Program Codes:
SUS.AS
Associate in Science Degree
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The Sustainability Science program provides a broad foundation in science so that students understand the fundamentals of the scientific approach to problem-solving and how to apply these scientific principles to sustainability. Graduates will be prepared to transition seamlessly into a four-year Environmental Sustainability program.
Below are required courses and recommended course groupings and sequences for program completion. Courses may have prerequisite and corequisite requirements. Check course descriptions for details.
Through a variety of writing projects requiring competence in clear, correct, and effective English, students use inferential and critical skills in the process of composing documented essays. Extensive reading materials serve as structural models and as the bases for discussion and for the writing of essays involving response, analysis, and synthesis.
RDG-011 may be taken as a co-requisite if not previously completed with a grade of "C" or better.
A theoretical treatment of principles and laws underlying atomic structure, chemical reactions, enthalpy changes, bonding and states of matter integrated with descriptive material and quantitative calculations.
Introduction to the general chemistry laboratory: includes the conduct of inorganic reactions and general laboratory techniques. An appreciation and understanding of safety and environmental aspects of the general chemistry laboratory is developed. General chemistry laboratory techniques such as separation and titration and inorganic multistep synthesis are carried out. A variety of chemical reactions are performed, redox reactions and titrations are carried out, a stock solution and a series of dilute solutions are prepared from the stock, the enthalpy of reaction using Hess’ Law is determined, and the MW of a volatile liquid is determined using the Ideal Gas Law.
CHM 121
Emphasis is on those topics from algebra and trigonometry that best prepare students for the first course in calculus. The areas of study are algebraic and transcendental functions and their graphs. Of special interest are polynomials, rational, exponential, logarithmic and trigonometric functions. Additional topics include vectors, polar coordinate systems, matrices and determinants. TI83/84 graphing calculator required.
Appropriate score on the College placement test and/or satisfactory score on the diagnostic examination, “C” or better in MAT-014 or departmental approval
This course is designed to introduce students to the topic of global sustainability. It will provide students with an awareness and understanding of global, environmental, sustainability concerns. The need for a course in sustainability has grown evident in recent years. This course will bring together the natural and social sciences to create a framework to provide the knowledge and strategies needed for a sustainable future.
MAT-013 or appropriate score on the College placement test.
Through a variety of writing projects requiring competence in clear, correct, and effective English, students use inferential and critical skills in the process of composing argument synthesis essays. Students engage in formal written argumentation based on extensive reading and analysis of complex texts. Through the research process, students will locate, analyze, and synthesize scholarly sources to advance their own informed positions on relevant issues in the composition of a formal research paper.
A grade of “C” or better in ENG-121
A continuation of CHM 121, concentrating on properties of liquids, solids and solutions, kinetics, equilibrium, properties of acids and bases, acid-base and solubility equilibria, thermodynamics and electrochemistry.
CHM-121 with a grade of “C” or better
The laboratory course associated with CHM 122, General Chemistry II. The labs are related to the lecture topics and are meant to reinforce them. Computers are used for data acquisition and data handling using Microsoft EXCEL.
CHM 122
Presents fundamental ideas of calculus such as the derivative, integral and their applications. Topics include fundamentals of analytic geometry. The first course in a sequence of calculus courses intended for the student interested in mathematics, engineering and the natural, physical and social sciences. TI83/84 graphing calculator required.
This course emphasizes problem solving with programming using the Python programming language and problem solving with applications using Microsoft Excel. In addition to problem solving skills the course presents current technologies and their impacts on society. The course is designed for students who already possess familiarity with computer applications. It is recommended for students planning to transfer to an upper division college that has a computer programming requirement in its computer literacy course.
MAT-014 or appropriate score on the College placement test
Choose one course designated in the course descriptions as General Education Humanities (GE HUM).
A study of the basic principles and origins of life; the chemistry of living things; cell structure, function and reproduction; cell metabolic process including cellular respiration and photosynthesis; Mendelian genetics and modern genetics principles. Required for science transfer students in the biology option and biology pre-professional option and biotechnology.
Choose one course designated in the course descriptions as General Education Social Science (GE SS).
Focuses on solid and hazardous wastes, toxicology, food, soils, energy and radiation. Includes laboratory and field trips. SCI 218 and SCI 219 are not sequential and may be taken in either order.
MAT-013 or appropriate score on the College placement test and one year of high school laboratory science
A survey of plant and animal taxonomy, anatomy and physiology; evolutionary theory and principles of ecology. Laboratory sessions include dissections.
BIO-123 with a grade of "C" or higher.
Choose one course designated in the course descriptions as General Education Humanities (GE HUM).
Choose one course designated in the course descriptions as General Education Social Science (GE SS).
This course provides an introduction to the study of climate. Processes that have an effect on the earth's climate are considered along with solar radiation. The interactions between the atmosphere and hydrosphere as determinants of climate are considered. Climate and feedback processes are included.
MAT-014 or appropriate score on the College placement test
Basic topics include the values, attitudes and concepts necessary to understand and appreciate the interrelationships among people, their culture and their biophysical environment. Emphasis is on the air and water environment. Includes laboratory and field trips. SCI 218 and SCI 219 are not sequential and may be taken in either order.
MAT-013 or appropriate score on the College placement test and one year of high school laboratory science
Graduates of the Program will be able to:
Contact Name: Donna Howell, department chair
Contact Phone: 732.906.2592
Contact Email: dhowell@middlesexcc.edu
Department Web: https://www.middlesexcc.edu/natural-sciences/
Upon completion of the program, students will gain insight into critical environmental factors effecting air, water, climate and ecosystems. In addition, students will develop an understanding of sustainable practices and identify how in society such practices can be successfully introduced.
A passing score on the College’s mathematics placement test for both Algebra I and Algebra II or MAT-013 and MAT-014 is required for all Sustainability majors. In addition, a high school laboratory chemistry course with a minimum grade of “C” or CHM-020 and a high school laboratory biology course or BIO-010 with a minimum grade of “C” are also required.
The Statewide Transfer Agreement for New Jersey ensures that students who earn an A.A. or A.S. degree at a community college will have those credits fully transferable to a New Jersey public four-year institution, will have completed half of the credits required for a basic four-year degree and will have completed all of the lower division general education requirements. In addition, articulation agreements with private institutions may provide similar transfer provisions. Students should discuss the transfer process with an advisor.
Once students complete developmental coursework (if needed), the degree can be completed in two years of full-time study. They can shorten the amount of time by taking courses in the summer and winter sessions.