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Glaciers of the Winds

Expedition Science

Associate of Science Degree

If you enjoy adventures in the outdoors and are curious to learn about the interactions of flora, fauna and the environment, consider the Expedition Science degree program.

The Expedition Science program integrates scientific research, field-based expeditions, and leadership development by building classroom curriculum around experiential learning. Expedition Science embraces contemporary science and technical skills in disciplines of environmental science, geospatial information science and technology (GIST), outdoor leadership, and archaeology. Expedition Science field projects allow students to travel and study in Wyoming’s most remote deserts and mountains for extended periods of time. Students might perform research in paleoecology to reconstruct past human and physical environments, or apply contemporary ecological study to the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Field options include alpine glaciology, high-elevation archaeology, and the ecology of extreme environments. In each subject area, students apply field and classroom research techniques to contemporary environmental and anthropological questions. Their data will be presented at conferences, and shared with state and federal land management agencies. The Expedition Science program requires all students to complete at least one CWC or NOLS expedition.

This program provides excellent preparation for careers in natural resource management, environmental science, outdoor education, glaciology, archaeology and geospatial information science. This degree is designed for transfer to the University of Wyoming or other four-year institutions.  

Read about the Interdisciplinary Climate Change Expedition (ICCE) in Scientific American. by Ben Storrow, E&E News on September 13, 2017.

Course Credits
Intro to Environmental Science 4
Intro to Archaeology (SOC) 3
Wilderness First Responder 4
Geoinformation Science and Tech (LSCI) 4
College Algebra (MATH) 4
Wilderness Navigation 1

 

Students must choose a minimum of eighteen (18) credits from the following courses:

Course Credits
Archaeology Field School 3
Cooperative Work Experience or Outdoor Ed Practicum 3-4
Leading Adventure Programs 3
Mountain Environments 4
Introduction to Geographic Info Systems 4
Advanced GIS 4
Cartography 4
GIS Databases 3
GIS Database Applications 1
Spatial Analysis 4
Applied GPS for GIS 3
Remote Sensing 4
Wilderness First Responder 4

 

General Education requirements provide students a general knowledge to help them complete a degree at CWC.

Course Credits
Writing Level I 3
Writing Level II 3
American & Wyoming Government 3
Oral Communication 3
University Studies

Get to know your instructors

Darran Wells

Professor of Outdoor Education and Leadership

Darran Wells grew up racing mountain-bikes with his father in Houston, TX.

Jacki Klancher

Associate Professor of Environmental Health

Field based education opportunities are her specialty.

Todd Guenther

Professor of Anthropology and History

Todd is passionate about anthropology and getting his students the field experience needed for the next level.

Let the adventure begin

If you have an interest in anthropologyenvironmental sciencegeospatial information systems technology (GIST), or outdoor education you can begin your studies and career on top of the Rocky Mountains as part of the Alpine Science Institute at Central Wyoming College.  

Student on glacier