2021-2022 Spring Edition 
    
    Mar 29, 2024  
2021-2022 Spring Edition [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Environmental Science Associate in Science for Transfer


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Environmental Science is an interdisciplinary course of study that draws on science, economics, and mathematics to produce an understanding of the complex interactions between humans and the environment. The Associate in Science in Environmental Science for Transfer Degree provides students with a core curriculum to develop key skills for applying biological, physical, and chemical scientific principles to the study of the environment. Students will also develop skills for critical/analytical thinking and problem-solving that are needed to develop solutions to environmental problems at the local, national, and global level.

Students who complete the Associate in Science in Environmental Science for Transfer Degree receive priority admission to the California State University system, although admission to a specific campus is not guaranteed.

The Associate in Science in Environmental Science for Transfer Degree prepares students to transfer to a 4-year university for further study to prepare for a wide variety of careers. Environmental scientists typically use their knowledge and skills to protect the environment and human health. They may clean up polluted areas, advise policymakers, or work with government and industry to reduce waste and improve environmental conditions. Other career possibilities are academia, environmental law, environmental consulting, biodiversity conservation, and resource management.

Program Student Learning Outcomes


Students who complete this program will be able to:

  • Demonstrate knowledge of the physical, biological, ecological, and social sciences required to effectively address current environmental issues and be prepared to pursue further study in an environmental science program at the baccalaureate level.
  • Demonstrate scientific literacy and ability to engage in scientific inquiry concerning environmental issues through the evaluation and analysis of scientific literature, and presentation of results in written and oral form.
  • Critically evaluate strategies for sustainable management of environmental systems and for the remediation or restoration of degraded environments and human health protection.

Graduation 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:

  • Completion of all courses required for the major with a grade of “C” (or “P” Pass) or better; and
  • Completion of the California State University General Education or Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (CSU GE1 or IGETC for STEM2) pattern

Required Core: Select 1 of 2 options (13-14 units)

Option 1

Course ID Title Units
BIO 4A  * Principles of Cellular Biology 4
BIO 4B  * Principles of Organismal Biology 4
CHEM 1A  * General Chemistry 5
  OR  
Option 2    
BIO 4A  * Principles of Cellular Biology 4
CHEM 1A  * General Chemistry 5
CHEM 1B  * General Chemistry 5
List A: Complete 15 units from the following  
ENV 1   Introduction to Environmental Studies 3
GEOL 1  or Introduction to Physical Geology 4
GEOG 1  and Physical Geography 3
GEOG 1L  * Physical Geography Laboratory 1
MATH 10  * or Introduction to Statistics 3
PSYC 44  * Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences 3
MATH 3A  * or Analytic Geometry and Calculus 5
MATH 3AH  * or Honors Analytic Geometry and Calculus 5
MATH 11  * A Brief Course in Calculus 5
List B: Complete 13 units from the following  
ECON 4  * or Principles (Micro) 3
ECON 4H  * Honors Principles of Microeconomics 3
PHYS 4A  * and General Physics 5
PHYS 4B  * or General Physics 5
PHYS 2A  * and Introduction to Physics 5
PHYS 2B  * Introduction to Physics 5

TOTAL UNITS FOR THE MAJOR:


41-42

*Course has a prerequisite, corequisite, limitation, or recommended preparation; see course description.

1 CSU GE for STEM is only an option for students earning AS-T degrees in Environmental Science. CSU GE for STEM certification requires the following courses before transfer:

  • all courses in Area A, B, and E of the traditional CSU GE;
  • two courses in Area C – one course in Area C1 and one course in Area C2;
  • two courses in Area D from two different disciplines.


The following deferred courses must be completed after transfer:

  • one remaining lower-division general education course in Area C
  • one remaining lower-division general education course in Area D

2 IGETC for STEM is only an option for students earning AS-T degrees in Biology for Transfer, Chemistry for Transfer, and/or Environmental Science for Transfer. IGETC for STEM certification requires the following courses before transfer:

  • all courses in Area 1 (except 1C for UC-bound students), 2, and 5 of the traditional IGETC;
  • two courses in Area 3 – one course in Area 3A and one course in Area 3B; and
  • two courses in Area 4 from two different disciplines.

The following deferred courses must be completed after transfer:

  • one remaining lower-division general education course in Area 3;
  • one remaining lower-division general education course in Area 4; and
  • one course in Area 6 for UC-bound students who have not satisfied the requirement through proficiency.

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