The Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science

Total Course Requirements for the Bachelor's Degree: 120 units

See Bachelor's Degree Requirements in the University Catalog for complete details on general degree requirements. A minimum of 39 units, including those required for the major, must be upper division.

A suggested Major Academic Plan (MAP) has been prepared to help students meet all graduation requirements within four years. You can view MAPs on the Degree MAPs page in the University Catalog or you can request a plan from your major advisor.

General Education Pathway Requirements: 48 units

See General Education in the University Catalog and the Class Schedule for the most current information on General Education Pathway Requirements and course offerings.

Diversity Course Requirements: 6 units

See Diversity Requirements in the University Catalog. Most courses taken to satisfy these requirements may also apply to General Education .

Upper-Division Writing Requirement:

Writing Across the Curriculum (Executive Memorandum 17-009) is a graduation requirement and may be demonstrated through satisfactory completion of four Writing (W) courses, two of which are designated by the major department. See Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning and Writing Requirements in the University Catalog for more details on the four courses.  The first of the major designated Writing (W) courses is listed below.

• Any upper-division Writing (W) course.

The second major-designated Writing course is the Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GW) (Executive Order 665). Students must earn a C- or higher to receive GW credit. The GE Written Communication (A2) requirement must be completed before a student is permitted to register for a GW course.

Grading Requirement:

All courses taken to fulfill major course requirements must be taken for a letter grade except those courses specified by the department as Credit/No Credit grading only.

Course Requirements for the Major: 71 units

Completion of the following courses, or their approved transfer equivalents, is required of all candidates for this degree.

Major Core Program: 62 units

Lower-Division Requirements: 35 units

7 courses required:

SUBJ NUM	Title	Sustainable	Units	Semester Offered	Course Flags
BIOL 152	Principles of Ecological, Evolutionary, and Organismal Biology		4.0	FS	GE
Prerequisites: BIOL 151 or faculty permission; recommend CHEM 112 or concurrent enrollment. Introduction to evolutionary history and biological diversity, microbes and protists, invertebrates, vertebrates, and plants. Form and function of plants and animals. Ecological principles. 3 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory. This is an approved General Education course. (001123)
CHEM 111	General Chemistry		4.0	FS	GE
Prerequisites: Completion of ELM requirement; second-year high school algebra; one year high school chemistry. (One year of high school physics and one year of high school mathematics past Algebra II are recommended.) Principles of chemistry for students in science and engineering programs. Topics include atoms, molecules and ions, reactions, stoichiometry, the periodic table, bonding, chemical energy, gases, and solution chemistry. The laboratory sequence supports the above topics including both qualitative and quantitative experiments, analysis of data, and error propagation. 3 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory. This is an approved General Education course. (001816)
CHEM 112	General Chemistry		4.0	FS
Prerequisites: CHEM 111 with a grade of C- or better. A continuation of CHEM 111. Topics include kinetics, equilibrium, acid-base chemistry, electrochemistry, chemical thermodynamics, coordination chemistry, and nuclear chemistry. The laboratory sequence supports the above topics including both qualitative and quantitative experiments, analysis of data, and error propagation. 3 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory. (001817)
GEOS 102	Physical Geology		3.0	FS	GE
Prerequisites: High school chemistry or physics is recommended; students with no previous science courses are advised to enroll in GEOS 101. No college credit for those who have passed GEOS 101. Physical and chemical processes in the earth, including origin and identification of rocks and minerals; earth's interior; movements and major features of the earth's crust; erosion and sedimentation; geological structures; topographic maps; mineral resources. 2 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory. This is an approved General Education course. (004069)
GEOS 165	Principles of Environmental Science		2.0	FA
An introduction to environmental science as an integrative field of study and its parent disciplines. Field and laboratory techniques are introduced through examination of case studies. Students learn about the various professions engaged in environmental and resource management. 1 hour lecture, 3 hours laboratory. (020687)
GEOS 170	Atmospheric Science		3.0	SP
A descriptive study of weather processes; winds, circulations and storms; and weather impacts on life, property, crops, water availability, and air quality. Current weather briefings and California weather topics are emphasized. 3 hours lecture. (004130)
GEOS 265	Soils and Surficial Processes		3.0	FA
Prerequisite: GEOS 165 or SCED 343 (or equivalent). In-depth survey of the hydrologic cycle, and soil systems. Interactions between these systems are examined through case studies. 2 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory. (020723)

1 course selected from:

2 courses selected from:

AND (Both the above and following course must be taken)

Or two of the following three courses may be substituted for PHYS 202A and PHYS 202B.

