Earth Systems Science & Policy, B.S.~ Typical Pathways

Entering CSUMB as a Transfer

If you enter CSUMB as a junior transfer, please see the "Preparation" link at the left for coursework to complete before transferring.  Transfer students who wish to complete additional lower-division courses before transferring may take the courses marked by an asterisk (*) at a community college. 

The following generic pathway is applicable to all concentrations, which are listed under "Requirements" link at the left.  Students should consult an ESSP advisor for course scheduling details. 

Semester 1 (16 credits)

*GEOL 260+L Geology & Hydrology (MLO#2)
*Foreign Language 101 (Partial Language ULR)
*MATH 151+L Calculus II (MLO #1); not required for all concentrations
*ESSP 271 Oceans (MLO #2)
*ESSP 272 The Atmosphere (MLO#2)

Semester 2 (17 credits)

*Foreign Language 102 (Partial Language ULR)
ESSP 280 Economics, Policy, and Management (MLO #2)
ESSP 300 Reading, Writing, and Critical Thinking in ESSP (MLO#9 and GWAR)
ESSP 300L (Tech/Info ULR)
MLO 3 course

Semester 3 (16 credits)

*Foreign Language 201 (Completion of Language ULR)
*PHYS 220+L Physics I (MLO#2)
STAT 250  or 200, depending on concentration (MLO#1)
ESSP 332+L Intro to GIS/GPS (MLO#5)

Semester 4 (15 credits)

ESSP 384S Environmental Justice & Policy Service Learning (Culture& Equity  ENG COM B, Service Learning ULRs;  MLO#4&10)
MLO 8 course
MLO 7 course
ESSP 400 Capstone I (MLO#10)

Semester 5 (14 credits)

MLO 6 course
MLO#7 Group II course
MLO 7 Group II course
ESSP 403 Capstone II

* Course may be completed at community college (CAN GEOL 2, CAN MATH 20 or 32, CAN PHYS 2 or 8, SPAN 2, 4, 8; introductory oceanography, meteorology).

 
Entering CSUMB as a Freshman

The following sample lower-division pathway is applicable to all ESSP concentrations and emphases, except that some concentrations require only one semester of calculus.  The detailed requirements for each concentration are listed under the "Requirements" link at the left.  Students who work or participate in a lot of extracurricular activities will be advised to not take more than 14-16 units each semester. 

Semester 1 (16 credits)

Math 130+L Pre-calculus (Math Com ULR and MLO#1)
CST 101 Tech Tools (Tech/Info ULR)
FYS 100 First-Year Seminar
Foreign Language 101 (Partial Language ULR)

Semester 2 (17 credits)

Math 150+L Calculus I & Lab (MLO#1)
CHEM 110+L Chemistry I & Lab (MLO#2)
ESSP 286 Harvest Our Food: Fisheries/Agriculture (ENGCOM A and Ethics ULR)
Language 102 (Partial Language ULR)
HPWE Vibrancy Activity ULR

Semester 3 (14-18 credits)

Math 151+L Calculus II & Lab (MLO#1) (calc 2 not required for some concentrations)
CHEM 111+L Chemistry II & Lab (MLO#2)
Language 201 (Partial Language ULR)
ESSP 272 Atmosphere (MLO#2)
Creative/Artistic Expression and Literature/Popular Culture ULR course

Semester 4 (18 credits)

HPWE 361S Foundation of Wellness, Community Participation (Vibrancy Theory ULR)
BIO 240+L Biology & Lab (MLO#2)
ESSP 260 +L Geology/Hydrology (MLO #2)
Language 202 (Completion of Language ULR)

 
Sample Pathways for Juniors and Seniors

Sample pathways are provided below for Marine and Coastal Ecology, Watershed Systems, and Environmental Policy concentrations, as well as a generic pathway applicable to other concentrations and emphases. 

