The Environmental Science, Technology & Policy major is an applied environmental sciences major emphasizing:
- Strong preparation for careers and graduate study in a wide range of fields including environmental resource assessment and management, environmental consulting, science education and marine science
- A rigorous, interdisciplinary science foundation integrating biology, chemistry, physics and the earth sciences
- Hands-on experience with advanced technologies for collecting, analyzing, visualizing and communicating scientific data
- Active, field-oriented learning through frequent outdoor fieldtrips, field and laboratory experiments, community-based service projects and internships
- Real-world application of science and technology for the benefit of society
- An understanding of the social, economic and political processes that influence when and how scientific information can improve environmental decision making
- Strong collaboration and communication skills, including written, oral, and multimedia communication formats
To learn more about the major, visit the Science & Environmental Policy website.
required courses
In order to graduate, you will also need to complete your general education and university requirements.
Complete all of the following courses:
Complete one of the following courses:
Complete one of the following courses:
Complete one of the following courses:
- ENVS 410: Capstone Integration Seminar
- ENVS 402: Honors Capstone Seminar II
- ENVS 403: Capstone Seminar II
- (note that ENVS 410: Capstone Integration Seminar must be taken concurrently with a 400-level capstone project course)
Complete one of the following Concentrations:
Applied ecology
Complete all of the following courses:
Complete four of the following course, not previously taken:
Watershed systems
Complete all of the following courses:
Complete four of the following courses, not previously taken:
natural resources
Complete all of the following courses:
Complete four of the following courses, not previously taken:
learning outcomes
MLO 1: Quantitative Foundations
Students apply the fundamental mathematical and statistical constructs used to communicate quantitative information.
MLO 2: Science and Policy Foundations
Students apply the nomenclature, concepts and methodology of chemistry, biology, physics, earth science and economics to understand, describe and predict environmental science processes.
MLO 3: Environmental Science Communication
Students analyze and synthesize information from a multi-stakeholder perspective to develop alternative scenarios for environmental science problems, and communicate their recommendations in oral and written formats.
MLO 4: Geospatial Technology
Students demonstrate proficiency with current technologies for acquiring, analyzing and displaying spatial data relevant to real-world problems.
MLO 5: Quantitative Research Methods
Students use the scientific method and statistical analyses in the design, execution and interpretation of environmental science investigations.
MLO 6: Service Learning
Students combine disciplinary knowledge and community experiences in the context of social responsibility, justice, diversity and compassion.
MLO 7: Natural Science Competency
Students understand, use and accurately communicate advanced science concepts applied to environmental decision making.
MLO 8: Advanced Environmental Science, Technology & Policy
Students apply advanced knowledge and skills in Environmental Science, Technology & Policy.
course pathways
The freshman and transfer pathways are just examples of course sequencing to complete degree requirements, and are based on assumptions of which courses you have completed prior to attending CSUMB.
Your own unique situation and a number of other factors may mean your actual pathway is different. You'll want to work closely with an advisor and use the academic advisement report to take all that into account and develop a pathway that's customized for you.
freshman pathway
fall freshman
Course:
FYS 181: Multicultural Health or FYS 182: Sex, Drugs and Rock n Roll or FYS 183: Eat, Love, Learn
Units:
4
Course:
MATH 150: Calculus I
Units:
4
Course:
CHEM 110/L: Chemistry I
Units:
5
Course:
ENVS 272: The Atmosphere
Units:
2
Requirement:
Major
* This FYS class is just an example. The FYS class you choose might meet a different GE area, so you would have to adjust your actual pathway accordingly.
