Environmental Science

Upon completion of the requirements for the Associate in Science 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., field ecologist, geologist, and/or hydrologist. The Environmental Science major requires completion of a minimum of 43 major units, 36-40 of which are required core units. The additional 7-13 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 environmental law, policy or health monitoring emphasis in Environmental Science, they should consider an Associated in Applied Arts Degree in Environmental Science.

The department strongly recommends that all declared Environmental Science majors complete the following courses prior to transfer: Physics A120 (Algebra-based Physics: Mechanics) and Physics A185 (Algebra-based Physics: Electricity/Magnetism) or Physics A280 (Calculus-based Electricity and Magnetism) and Physics A285 (Calculus-based Modern Physics), and/or Chemistry A220 (Organic Chemistry). Check the requirements of the transferring institution.

Program Outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes

1. Describe the major biological, chemical, and physical components and processes within organisms and the environment.
2. 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.
3. Develop the skills to research environmental topics, conduct and analyze experimental data, and communicate findings with their peers.
4. 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.

1. Lecture and applicable lab course must both be taken to fulfill area credit.
2. Some program major units may also meet GE requirements.
3. Cal-GETC pattern (up to 334 units) maybe substituted.

Program Sequence

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 I: Early Transcendentalsor Calculus I: Early Transcendentals - Honorsor Calculus II: Early Transcendentalsor Calculus II: Early Transcendentals - Honors
OCC AS GE AREA A1 - CHOOSE ONE	3
	Units

Semester 2
ECON C2002or ECON C2002H
OCC AS GE AREA C1 - CHOOSE ONE
OCC AAS GE AREA C2 - CHOOSE ONE
ELECTIVE (DEGREE APPLICABLE) 1
Select Geology Lecture/Lab Combination:
GEOL A110 Physical Geology
GEOL A105 General Geology & GEOL A105L General Geology Laboratory
GEOL A105H General Geology Honors & GEOL A105M General Geology Laboratory Honors

Year 2

Semester 1
BIOL A180
CHEM A180
AS RESTRICTED ELECTIVES (See Requirements) 2
ELECTIVE (DEGREE APPLICABLE) 3

Semester 2
Select BIOL A185 or Zoology/Botany set
BIOL A185 Introduction to Biology for Majors 2: Ecology, Evolution, Diversity, and Physiology
BIOL A182 Zoology or BIOL A182H Zoology Honors and BIOL A182L Zoology Lab
BIOL A183 Botany & BIOL A183L Botany Lab
CHEM A185
AS RESTRICTED ELECTIVES- CHOOSE ONE (See Requirements) 2
ELECTIVE (DEGREE APPLICABLE) 3

1. CHEM A130 can be taken for prerequisite of BIOL A180 and CHEM A180
2. Restricted electives between 7-13 units
3. VARIES TO REACH MINIMUM 60 DEGREE APPLICABLE UNITS