SCTCC’s newest program is ready for students who are set to tackle climate change and other environmental issues. The new Environmental Science degree is a great way to get a head start on a bachelor...
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