spring freshman
Course:
CHEM 111/L: Chemistry II
Units:
5
Requirement:
Major
Course:
Any approved course
Units:
4
Course:
MATH 151: Calculus II
Units:
4
Requirement:
Major
Course:
Language 102
Units:
4
fall sophomore
Course:
BIO 230: Environmental Biology
Units:
4
Course:
Any approved course
Units:
4
Course:
PHYS 150: Physics for Biologists or PHYS 220: Physics I
Units:
4
Requirement:
Major
Course:
Language 201
Units:
4
Requirement:
Language Proficiency
spring sophomore
Course:
GEOL 260: Geology/Hydrology
Units:
4
Requirement:
Major
Course:
Any approved course
Units:
4
Course:
ENSTU 283: Politics & the Environment
Units:
2
Requirement:
Major
Course:
Any approved course
Units:
6
fall junior
Course:
ENVS 284: Envi Econ & Management
Units:
2
Requirement:
Major
Course:
GS 200: Politics of Everyday Life or HCOM 266: Histories of Democracy or HCOM 267: US Political Histories or SBS 212: US Social Histories and Politics or CST 273: Cyberdemocracy
Units:
4
Course:
STAT 250: Applied Stat:Sci Tech
Units:
4
Requirement:
Major
Course:
GEOL 360: Geomorphic Systems or BIO 340: Ecology
Units:
4
Requirement:
Concentration
spring junior
Course:
ENVS 300: Critical Thinking & Communication in Environmental Science
Units:
4
Course:
ENVS 332: Intro to GIS/GPS
Units:
4
Requirement:
Major
Course:
Env Sci Elective #1
Units:
4
Requirement:
Major
Course:
Any approved course
Units:
4
fall senior
Course:
ENSTU 349S: Environmental Interpretation and Outreach or ENSTU 369S: Com-Based Watershed Restor SL or ( ENSTU 384S: Social and Ecol Justice & 384) or BIO 379S: Biology Service Learning
Units:
5
Course:
ENVS 355: Environmental Monitoring
Units:
4
Requirement:
Major
Course:
Env. Sci. Elective #2
Units:
4
Requirement:
Major
spring senior
Course:
GEOL 460 or ENVS 315: Soils and the Environment or BIO 448: Aquatic Ecology
Units:
4
Requirement:
Concentration
Course:
ENVS 410: Capstone Integration Seminar
Units:
4
Requirement:
Major
Course:
Env. Sci. Elective #3
Units:
4
Requirement:
Major
Course:
Env. Sci. Elective #4
Units:
4
Requirement:
Major
transfer pathway
fall junior
Course:
ENVS 272: The Atmosphere
Units:
2
Requirement:
Major
Course:
PHYS 150: Physics for Biologists or PHYS 220: Physics I
Units:
4
Requirement:
Major
Course:
STAT 250: Applied Stat:Sci Tech
Units:
4
Requirement:
Major
Course:
BIO 230: Environmental Biology
Units:
4
spring junior
Course:
ENVS 300: Critical Thinking & Communication in Environmental Science
Units:
4
Course:
ENVS 332: Intro to GIS/GPS
Units:
4
Requirement:
Major
Course:
Env. Sci. Elective #1
Units:
4
Requirement:
Major
Course:
Env. Sci. Elective #2
Units:
4
Requirement:
Major
fall senior
Course:
ENSTU 349S: Environmental Interpretation and Outreach or ENSTU 369S: Com-Based Watershed Restor SL or BIO 379S: Biology Service Learning or( ENSTU 384: Social & Ecological Justice & ENSTU 384S: Social and Ecol Justice)
Units:
5
Course:
Env. Sci. Elective #3
Units:
4
Requirement:
Major
Course:
Any approved course
Units:
4
Course:
GEOL 360: Geomorphic Systems OR BIO 340: Ecology
Units:
4
Requirement:
Concentration
spring senior
Course:
ENVS 350: Quantitative Field Methods
Units:
4
Requirement:
Major
Course:
ENVS 410: Capstone Integration Seminar
Units:
1
Requirement:
Major
Course:
GEOL 460 or ENVS 315: Soils and the Environment or BIO 448: Aquatic Ecology
Units:
4
Requirement:
Concentration
Course:
Env. Sci. Elective #4
Units:
4
Requirement:
Major
Course:
Any approved course
Units:
4