Environ Studies

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Associate in Science

Liberal Arts & Sciences

Environmental Studies

Environmental Studies Course Descriptions

Dean:  Dr. Hasan Naima

Coordinator:  Dr. Edward Kremer

Academic Advisor: Ernie May

Curriculum pathway leading to an Associate in Science in Liberal Arts and Sciences for students seeking a transfer degree to a 4-year institution

Environmental issues are among the most urgent facing our society. These issues have broad implications for economics, politics, business, and social welfare. Our ability to affect the environment causes changes in the quality of life of people around the world and threatens the existence of many species.

The Environmental Studies degree is a liberal arts program that provides the student with a broad background in science, math, economics, and sociology. The student will develop the ability to understand concepts related to the environment and our effect on it, and to solve practical problems and find better ways of meeting complex environmental issues.

The Environmental Studies degree is designed to prepare the student for transfer to a related bachelor's degree program. The first two years of a Bachelor's Degree in Environmental Studies from the University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, for example, may be completed at Kansas City Kansas Community College. Upon successful completion of courses chosen in consultation with a KCKCC environmental studies advisor and advisors at the University of Kansas, Lawrence, students may transfer as juniors.

Students should meet with an environmental studies advisor as soon as they are admitted to Kansas City Kansas Community College. Many courses are sequential and careful selection of classes each semester is necessary to complete the program without delay.


Since the transferability of courses will vary depending on the specific four-year institution, it is strongly recommended that if students are intending to transfer to four-year institutions, they must consult with the transfer institution and with their respective KCKCC advisors before enrolling in order to determine the transferability of their courses. It is the student’s responsibility to determine the transferability of his/her courses.

General Education Requirements

College Requirement
- All first time degree-seeking students who score 75 or above on the ACCUPLACER reading exam are required to take HUDV0100, Freshman Orientation (1 credit hour). All degree-seeking students who score below 75 on the ACCUPLACER reading exam will take HUDV 101, Strategies for Academic Excellence/Lifelong Learning (2 credit hours). (See exemptions)

Course Number Course Title Hours
Basic Skill Requirements:
ENGL 101 Composition I 3
ENGL 102 Composition II* 3
SPCH 151
SPCH 153
Public Speaking or
Interpersonal Communication
3
Total 9

Humanities Requirements:
(6 credit hours from at least 2 disciplines including:
Art, History, Literature, Modern Language, Music, Philosophy or Theatre)

PHIL 206
Ethics 3

Literature Core Elective 3
Total 6
Social and Behavioral Science Requirements:
(6 credit hours from at least 2 disciplines)
ECON 201
ECON 202
Principles of Macroeconomics or
Principles of Microeconomics
3
Social Science Core Elective 3
Total 6
Mathematics & Natural and Physical Science Requirements:
BIOL 131 Environmental Science 3
BIOL 132 Environmental Science Lab 2
CHEM 111 College Chemistry I and Lab* 5
MATH 120 Calculus I (Non-Engineering)** 3
Total 13
Total General Education Hours 35-36
Environmental Studies Requirements:
BIOL 121 General Biology 5
BIOL 225 Diversity of Organisms* 5
BIOL Biology Elective 3
CHEM 112 College Chemistry II and Lab* 5
CHEM 211 Organic Chemistry I* and 3
CHEM 213 Organic Chemistry I Lab* 2
CHEM 212 Organic Chemistry II * and 3
CHEM 214 Organic Chemistry II Lab* 2
Total 28

Associate in Science in Liberal Arts & Sciences in Environmental Studies Degree:

63-64

*See course description for prerequisite.
**Mathematics sequence is contingent upon previous high school mathematics background and transfer institution. Students should confer with an advisor to determine correct placement.