Environmental Science and Water Resources Technologies

The Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Environmental Science and Water Resources Technologies program is designed to prepare students in theoretical and practical hands-on training in the monitoring of water quality and quantity as well as in water, wastewater, and industrial wastewater treatment. The emphasis is on federal, state, county, and city regulations affecting water quality and quantity management in addition to water/wastewater treatment. The students take part in the operation, calibration, and maintenance of water monitoring field instruments and water and wastewater treatment monitor field equipment. The program assists students in their preparation for ADEQ examinations in both water and wastewater treatment.

This program is designed to meet education requirements for licensure or certification in the State of Arizona. Granting licensure and certification is the sole responsibility of the state board or approval agency. This program is only offered and available to students located in the State of Arizona. The Maricopa County Community College District and colleges define student location within Administrative Regulation 2.2.3(7).

Details

Field of Interest
Applied Technology
Degree Type
Associate in Applied Science (AAS)
Academic Plan
Environmental Science and Water Resources Technologies (DEG)
Academic Plan Code
3830
Total credits required
62-83
Catalog Year
2024-2025
Effective Term
Fall 2024
Admission criteria

Formal application and admission to the program is required. Placement into MAT120, MAT121, MAT122, MAT150, MAT151, MAT152 or higher level mathematics course for which College Algebra is a prerequisite.

Notes

Students must earn a grade of C or better in all courses within the program.

What You'll Learn
  • Critically assess problems using theoretical foundations and analytical tools relevant to environmental science technology fields.
  • Evaluate air, soil, or water quality using appropriate calculations and measurements.
  • Utilize effective written or oral communication skills in accordance with the professional conventions within environmental science technology fields.
  • Practice industry accepted professional and ethical behavior.
  • Apply relevant safety standards to processes related to environmental science technology fields.
  • Collaborate with peers to problem solve within environmental technology fields.
  • Apply appropriate municipal, state, and federal environmental standards in the assessment and treatment of air, soil, or water.
  • Demonstrate the mechanical, technical, and scientific knowledge relevant to environmental science technology fields.
  • Apply relevant knowledge, skills, and habits of mind to seek career opportunities in the field.
Career statistics

Successful completion of this degree may lead to employment in a variety of different occupations and industries. Below are examples of related occupations with associated Arizona-based wages* for this degree. Education requirements vary for the occupations listed below, so you may need further education or degrees in order to qualify for some of these jobs and earn the related salaries. Please visit with an academic advisor and/or program director for additional information. You can click on any occupation to view the detail regarding education level, wages, and employment information.

Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health

$49,520

Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators

$50,370

* Career and wage information provided by Pipeline AZ using data, reports, and forecasts which are generated using government data sources. Sources

Course Sequence by Term

The following is the suggested course sequence by term. Please keep in mind:

  • Students should meet with an academic advisor to develop an individual education plan that meets their academic and career goals. Use the Degree Progress Report Tool in your Student Center to manage your plan.
  • The course sequence is laid out by suggested term and may be affected when students enter the program at different times of the year.
  • Initial course placement is determined by current district placement measures and/or completion of 100-200 level course and/or program requirements.
  • Degree and transfer seeking students may be required to successfully complete a MCCCD First Year Experience Course (FYE) within the first two semesters at a MCCCD College. Courses include FYE101 and FYE103. Course offerings will vary by college. See an academic, program, or faculty advisor for details.
  • Consult with your faculty mentor or academic advisor to determine educational requirements, including possible university transfer options, for your chosen career field.

Pathway Map Options

There are multiple options available for this pathway map. These options vary depending on the locations, partners, and available tracks of the award.

These pathway map options may share some common coursework. To explore what additional coursework may be required, select your desired option from the list below. Once selected, the list of courses and any associated details will be automatically updated in the course sequence below. The differences between individual pathway map options may only be a few courses.

Note: You will have to select one of the options below to view available course sequences.

Full-time Sequence

To view course sequences, select one of the pathway map options above.

Part-time Sequence

To view course sequences, select one of the pathway map options above.

Course Area Key

Gateway Course = Generally the first major-specific course in a pathway.

Critical Course = A course that is highly predictive of future success in a pathway.

Disclaimer

Students must earn a grade of C or better for all courses required within the program.

Course Sequence total credits may differ from the program information located on the MCCCD curriculum website due to program and system design.

View MCCCD’s official curriculum documentation for additional details regarding the requirements of this award (https://aztransmac2.asu.edu/cgi-bin/WebObjects/MCCCD.woa/wa/freeForm13?id=182299).

At Maricopa, we strive to provide you with accurate and current information about our degree and certificate offerings. Due to the dynamic nature of the curriculum process, course and program information is subject to change. As a result, the course list associated with this degree or certificate on this site does not represent a contract, nor does it guarantee course availability. If you are interested in pursuing this degree or certificate, we encourage you to meet with an advisor to discuss the requirements at your college for the appropriate catalog year.

Previous Catalog Years

The pathway map presented above is for the current catalog year and is the intended pathway map for new students. All previous catalog years for this pathway map are available at the link below.

Previous catalog years for Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Environmental Science and Water Resources Technologies