Protect Natural Resources with an Environmental Studies AAS Degree
With growing concerns over habitat loss, climate change, and the decline of fish and wildlife populations, the demand for experts in natural resource sustainability is rising. The Environmental Studies AAS degree at Iowa Lakes provides the skills, hands-on experience, and environmental research opportunities needed to launch a rewarding environmental science and natural resource management career.
In this comprehensive two-year program, you’ll learn how to monitor, measure, analyze, and report on environmental pollutants and study the impact of human activity on ecosystems. Iowa Lakes offers unique field experiences that allow students to conduct environmental research at the Iowa Great Lakes, gaining real-world experience in air and water quality monitoring.
As you work toward your degree, explore the diverse ecosystems of northwest Iowa, including prairies, forests, marshes, natural lakes, and river systems. Whether your passion lies in fisheries and wildlife biology, forestry, park management, or soil conservation, this program equips you with a strong ecological and resource management foundation.
Iowa Lakes also ensures students gain professional field experience through a summer internship, allowing them to apply their knowledge in real-world environmental settings. With accredited instructors from Iowa State University and transfer opportunities to Oregon State University and South Dakota State University, this program provides a seamless pathway to further education or immediate entry into the workforce.
Start your journey toward a meaningful career in environmental sustainability and make a lasting impact on the world around you.
Explore career opportunities and salary projections through the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Environmental Science Outlook.
Connect with an enrollment coach today and take the first step toward a rewarding career in environmental studies!
Find Your It!
Follow Your Passion for Environmental Science at Iowa Lakes!
Develop Expertise in Environmental Studies
The Environmental Studies AAS program at Iowa Lakes provides students with comprehensive training in:
- Natural resource management and techniques for conserving ecosystems and wildlife populations
- Pollution monitoring and environmental testing with hands-on experience in air and water quality assessment
- Fisheries and wildlife biology with studies in wildlife habitats, population dynamics, and conservation strategies
- Forestry and park management, including land-use planning, reforestation, and ecosystem restoration
- Soil conservation and sustainability through erosion control, soil health, and land management practices
Real-World Experience and Industry Readiness
Iowa Lakes provides students with immersive field experiences through:
- Research at the Iowa Great Lakes, conducting air and water quality testing in a real-world setting
- Internships with conservation organizations, parks, wildlife agencies, and sustainability programs
- Field studies across Iowa’s diverse ecosystems, including prairies, wetlands, forests, and rivers
Recently, Professor Drew Howing led a student research team at the Iowa Lakeside Laboratory to study the threatened Blanding’s Turtle. Students played an active role in the project, assisting with field research, data collection, and a variety of duties essential to the study’s success.
You can learn more about this meaningful work by watching the PBS short film featuring the project on YouTube.
Program Details
Length
5 terms
Degree
Associate in Applied Science (62 credits)
Campus
Estherville
Training
Internship/Practicum
Additional Information
Term 1
BIO 112 – General Biology I
Introduction to biology concepts with emphasis on ecology, cellular biology, reproduction and development, genetics and evolution. Lecture and laboratory.
EVS 114 – Environmental Studies I
Environmental Studies I is an introduction to ecology and environmental science. This course acquaints the student with the relationship between humans and their environment and the environmental problems that often develop because of this relationship. Topics covered include concepts of ecology, population dynamics, human ecology and environmental law. Lecture and laboratory.
EVS 200 – Environmental Seminar
Students will learn about drafting cover letters, creating resumes, developing e-portfolios, interviewing and networking skills in this course. They will also explore a myriad of career options in the environmental field and find their best fit. Also during this course students will become familiar with the Student manual for environmental studies practicum and understand the instructor, sponsor and student role in cooperative education.
Term 2
BIO 113 – General Biology II
Introduction to biology concepts with emphasis on kingdoms; taxonomy and a survey of invertebrate and vertebrate organisms; plant structures and physiology; and animal systems. Lecture and laboratory.
Prerequisites: BIO 112 – General Biology I
ENG 105 – Composition I
Emphasis on expository and argumentative writings including a review of usage and mechanics.
Prerequisites: Satisfactory score on the ACT, Accuplacer, ASSET, COMPASS as determined by Iowa Lakes policy
EVS 124 – Environmental Studies II
Environmental Studies II is an introduction to the study of global resources management and the analysis and control of environmental pollution. This course acquaints the student with the fundamentals of resource management and the physical, chemical, and biological analysis of pollutants that contaminate the Earth’s biosphere. Topics covered include global resources, resource management, environmental pollution and pollution control. Lecture and laboratory.
SPC 101 – Fundamentals of Oral Communication†
The fundamentals course develops the basic skills involved in a variety of communication situations, including oral presentations and interpersonal speaking. Emphasis is placed on organization, audience analysis, vocal and physical delivery, listening, nonverbal communication, critical thinking, and methods of dealing with communication apprehension through class discussion and activities.
SPC 112 – Public Speaking
This course examines both the theoretical and practical basis of speech communication, particularly public speaking. Emphasis is placed on speech preparation, organization, support, delivery, and audience analysis.
SPC 122 – Interpersonal Communications
Examines how humans communicate in one-on-one situations through personal and professional relationships.
