Liberal Arts and Sciences
Associate of Science Degree
Emphasis in Environmental Science
West Shore Community College offers a two-year program, an Associate of Science Degree, with an emphasis in environmental science. This program provides students with a broad background in all fields of science for effective practice in the many areas of environmental science.

The natural systems that constitute the Earth's environment are in continuous interaction. These interactions occur on scales that range from microscopic to global and from fractions of a second to millions of years.

Scientific efforts to understand how the activities of humans affect the workings of such a complex arrangement must properly involve the identification and study of the fundamental processes operating at present in the Earth's environment. Furthermore, to apply such knowledge with skill, insight, and perspective, information must be acquired on the extent to which ancient environmental conditions on Earth may have differed from those observed today, and how such changes affected life on the planet.

An intellectual and practical scientific problem of such vast scope must be approached in an interdisciplinary manner. This interdisciplinary requirement is important not only for students who will become professional environmental scientists, but also for those who want a solid scientific foundation to continue their studies in environmental law, public policy, business, etc.

The program includes a set of core courses that provides the student with the necessary background in chemistry, earth science, physics, biology, and mathematics to move into a four-year college or university science program.

The program is both for students who will be continuing their studies and those who wish to enter the workforce immediately after completion of their WSCC studies by gaining internship experience along with the associate degree requirements.

The Associate of Science Degree
The Associate of Science Degree (A.S.) is awarded to students who have completed the core of general studies and the necessary number of elective studies in the Mathematics/Science Division required. The choice of electives will depend upon the student's major.

West Shore's counseling service and program guides for majors in biology, chemistry, computer science, engineering, mathematics, physics, and pre-medicine will help with these decisions.

Also, pre-engineering students are assured an easy transfer to the four-year college or university of their choice if all guidelines are followed because the college participates annually in the Michigan Engineering College/Four Year College/Community College Liaison Committee.

ASSOCIATE OF SCIENCE
TOTAL REQUIRED CREDITS: 60
Your A.S. Degree must comply with the requirements in each of the following categories:

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CATEGORY I: COMMUNICATIONS
(9 CREDITS)
Goal: to read, write, listen, speak, and think competently, effectively, and critically.

REQUIRED:
CENG 111 English Composition I - 3 credits
CENG 112 English Composition II - 3 credits
CSPE 101 Principles of Speaking - 3 credits
or
CSPE 110 Interpersonal Communications - 3 credits
(consult with a counselor to determine which course is recommended for your program)

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CATEGORY II: HUMANITIES AND FINE ARTS
(9 CREDITS)
Goal: to develop an appreciation for and understanding of aesthetic and creative activities; to develop knowledge of the major areas of human expression within historical and cultural contexts.

REQUIRED:
Select one course from each of the following categories, in any order
Category A: Fine Arts Theory, Survey, or History
CTHE 101 Introduction to Theatre and Drama
CTHE 131 History of American Musical Theatre
CTHE 161 20th Century Theatre
HART 101 Art Appreciation
HART 201 Art History I: Ancient and Medieval
HART 203 Art History II: Renaissance to Modern
HHUM 110 Introduction to Humanities
HMUS 100 Music Appreciation
HMUS 101 Fundamentals of Music Theory
HMUS 201 Survey of Music History
Category B: Foreign Language or Literature
CFRN 101 Elementary French I
CFRN 102 Elementary French II
CFRN 201 Intermediate French I
CFRN 202 Intermediate French II
CLFP 151 Topics in Literature/Poetry/Fiction
CLFP 211 American Literature I
CLFP 212 American Literature II
CLFP 213 World Literature
CLFP 250 Introduction to Shakespeare
CSPN 101 Elementary Spanish I
CSPN 102 Elementary Spanish II
CSPN 201 Intermediate Spanish I
CSPN 202 Intermediate Spanish II
CTHE 101 Introduction to Theatre and Drama
CTHE 131 History of American Musical Theatre
CTHE 161 20th Century Theatre

(If one full year of a foreign language is completed, only one course from Category A or C is needed)
Category C: History or Philosophy
HPHL 100 Introduction to Philosophy
HPHL 101 Introduction to History of Philosophy
HPHL 102 Introduction to Ethics
HPHL 103 Introduction to Logic
HPHL 104 Bioethics
HPHL 201 Contemporary Problems in Philosophy
HPHL 202 Comparative Religion
SHST 141 History of Western Civilization to 1600
SHST 142 Western Civilization 1600 to Present
SHST 145 U.S. History to 1865
SHST 146 U.S. History 1865 to Present

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CATEGORY III: SOCIAL SCIENCES
(8 CREDITS)
Goal: to understand human behavior as it relates to
individual development and group interaction; to
understand the major ideas and events that have shaped American society and have knowledge of other social
systems as well as our own.

REQUIRED:
SPOL 151 American National Government - 3 credits
Plus one psychology or sociology course and additional social science course except those designated SELE or SSPS.

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CATEGORY IV: MATHEMATICS/SCIENCE
(8 CREDITS)
Goal: to gather, understand, and use quantitative
information in a structured way; acquire knowledge
of ourselves and the natural world around us.

REQUIRED:
Two laboratory science classes plus MMTH 121 Intermediate Algebra or competence as outlined below:
1) the equivalent for MMTH 121 is one year of high school algebra and one year of high school geometry, both with a grade of C (2.0 grade points) or better, or two years of high school algebra, both with a grade of C or better.
2) Students who have never taken algebra will be required to complete MMTH 120 as a prerequisite to MMTH 121.

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CATEGORY V: ELECTIVES
(26 CREDITS)
Goal: to explore, broaden, and enhance educational
and career experiences.

Nineteen elective credits are to be earned in courses offered by the Mathematics/Science Division.

In addition, at least one three-credit course in a computer programming language or three credits that encompass spreadsheets, word processing, and databases must be completed. Four electives may be of the student's choosing.

An academic advisor can help determine which elective credits will transfer to the college or university the student selects.