Mar 28, 2024  
2018-2019 Course Catalog 
    
2018-2019 Course Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Environmental Science, AA


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The Environmental Science program is designed to prepare students for a career within the field of environmental science. Students graduating from our two-year program will be immediately qualified for some related employment opportunities, including entry-level positions with local parks and recreation departments, local utilities and field technician/monitoring positions.

Other careers in environmental science include positions as ecologists, environmental chemists, soil scientists, hydrologists, climatologists, environmental microbiologists, data collection/sampling/monitoring/field technician positions, wildlife biologists, public health officials and many others. Most of these positions require a four-year degree. Our program is designed to transfer smoothly to area institutions offering four-year degrees in environmental science and other closely related fields.

For more information about the Environmental Science program, please visit our website at www.dmacc.edu/programs/environmental.

Program Details


Locations: Ankeny, Boone, Urban


Students may start any semester


Program Entry Requirements


  1. Complete an application for admission.
  2. Satisfy the assessment requirement.
  3. Attend any required information/registration session.
  4. Complete one year of high school chemistry, or CHM 122  , with a grade of “C” or better.
  5. Complete one year of high school biology, or BIO 156  or BIO 104  , with a grade of “C” or better.
  6. Complete two years of high school algebra, or MAT 073  , with a grade of “C” or better.

Graduation Requirements


To earn an Environmental Science AA degree, a student must complete all coursework as prescribed and maintain a 2.0 grade point average.

Semester 3


Semester 4


Total Credits Required to Complete this AA Degree - 64***


***Total credits are calculated using the least number of credits needed to satisfy the option requirements. 

Note:


* Students are encouraged to take some of the courses marked with an * during the Summer terms, to lighten their load in the Fall and Spring semesters. But, students are cautioned not to take too many credits in the Summer, causing them to fall below the minimum credits needed in Fall and Spring semesters for financial aid purposes.

One of the Social & Behavioral Sciences or Humanities courses must meet the Diversity Requirement. See the AA  catalog for a list of appropriate course options.

Each Social & Behavioral Science course must be from a distinct discipline (different acronyms).

Fixed Costs


Tuition……………………………………………………………………………………..$156.00 per credit

The costs for each program are estimates and subject to change.

Varied Costs


Costs Semester 1 Semester 2 Semester 3 Semester 4
Books (approximate) 450 350 550 350

Approximate total for the program: $11,684**

**Program entry requirements are not included in the total approximate cost.

What Kind of Work Will You Do?


  • Students graduating from our two-year program will be immediately qualified for some related employment opportunities, including entry-level positions with local parks and recreation departments, local utilities and field technician/monitoring positions.
  • Other careers in environmental science include positions as ecologists, environmental chemists, soil scientists, hydrologists, climatologists, environmental microbiologists, data collection/sampling/monitoring/field technician positions, wildlife biologists, public health officials and many others. Most of these positions require a four-year degree.

What Skills and Abilities Will You Need?


  • A basic knowledge of the traditional sciences, including biology and chemistry.
  • Insight, knowledge and practical experiences in environmental science, ecology and conservation biology. These subjects are presented in the classroom, through laboratory experiences, and in the field.
  • Extensive coursework in the humanities, communications and social and behavioral sciences.

What Else Should I Consider about this Degree program?


  • Environmental science is a high-growth industry with a wide variety of career opportunities and specialties.
  • Field work and other hands-on experience is very important in this field. You may want to make sure you have time in your schedule to complete a summer internship, job shadowing or related volunteer work.
  • If you are a person who is passionate about the environment, able to work with minimal supervision and reliable and accurate in your work ethic, environmental science may be the field for you.
  • Average starting salary $28,000-$42,000 (depending on area of interest and level of education).

Program Competencies


Nondiscrimination Statement


DMACC offers career and technical programs in the following areas of study:

Agriculture, National & Environmental Services /Architecture, Engineering, and Construction/Arts, Design, and Visual communications/Business, Management, and Marketing/Education, Public, and Human Services/Health Science/Hospitality and Culinary/Information Technology/Manufacturing/Transportation & Logistics

Des Moines Area Community College shall not engage in nor allow discrimination covered by law against any person, group or organization. This includes in its programs, activities, employment practices, hiring practices or the provision of services, and harassment or discrimination based on race, color, national origin, creed, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, age (in employment), disability, genetic information (in employment) and actual or potential parental, family or marital status of a person. Veteran status in educational programs, activities, employment practices, or admission procedures is also included to the extent covered by law.

Individuals who believe they have been discriminated against may file a complaint through the College Discrimination Complaint Procedure. Complaint forms may be obtained from the Campus Provost’s office, the Academic Deans’ office, the Judicial Officer, or the EEO/AA Officer, Human Resources. ADA questions and concerns may be directed to the Section 504/ADA Coordinator at 2006 S. Ankeny Blvd, Bldg 6, Ankeny, IA  50023, phone 515/964-6857, sgbittner@dmacc.edu.  Title IX questions and concerns may be directed to the Title IX Coordinator at 2006 S. Ankeny Blvd, Bldg 1, Ankeny, IA  50023, phone 515/964-6216, title9@dmacc.edu.  Question or complaints about this policy may be directed to the Director of the Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, Citigroup Center, 500 W. Madison, Suite 1475, Chicago, IL 60661, phone 312/730-1560, tax 312/730-1576..

Legal references: Iowa Code §§ 216.6 and 216.9, Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S. C. §§ 2000d and 2000e), the Equal Pay Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. § 206, et seq.), Title IX (Educational Amendments, 20 U.S. C. §§ 1681-1688), Section 504 (Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 U.S. C. § 794), and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (42 U.S.C. § 12101, et seq.).(2018)

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