Choose SPC 101, SPC 112 or SPC 122
Plus Social Science: 3 credits
Term 3
EVS 941 – Environmental Studies Internship
Environmental Studies Practicum is an opportunity for students to gain hands-on experience in a field and/or laboratory setting through a cooperative education agreement between the college and the sponsoring agency, business, or individual. The practicum is meant to be an actual job situation in environmental technology or natural resources management.
Term 4
CHM 151 – College Chemistry I
The first of two general survey courses introducing the student to general, organic and biological chemistry. Topics covered are chemical calculations, atomic structure, nuclear chemistry, periodic relations, gas laws, solid state, solutions, and acids and bases. Lecture and laboratory.
ENG 106 – Composition II
Continuation of ENG 105 with emphasis on research and documentation as well as literary analysis.
Prerequisites: ENG 105 – Composition I
EVS 254 – Intro to Natural Resources Management
Introduction to Natural Resources Management places an emphasis on the recognition, inventory, and conservation of natural resources. Attention is given to the distribution and availability of natural resources and the limitations associated with their usage. Topics covered include management of natural resources, hydrospheric resources, lithospheric resources, and atmospheric resources. Lecture and laboratory.
EVS 294 – Introduction to GIS
This course will introduce students to the concepts and applications of geographic information systems (GIS). Students will become familiar with using GIS software to visualize, query, create, edit, analyze and present geospatial data. There will also be exposure to public datasets available today on the internet that can be accessed. Implementing global positioning systems (GPS) will also be used in creating maps in this course.
Term 5
BIO 186 – Microbiology
General microbiology designed for the science major and nursing students. Emphasis on morphology, physiology, microbial genetics, immunology, pathology, epidemiology, and laboratory techniques. Lecture and laboratory.
Prerequisites: BIO 105 – Introductory Biology, BIO 112 – General Biology I, BIO 163 – Essentials of Anatomy & Physiology, BIO 168 – Human Anatomy & Physiology I, AGV 118 – Animal Anatomy & Physiology I or higher.
CHM 152 – College Chemistry II
Continuation of CHM 151. Covers kinetics and equilibrium of chemical reactions as well as acid-base theory. Hydrocarbon naming and reactions are also covered, including alcohols, carbohydrates, amines, acids, acid derivatives, lipids, amino acids, nucleic acids and proteins, SNA, RNA and metabolism. Lecture and laboratory.
Prerequisites: CHM 151 – College Chemistry I
EVS 264 – Natural Resources Management Techniques
Natural Resources Management Techniques places an emphasis on the problems associated with the usage of natural resources and the techniques available to evaluate, develop, and manage natural resources. Attention is given to renewable resources and the management techniques that can be utilized to best conserve these resources. Topics covered include wildlife management, forest and recreational land management, agricultural and rangeland management, and fisheries management.
AGA 154 – Fundamentals of Soil Science
An introduction to basic soil formation, classification, physical properties, water, organic matter, pH, and fertility.
CRJ 100 – Intro to Criminal Justice
Survey of the American criminal justice system, the early, middle and late stages of the criminal justice system are analyzed within the framework of law and research.
Choose BIO 186 or CHM 152
Choose AGA 154 or CRJ 100
Plus Social Science or Humanities: 3 Credits
General Education & Program Learning Outcomes
In the Environmental Studies program at Iowa Lakes, you will learn how to:1
- Apply Natural Resource Management principles to ensure ecosystem and public health
- Translate the connections between humans and the environment
- Articulate the history of human activities and their impact on the environment
- Demonstrate scientific methods to collect and analyze environmental data
- Effectively communicate sound environmental practices to key stakeholders
- Differentiate the role of local, state and federal environmental law and policies
- Discriminating between career options available in the environmental field
- Describe the role of environmental stewardship in the sustainability cycle
1The What You’ll Learn section of our website provides a description of Learning Outcomes for students who successfully complete all requirements for obtaining an Environmental Studies Associate in Applied Science degree from Iowa Lakes Community College.
Iowa Lakes students conduct real environmental research at the Iowa Great Lakes, gaining hands-on experience in pollution monitoring, ecosystem conservation, and sustainability practices before they graduate.
Career Opportunities and Advancement
Graduates of the Environmental Studies AAS program are prepared for roles such as:
- Environmental scientist, analyzing and developing solutions for pollution and conservation issues
- Wildlife biologist or fisheries technician, monitoring and managing fish and wildlife populations
- Forestry or park manager, overseeing public lands, trails, and conservation areas
- Soil conservationist, working with farmers and landowners to promote sustainable land use
With a high demand for environmental professionals, Iowa Lakes provides the technical training, fieldwork experience, and research opportunities needed to launch a successful career in environmental science and sustainability.
Hands-On
Training
Career-Ready
Day One
Opportunities, Earnings & Growth
Projected Employment Growth
.6%
Potential Careers
Environmental Scientist & Protection Technician, Forest & Conservation Technician, Fish & Game Warden, Energy
Broker, Forest & Conservation Worker, Solar Energy Installation Manager, Park Naturalist, Range Manager, Biofuels
& Hydroelectric Production Manager, Environmental Compliance Inspector, Soil & Water Conservationist, Recycling & Reclamation Worker
Projected Earnings
Iowa Workforce
$54,558
Average Salary
US Bureau of Labor
$86,710
Average Salary
START YOUR LAKER JOURNEY IN 4 STEPS!
Questions? Let's Talk
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Drew Howing Associate Professor | Environmental Studies 712-362-7978 | dhowing@iowalakes.edu |