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.

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.

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: ENVS 384S Envir Justice & Envir Poli SL; SBS 385 CA/Gov/Politic/Environ/History; ENVS 386 Sci, Enviro & Polit Process; ENVS 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: ENVS 301 Ecosys Srvs: Sci&Econ Anl; ENVS 303/L CA Transect Orien & Lab; ENVS 309 Sci & Policy of Global Change; ENVS 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/L Physical Hydrology
    Group II: BIO 340/L Ecology; BIO 342/L California Ecosystems
    Group III: PHYS 330/L Electronics for Ecol. Research; ENVS 440 Environmental Modeling; ENVS 442/L Vernal Pools of Ft Ord; or a course approved by a Watershed advisor; ENVS 436/L Rmt Sns/Image Process, BIO 448/L 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: 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.

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
* ENVS 387 may be used to satisfy MLO 4 or 6, but not both simultaneously