Environmental Science, B.S.

Objectives

The objective of the Environmental Science major is to prepare students for a career in the field of environmental sciences. Students receiving this degree can either pursue graduate studies or enter the field of environmental science where jobs are available, for example, with private businesses, governmental agencies, and environmental non-profits and advocacy groups.

The Environmental Science major is a rigorous interdisciplinary program involving course work in biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, and environmental science and engineering. The learning outcomes for this degree program are:

1. Students will be able to apply the scientific method to formulate and test hypotheses.
2. Students will be able to assess and evaluate effectively global environmental processes embedded in a social and ethical context.
3. Students will have proficiency in the following: Earth systems science, micro- and macroevolution, ecosystem services, and anthropogenic impacts on ecosystems.
4. Students will have proficiency in the fundamental concepts of the physical and life sciences.
5. Students will have basic field, laboratory, and analytic skills in a quantitative capacity.
6. Students will effectively communicate through written assignments and oral presentations.
7. Students will demonstrate critical thinking skills needed for assessing and solving problems relating to environmental issues and policies.

Laboratory courses are designed to maximize hands-on experience in collecting samples from various media, and using an array of equipment to characterize samples of soils, water, and air. Many of the environmental science courses include field trips to the adjacent Ballona Wetlands and Santa Monica Bay to demonstrate methods for collecting samples, and to study environmental conditions and resident biota. Internships with local environmental organizations and companies are an integral component of the program. The major requires that the student conduct a research project followed by presentation of results upon completion.

Major Requirements

¹

Note: In order to be eligible to take an upper division science course, a student must have a C (2.0) average in the lower division science courses.

²

Note: A student must have a C (2.0) average in upper division science courses.

Notes:

• Students are also urged to consider taking PHIL 3110: Environmental Ethics to fulfill their Core: Integrations: Ethics and Justice requirement
• Courses in the above lists with an asterisk require additional pre-requisite courses outside of the ENVS major.
• Up to 2 of the 4 upper division science elective courses may be taken outside of Seaver College.
• Up to 1 of the 4 upper division science elective courses may be fulfilled by taking a laboratory course.
  • It can be a stand-alone 1-unit laboratory course.
  • It can be part of a combined lecture and laboratory course. (Note that a combined lecture and laboratory course counts as fulfilling 2 of the upper division science elective courses.)

B.S. Degree in Environmental Science

(126 S.H.)

Dean’s list requires a minimum of 15 semester hours.