Environmental Science
Associate in Arts Degree Environmental Science and Ecology · Orange Coast College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Upon completion of the requirements for the Associate in Applied Arts Degree in Environmental Science, students will be prepared to transfer to CSU/UC and obtain a baccalaureate degree (or higher degree) in Environmental Science. This degree is also a pathway toward internships and/or entry-level opportunities within the field, e.g., environmental policy/law and environmental health monitoring). The Environmental Science major requires completion of a minimum of 26 major units, 26-31 of which are required core units. The additional 9-13 units must be taken from a list of restricted related electives from a variety of departments. The ESEC department strongly recommends that all declared Environmental Science majors get counseling to select electives that will best prepare them for their intended transfer institution as there is high variation in requirements among institutions and some of the courses listed, including core courses, have pre-requisites that will increase the number of units required to complete this degree. For students interested in an ecology, geology, and hydrology emphasis in Environmental Science, they should consider an Associated in Science Degree in Environmental Science.
The department strongly recommends that all declared Environmental Science majors complete the following courses prior to transfer: STAT C1000 Introduction to Statistics or PSYC A160 Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences and PHYS A280 Calculus-Based Physics: Electricity/Magnetism with Lab and PHYS A285 Calculus-Based Physics: Modern with Lab. Check the requirements of the transferring institution.
Program Outcomes
Program Learning Outcomes
- Describe the major biological, chemical, and physical components and processes within organisms and the environment
- Describe historical and current human activities that negatively impact the environment (energy resources, urbanization, agricultural methods, etc) and how economics, social interactions, policies, and laws affect human activity within the environment.
- Students who complete the degree will be prepared for admission to California State University/University of California schools in environmental science.
Requirements
Review Graduation Requirements and General Education.
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| ESEC A100 | Introduction to Environmental Science | 3 |
| orESEC A100H | Introduction to Environmental Science Honors | |
| ECON C2001 | Principles of Microeconomics | 3 |
| orECON C2001H | Principles of Microeconomics - Honors | |
| ECON C2002 | Principles of Macroeconomics | 3 |
| orECON C2002H | Principles of Macroeconomics - Honors | |
| A Geology course with lab: | 4 | |
| GEOL A110 | Physical Geology | |
| Or | ||
| GEOL A105 | General Geology 1 | |
| orGEOL A105H | General Geology Honors | |
| And | ||
| GEOL A105L | General Geology Laboratory | |
| orGEOL A105M | General Geology Laboratory Honors | |
| A Biology Selection: | 4-8 | |
| BIOL A100 | Principles of Biology | |
| orBIOL A100H | Principles of Biology Honors | |
| orBIOL A180 | Introduction to Biology for Majors 1: Cell and Molecular Biology | |
| or the following group: | ||
| BIOL A182 | Zoology | |
| orBIOL A182H | Zoology Honors | |
| BIOL A182L | Zoology Lab | |
| BIOL A183 | Botany | |
| BIOL A183L | Botany Lab | |
| CHEM A110 | Introduction to Chemistry | 5 |
| orCHEM A180 | General Chemistry A | |
| Select one course from the following: | 4-5 | |
| MATH A140 | Business Calculus | |
| MATH A180 | Calculus 1 | |
| orMATH A180H | Calculus 1 Honors | |
| MATH A185 | Calculus 2 | |
| orMATH A185H | Calculus 2 Honors | |
| STAT C1000 | Introduction to Statistics | |
| PSYC A160 | Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences | |
| Restricted Electives | 9-13 | |
| ESEC A110 | Island Ecology | |
| ESEC A121 | Marine Intertidal Ecology | |
| orMRSC A121 | Marine Intertidal Ecology | |
| ESEC A124 | Ecology of the Gray Whale | |
| orMRSC A124 | Ecology of the Gray Whale | |
| ESEC A140 | Mediterranean Biome Ecology | |
| ESEC A141 | Desert Ecology | |
| GEOL A131 | Weather and Climate | |
| GEOL A160 | Environmental Geology | |
| GEOL A250 | Water Resources and Society | |
| MRSC A187 | Marine Mammals | |
| MRSC A188 | Marine Mammal Field Studies | |
| MRSC A195 | Marine Policy and Conservation | |
| ARCH A142 | Environmental Advocacy | |
| BIOL A172 | Nature of Birds | |
| BUS A118 | Introduction to International Business | |
| orBUS A118H | Introduction to International Business Honors | |
| GEOG A190 | Digital Mapping: Introduction to GIS | |
| Program Major Units | 35 - 44 | |
| OCC AA General Education and Multicultural Requirements | Up to 27 | |
| Degree-applicable electives to satisfy unit requirement | Varies | |
| Total Minimum Degree Units - OCC AA GE | 60 - 62 | |
- Lecture and applicable lab course must both be taken to fulfill area credit.
