Earth Science

Associate in Science
Transfer Degree
Cost
$11,713*

Discover solutions, save the Earth

Gain insight into Earth’s processes and cosmic significance

Establish a strong and flexible foundation in natural and environmental sciences. Transfer to a 4-year institution to complete a bachelor’s degree in a field such as geology, meteorology or astronomy.

Work wherever you choose! Earth Scientists are needed around the world (pun intended). You could work in rural or urban areas and in any sector—academic, for-profit, non-profit, research and more.

What can you do with an A.S. in Earth Science?

The Associate in Science (A.S.) degree in Earth Science prepares you to transfer and complete a bachelor’s degree in geology, earth science or related fields, which prepares you for these careers.

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    Highlights

    • Financial Aid/Scholarships Available

      Based on need and/or achievement. Explore ways to pay for college.

    • Transfer Degree

      Save on your first 2 years and transfer your credits to the 4-year school of your choice.

    • Program Length: 2 Years

      Full-time students finish in 2 years.

    Career Outlook

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    Need help?

    Your College & Career Navigator (CCN) helps you

    • complete the admission process
    • choose an academic program
    • enroll in first-semester classes
    • get access to helpful resources

    Talk to a CCN

    Recommended Pathway

    This pathway serves as a guide for students to complete the degree or certificate assuming full-time enrollment (registered in 12 or more credit hours per semester) with Semester 1 typically representing a Fall term. Students are strongly encouraged to meet with their College and Career Navigator (CCN) to identify coursework that will meet degree requirements based on individual academic goals. For a more inclusive list of course options, see the college catalog.

    Icon Key

    • Credit for prior learning available
    • Dual credit options available
    • Global citizenship
    • Online/Virtual options available

    • Course Code Course Title Credits Course Highlights
      CLC 120

      CLC 120 College Success Seminar

      Class Description

      This course is designed to teach students attitudes and skills valuable for college success. Topics may include: growth mindset, self-advocacy skills, college resources, college culture, financial literacy, and academic success strategies, such as study skills, time management, and goal setting. Throughout this course, students will develop skills necessary for promoting positive human relations in a diverse society.
             		2
      ENG 121

      ENG 121 English Composition I

      Class Description

      This course is designed to help students develop their competence in college-level writing and in the analysis of texts so they can enter the dialogue of the academic community. This course includes the analysis and practice of argument and the use of critical thinking to read, analyze, and produce college-level texts.
             		3
      ESC 120

      ESC 120 Earth Science

      Class Description

      This course is designed for students who are interested in physical features related to our dynamic earth. There are four disciplines that make up the course: geology, oceanography, meteorology and astronomy. Topics covered within these disciplines include: volcanoes, earthquakes, plate tectonics, geologic history, geomorphology, chemical and physical oceanography, changing oceans, the atmosphere and moisture, weather systems, severe storms, modern astronomy, the Moon, the solar system, and beyond the solar system. Course materials are organized to enable students to understand how different components of our dynamic earth are related to one another. Each topic includes hands-on lab exercises.
             		4
      MTH 123

      MTH 123 Trigonometry

      Class Description

      This course is primarily for students who intend to take MTH 145 Calculus and Analytic Geometry I. Trigonometry topics include, but are not limited to: trigonometric functions and their graphs, trigonometric identities and equations, and applications of trigonometry. Modeling and problem solving will be implemented throughout the course. NOTE: A specific graphing calculator is required for this course. Contact EMPS division office for details.
             		3
      • Course Code CLC 120
        Course Title

        CLC 120 College Success Seminar

        Class Description

        This course is designed to teach students attitudes and skills valuable for college success. Topics may include: growth mindset, self-advocacy skills, college resources, college culture, financial literacy, and academic success strategies, such as study skills, time management, and goal setting. Throughout this course, students will develop skills necessary for promoting positive human relations in a diverse society.
        Credits 2
        Course Highlights
      • Course Code ENG 121
        Course Title

