Natural Sciences: Environmental Biology Concentration
Please note: Students are no longer being accepted into this program.
Are you a person who loves the outdoors and thinks that the ideal career would involve exploring the natural world? Do you have a passion for conserving the planet’s natural resources and want to find solutions for environmental problems? An Associate of Science degree from Genesee Community College in Liberal Arts Natural Science with a concentration in Environmental Biology may be the right career path for you.
Coursework in biology, ecology, chemistry and mathematics will provide the skills and knowledge needed to understand the complexity of the environment. GCC’s campus Nature Trail and woodlands provide a living laboratory to explore. Through our A.S. degree program, you will learn the skills and techniques necessary to conduct laboratory research and field work. Successful completion of an A.S. degree will allow you to continue your studies as a third year student in any SUNY four-year school or transfer to a private university.
Why GCC?
19:1 – As a ratio, that is the average number of students in class to each GCC faculty member. That means small classes and plenty of one-on-one instruction. GCC also offers free tutoring to individually help students in areas of specific need. Additionally, state-of-the-art technology has always been a priority at GCC — from the science labs to the new Food Processing Technology lab, the outdoor Nature Trail to the dozens of online databases at the library. There are also smart classrooms and WiFi connections across all campus locations, and 26 open-access computer labs.
Finally, GCC is friendly and prides itself on being flexible and accessible. Classes are offered day and night at seven campus locations, and each semester more than 100 courses are offered online. There are also nine different academic sessions in a year, allowing you to create a course schedule that accommodates employment or family care responsibilities.
Degree Types
Natural Sciences: Environmental Biology Concentration (AS)
Career Outlook
The median salary for an experienced environmental biologist in New York State is $67,240 and employment is projected to grow by 15% through 2022. Among the many careers that can begin with a foundation in environmental biology from GCC are:
- Analysts (multiple fields)
- Arborist
- Biologist
- Clean air & energy associate
- Conservationist
- Ecosystem analyst
- Environmental information specialist
- Environmental assessor / consultant
- Environmental educator
- Environmental engineer
- Environmental health & safety associate
- Environmental planner
- Environmental policy analyst
- Environmental regulatory affairs specialist
- Environmental safety liaison
- Environmental scientist
- Environmental services technician
- Environmental technologist
- Environmental writer
- Fish and wildlife biologist
- Forestry technician
- Hazardous waste assessor
- Hydrologist
- Laboratory manager
- Marine biologist
- Natural resources specialist
- Naturalist / camp teacher
- Pest control specialist
- Professor / teacher
- Public health specialist
- Researcher
- Sustainability officer
- Water quality technician
- Waterfowl research technician
- Wetland specialist
- Wildlife biologist
- Wildlife pathologist
Contact Career Services for more information.
Transfer Opportunities
Starting at GCC saves many students and their families thousands of dollars in tuition. With an A.S. or A.A. degree you will be able to seamlessly transfer within the SUNY network of 64 college and universities as well as to many 4-year private institutions. GCC’s A.S. and A.A. programs were developed as part of the SUNY seamless transfer initiative allowing students to complete the first two years of a bachelor’s degree as a freshman and a sophomore at a community college, then seamlessly transfer to a SUNY four-year institution to earn a bachelor’s degree. Please reference the SUNY Transfer Pathways for degree programs to learn about any campus specific requirements. Visit the SUNY Core Course Finder to plan out the courses you should complete to transfer to a 4-year SUNY School.
If you are planning to transfer to a 4-year private institution you should work with our Transfer Services office to learn about possible articulation agreements and pathways that exist for many or our degree programs. Some GCC A.A.S. programs also have transfer opportunities.
Transfer opportunities include, but are not limited to:
- Canisius College*
- Nazareth College
- Niagara University*
- St. John Fisher College
- SUNY College at Brockport
- SUNY College at Buffalo*
- SUNY College of ESF
- SUNY University at Buffalo
*GCC has current transfer agreements with the above noted institutions.
To learn more about these opportunities and agreements contact the Transfer Services Office, we are more than happy to work with you and answer any questions you may have on building your own personalized transfer plan.
Next Steps
View our enrollment checklist and apply today.
See our classrooms, facilities and housing.
See tuition and explore financial aid options.
Make a plan to transfer your credits.
