Major Requirements

Credits Required: 

Total credits: 120-126, depending upon concentration
Minimum credits at CSUMB: 30
Total credits required for the major: 74-80
Upper-division credits in the major: 44

Note: With careful course selection, up to 25 credits of major requirements, including 13 upper-division credits, can double-count with other graduation requirements.

You may declare Environmental Science, Technology & Policy as your major at any time in your CSUMB career, although we recommend that you declare as soon as possible so that you can begin lower-division prerequisite courses.

The Environmental Science, Technology & Policy B.S. includes several concentrations or emphases, listed below. Each is designed to help you prepare for a particular type of career or postgraduate education, and each requires different courses, although the required courses for all concentrations fulfill the Major Learning Outcomes. These ten MLOs describe the knowledge, skills and abilities in science, math, technology, economics and policy that you must demonstrate before you graduate with a degree in Environmental Science, Technology & Policy. To demonstrate the required level of competency, you must earn a grade of C or higher in each required course. Click on the name of any concentration below to see what courses you would take to fulfill the Environmental Science, Technology & Policy Major 's Learning Outcomes within that concentration. To see what prerequisites are needed for a particular course, please consult the course descriptions.

Major Learning Outcomes

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.

Required Courses

  • STAT 100: Introduction to Statistics (4 units)
  • OR
  • STAT 250: Applied Stat:Sci Tech (4 units)

MLO 2 Environmental Science, Technology & Policy Foundation

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 with our environment.

Required Courses

MLO 3 Natural Science Competency

Students must be able to understand, use and accurately communicate advanced scientific concepts.

Required Courses

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.

Required Courses

MLO 5 Data Acquisition, Analysis and Display

Demonstrate proficiency with current technologies for acquiring, analyzing and displaying data relevant to a real-world problem.

Required Courses

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.

Required Courses

  • Complete one of the following for all concentrations.
  • May not be double-counted with MLO 7.
  • ENVS 301: Ecosys Srvs: Sci&Econ Anl (4 units)
  • ENVS 303/L: Calif Transect Orientation (5 units)
  • ENVS 309: Sci & Policy of Global Change (4 units)
  • ENVS 440: Environmental Modeling (4 units)
  • ENVS 470: Sci Pol & Mgmt in Marine Env (4 units)

MLO 7 Area of Concentration

Students must be able to apply advanced knowledge and skills relevant to their concentration

IMPORTANT: All students should meet with their upper-division advisor to select a sequence of courses appropriate to their career goals.

Required Courses

  • Marine & Coastal Ecology Concentration
  • Take three of the following, at least one of which must be 400 level or above:
  • BIO 242/L: Plant & Animal Form & Function (4 units)
  • BIO 310/L: Biochemistry (4 units)
  • BIO 311: Genetics (3 units)
  • BIO 342: California Ecosystems (4 units)
  • BIO 344L: Environmental Biotech Lab (4 units)
  • BIO 345/L: Marine Biology (4 units)
  • BIO 448: Aquatic Ecology (4 units)
  • ENVS 303/L: Calif Transect Orientation (5 units)
  • ENVS 433: Seafloor Mapping (4 units)
  • ENVS 436: Rmt Sns/Image Process (4 units)
  • ENVS 440: Environmental Modeling (4 units)
  • ENVS 442: Vernal Pools of Ft Ord (4 units)
  • ENVS 470: Sci Pol & Mgmt in Marine Env (4 units)
  • GEOL 360: Geomorphic Systems (4 units)
  • PHYS 330/L: Electronics for Ecol Research (4 units)
  • Or an advisor-approved MLML course
  • Watershed Systems Concentration
  • Complete the following:
  • GEOL 460: River Hydrology, Assmt&Monitor (4 units)
  • And complete one of the following
  • BIO 340: Ecology (4 units)
  • OR
  • BIO 342: California Ecosystems (4 units)
  • And complete one of the following
  • BIO 448: Aquatic Ecology (4 units)
  • ENVS 303/L: Calif Transect Orientation (5 units)
  • ENVS 433: Seafloor Mapping (4 units)
  • ENVS 436: Rmt Sns/Image Process (4 units)
  • ENVS 440: Environmental Modeling (4 units)
  • ENVS 442: Vernal Pools of Ft Ord (4 units)
  • PHYS 330/L: Electronics for Ecol Research (4 units)
  • Science and Social Justice Concentration
  • Complete one of the following
  • ENVS 386: Sci, Enviro & Polit Process (4 units)
  • ENVS 387: Water Resource Assess/Law/Poli (4 units)
  • SBS 385: CA/Gov/Politic/Environ/History (3 to 4 units)
  • And complete one of the following
  • ENVS 349S: Natural History Interpretation (4 to 5 units)
  • ENVS 369S: Com-Based Watershed Restor SL (5 units)
  • ENVS 394: Junior Internship (2 to 4 units)
  • And another appropriate policy, ethics or science course approved by your advisor.
  • Environmental Policy Concentration
  • ENVS 580: Envir & Resource Eco:App&Meth (3 to 4 units)
  • And complete one of the following:
  • ENVS 386: Sci, Enviro & Polit Process (4 units)
  • ENVS 387: Water Resource Assess/Law/Poli (4 units)
  • SBS 385: CA/Gov/Politic/Environ/History (3 to 4 units)
  • And one upper division policy or economic course approved by your advisor
  • Science Education - Environmental Education Emphasis Concentration
  • Group I. Choose an advanced course from the focus chosen in MLO 5:
  • Complete one of the following for Multimedia focus:
  • CST 328: Digital Art & Design (4 units)
  • OR
  • CST 251/L: Basic Web Design (4 units)
  • Complete one of the following for Mass Communication Outreach focus:
  • TAT 339/L: Advanced Video Prod Lect (4 units)
  • OR
  • TAT 361: Intro to Non-Linear Editing (4 units)
  • Complete the following for GIS/GPS/RS focus:
  • ENVS 436: Rmt Sns/Image Process (4 units)
  • Group II. Teaching Experience. One Service Learning course with a Teaching focus:
  • Complete one of the following. May not be double-counted for MLO 10
  • ENVS 349S: Natural History Interpretation (4 to 5 units)
  • OR
  • ENVS 369S: Com-Based Watershed Restor SL (5 units)
  • Group III. One Natural History course not taken for MLO 3:
  • And complete one of the following
  • BIO 342: California Ecosystems (4 units)
  • BIO 345/L: Marine Biology (4 units)
  • BIO 347: Working with Marine Mammals (3 to 4 units)
  • BIO 360: Vertebrate Natural History (4 units)
  • Or other course approved by 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.