        ENG 121 English Composition I

        Class Description

        This course is designed to help students develop their competence in college-level writing and in the analysis of texts so they can enter the dialogue of the academic community. This course includes the analysis and practice of argument and the use of critical thinking to read, analyze, and produce college-level texts.
        Credits 3
        Course Highlights
      • Course Code ESC 120
        Course Title

        ESC 120 Earth Science

        Class Description

        This course is designed for students who are interested in physical features related to our dynamic earth. There are four disciplines that make up the course: geology, oceanography, meteorology and astronomy. Topics covered within these disciplines include: volcanoes, earthquakes, plate tectonics, geologic history, geomorphology, chemical and physical oceanography, changing oceans, the atmosphere and moisture, weather systems, severe storms, modern astronomy, the Moon, the solar system, and beyond the solar system. Course materials are organized to enable students to understand how different components of our dynamic earth are related to one another. Each topic includes hands-on lab exercises.
        Credits 4
        Course Highlights
      • Course Code MTH 123
        Course Title

        MTH 123 Trigonometry

        Class Description

        This course is primarily for students who intend to take MTH 145 Calculus and Analytic Geometry I. Trigonometry topics include, but are not limited to: trigonometric functions and their graphs, trigonometric identities and equations, and applications of trigonometry. Modeling and problem solving will be implemented throughout the course. NOTE: A specific graphing calculator is required for this course. Contact EMPS division office for details.
        Credits 3
        Course Highlights

    • Course Code Course Title Credits Course Highlights
      ENG 122

      ENG 122 English Composition II

      Class Description

      This course furthers the work done in English Composition I by providing students more experience as academic writers, readers, researchers and critical thinkers. To help students construct their own meaning while engaging with the texts of others, they will develop the ability to collect, evaluate, and incorporate varied sources in thoughtfully-written analyses and arguments. Students' work should demonstrate the ability to position themselves within the context of academic and societal conversations using a variety of texts, which may include literature, arguments on various issues, news articles, films, advertisements, and websites.
             		3
      MTH 145

      MTH 145 Calculus and Analytic Geometry I

      Class Description

      This course covers the calculus of algebraic and transcendental functions. Analytic geometry topics are limited to the line and circle. Calculus topics include limits, differentiation and integration of both algebraic and transcendental functions, including trigonometric functions, with applications. NOTE: A specific graphing calculator is required for this course. Contact the EMPS division office for details.
             		5
      BIO 120

      BIO 120 Environmental Biology

      Class Description

      This course focuses on the relationships between humans and the environment. Topics include ecology, population biology, modification of our environment, resource use, land use planning, pollution, and energy. The goal is to better understand the biological and social problems that human use and misuse of the environment cause. Students may not receive credit for both BIO 120 and BIO 140. NOTE: Required, local field trips are scheduled during several (approximate1/2) of the lab periods. Students are responsible for their own transportation to and from field sites. This course is recommended for non-science majors needing a one-semester lab science course.
             		4
      ESC 121

      ESC 121 Physical Geology

      Class Description

      For those who wish to explore an interest in geology, major in geology, or satisfy lab science requirements. Topics include igneous rocks and volcanism, sedimentary rocks and stratigraphy, metamorphic rocks and metamorphism, weathering, mass wasting, streams, deserts and glaciers. Lab studies concentrate on minerals, rocks and topographic maps.
             		4
      • Course Code ENG 122
        Course Title

        ENG 122 English Composition II

        Class Description

        This course furthers the work done in English Composition I by providing students more experience as academic writers, readers, researchers and critical thinkers. To help students construct their own meaning while engaging with the texts of others, they will develop the ability to collect, evaluate, and incorporate varied sources in thoughtfully-written analyses and arguments. Students' work should demonstrate the ability to position themselves within the context of academic and societal conversations using a variety of texts, which may include literature, arguments on various issues, news articles, films, advertisements, and websites.
        Credits 3
        Course Highlights
      • Course Code MTH 145
        Course Title

