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Environmental Biology

Why Study Environmental Biology?

Natural resources and the environment are more at risk of peril today than any other time in human history. By studying Environmental Biology, individuals learn the skills needed to really make a difference! Participants in this program receive hands-on, field based instruction that gives them a strong foundation in species ID/biodiversity, ecology, soil and water quality, as well as a general biology and chemistry.

Program Options

Credits: 62 | Time to Completion: 2 years

Curriculum Code: 1016 I Liberal Arts Credits: 30 I Program Credits: 32

This program prepares students for transfer into a Bachelor of Science program in Environmental Biology or a related field. Students should work closely with their academic advisor to determine choice of electives to help ensure articulation with specific transfer colleges. Upon completion of a bachelor’s degree, career opportunities include Natural Resource Specialist, Field Biologist, Environmental Health Technician, Fisheries Technician, and Forest Ranger. The program combines classroom, laboratory, and field study instruction giving students a well- rounded preparation. It is designed to meet the ever-increasing need for well-qualified professionals in this field.

Transfer opportunities include, but are not limited to: SUNY Plattsburgh, Marist College, SUNY Stony Brook, Paul Smith’s College, SUNY Environmental Science and Forestry, (ESF) B.S. in Environmental Studies Program only.

Course CodeCourseCredits
EN 101Composition 3
EN 102Composition and Literature 3
SL ELESocial Science Electives 12
HU ELEHumanities Elective 3
SL ELE
HU ELE
Social Science OR
Humanities Elective
3
MA ELEMathematics Elective 3
SC ELELab Science Elective 3
Liberal Arts Credits:30
BI 103General Ecology 4
BI 113Environmental Sciences 4
CH 101General Chemistry I 4
CE 101College Experience 1
GN ELEGeneral Elective 3
BI 101
CH 102
General Biology OR
General Chemistry II
4
MA ELEMathematics Elective 4
MA/SC ELE Mathematics/Science Electives 8
Program Credits:32
Minimum Credits:62

Careers & Outcomes

Additional Information

We have one of the largest natural history museums of any community college. With over 2000 bird skins specimens, 1400 egg sets with over 5000 eggs, 300 vascular plant herbarium species, and 500 bryophyte species from around the world, students have the unique opportunity to learn about these species in a first hand manner.

We are also the only SUNY Community College to have a Hudson River Environmental Field Station where students get to learn applied water quality and other field biology techniques in and around one of the most iconic rivers of the modern environmental movement. Students also learn site management skills through our partnership with Olana, as well as a unique sense of place and working knowledge of the contribution of the Hudson River School of Art to the modern environmental movement.