2025-2026 Academic Catalog 
    
    Dec 05, 2025  
2025-2026 Academic Catalog

Earth and Environmental Sciences, AS (EES-AS)


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CIP Code: 400601

Program Description

An Associate of Science degree in Earth and Environmental Sciences prepares students as entry-level technicians or for articulation or transfer to an EES baccalaureate degree program. The degree offers a broad, integrated, and in-depth approach to the sciences. The student who earns this degree may have career options in biological research, medical laboratories, earth & environmental science, or other science disciplines.

Program Admission Requirements

This academic program does not have admission requirements beyond regular admission to Wright State University - Lake Campus.  Any student is eligible to declare this academic program. 

Program Learning Objectives

Students enrolled in this program will learn to:

  • Explain key concepts and principles in earth and environmental sciences, including geology, hydrology, and ecological science.
  • Apply the scientific method to design experiments, formulate hypotheses, collect data, and analyze results.
  • Interpret and analyze data collected through field and laboratory methods.

Program Learning Outcomes

As a result of their learning experience, graduates of this program can:

  • Demonstrate applied knowledge of fundamental concepts of earth and environmental sciences and solve problems applying that knowledge. 
  • Demonstrate the ability to write in scientific format and demonstrate knowledge of the scientific method. 
  • Demonstrate knowledge of fundamental methods to assess applications in EES field and laboratory techniques.

For More Information

Program Requirements

I. Wright State Core: 36 Credit Hours


Specific Core classes in some of the Elements may be required by some majors. When this occurs, the specific Core courses required will be listed below. In Elements where a specific course is not required, students can choose any course from the Wright State Core Program Requirements

First-Year Seminar: 1 Credit Hour


All students must successfully complete a First-Year Seminar during their first year.  Transfer students who transfer 24 or more credit hours (post high school graduation) are exempt from this requirement and will need to satisfy one additional credit hour in the Additional Core Courses category. 

Element A - English Composition: 6 Credit Hours


Element B - Mathematics, Statistics, and Logic: 4 Credit Hours


Based on Math Placement Level, students may need additional prerequisite or corequisite coursework in mathematics prior to enrollment in the required course below.  

Required: 

Element C - Arts and Humanities: 6 Credit Hours


Students will select two Arts and Humanities courses, with different course prefixes from the approved Wright State Core Program Requirements.  One course must fulfill the History requirement. 

Element D - Social and Behavioral Sciences: 7 Credit Hours


Students will select two Social and Behavioral Sciences courses, with different course prefixes from the approved Wright State Core Program Requirements

Element E - Natural Sciences: 10 Credit Hours


Students will select two Natural Science courses, from the approved Wright State Core Program Requirements.  At least one course must contain a laboratory. 

Required: 

Additional Core Courses: 2 Credit Hours


Students will select up to 2 additional credit hours from Elements A-E from the approved Wright State Core Program Requirements to reach the 36 minimum hours required in the Core. Unless specified by the student’s major, these are selected by the student. When a major has required courses in this area, the specific Core course(s) required will be listed below.

Additional Core Requirements


Within the 36 credit hours of the Wright State Core students must successfully complete the following: 

  • One Global Inquiry (GI) course 

  • Two Inclusive Excellence (IE) courses 

  • One to two Integrated Writing (IW) courses.  To meet degree requirements all students must complete a minimum of 3 IW courses by choosing either (a) 1 in the Core and 2 in the major or (b) 2 in the Core and 1 in the major.  Students should check their major program requirements for courses that fulfill Integrated Writing. 

Students who do not make choices within the 36 required hours of the Core to fulfill the GI, IE, and IW requirements will take additional Core hours beyond the minimum of 36. 

Total: 60 Hours


Graduation Planning Strategy


A Graduation Planning Strategy (GPS), also known as a two-year guide, is an academic tool showing one example of how a program can be completed in a certain amount of time. All Wright State associate programs can be completed in two years with careful planning. Time to degree is dependent on many factors including student placement in mathematics and writing courses, CCP and AP coursework, transfer coursework, and other variables. 

This GPS is valid for this year’s Academic Catalog only and is subject to change. This GPS is a recommendation only and your actual program may vary. Students should consult with their academic advisor on a regular basis and create a personalized plan to degree completion. 

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