        MTH 145 Calculus and Analytic Geometry I

        Class Description

        This course covers the calculus of algebraic and transcendental functions. Analytic geometry topics are limited to the line and circle. Calculus topics include limits, differentiation and integration of both algebraic and transcendental functions, including trigonometric functions, with applications. NOTE: A specific graphing calculator is required for this course. Contact the EMPS division office for details.
        Credits 5
        Course Highlights
      • Course Code BIO 120
        Course Title

        BIO 120 Environmental Biology

        Class Description

        This course focuses on the relationships between humans and the environment. Topics include ecology, population biology, modification of our environment, resource use, land use planning, pollution, and energy. The goal is to better understand the biological and social problems that human use and misuse of the environment cause. Students may not receive credit for both BIO 120 and BIO 140. NOTE: Required, local field trips are scheduled during several (approximate1/2) of the lab periods. Students are responsible for their own transportation to and from field sites. This course is recommended for non-science majors needing a one-semester lab science course.
        Credits 4
        Course Highlights
      • Course Code ESC 121
        Course Title

        ESC 121 Physical Geology

        Class Description

        For those who wish to explore an interest in geology, major in geology, or satisfy lab science requirements. Topics include igneous rocks and volcanism, sedimentary rocks and stratigraphy, metamorphic rocks and metamorphism, weathering, mass wasting, streams, deserts and glaciers. Lab studies concentrate on minerals, rocks and topographic maps.
        Credits 4
        Course Highlights

    • Course Code Course Title Credits Course Highlights
      CMM 121

      CMM 121 Fundamentals of Speech

      Class Description

      For students interested in improving their oral communication competency. This course combines a theoretical basis with practical verbal and nonverbal skills to enhance public speaking effectiveness. Students learn how to develop, research, organize, adapt, deliver and critique messages.
             		3
      ESC 129

      ESC 129 Severe and Hazardous Weather

      Class Description

      This course is designed for students who wish to gain a better understanding of the causes and impacts of various types of extreme weather. Meteorological concepts and processes that cause severe and hazardous weather will be presented in a non-technical manner during the first part of the course. Subsequently, specific types of severe and hazardous weather will be examined as well as an investigation of their historical, economic, and human consequences. Severe weather topics may include lightning, hail, tornadoes, floods, drought, cold and heat waves, blizzards, ice storms, wind storms, hurricanes, and El Nino/La Nina. Students should be comfortable interpreting maps, charts, and diagrams.
             		3
      ESC 140

      ESC 140 Introduction to Astronomy with Lab

      Class Description

      This course is for the non-science major or those who wish to gain a comprehensive overview of the science of astronomy with a lab component. This descriptive treatment of astronomy will include topics such as the history of astronomy, the solar system, stellar evolution, the Milky Way, and beyond. Students may not receive credit toward a degree for both ESC 140 and ESC 141.
             		4
      THE 121

      THE 121 Introduction to Theatre I

      Class Description

      This course explores the elements, artists and collaborative process of live theatre. It includes the study and analysis of historical, social, aesthetic and technical aspects of traditional and contemporary theatrical production. Play attendance is required.
             		3
      HUM 127

      HUM 127 Critical Thinking

      Class Description

      Students will learn sound reasoning skills (i.e. informal logic) to improve the quality of their education, work, and life. These skills include recognizing, evaluating, and analyzing arguments; obtaining and interpreting data; arguing one’s positions with clarity and precision; problem-solving; and decision-making. Students will learn these skills through examples taken from different academic and professional areas, including the arts, politics, religion, science, business, and law.
             		3
      • Course Code CMM 121
        Course Title

        CMM 121 Fundamentals of Speech

        Class Description

        For students interested in improving their oral communication competency. This course combines a theoretical basis with practical verbal and nonverbal skills to enhance public speaking effectiveness. Students learn how to develop, research, organize, adapt, deliver and critique messages.
        Credits 3
        Course Highlights
      • Course Code ESC 129
        Course Title

