The Environmental Science Program

The B.S. in Environmental Science stresses not only the science, but its interdisciplinary nature with respect to the sciences, as well as ethics, responsibility and values, politics, law and business.  The Environmental Science degree is a very rigorous program with a strong foundation (Calculus sequence, University Physics Sequence, General Chemistry Sequence, and Computer Science), and environmental areas (e.g. air, water, soil pollution, organic chemistry, analytic chemistry, instrumentation, ground water). The program also incorporates internships or research in upper-level courses and produces highly qualified students who are sought after by industry, government (local, state, federal) and graduate schools. Most of the students completing the program go on to graduate school for either MS or PhD studies in Atmospheric Science, Chemistry, Physics and Environmental Science at John Hopkins University, State University of New York at Stonybrook, Howard University, Penn State University as well as Hunter College and the City College of New York. Others have entered the scientific workforce (NYC Department of Environmental Protection, NYC Transit Authority, Goddard Space Flight Center, Con Edison). The program hosts the Annual Environmental Issues Conference every March. Studenst may minor in Computer Science, Earth System Science, Computation Science/Remote Sensing, and Space Science.

Computer Science Program

The BS degree in Computer Science is a unique academic opportunity for students to integrate computer science discipline areas and scientific investigation in relevant fields. Without compromising the theoretical aspects of computer science, the program allows students to marry their programming and hardware skills with practical applications in wireless communications and tracking, utilization of scientific sensors, data gathering, and ground-based data-sharing. Curriculum linkages occur in traditional areas including data communications, wireless networks, embedded controllers, scientific computing, database systems, and digital logic design. Like all other CUNY four year colleges, MEC admits AS degree holders to its BS degree program; however since PECS offers an AS degree itself, the department is able to work extremely successfully with students to ease the transition between the completion of an AS degree and the beginning of a BS. Students may minor in Environmental Science, Earth System Science, Computational Science/Remote Sensing and Space Science to further their own professional interests. Aside from coursework, our students have participated in research internships at JPL, APL/John Hopkins and other NASA sites including Goddard Space Flight Center and the Goddard Institute for Space Studies. The Computer Science program includes a required senior-level two- semester course for research or industry internships.

A.S. in Science (Chemistry, Engineering and Physics Concentrations) is essentially a transfer program which is designed to meet the requirements for entry into the lower junior level of most baccalaureate degree (B.S.) programs in Chemistry, Engineering or Physics. Students may transfer to the Chemistry and Physics programs at Brooklyn College, City College, College of Staten Island, Hunter College and the Engineering programs at City College and Polytechnic University.