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Glaciers of the Winds

The glaciers of the Wind River Mountain range are melting. How will this impact the people and animals of the region? A documentary by Wyoming PBS featuring CWC's Interdisciplinary Climate Change Expedition.

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Expedition Science

Associate of Science Degree

The Expedition Science program integrates scientific research, field-based expeditions, and leadership development through 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 allows the student to travel and study in Wyoming's most remote deserts and mountains for extended periods of time. A student may 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, the student will apply field and classroom research techniques to contemporary environmental and anthropological questions. Data will be presented at conferences and shared with state and federal land management agencies. The Expedition Science program requires the student 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.

Program Requirements

Course Number Course Credits
BIOL 1080Intro to Environmental Science4
ORTM 2410Outdoor Leadership3
ENR 2425Mountain Environments4
GIST 1200Geospatial Foundations4
HLED 2010Wilderness First Responder4
MATH 1400College Algebra4
ORTM 1000Foundations of Recreation & Tourism3
OEAC 2025Wilderness Navigation1
  
ANTH 1300Intro to Archaeology3
OR 
GEOG 1020Intro to Human Geography3
  
OEAC 2020Mountaineering:1-5
OR 
OEAC 2030Wilderness Backpacking:1-5
OR 
OEAC 2031Combined Expeditions:1-5
  

The student may substitute HLED-2015 Wilderness EMT (9cr) in place of HLED-2010. This will add 5 Program Elective credits to the student's total program.

Total Credit Hours: 60

Get to know your instructors

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.

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.

INSTRUCTOR OF GIS AND EXPEDITION SCIENCE

Mara grew up in Lander, Wyoming and loves finding ways to connect students to their local environments and communities. She teaches GIS, environmental science and geography, and she helps facilitate and teach summer backcountry research expeditions.

Professor Emeritus 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.