Required Courses

MLO 9 Effective Communication

Students must present clearly (in both written and oral formats) analyses of complex Environmental Science, Technology & Policy issues.

Required Courses

  • Complete all of the following
  • ENVS 300: Read, Writ & Crit Thnk in ENVS (4 units)
  • ENVS 400: Capstone Seminar I (1 units)
  • ENVS 402: Honors Capstone Seminar II (3 units)
  • OR
  • ENVS 403: Capstone Seminar II (3 units)

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.

Required Courses

  • Complete one of the following for any concentration
  • May not be double-counted for MLO 7
  • ENVS 349S: Natural History Interpretation (4 to 5 units)
  • ENVS 369S: Com-Based Watershed Restor SL (5 units)
  • ENVS 384S: Social & Ecological Justice SL (5 units)
  • MATH 361S: Mathematics Tutors (5 units)
  • SL 394S: Service & Social Justice SL (2 to 4 units)

Concentrations

Environmental Policy

The policy emphasis is designed for students interested in the study of the interface between environmental science and the policy process. The interdisciplinary curriculum (lower-division core of math and science, together with courses in environmental policy, economics, systems, and research /analysis methods) provides students the knowledge, understanding, tools and strategies to participate more effectively in the political system, in order to integrate science into the policy process. The program focuses on identification, analysis and development of innovative approaches and solutions to environmental problems. Through case studies and community activities, students learn to understand conflicting values, develop constituencies and negotiate solutions for policy implementation. The program prepares students for positions in research, administrative and advocacy positions in all sectors. It also lays the foundation for graduate school in science and environmental policy and/or law.

Marine & Coastal Ecology

Students in the Marine & Coastal Ecology Concentration focus on the major components and ecological interactions of marine and coastal ecosystems. Through applied learning and research, students gain the skills necessary to develop a sustainable balance between the unique environmental, recreational, cultural and economic opportunities in the Monterey Bay region. Students develop knowledge of how populations and communities function within ecosystems, and how ecosystems link with other Earth systems at local, regional and global scales. Through lab and field experience, students apply techniques of experimental design, data acquisition, analysis, and presentation that provide them with the skills needed to monitor and analyze ecological interactions in real-world, human-influenced settings. Students are encouraged to interact with other Monterey Bay institutions, such as the Moss Landing Marine Labs, to take advantage of additional local expertise in marine and coastal ecology. Graduates of the Marine and Coastal Ecology concentration are prepared for a variety of career pathways in the public and private sector as marine scientists, environmental consultants and many others. Graduates are also poised to continue their education via graduate studies and research in ecology, environmental science and related fields.

Science and Social Justice

This emphasis is for students who wish to use their education to prepare them for personal and professional lives as ethical, effective, engaged members of the civic and political lives of their communities. More specifically, this emphasis is for students who wish to use science and technology as powerful tools to make their communities more just places. Social and environmental resources are not evenly distributed in our society. Some communities bear more than their fair share of environmental burdens such as pesticide contamination, toxic waste facilities or lack of access to parks. These communities may also have less power in making important environmental decisions that affect citizens’ lives. Social ills such as poverty, hunger, homelessness and unequal access to education have important environmental consequences. Students who study Science & Social Justice will analyze causes and solutions to these real world problems, and will work towards solving problems while they are studying them. This course of study can prepare students for many careers, including government, advocacy work, law, public policy, environmental health or medicine.

Science Education - Environmental Education Emphasis

The mission of the environmental education emphasis is to enable students to understand and describe complex environmental concepts for the purpose of bridging the gap between scientific and nonscientific communities. Students in this emphasis will understand the methods of inquiry scientists use to analyze environmental problems and understand other ways of analyzing environmental problems that complement the scientific approach. In addition, they will be experienced working in diverse, multicultural communities. This emphasis differs from many environmental education programs by requiring students to become technologically competent in one of the following areas: multimedia, mass communication outreach or GIS/GPS/Remote Sensing.

Watershed Systems

The mission of the Watershed Systems concentration is to educate and train students for successful careers with organizations that make land-use decisions, particularly in coastal areas where a variety of land-use needs must be reconciled with the need to maintain long-term ecosystem stability. This mission is consistent with the CSU mission of educating students for immediate post-baccalaureate employment. At the same time, students will also have the background and skills necessary to pursue graduate degrees in watershed science, policy or related disciplines. The ESTP core curriculum (MLO's 1 and 2) provides fundamental skills in math, chemistry and physics, as well as an understanding of the important components and interactions of the earth system. The Watershed Systems concentration extends the students learning experience by utilizing core ESTP skills to study the interactions of science, policy and economics at the watershed scale. Students develop critical thinking and writing skills, as well as technical skills useful in acquiring and interpreting environmental information across a variety of space and time scales. These technical skills include an ability to develop environmental monitoring programs, as well as the application of geographic information systems to local watershed issues and concerns.