Major Number: 5908
CIP Code: 40.0601
Program Description
The Century College Earth Sciences associate degree is designed to prepare students to complete a four-year program in geosciences upon transfer to a four-year college or university. The associate degree prepares students for many majors within the Earth Sciences such as Earth Science/Geology, Environmental Sciences, Geo-engineering, Geo-biology, Meteorology, or other associated Geoscience degree. The Earth Science associate degree program would prepare students in the long term for employment as geoscientists in one or more the following sectors: industry, government, nonprofits, or academia. Following completion of a Bachelor’s degree, students may seek employment in any of these sectors or continue their education to earn a graduate-level degree in the geosciences. Coursework selected for the ESCI AS degree is based on review of schools with geosciences programs in the United States, such as St. Cloud State University and the University of Minnesota, while also customizable to fit degree-specific requirements at other universities. This program is consistent with widespread and adopted program curricular structures in United States geosciences departments. The American Geosciences Institute estimates there will be increasing demand for geoscientists in the United States.
The Century College AS in Earth Science will lay the foundation for a Bachelor’s degree in geosciences preparing the student to conduct stratigraphic analysis, investigate the Earth history of a location or region, analyze present and past Earth processes, investigate ocean shoreline dynamics, prepare for and mitigate natural disasters, study human and environmental interactions and develop quantitative research skills. This would be especially appropriate to prepare students to work in the extractive industries such as mining, oil and gas exploration, paleontology, natural disaster preparedness, response and remediation, the utility industry, as well as numerous local, state, regional, government agencies and departments or nonprofit sectors. It could also lay the foundation for a career in academia.
Program Prerequisites
None
Special Instructions
ESCI Elective courses may not fulfill upper division major requirements at some universities yet will transfer as electives. Verify with the receiving University and/or your Century advisor/counselor prior to selecting courses.
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