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Environmental Science Program

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Career/Program Overview

RCTC offers an Associate in Science (A.S.) degree in Environmental Science.

Curriculum-at-a-Glance

Primary coursework includes: Ecology, Biological Applications of GIS Technology, Environmental Science Internship, Survey of Life Forms, Zoology, Genetics, and Chemical Principles I & II. General Education requirements include courses in Plant Biology, Environmental Biology, Concepts of Biology, Fundamentals of Statistics, Introduction to Sociology, Ethics, Written and Oral Communication, and Critical Thinking.

Program/Degree Options

RCTC offers an Associate in Science (A.S.) degree in Environmental Science. It can be completed in two years. This program articulates with Winona State University, Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Degree in Biology (Environmental Science option).

Program Start Date(s)

Students can begin the program course requirements any semester. Some courses are offered once per year, some courses every semester, and some courses every other year. Careful planning and consideration of scheduling and prerequisite coursework (if applicable) is important. Working with an academic advisor or program faculty is recommended. Please contact Cory.Rubin@roch.edu or Jennifer.Rubin@roch.edu with questions about scheduling or planning your coursework.

Career Opportunities/Information

Graduates may seek employment opportunities as environmental science technicians, biological technicians, or conservation technicians.

A.S. degree career options include:*

Environmental Science Technician (31.2%),
Biological Technician (14.4%).

Upon completion of a bachelor's degree or beyond, career options may include: forester, soil/plant scientist, wildlife biologist, hydrologist, or a natural resource manager.

B.S. degree career options include:*

Forester (4.9%),
Soil/Plant Scientist (5.7%),
Wildlife Biologist (data not available),
Natural Resource Manager (13%).

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.

*Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development employment projection increases, 2006-2016, for Minnesota.

Accreditations/Articulations

Rochester Community and Technical College is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission: A Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

The Environmental Science program has an articulation agreement to serve as the first two years of a Bachelor’s degree in Biology (Environmental Science option) offered at Winona State University (WSU).

RCTC also has an articulation with Pine Island Public Schools (PIPS), to earn credit at RCTC by successfully completing AP Environmental Science at PIPS.

For more information about these articulations: http://www.rctc.edu/program/es/courses.html

For additional information about RCTC articulations: http://www.rctc.edu/catalog/articulations