- Some program major units may also meet GE requirements.
- Cal-GETC pattern (up to 34 units) may be substituted.
- Multicultural Requirement may be met with a General Education or Major course.
Program Sequence
Program Sequence
These sequences at Orange Coast College are general course curriculum maps for students to finish all major and general education requirements for two-year completion of degrees, and/or fulfillment of transfer requirements. The course sequence may include course prerequisites and other placement requirements. Students are advised to meet with an Orange Coast College Counselor to review course selections and sequences to ensure that completion of this program will meet a student's transfer and career goals.
Year 1
| Semester 1 | Units |
|---|---|
| ESEC A100or ESEC A100H | Introduction to Environmental Scienceor Introduction to Environmental Science Honors |
| ECON C2001or ECON C2001H | Principles of Microeconomicsor Principles of Microeconomics - Honors |
| MATH A140or STAT C1000or PSYC A160or MATH A180or MATH A180Hor MATH A185or MATH A185H | Business Calculusor Introduction to Statisticsor Statistics for the Behavioral Sciencesor Calculus 1or Calculus 1 Honorsor Calculus 2or Calculus 2 Honors |
| OCC AA GE AREA 3- CHOOSE ONE | 3 |
| Units |
| Semester 2 |
|---|
| ECON C2002or ECON C2002H |
| Select Geology Lecture/Lab Combination: |
| GEOL A110 |
| GEOL A105& A105L |
| GEOL A105H& GEOL A105M |
| OCC AA GE AREA 1A - CHOOSE ONE |
| OCC AA GE AREA 6 - CHOOSE ONE |
| ELECTIVE (DEGREE APPLICABLE) 1, 2 |
| Summer |
|---|
| OCC AA GE AREA 1B - CHOOSE ONE |
Year 2
| Semester 1 |
|---|
| CHEM A110or CHEM A180 |
| Select BIOL A100, BIOL A100H, BIOL A180 or Zoology/Botany set: |
| BIOL A100or BIOL A100Hor BIOL A180 |
| OR |
| BIOL A182or BIOL A182H and BIOL A182L |
| BIOL A183& A183L |
| ELECTIVE (DEGREE APPLICABLE) 2 |
| Semester 2 |
|---|
| AA RESTRICTED ELECTIVES (See Requirements) |
| OCC AA GE AREA 7E ACTIVITY - CHOOSE ONE 3 |
| OCC AA GE AREA 7E THEORY - CHOOSE ONE 3 |
| AA Global/Multicultural Requirement - CHOOSE ONE 4 |
| ELECTIVE (DEGREE APPLICABLE) 2 |
- CHEM A130 can be taken for prerequisite of BIOL A180 and CHEM A180 as elective units
- VARIES TO REACH MINIMUM 60 DEGREE APPLICABLE UNITS
- OCC AA GE AREA 7E requires a minimum of 3 units to include one course from 7E- Theory/non-activty and one course from 7E- Activity
- OCC AA Global/ Multicultural required if not already taken in other GE areas, refer to AA Graduation Requirement webpage; if requirement is fulfilled, take degree applicable elective units