        ESC 129 Severe and Hazardous Weather

        Class Description

        This course is designed for students who wish to gain a better understanding of the causes and impacts of various types of extreme weather. Meteorological concepts and processes that cause severe and hazardous weather will be presented in a non-technical manner during the first part of the course. Subsequently, specific types of severe and hazardous weather will be examined as well as an investigation of their historical, economic, and human consequences. Severe weather topics may include lightning, hail, tornadoes, floods, drought, cold and heat waves, blizzards, ice storms, wind storms, hurricanes, and El Nino/La Nina. Students should be comfortable interpreting maps, charts, and diagrams.
        Credits 3
        Course Highlights
      • Course Code ESC 140
        Course Title

        ESC 140 Introduction to Astronomy with Lab

        Class Description

        This course is for the non-science major or those who wish to gain a comprehensive overview of the science of astronomy with a lab component. This descriptive treatment of astronomy will include topics such as the history of astronomy, the solar system, stellar evolution, the Milky Way, and beyond. Students may not receive credit toward a degree for both ESC 140 and ESC 141.
        Credits 4
        Course Highlights
      • Course Code THE 121
        Course Title

        THE 121 Introduction to Theatre I

        Class Description

        This course explores the elements, artists and collaborative process of live theatre. It includes the study and analysis of historical, social, aesthetic and technical aspects of traditional and contemporary theatrical production. Play attendance is required.
        Credits 3
        Course Highlights
      • Course Code HUM 127
        Course Title

        HUM 127 Critical Thinking

        Class Description

        Students will learn sound reasoning skills (i.e. informal logic) to improve the quality of their education, work, and life. These skills include recognizing, evaluating, and analyzing arguments; obtaining and interpreting data; arguing one’s positions with clarity and precision; problem-solving; and decision-making. Students will learn these skills through examples taken from different academic and professional areas, including the arts, politics, religion, science, business, and law.
        Credits 3
        Course Highlights

    • Course Code Course Title Credits Course Highlights
      ESC 127

      ESC 127 Introduction to Meteorology with Lab

      Class Description

      This course is intended for the non-science major or those who wish to gain a comprehensive overview of the science of meteorology with a laboratory component. The primary goal of this course is to help students become better educated consumers of the massive amount of weather information now available to them. Topics will include high and low pressure systems, fronts, clouds, the jet stream, winter precipitation, thunderstorms and severe weather, hurricanes, air-ocean interactions (El Nino and La Nina), weather analysis, an introduction to weather forecasting, and human impacts on weather and climate. The student should be comfortable with interpreting maps, charts, and diagrams. Note: students may not receive credit toward a degree for both ESC 123 and ESC 127.
             		4
      ESC 128

      ESC 128 Great Mysteries of the Earth

      Class Description

      This course is for the non-science major or those pursuing an interest in the geosciences. This course will examine selected mysteries, myths, and pseudoscience of our world from the content areas of earthquake myths, volcano myths, flood myths, landform myths, and mass extinctions through the application of the scientific method. Major topic examples may include Atlantis, Piltdown Man, and Noah's Flood.
             		3
      PHI 125

      PHI 125 Introduction to Ethics

      Class Description

      In this course, students are exposed to moral theories such as virtue ethics, utilitarianism, deontology, and the ethics of care. Students also critically evaluate general moral theories, and fundamental moral concepts. Additionally, they apply these moral theories to contemporary moral issues such as animal rights, environmental issues, reproductive technologies, abortion, euthanasia and assisted suicide, poverty and famine relief, war and peace, racism, sexism, emerging technologies, and other issues. Students develop and defend their own views on these matters, and evaluate the views of others. By studying and applying moral theories to their own lives, students are encouraged to explore different ways of effecting change in their lives and communities. Throughout the course, students learn about moral concepts such as autonomy, impartiality, utility, rights, responsibility, and justice. Specific attention is given to moral issues relevant to and philosophical contributions made by members of traditionally underrepresented groups.
             		3
      ANT 224