Students who are considering attending graduate school should consult with an advisor before selecting lower-division core courses. We recommend PHYS 204A, PHYS 204B, and PHYS 204C.

Upper-Division Requirements: 27 units

9 courses required:

SUBJ NUM	Title	Sustainable	Units	Semester Offered	Course Flags
BIOL 350W	Fundamentals of Ecology (W)		3.0	FS	GW  W
Prerequisites: Completion of GE Written Communication (A2) requirement; BIOL 152 or faculty permission. Some taxonomic background is recommended. Interrelationships among living organisms, field observations of such phenomena. Application of quantitative and qualitative methods to the interpretation of ecological phenomena. 2 hours discussion, 3 hours laboratory. This is an approved Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement course; a grade of C- or higher certifies writing proficiency for majors. This is an approved Writing Course. (001206)
GEOS 315	Pollution Science		3.0	SP
Prerequisites: CHEM 107 or CHEM 111; GEOS 265. Principles and applications of major natural and anthropogenic pollution processes which include origins, transport, and sinks of contaminants in the environment. Topics include acid rain, mine waste and drainage, and agricultural pesticides. Environmental impacts, remediation and control of pollution are discussed. 2 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory. (020373)
GEOS 352	Recovery of Altered Ecosystems		3.0	SP
Prerequisites: BIOL 350W, GEOS 265, GEOS 315, or equivalents. This course provides students with an understanding of the role of stresses and disturbances in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems and natural processes of recovery. Students are introduced to the practices used to modify, restore, and remediate ecosystems altered by human activities and develop a restoration program for a nearby, altered ecosystem that contains both land and water components. In addition, we discuss policy and regulations as they relate to specific projects. 2 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory. (021925)
GEOS 370	Energy in the Human Environment		3.0	SP
Prerequisites: GEOS 170; PHYS 202A or PHYS 204A. Analysis of present and long-term global energy crises; coverage of scientific concepts needed to understand energy and its environmental interactions; in-depth examination of alternative energy sources and their environmental impact. 3 hours lecture. (004149)
GEOS 380	Hydrology		3.0	FA
Prerequisites: PHYS 202A or PHYS 204A (may be taken concurrently). A survey of the mass transfer processes and storage elements within the hydrologic cycle: precipitation, interception, surface runoff, infiltration, evapo-transpiration, soil water and groundwater. Quantitative methods for estimating flow and storage, use of probability concepts to predict extreme hydrologic events in a time series. 2 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory. (004150)
GEOS 420	Earth Systems Modeling		3.0	SP
Prerequisites: BIOL 350W; CHEM 107 or CHEM 111; GEOS 102, GEOS 170, GEOS 265; PHYS 202A, PHYS 204A, or PHYS 341. This course will seek to understand fundamental earth system processes and interactions on a global scale. Particular emphasis is placed on climate change and its impacts. 3 hours lecture. (021924)
GEOS 440	Environmental Sensing		3.0	FA
Prerequisite: PHYS 202B, PHYS 204B, or PHYS 204C (may be taken concurrently). Instruments are critical to making quantitative observations, and observations are critical to the scientific method. The subject of environmental instrumentation is vast and constantly changing as new technologies emerge. Through a combination of lectures and hands-on projects, students are (1) introduced to the process of assembling and characterizing an electronic instrument of their own, (2) forming a hypothesis and testing it by collecting data, and (3) writing reports and giving presentations on their results. 2 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory. (020639)
GEOS 475	Senior Seminar		3.0	SP
Prerequisite: Senior standing in Environmental Science. This seminar provides a culminating experience for students to draw on their accumulated content knowledge and skills to address one or more environmental problems. Select problems addressed by students working in interdisciplinary teams. Project plans and timelines described in individually-prepared proposals. Relevant policies and regulations indentified, and this guidance informs student projects. Existing comparative data employed and analyzed to develop project plans and reports. Computer skills employed, possibly including spreadsheets, statistical software, and GIS. 3 hours discussion. (004169)
MATH 315	Applied Statistical Methods I		3.0	FS
Prerequisite: MATH 105, MATH 109, or MATH 120, or faculty permission. Single and two sample inference, analysis of variance, multiple regression, analysis of co-variance, experimental design, repeated measures, nonparametric procedures, and categorical data analysis. Examples are drawn from biology and related disciplines. The statistical programming language R is used. Appropriate for biology, agriculture, nutrition, psychology, social science and other majors. 3 hours discussion. (005568)

