Major in Environmental Science

Requirements

This program requires completion of a minimum of 52 units, as follows:

Environmental Science Required Courses (20 units):

• ENVS - 110 Understanding Our Environment w/Lab or
• ENVS - 210 Ecology and Human Impacts w/Lab
• ENVS - 212 Air and Water w/Lab
• ENVS - 250 Environmental Data Analysis
• ENVS - 410 Methods of Environmental Monitoring w/Lab

Required Support Courses (32 units)

Biology (8 units):

• BIOL - 105, BIOL - 106

Chemistry (Minimum of 8 units):

• CHEM - 111, CHEM - 113

Physics (4 units):PHYS - 100

Additional Science (12 units, of which at least 8 units must be chosen from 0209- 300-level courses:

• ENVS - 312 Water Resource Analysis w/Lab
• ENVS - 320 Restoration Ecology w/Lab
• ENVS - 321 Wetland Ecology w/Lab
• ENVS - 331 Environmental Health -- A Toxicological Perspective
• ENVS - 350 Energy and Environment
• ENVS - 360 Climate Change: Science and Policy
• ENVS - 370 Environmental Remote Sensing and GIS w/Lab
• ENVS - 498 Advanced Undergraduate Research
• MSEM Courses with permission of Instructor and Department Chair.

Students may select from Undergraduate Research (ENVS 498) or from courses in the Master of Science in Environmental Management program, or the Biology, Chemistry, or Computer Science programs.

Learning Goals/Outcomes for the B.S. in Environmental Science

Graduates of the Bachelor of Science program will have a broad range of technical, analytical and communication skills combined with a solid foundation in environmental science. A degree in environmental Science will prepare students for graduate education, work in governmental agencies and environmental consulting, and many other environmentally related fields. Students who complete the degree requirement will:

• Demonstrate knowledge and integration of the natural sciences as applied to the complexities of environmental protection and sustainability.
• Critically analyze impacts, both actual and potential, of human activity on the environment with a view to their prevention and/or mitigation.
• Demonstrate a working knowledge of the scientific method to identify, evaluate and recommend solutions to environmental problems.
• Communicate scientific findings and analyses in a professional manner through written reports and oral presentations.
• Display an increased awareness of environmental conditions locally, regionally, nationally and globally so as to promote active participation and social justice considerations in future environmental decisions through science outreach and community engagement.