Earth Systems Science & Policy, B. S.~ Science Education Concentration Teacher Preparation Requirements

Students wishing to be Biology teachers are strongly encouraged to choose the Teacher Preparation Concentration within the Biology B.S.

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.

  • Complete: MATH 150/L Calculus I;
  • Complete one of the following: STAT 200 Introduction to Statistics or STAT 250 Applied Stat:Sci Tech

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.

  • Complete: BIO 346 Zoology for biological science focus, or GEOL 360 Geomorphic Systems for geoscience focus

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: ESSP 301 Ecosys Srvs: Sci&Econ Anl; ESSP 303L California Transect Lab; ESSP 309 Sci & Policy of Global Change  

MLO 7 Area of Concentration ~ Students must be able to apply advanced knowledge and skills in either biology or earth science.

  • Biological Science Focus
    Complete each of the following: BIO 310 Biochemical Systems; CHEM 211 Organic Chemistry I; BIO 341 Evolution Bio & Pop Genetics; BIO 342 California Ecosystems
  • Geoscience Focus
    Complete each of the following: GEOL 304 Earth Science for Teachers; GEOL 460 River Hydrology, Assmt&Monitor; two additional courses approved by your 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 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.

  • Complete each of the following: ESSP 300 Read, Writ & Crit Thnk in ESSP; ESSP 400 Capstone Seminar I; ESSP 403 Capstone Seminar 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 Natural History Interpretation; ESSP 369S Com-Based Watershed Restor SL; ESSP 384S Envir Justice & Envir Poli SL