Major Option Course Requirements: 9 units

The following courses, or their approved transfer equivalents, are required dependent upon the option chosen. Students must select one of the following options for completion of the major course requirements.  Use the links below to jump to your chosen option.

• The Option in Applied Ecology
• The Option in Atmosphere and Climate
• The Option in Energy and Earth Resources
• The Option in Hydrology

The Option in Applied Ecology: 9 units

1 course required:

SUBJ NUM	Title	Sustainable	Units	Semester Offered	Course Flags
GEOS 536	Applied Ecology		3.0	SP
Prerequisites: BIOL 350W, MATH 315. Examination of the mechanisms, directions, and magnitude of an organism's or ecosystem's response to human perturbation. 3 hours discussion. (004166)

1 course selected from:

One additional 400-level Biology course.

1 course selected from:

SUBJ NUM	Title	Sustainable	Units	Semester Offered	Course Flags
GEOS 537	Ecohydrology		3.0	S2
Prerequisites: BIOL 350W, GEOS 380, or instructor consent. The study of linkages between hydrologic processes and ecosystem functions; field methods for data gathering; hydrologic transport of nutrients and pollutants through ecosystems; case studies of problems in ecohydrology. 3 hours lecture. (020330)
GEOS 616	Natural Water Systems		3.0	F2
Prerequisites: CHEM 111, GEOS 315. Fundamentals of processes in environmental aquatic systems emphasizing acid-base and pE-pH relationships, solubility of carbon species in natural waters, and interactions at the solid-liquid interface. Students in this course interpret these processes in light of new ideas, problems, and materials. 3 hours lecture. (020287)

The Option in Atmosphere and Climate: 9 units

3 courses required:

SUBJ NUM	Title	Sustainable	Units	Semester Offered	Course Flags
GEOS 321	Introduction to Meteorology		3.0	FA
Prerequisite: GEOS 170. Survey of physical and dynamic meteorology. Topics covered include thermodynamics, radiation, clouds and precipitation formation, tropical and extratropical weather systems, forecasting, and climate change. 3 hours lecture. (004140)
GEOS 390	Surficial Processes		3.0	F1
Prerequisites: MATH 120; either PHYS 202A or PHYS 204A. A survey of the processes governing uplift and denudation of landscapes, including isostasy, chemical and physical weathering, mass movements, surface water erosion, formation of channels, and flow and sediment transport. 2 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory. (004152)
GEOS 470	Renewable Energy		3.0	F1
Prerequisite: GEOS 370. Teach students about the wide range of renewable energy technologies that are available, how they harvest energy from the environment, how they impact the environment, and their varying degrees of competitiveness with fossil fuels. Major forms of renewable energy covered include solar thermal, solar photovoltaics, bioenergy, hydroelectricity, tidal power, wind energy, wave energy, and geothermal energy. Students also gain experience reading, researching, and presenting findings. 3 hours lecture. (021766)

The Option in Energy and Earth Resources: 9 units

3 courses required:

SUBJ NUM	Title	Sustainable	Units	Semester Offered	Course Flags
GEOS 460	Water Resources Management		3.0	S2
Prerequisite: GEOS 380. Water-resources, management plans of world; emphasis on California and Israeli plans. Water plans in primitive, agrarian, and industrial societies. Data gathering and interpretation, regulation of water resources, and control of water pollution. 3 hours lecture. (004168)
GEOS 470	Renewable Energy		3.0	F1
Prerequisite: GEOS 370. Teach students about the wide range of renewable energy technologies that are available, how they harvest energy from the environment, how they impact the environment, and their varying degrees of competitiveness with fossil fuels. Major forms of renewable energy covered include solar thermal, solar photovoltaics, bioenergy, hydroelectricity, tidal power, wind energy, wave energy, and geothermal energy. Students also gain experience reading, researching, and presenting findings. 3 hours lecture. (021766)
GEOS 616	Natural Water Systems		3.0	F2
Prerequisites: CHEM 111, GEOS 315. Fundamentals of processes in environmental aquatic systems emphasizing acid-base and pE-pH relationships, solubility of carbon species in natural waters, and interactions at the solid-liquid interface. Students in this course interpret these processes in light of new ideas, problems, and materials. 3 hours lecture. (020287)

