Environmental Science, Technology & Policy, B. S.~ Watershed Systems Concentration Requirements

Note that many of the courses listed below have required lab components.

MLO 1 Quantitative Foundations ~ Students must be able to apply the fundamental mathematical and statistical constructs used to communicate quantitative information within the context of Environmental Science, Technology & Policy.

• Complete each of the following:
  • MATH 150 Calculus I;
  • MATH 151 Calculus II;
  • STAT 250 Applied Stat:Sci Tech

MLO 2 Environmental Science, Technology & Policy Foundations ~ Students must be able to apply basic scientific principles and methods to the study of: (a) major physical and life science components of the earth system, including the atmosphere, biosphere, geosphere and hydrosphere, as well as the chemical and physical processes underlying these components, and (b) human components of the earth system including the social, economic and political structures that shape our interactions without environment.

• Complete each of the following:
  • CHEM 110/L Chemistry I;
  • CHEM 111/L Chemistry II;
  • PHYS 150/L Physics for Biologists or PHYS 220/L Physics I;
  • BIO 240/L Ecology,Evol, Biodiv;
  • GEOL 260/L Geology/Hydrology;
  • ENVS 271 The Oceans;
  • ENVS 272 The Atmosphere;
  • ENVS 283 Politics & the Environment;
  • ENVS 284 Envi Econ & Management

MLO 3 Natural Science Competency ~ Students must be able to understand, use and accurately communicate advanced scientific concepts.

• Complete: GEOL 360/L Geomorphic Systems

MLO 4 Policy Competency ~ Students must understand and accurately communicate state, federal and local political structures and processes and their relationships, as well as landmark environmental laws and regulations.

• Complete one of the following:
  • ENVS 384S Envir Justice & Envir Poli SL;
  • ENVS 386 Sci, Enviro & Polit Process;
  • ENVS 387 Water Resource Assess/Law/Poli;
  • SBS 385 CA/Gov/Politic/Environ/History

MLO 5 Data Acquisition, Analysis, and Display ~ Demonstrate proficiency with current technologies for acquiring, analyzing and displaying data relevant to a real-world problem.

• Complete: ENVS 332/L Intro to GIS/GPS

MLO 6 Systems Approach to Environmental Decision Making ~ Students must be able to demonstrate skill in the application of general systems theory, system modeling, stakeholder analysis, cost/benefit analysis or other interdisciplinary analysis tools to evaluate the equitability and the effectiveness of alternative environmental decisions, policies or actions.

(Courses in this MLO may not be double counted in any other MLO.)

• Complete one of the following:
  • ENVS 301 Ecosys Srvs: Sci&Econ Anl;
  • ENVS 303/L CA Transect Orien & Lab;
  • ENVS 309 Sci & Policy of Global Change; 
  • ENVS 440 Environmental Modeling;
  • ENVS 470  Marine Conservation Biology

MLO 7 Area of Concentration ~ Students must be able to apply advanced knowledge and skills in watershed systems.

(Courses taken for MLO 7 may not be double counted for two different MLOs.)

• Complete the following: 
  • GEOL 460/L Physical Hydrology
    and
  • BIO 340/L Ecology or BIO 342/L California Ecosystems
    and
  • BIO 448/L Aquatic Ecology or ENVS 303/L California Transect or ENVS 440 Environmental Modeling or ENVS 433/L App Mar Sci Tech or ENVS 436/L Rmt Sns/Image Process or ENVS 442/L Vernal Pools of Ft Ord or PHYS 330/L Electronics for Ecol. Research

MLO 8 Scientific Inquiry ~ Students must use the scientific method to design, conduct and interpret natural science and/or social science investigations, and understand the ethical norms that guide scientific practice.

• Complete one of the following:
  • ENVS 350/L Quantitative Field Methds;
  • ENVS 355/L Environmental Monitoring

MLO 9 Effective Communication ~ Students must present clearly (in both written and oral formats) analyses of complex Environmental Science, Technology & Policy issues.

• Complete each of the following:
  • ENVS 300/L Read, Writ & Crit Thnk in ESTP;
  • ENVS 400  Capstone I;
  • ENVS 402 or ENVS 403 Capstone II

MLO 10 Service Learning ~ Students must demonstrate the ability to combine disciplinary knowledge and community experiences to share the relevance and importance of science with culturally, linguistically, technologically and economically diverse populations in the context of issues of social responsibility, justice, diversity and compassion.

• Complete one of the following:
  • ENVS 349S Natural History Interpretation;
  • ENVS 369S Com-Based Watershed Restor SL;
  • ENVS 384S Envir Justice & Envir Poli SL;
  • MATH 361S Mathematics Tutors;
  • SL394S Science & Social Justice SL