Environmental Science for Transfer

AS-T Degree Environmental Sciences and Sustainability · Sierra College · 2026-2027 Catalog

This program provides students with a strong foundation in environmental sciences.  Upon completion of this degree, students will be able to identify and describe the essential components of earth's natural environment - its physical, biological, energy-related, and ecological elements; describe and analyze core environmental problems, their causes and consequences, and practical solutions; evaluate and apply principles of sustainability to human activity on earth; apply the scientific method to design, conduct experiments, and test hypotheses; critically evaluate and interpret environmental information; and, as informed and responsible individuals, evaluate contemporary environmental issues that have social and/or ethical implications.

The Associate in Science in Environmental Science for Transfer degree (AS-T) prepares students to transfer into the CSU system to complete a bachelor’s degree in environmental sciences, or a major deemed similar by a CSU campus.  Students earning an associate degree for transfer and meeting the CSU minimum transfer admission requirements are guaranteed admission with junior standing within the CSU system. Students are also given priority admission consideration to their local CSU campus but not to a particular campus or major. Upon transfer, students will be required to complete no more than 60 additional prescribed units to earn a bachelor’s degree.

Successful completion of the Environmental Science for Transfer curriculum will prepare students for transfer to four-year colleges or universities. The major has been designed to meet lower-division requirements for certain majors at transfer institutions. In all cases, students should consult with a counselor for more information on university admission and transfer requirements.

To earn the Associate in Science in Environmental Science for Transfer degree, students must complete 60 CSU-transferable semester units with a minimum grade point average of 2.0, including both of the following:

The exact wording of the law pertaining to associate degrees for transfer may be found in Education Code Section 66746.

It is highly recommended that, prior to transferring, students complete courses that satisfy the CSU United States History, Constitution and American Ideals graduation requirement. In all cases, students should consult with a counselor for more information on university admission and transfer requirements.

RESTRICTION: International coursework from non-United States regionally accredited institutions cannot be applied to associate degrees for transfer.

Required Courses

CourseTitleUnits
BIOL 0001General Biology4
CHEM 0001AGeneral Chemistry I5-6
orCHEM 0003A & CHEM 0003BGeneral Chemistry I - Part 1and General Chemistry I - Part 2
CHEM 0001BGeneral Chemistry II5
ECON C2001Principles of Microeconomics3
ESS 0001Introduction to Environmental Sciences and Sustainability3
PHYS 0105General Physics I4
PHYS 0105LGeneral Physics I Laboratory1
PHYS 0110General Physics II4
PHYS 0110LGeneral Physics II Laboratory1
Select an Earth Science or Geography option:4
ESCI 0001 & ESCI 0001LPhysical Geologyand Physical Geology Laboratory
GEOG 0001 & GEOG 0001LPhysical Geographyand Physical Geography Laboratory
Select a Statistics and Calculus option:7-10
PSYC 0142 & MATH 0030Introduction to Psychological Statisticsand Analytical Geometry and Calculus I
STAT C1000 & MATH 0030Introduction to Statisticsand Analytical Geometry and Calculus I
Total Units41-45

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