Environmental Studies
Associate of Arts (AA) Environmental Studies · Las Positas College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Overview
The Associate of Arts in Environmental Studies is a multi-disciplinary program which provides students the academic foundation for understanding the scientific and technological basis of energy technology, as well as the political, social, and economic factors that underlie energy policy choices. This transferable program features a diverse array of classes in the degree pattern from the natural and physical sciences in such associated disciplines as geology, geography, ecology, chemistry, statistics, philosophy, and economics. Students can further expand this foundation by selecting electives from other disciplines such as anthropology and political science.
Program Learning Outcome(s)
Upon completion of this program, students will be able to:
- Analyze natural phenomena using fundamental scientific principles in the physical and biological sciences.
- Conduct a literature search, identify and evaluate legitimate sources, and clearly communicate the results.
- Construct arguments for environmental policy based on a sociopolitical and scientific understanding of human interactions with the environment.
- Perform scientific experiments, analyze the data, and evaluate the results.
Environmental Studies (AA): Program Requirements
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Required Core: (31 Units) | ||
| BIO 30 | Introduction to College Biology | 4 |
| BIO 40 | Humans and the Environment | 3 |
| CHEM 31 | Introduction to College Chemistry | 4 |
| orCHEM 6 | Environmental Chemistry | 4 |
| ECON C2001 | Principles of Microeconomics | 3 |
| EVST 5 | Energy and Sustainability | 3 |
| EVST 5L | Energy and Sustainability Laboratory | 1 |
| GEOL 1 | Physical Geology | 3 |
| GEOG 1 | Introduction to Physical Geography | 3 |
| PHIL 2 | Ethics | 3 |
| STAT C1000 | Introduction to Statistics | 4 |
| List A: Select Two (6-8 Units) | ||
| ANTR 1 | Biological Anthropology | 3 |
| ANTR 2 | Introduction to Archaeology | 3 |
| ANTR 3 | Cultural Anthropology | 3 |
| BIO 60 | Marine Biology | 4 |
| BIO 70 | Field Biology | 3 |
| GEOG 15 | Introduction to GIS | 3 |
| GEOL 2 | Historical Geology | 4 |
| GEOL 5 | Environmental Geology: Hazards & Disasters | 3 |
| GEOL 7 | Environmental Geology: Resources, Use Impact & Pollution | 3 |
| GEOL 12 | Introduction to Oceanography | 3 |
| HUMN 6 | Nature and Culture | 3 |
| POLI 12 | Introduction to California State and Local Government | 3 |
| POLS C1000 | American Government and Politics | 3 |
| SOC 5 | Introduction to Global Studies | 3 |
| NTRN 1 | Introduction to Nutrition Science | 3 |
| Total Units in the Major | 37-39 | |
| Additional General Education and Elective Units | ||
| See the Las Positas College General Education (LPC-GE) pattern or the California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC) pattern for a listing of areas and courses. Double counting courses in GE and the major is permissible. The number of units that may be double counted will depend on the entry point to the degree program, the optional course(s) taken, and the GE pattern selected. Elective units must be degree applicable. Consult with an adviser or a counselor to plan the courses necessary to achieve your academic goal. | 21-23 | |
| Total | 58-60 | |