Earth Systems Science & 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 Earth Systems Science & Policy.

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 384S Envir Justice & Envir Poli SL;  SBS 385  CA/Gov/Politic/Environ/History; ESSP 386 Sci, Enviro & Polit Process; ESSP 387 Water Resource Assess/Law/Poli*

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

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 not used for MLO 4: ESSP 301 Ecosys Srvs: Sci&Econ Anl; ESSP 303/L CA Transect Orien & Lab; ESSP 309 Sci & Policy of Global Change; ESSP 387 Water Resource Assess/Law/Poli*

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

  • Complete one course from each of the following groups:
    Group I: GEOL 460 Physical Hydrology
    Group II: BIO 340 Ecology; BIO 342 California Ecosystems                    
    Group III: ESSP 330 Electronics for Ecol. Research; ESSP 440 Environmental Modeling; ESSP 442 Vernal Pools of Ft Ord; or a course approved by a Watershed advisor; ESSP 436 Rmt Sns/Image Process, BIO 448 Aquatic Ecology

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 Methds; ESSP 355 Environmental Monitoring

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

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 Natural History Interpretation; ESSP 369S Com-Based Watershed Restor SL; ESSP 384S Envir Justice & Envir Poli SL
  * ESSP 387 may be used to satisfy MLO 4 or 6, but not both simultaneously