I was looking into two different schools for an environmental science major…
With a concentration in natural resources and conservation.
The two different state schools have different requirements. Is one school better known for their environmental science program?
Are you a senior who is looking at already received acceptances, or are you a junior thinking about which schools to apply to?
Are you in-state for any of these universities? Do you have any budget limitations and will you need any loans to attend any of them?
If you are still thinking about where to apply, then you should also look at UVM. It is quite good for environmental sciences. Of the schools that you mentioned, I would go with U.Mass Amherst if I had the choice and if it were affordable.
I live in Mass.
For some reason SNHU does not require calculus for their ES degree. UMASS does. I just flunked out of precalculus and couldn’t test into Calc 1.
I would be a transfer student with an associates already.
This is definitely not a good sign wrt taking calculus. Do you know what went wrong in precalculus? How did you do in algebra? Did you take trigonometry and if so how did you do with it?
You might need to go to a program that does not require calculus.
I’d be concerned about you entering a natural sciences program—or even some social sciences programs—if you have weak trigonometry skills. You will almost definitely need to take a statistics and/or research methodology course, and they may require concepts from trigonometry.
I think we may need to know how you’ve done in previous math courses. With that being said, I encourage you to find tutoring and take Precalculus again. If you can pass, then you’ll probably have a decent shot at the Environmental Studies programs at the UNH, UMaine, and UMass systems.
If you still struggle, then I would suggest taking a look at some related majors—for example, Parks, Recreation, and Tourism at UMaine-Orono.
Okay, I just read a bit of your post history.
For starters, your CC did not recommend that you take Precalculus. Why did you end up taking it without taking the pre-req course?
Also, I see that you’ve changed direction from Engineering. That’s OK, but is Precalculus/Calculus the only thing that’s holding you back? If so, then I would consider aiming for a Engineering Technology BS. You’ll need Precalculus and Calculus 1 for that field.
Yes I will be doing statistics but heard that doesn’t involve Calc.
Calc is really the only thing holding me back. For example, yes I did not even test into precalculus. Math has definitely never been my strongpoint. I am most definitely right brained and that is my strongpoint. That is what I find most fun.
However, the idea of working out in nature as a career also seems fun. “Hey, we want to you to lead an expedition today on the Atlantic Ocean and collect samples”
My greatest passions are art… music, sound engineering, videography, television/media, writing, history, ect. However STEM jobs are easy to get, pay extremely well right away just looking on Indeed job offers, and all over the place. Plus look fun.
Art oriented majors are a lot more difficult to pursue as careers.
I got a 52 on my first test in pre calc and took it twice.
It was on functions, circles, transformations symmetrical points, piecewise defined functions, ect. Like If f(x) find a,b,c,d. and find intercepts of circle from looking at graph. I learned the circle equations and started to get the hang of it.
I understood it, but made lots of mistakes and errors that throw off my answers. Like putting an extra comma, not using the right symbol, writing my number in the wrong place ect., the computer throws back a wrong answer. Personally what I don’t like about online tests.
I’ve had professors take a look at my answers before I understood what I meant, and told me if they were grading it in person they would have given me partial or even full credit. It sure is challenging but I could retake it. However this isn’t even calculus or calc 2. If I cannot even get through precalc that is not a good sign. I wouldn’t want to do anything in that area as a career either which is why I jumped out of engineering.
The idea of field scientists… (taking samples, animal and wildlife conservation, river management, forestry/fishery, geology). Those kinds of careers intrigue me. They look fun and they pay decent too. I’m just not a left brained kind of a person.
First off, I would start looking at UNH-Durham and UMaine-Orono if you haven’t already. If they seem like tough options financially, then do yourself a favor and look up the New England Tuition Break.
If you can at least get Precalculus down, then you should have a good shot at a BS in Forestry. But I’d still try to get a semester of Calculus.
If not, aim for a Rec + Tourism degree or a similar field. Or, look into Landscape Architecture.
College level statistics will have some trigonometry. Even the introductory courses—not a lot, but some.
Look, I get it. I squeaked a 600 in mathematics on the SAT, and I currently have a B- in Precalculus. For comparison, I’m in AP humanities courses and I’ve scored in the 98th percentile on EBR&W. Math doesn’t come easy to me, either.
But STEM fields will require an understanding of the fundamentals of Precalculus. Piecewise functions can be tricky at first, but you will see functions more and more…time to get used to them. You’ll get better as you practice more.
I would aim to pass Precalculus before you transfer, along with at least one statistics course.
How are you doing in the sciences? Are you struggling there, too? Or are you earning A’s and B’s?
I am finding myself wondering whether the best approach would be to take a year off, work a job, and study math. You might want to make sure that you are solid in algebra first, then go on to trigonometry and precalculus. A good tutor seems like it would help if you can find the right tutor and if you can afford to hire a tutor.
Life is not a race. Taking an extra year to get to the right place is not a failure.
This makes a lot of sense to me. I am thinking that you should be able to get there. The trick is to find the right path for you to get there.
Have you checked the requirements for environmental science at U.Mass Lowell? Is it the same as U.Mass Amherst? You might want to also consider the other two U.Mass campuses.
Take a look at public colleges in Maine. I think they’re big on forestry. There’s a New England tuition exchange agreement, plus I think they can be very generous with merit money.
I am back after taking a deeper look at SNHU over the past months.
I did look at the requirements of UMASS Amherst and Lowell. Lowell requires Calc I. Amherst requires both Calc 1 & II which is interesting. Amherst also requires a higher GPA. I would not get into Amherst.
SNHU does not require calculus or precalculus. I am solid in algebra as I took Algebra II in college and scored above 80, and tested into STEM pre calc. I just failed the precalc twice. As far as the other sciences go, I just completed Chem II and scored a 90. I’m really good at chemistry and find it a lot of fun.
Now something I could do. Obtaining a bachelors at SNHU and completing a masters at the University Of Maine. I really love their environment science program there. I think they have one of the best in the country. I want to focus my studies on conservation ecology.
A conservation ecologist (forestry)… I would really love that career. I was watching some of the videos on their website and that is right up my alley. A ton of state and federal jobs.
I am 26 right now. I do know I could take another year off, but I know myself too well. I can see myself getting involved in a job and forgetting about college again.
I already signed up for SNHU just to see what credits would transfer. They claim with the credits I have, I could complete my bachelors in one year. If I went the UMASS route it would take 2 years and double the cost to redo some of the courses which would not transfer. Out of all of the colleges, SNHU accepted the most credits from Nashua Community College.
My cousin who had a career in forestry loved his career also. It looks like you have thought this through carefully and I think that your plan makes sense.
Good luck and best wishes!