Marine and Coastal Ecology Junior and Senior Sample Pathway
Semester 5 (17 credits)

ESSP 280 Economics, Policy & Management (MLO#2)
ESSP 300 Critical Reading, Thinking, Writing (MLO #9 and GWAR)
BIO 340+L Ecological Systems (MLO#3)
BIO 241 (Lab recommended, not required), Biology II (MLO#2)
ESSP 271 Oceans (MLO#2)

Semester 6 (14 credits)

STAT 250 Applied Statistics for Sci &Tech (MLO#1)
ESSP 350+L Quantitative Lab and Field Methods (MLO#8)
ESSP 332+L Intro to GIS & GPS (MLO#5)
ESSP 400 Capstone I (MLO#9)

Semester 7 (16 credits)

PHYS 220+L Physics I & Lab (MLO#2)
BIO 345 Marine Science or Bio 346 (MLO#7)
Democratic participation + US History (ULR course)
MLO 7 or 6 course

Semester 8 (15 credits)

ESSP 384S Environmental Justice & Policy Service Learning (Culture& Equity,  ENG COM B, Service Learning ULRs;  MLOs #4 and #10)ESSP 403 Capstone II (MLO#9)
MLO 7 course
MLO 6 or 7 course
ESSP 403

Watershed  Systems Concentration Junior and Senior Sample Pathway
Semester 5 (16 credits)

PHYS 220+L Physics I & Lab (MLO#2)
ESSP 300 Critical Reading, Thinking, Writing (MLO #9 and GWAR)
BIO 340+L Ecological Systems (MLO#7)
GEOL 360+L Geomorphic Systems (MLO #3)

Semester 6 (18 credits)

STAT 250 Applied Statistics for Sci & Tech (MLO#1)
ESSP 350+L Quantitative Lab and Field Methods (MLO#8)
GEOL 460+L Geomorphic Systems (MLO#7)
ESSP 332+L Intro to GIS & GPS (MLO#5)
ESSP 400 Capstone I (MLO#9)

Semester 7 (16 credits)

ESSP 280 Economics, Policy & Management (MLO#2)
Democratic participation + US History (ULR course)
MLO #6 course
MLO #7 Group II or III course

Semester 8 (13 credits)

ESSP 403 Capstone II (MLO#9)
ESSP 271 Oceans (MLO #2)
MLO #7  Group II or III course
ESSP 384S Environmental Justice & Policy Service Learning (Culture& Equity,  ENG COM B, Service Learning ULRs;  MLOs#4 and #10)

Environmental Policy Junior and Senior Sample Pathway 
Semester 5 (17 credits)

ESSP 241 Cell and Molecular Biology (MLO #2)
ESSP 280 Economics, Policy & Management (MLO#2)
ESSP 300 Critical Reading, Thinking, Writing (MLO #9 and GWAR)
ESSP 271 Oceans (MLO #2)
STAT 200  (MLO#1)

Semester 6 (18 credits)

PHYS 220+L Physics I & Lab (MLO#2)
SBS 366+L Research Methods in Social and Behavioral Sciences (MLO #8)
ESSP 386 Science, the Environment, and the Political Process (MLO#4)
MLO 3 course ESSP 400 Capstone I (MLO#9)
ESSP 400 Capstone I (MLO#9)

Semester 7 (17credits)

ESSP 380 Environment and Resource Economics (MLO#7)
ESSP 486 Coastal Zone Management (MLO#7)
ESSP 332+L Intro to GIS & GPS (MLO#5)
ESSP 384S Environmental Justice & Policy Service Learning (Culture& Equity,  ENG COM B, Service Learning ULRs;  MLO#10)

Semester 8 (14 credits)

MLO 6 course
ESSP 403 Capstone II (MLO#9)
MLO 7 course
US Histories ULR course

Other Concentrations Junior and Senior Year Sample Pathway
Semester 5 (17 credits)

ESSP 241 Cell and Molecular Biology (MLO #2)
ESSP 280 Economics, Policy & Management (MLO#2)
ESSP 300 Critical Reading, Thinking, Writing (MLO #9 and GWAR)
STAT 200 or 250 (MLO #1)
ESSP 271 Oceans (MLO #2)

Semester 6 (15 credits)

MLO 3 course
ESSP 384S Environmental Justice & Policy Service Learning (Culture& Equity,  ENG COM B, Service Learning ULRs;  MLO#4&10)
ESSP 332+L Intro to GIS & GPS (MLO#5)
ESSP 400 Capstone I (MLO#9)

Semester 7 (16 credits)

MLO 8 course
MLO 7 course
PHYS 220+L Physics I & Lab (MLO#2)
MLO 7 course

Semester 8 (14 credits)

MLO 6 course
ESSP 403, Capstone II (MLO#9)
MLO 7 course
Democratic Participation & US Histories ULR course

Requirements