Program Summary

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES - Associate in Science for Transfer

Environmental Science is the study of the relationships between the geological, biological, chemical, and ecological systems in the Earth’s natural environment. Students obtaining the Associate in Science for Transfer (AS-T) in Environmental Sciences will learn the necessary concepts, problem solving skills and analytical thought processes to prepare them for transfer into a university-level major in Environmental Sciences, for entry-level positions in the discipline, or for a greater appreciation of how science is used to study the interactions between human activity and the earth’s systems.


The Associate Degree for Transfer (AA-T or AS-T) is a special degree offered at California Community Colleges. Students who earn an AA-T or AS-T degree are guaranteed admission to a campus within the California State University (CSU) system in a similar major, although not necessarily to a specific campus. Students who complete an AA-T or AS-T are given priority consideration when applying to a particular program that is similar to the student’s community college major and will be given a special GPA advantage when applying to CSU impacted campuses or majors. Students who are planning to pursue an AA-T or AS-T are strongly advised to meet with a counselor for additional information about this transfer program.


The Associate in Science in Environmental Sciences for Transfer degree requires:


(1) Completion of 60 semester units that are eligible for transfer to the California State University, including both of the following:


  (A) The Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) or the California State University General Education – Breadth Requirements.


  (B) A minimum of 18 semester units or 27 quarter units in a major or area of emphasis, as determined by the community college district.


(2) Obtainment of a minimum grade point average of 2.0.


(3) Earn a “C” or better grade in all courses required for the major or area of emphasis.

 

Career Opportunities
Required Core: 3 Courses (15 units)
Units: 15.0
Option 1:
 
 
15.0
BIO 201A
BIOLOGY
5.0
AND
BIO 201B
BIOLOGY
5.0
AND
 
5.0
CHEM 201A
GENERAL COLLEGE CHEMISTRY I
5.0
OR
Option 2:
 
 
15.0
BIO 201A
BIOLOGY
5.0
AND
CHEM 201A
GENERAL COLLEGE CHEMISTRY I
5.0
AND
CHEM 201B
GENERAL COLLEGE CHEMISTRY II
5.0
List A: 4 Courses (14 units)
Units: 14.0
ENVS 200
INTRODUCTION TO ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
3.0
GEOL 210
PHYSICAL GEOLOGY
4.0
STAT C1000
INTRODUCTION TO STATISTICS
4.0
MATH 255
CALCULUS FOR BUSINESS AND MANAGEMENT
3.0
(Math 265A-Calc I may be substituted for Math 255)
 
List B: 3 Courses (11-13 units)
Units: 11.0-13.0
ECON 201A
PRINCIPLES OF MACROECONOMICS
3.0
 
10.0
PHYS 208A
PRINCIPLES OF PHYSICS 1
5.0
AND
 
0.0
PHYS 208B
PRINCIPLES OF PHYSICS 2
5.0
OR
 
8.0
PHYS 205A
GENERAL PHYSICS
4.0
AND
PHYS 205B
GENERAL PHYSICS
4.0
Total: 40.0-42.0
Program Outcomes
Use the methodologies of the natural and physical sciences to formulate testable hypotheses concerning environmental problems and issues.
Exam or homework questions requiring students to develop or evaluate hypotheses concerning environmental science.
Analyze information on environmental problems and recommend appropriate solutions, with consideration for technical, political, or economic challenges.
Exam or homework questions requiring students to analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution. At least one challenge to implementing the solution must be addressed.
Apply core concepts or methods from natural and physical sciences to environmental problem solving.
Exam or homework questions requiring students to apply biological, chemical, physical, or geological concepts to an environmental problem (i.e. using physics and chemistry to explain how carbon dioxide promotes global warming)
Describe the socioeconomic and equity-based impacts of environmental problems and solutions.
Exam or homework questions prompting students to evaluate the impacts of pollution or of imposing sustainable practices on societies with minimal disposable wealth.