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

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 Earth Systems Science & Policy.

  • Complete each of the following: MATH 150 ,151 Calculus I and II; STAT 250 Applied Statistics for Science  and Technology

MLO 2 Earth Systems Science & 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.

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

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: ESSP 383 Environmental Ethics; ESSP 384S Environmental Justice and Policy Service Learning; ESSP 385 Social and Environmental History of CA; ESSP 386 Science, the Environment, and the Political Process; ESSP 387 Water Resource Law, Policy, and Assessment; ESSP 388 Social and Environmental History of CA

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: ESSP 332 Geographic Information  Systems and Geographic Positioning Systems

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.

  • Complete one of the following: ESSP 301 Ecosystem Services; ESSP 303L California Transect Lab; ESSP 309 Science and Policy of Global Change

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

  • Complete: GEOL 460 River Hydrology)
  • Complete one course from each of the following groups:
    Group I: BIO 340 Ecological Systems;BIO 342 California Ecosystems
    Group II: ESSP 436 Remote Sensing and Image Processing; BIO 440 Ecological Modeling; BIO 442 Vernal Pools of Fort Ord; ESSP 461 Watershed Systems Restoration; a course approved by a Watershed advisor

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: ESSP 350 Quantitative Field Methods; ESSP 355 Quantitative Field and Lab Methods

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

  • Complete each of the following: ESSP 300 Reading, Writing, and Critical Thinking; ESSP 400 Capstone I; ESSP 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: ESSP 349S Interpreting Monterey Bay Natural History; ESSP 369S Community Based Watershed Restoration; ESSP 384S Environmental Justice and Environmental Policy
 

Revised 5/23/05