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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 Number Course

Credits

BIOL 1080 Intro to Environmental Science

4 credits

EDUC 1050 Leading Adventure Programs

3 credits

ENR 2425 Mountain Environments

4 credits

GEOG 1200 Geospatial Foundations

4 credits

HLED 2010 Wilderness First Responder

4 credits

MATH 1400 College Algebra

4 credits

ORTM 1000 Foundations of Recreation & Tourism

3 credits

PEAC 2025 Wilderness Navigation

1 credit

ANTH 1300 OR G&R 1020 Intro to Archaeology OR Intro to Human Geography

3 credits

G&R 2020 Mountaineering

1 - 5 credits

G&R 2030 Wilderness Backpacking

1 - 5 credits

G&R 2031 Combined Expeditions

1 - 5 credits

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

Course Number Course

Credits

ANTH 2010 Archaeology Field School

3 credits

EDUC 1055 Introduction to Outdoor Education

3 credits

CPED 1000 OR
EDUC 2470
Co-Op Work Experience I OR Outdoor Education Practicum

3 credits

GEOG 1100 Introduction to Geographic Info Systems

4 credits

GEOG 2100 Advanced Geographic Information Systems

4 credits

GEOG 2110 Techniques in Cartography

4 credits

GEOG 2120 Geographic Information System Databases

3 credits

GEOG 2125 Geographic Info Syst Database Apps

1 credit

GEOG 2130 Spatial Analysis

4 credits

GEOG 2135 Applied GPS for GIS

3 credits

GEOG 2140 Remote Sensing

4 credits

HLED 2010 Wilderness First Responder

4 credits

PEAC 1258 Skiing & Snowboarding

1 credit

PEAC 1287 Introduction to Outdoor Rock Climbing

1 credit

PEAC 1297 Whitewater Rafting/Rescue

1 credit

PEAC 1380 Outdoor Multi-Sport

1 - 3 credits

PEAC 1600 Ice Climbing

1 credit

PEAC 2058 Backcountry Skiing & Snowboarding

1 credit

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

CourseCredits
Writing Level I 3
Writing Level II 3
American & Wyoming Government 3
Arts/Humanities 3
Oral Communication 3
University Studies 1

Total Credit Hours: 60

Get to know your instructors

Darran Wells

Professor of Outdoor Education and Leadership

Darran Wells is passionate about all kinds of outdoor activities - hiking, climbing, caving, and skiing, but mountain biking is a sport he dedicates most of his free time to.

Jacki Klancher

Professor of Environmental Science and Health; Director of Instruction and Research at the Alpine Science Institute; Agriculture

Jacki Klancher has been an educator for more than 20 years. Originally from Patricia, Alberta Canada, Klancher has been at CWC for more than 10 years as a professor and she was integral in launching the Interdisciplinary Climate Change Expedition. This undergraduate research program has allowed her to integrate the classroom component of the EHS Environmental GIST and Expedition Science programs with wilderness travel and adventure.

Todd Guenther

Professor of Anthropology and History

Todd Guenther 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 anthropology, environmental 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

BACHELOR OF APPLIED SCIENCE DEGREE

Outdoor Program Leadership

Take the next step in your outdoor leadership journey. This 8-semester program offers students an administrative perspective of the outdoor recreation service industry that includes learning, training, and assessment of leadership and program management skills. The program is especially appropriate for students wishing to: start their own outdoor-related small business, manage an outdoor recreation or education program, or build a career in leadership of parks, recreation, tourism, or natural resource management.