      ANT 224 Introduction to Archaeology

      Class Description

      This course is a survey of the concepts, principles, and methods essential to the archaeological study of past cultures. Topics include field methods, chronological dating, artifact analysis, ethics, theory, and the reconstruction of culture history.
             		3
      GEG 122

      GEG 122 Cultural Geography

      Class Description

      This introductory social science survey course is designed to help students acquire geographic knowledge about human cultural trends and activities. A wide range of current and urgent world concerns such as population control, cultural differences, urbanization, economic livelihoods, and state and nation systems, are placed in a human-geographic context. The course will also assist students gain better geographic perceptions on current world affairs.
             		3
      • Course Code ESC 127
        Course Title

        ESC 127 Introduction to Meteorology with Lab

        Class Description

        This course is intended for the non-science major or those who wish to gain a comprehensive overview of the science of meteorology with a laboratory component. The primary goal of this course is to help students become better educated consumers of the massive amount of weather information now available to them. Topics will include high and low pressure systems, fronts, clouds, the jet stream, winter precipitation, thunderstorms and severe weather, hurricanes, air-ocean interactions (El Nino and La Nina), weather analysis, an introduction to weather forecasting, and human impacts on weather and climate. The student should be comfortable with interpreting maps, charts, and diagrams. Note: students may not receive credit toward a degree for both ESC 123 and ESC 127.
        Credits 4
        Course Highlights
      • Course Code ESC 128
        Course Title

        ESC 128 Great Mysteries of the Earth

        Class Description

        This course is for the non-science major or those pursuing an interest in the geosciences. This course will examine selected mysteries, myths, and pseudoscience of our world from the content areas of earthquake myths, volcano myths, flood myths, landform myths, and mass extinctions through the application of the scientific method. Major topic examples may include Atlantis, Piltdown Man, and Noah's Flood.
        Credits 3
        Course Highlights
      • Course Code PHI 125
        Course Title

        PHI 125 Introduction to Ethics

        Class Description

        In this course, students are exposed to moral theories such as virtue ethics, utilitarianism, deontology, and the ethics of care. Students also critically evaluate general moral theories, and fundamental moral concepts. Additionally, they apply these moral theories to contemporary moral issues such as animal rights, environmental issues, reproductive technologies, abortion, euthanasia and assisted suicide, poverty and famine relief, war and peace, racism, sexism, emerging technologies, and other issues. Students develop and defend their own views on these matters, and evaluate the views of others. By studying and applying moral theories to their own lives, students are encouraged to explore different ways of effecting change in their lives and communities. Throughout the course, students learn about moral concepts such as autonomy, impartiality, utility, rights, responsibility, and justice. Specific attention is given to moral issues relevant to and philosophical contributions made by members of traditionally underrepresented groups.
        Credits 3
        Course Highlights
      • Course Code ANT 224
        Course Title

        ANT 224 Introduction to Archaeology

        Class Description

        This course is a survey of the concepts, principles, and methods essential to the archaeological study of past cultures. Topics include field methods, chronological dating, artifact analysis, ethics, theory, and the reconstruction of culture history.
        Credits 3
        Course Highlights
      • Course Code GEG 122
        Course Title

        GEG 122 Cultural Geography

        Class Description

        This introductory social science survey course is designed to help students acquire geographic knowledge about human cultural trends and activities. A wide range of current and urgent world concerns such as population control, cultural differences, urbanization, economic livelihoods, and state and nation systems, are placed in a human-geographic context. The course will also assist students gain better geographic perceptions on current world affairs.
        Credits 3
        Course Highlights

    Total Credit Hours

    60

    *Cost is estimated based on recommended pathway credit hours. This includes in-district tuition and other fees, such as books and materials before financial aid is applied, as well as grants, loans or scholarships. There are many opportunities for financial assistance at CLC. Learn more about Cost of Attendance.


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    Our Guaranteed Transfer Partnerships (GTAs) with a select number of schools guarantee admission to students who meet specific criteria.


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    Earth Science at CLC

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    This transfer degree is just one possible way to study Earth Science. Get the bigger picture—degrees, credentials and extra options.

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