The Option in Hydrology: 9 units

2 courses required:

SUBJ NUM	Title	Sustainable	Units	Semester Offered	Course Flags
GEOS 390	Surficial Processes		3.0	F1
Prerequisites: MATH 120; either PHYS 202A or PHYS 204A. A survey of the processes governing uplift and denudation of landscapes, including isostasy, chemical and physical weathering, mass movements, surface water erosion, formation of channels, and flow and sediment transport. 2 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory. (004152)
GEOS 460	Water Resources Management		3.0	S2
Prerequisite: GEOS 380. Water-resources, management plans of world; emphasis on California and Israeli plans. Water plans in primitive, agrarian, and industrial societies. Data gathering and interpretation, regulation of water resources, and control of water pollution. 3 hours lecture. (004168)

1 course selected from:

SUBJ NUM	Title	Sustainable	Units	Semester Offered	Course Flags
GEOS 415	Hydrogeology		3.0	SP
Prerequisites: CHEM 111, GEOS 306, GEOS 380, MATH 120; PHYS 202A or PHYS 204A. Recommended: GEOS 307. Theory and analysis of groundwater flow, including fluid physics, aquifer properties, soil water, groundwater recharge, hydrogeologic environments, aquifer mechanics, and water quality degradation. 2 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory. (004102)
GEOS 537	Ecohydrology		3.0	S2
Prerequisites: BIOL 350W, GEOS 380, or instructor consent. The study of linkages between hydrologic processes and ecosystem functions; field methods for data gathering; hydrologic transport of nutrients and pollutants through ecosystems; case studies of problems in ecohydrology. 3 hours lecture. (020330)
GEOS 616	Natural Water Systems		3.0	F2
Prerequisites: CHEM 111, GEOS 315. Fundamentals of processes in environmental aquatic systems emphasizing acid-base and pE-pH relationships, solubility of carbon species in natural waters, and interactions at the solid-liquid interface. Students in this course interpret these processes in light of new ideas, problems, and materials. 3 hours lecture. (020287)

Electives Requirement:

To complete the total units required for the bachelor's degree, select additional elective courses from the total University offerings. You should consult with an advisor regarding the selection of courses which will provide breadth to your University experience and possibly apply to a supportive second major or minor.

Advising Requirement:

Advising is mandatory for all majors in this degree program. Consult your undergraduate advisor for specific information.

Honors in the Major:

Honors in the Major is a program of independent work in your major. It requires 6 units of honors course work completed over two semesters.

The Honors in the Major program allows you to work closely with a faculty mentor in your area of interest on an original performance or research project. This year-long collaboration allows you to work in your field at a professional level and culminates in a public presentation of your work. Students sometimes take their projects beyond the University for submission in professional journals, presentation at conferences, or academic competition. Such experience is valuable for graduate school and professional life. Your honors work will be recognized at your graduation, on your permanent transcripts, and on your diploma. It is often accompanied by letters of commendation from your mentor in the department or the department chair.

Some common features of Honors in the Major program are:

• You must take 6 units of Honors in the Major course work. All 6 units are honors classes (marked by a suffix of H), and at least 3 of these units are independent study (399H, 499H, 599H) as specified by your department. You must complete each class with a minimum grade of B.
• You must have completed 9 units of upper-division course work or 21 overall units in your major before you can be admitted to Honors in the Major. Check the requirements for your major carefully, as there may be specific courses that must be included in these units.
• Your cumulative GPA should be at least 3.5 or within the top 5% of majors in your department.
• Your GPA in your major should be at least 3.5 or within the top 5% of majors in your department.
• Most students apply for or are invited to participate in Honors in the Major during the second semester of their junior year. Then they complete the 6 units of course work over the two semesters of their senior year.
• Your honors work culminates with a public presentation of your honors project.

While Honors in the Major is part of the Honors Program, each department administers its own program. Please contact your major department or major advisor to apply.