Apr 07, 2026  
2026-2027 SLCC General Catalog 
  
2026-2027 SLCC General Catalog

Earth and Environmental Science: AS

Location(s): Taylorsville Redwood Campus


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Associate of Science | 60 credits

Program Website
Academic Advising

Program Description
The AS Earth and Environmental Science program emphasizes collecting, analyzing, and interpreting Earth and environmental system data using scientific inquiry. Students will learn foundational Earth and environmental science principles in these four emphasis areas – Atmospheric and Climate Science, Geology, Geographic Information Science (GIS), and Ecosystem Science. These principles may include identifying Earth materials and landforms; weather and climate systems; air and water pollution; the water, carbon, and rock cycles; ecosystem processes; natural hazards; data communication; human-natural system interactions; geographic information systems, and remote sensing. These skills will be applied to help solve real-world problems.
 
Career Opportunities
Understanding and practice of Earth and Environmental Science is applicable to numerous 4-year degree programs and careers. This employment sector exhibits remarkable diversity and interdisciplinary applications, finding relevance in multiple industries such as local, state, and federal agencies; nonprofit organizations; private sector roles; business and marketing; geography; geographic information systems; drones; urban planning and transportation; geospatial intelligence; forestry and agriculture; environmental science and wildlife conservation; geology; renewable energy; energy management; natural resource management; military operations; disaster response and mitigation; surveying; computer science and information systems; environmental reporting; and more.

Transfer/Articulation Information
Please refer to the Student Resources section of the SLCC University Transfer webpage.

Estimated Cost for Students
Tuition and student fees: http://www.slcc.edu/student/financial/tuition-fees.aspx
Books: $200
Course Fees: $120-175, depending on emphasis and electives

NOTE: Fees may vary based upon specific registration and are subject to change.

General Education Requirements


Complete all General Education courses. Refer to Notes for program specific requirements and recommendations.

  

Program General Education Notes


RECOMMENDED:

Quantitative Literacy (QL): MATH 1050 College Algebra (QL)  -  4 credits  

Humanities (HU): PHIL 2300 - Introduction to Environmental Ethics (HU)   

Social Science (SS): GEOG 1400 Human Geography (SS)  -  3 credits   

The Life Sciences (LS) and Physical Sciences (PS) Breadth Areas are embedded within program requirements and thereby waived, as ENVS 1400 Environmental Science (LS)  is required for all emphases, and each individual emphasis requires either a (PS) course or CHEM 1210 General Chemistry I , which is permitted to satisfy this requirement. 

Courses that meet General Education requirements may be used to meet program requirements unless specified by the program. If this option is chosen, students must complete additional general elective courses to meet the total credit hour requirement. 

Program Requirements


Within the Earth and Environmental Science program, students must complete one emphasis.  The four emphases to select from are:

  • Atmospheric and Climate Science
  • Ecosystem Science
  • Geographic Information Science (GIS)
  • Geology

Required Courses for All Emphases (7 credits)


All emphases require the following courses:

Emphasis Courses (32 Credits)


Each emphasis also requires specific required courses and program elective options.

 

Atmospheric and Climate Science Emphasis


Ecosystem Science Emphasis


Geographic Information Science (GIS) Emphasis


Geology Emphasis


Time to Completion & Graduation Map


Program Learning Outcomes


Program learning outcome alignment with Institution Learning Outcomes   in brackets.

  • Describe how the Earth and environmental systems and their physical and biological components function and interact. [1,7]
  • Analyze and interpret Earth and environmental data. [3]
  • Create and communicate data via tables, graphs, and maps. [2,9]
  • Predict the location, timing, severity, and potential impacts of natural hazards and anthropogenic environmental changes. [4,6]
  • Find, assess, cite, and utilize credible scientific sources professionally and ethically. [8]

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