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Environmental Science
 | Department Information |
| | Program Description |
| | Career Opportunities |
| | Advanced Placement |
| | Major Requirements (B.S.) |
| | Other Degree Requirements |
| | Undergraduate Courses |
| Department Information |
Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences
College of Science
Office: North Science 329
Phone: (510) 885-3486
Email: geology@csueastbay.edu
Website: www.sci.csueastbay.edu/earth
Professor Emeritus Detlef A. Warnke (Earth and Environmental Sciences), Ph.D. University of Southern California Professor Susan Opp (Biological Sciences), Ph.D. University of Massachusetts Associate Professors Mitchell Craig (Earth and Environmental Sciences), Ph.D. Georgia Institute of Technology Michael Lee (Geography and Environmental Studies), Ph.D. London School of Economics (England) Jeffery C. Seitz (Chair) (Earth and Environmental Sciences), Ph.D. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Luther M. Strayer (Earth and Environmental Sciences), Ph.D. University of Minnesota Assistant Professor Danika LeDuc (Chemistry and Biochemistry), Ph.D. University of California, Berkeley | |||||
Environmental Science Program Coordinator: Susan Opp
Please consult the 2009-2010 online catalog for any changes that may occur.
| Program Description |
Environmental scientists study and analyze the physical and biotic components of the environment; determine the impact of humans on ecosystems; develop strategies and plans to mitigate negative natural and human impacts; protect human and natural environments, and restore natural systems. The Environmental Science program provides interdisciplinary scientific preparation for students wishing to pursue knowledge and employment in the fields of environmental research, consulting, and oversight. Additional objectives of the program include provision of sufficient preparation for graduate studies in environmental sciences and allied fields and partial satisfaction of the Single Subject Matter Preparation Program for a teaching credential in science. The Bachelor of Science degree major in Environmental Science is an interdisciplinary program of study with faculty participation from the Departments of Biological Sciences, Chemistry and Biochemistry, Earth and Environmental Sciences, and Geography and Environmental Studies. In contrast to the B.A. degree major in Environmental Studies, the B.S. degree major in Environmental Science requires students to take a structured core of science courses from a variety of physical and life science disciplines, as well as a specialized upper division option in biology, chemistry, geology, or environmental systems and resource management.
Student Learning Outcomes
Students graduating with a B.S. in Environmental Science from Cal State East Bay will: 1) demonstrate literacy of the principles of form, function and organization of organisms at the levels of molecules, cells, tissues, organs, organisms, populations, communities and ecosystems; 2) demonstrate knowledge of the fundamental principles of chemistry, chemical structure, bonding, equilibrium, dynamics, and reactions, as well as classes of organic compounds and reactions; 3) understand the nature and distribution of earth materials, the processes by which the materials are formed and altered, the nature and development of the landscape, and interpretation of earth history; 4) demonstrate knowledge of the major components of the physical environment, including landforms, climate, vegetation, and soils; 5) demonstrate scientific literacy and ability to engage in scientific inquiry concerning environmental issues through the evaluation and analysis of scientific literature, and presentation of results in written and oral form.
| Career Opportunities |
Air Quality Controller • Atmospheric Scientist • Biological Consultant • Bioremediation Consultant • Chemical Consultant • Ecosystem and Habitat Restoration • Environmental Consultant • Environmental Field or Lab Technician • Environmental Health Scientist • Environmental Manager • Environmental Policy Developer • Environmental Protection and Regulation Manager • Geochemist • Hazardous Waste Manager • Industrial Hygienist • Pollution Control Technician • Risk Manager • Soils Scientist • Solid Waste Manager • Technical Writer • Urban Planner • Waste Water Treatment Manager • Water Manager • Wildlife Manager
| Advanced Placement |
Students who earn a grade of 3 or higher on the College Entrance Examination Board's Advanced Placement Test in Environmental Science will be given 4 units of credit equivalent to ENVT 2000.
| Major Requirements (B.S.) |
It is important to consult an advisor in your major program for clarification and interpretation of your major requirements. The major in Environmental Science consists of 119-124 units; the B.S. degree requires a total of 180 units.
| I. | Course Prerequisites and Other Admission Requirements | ||||
| Students entering the Environmental Science program as first year students are expected to have the same high school preparatory courses as other science majors. Admission to the degree program is open to all students admitted to Cal State East Bay. Transfer students may have lower division course deficiencies that must be completed after entry to the program. Continuation in the program is contingent on satisfactory progress in the university as described in the catalog. Note: Students must meet with an Environmental Science advisor to discuss prerequisites and updates to course offerings. | |||||
| II. | Lower Division Core (62 units) | ||||
| BIOL 1402 Plant Biology (5) BIOL 1403 Animal Biology (5) CHEM 1101, 1102, 1103 General Chemistry (5, 5, 5) CHEM 2301, 2302 Survey of Organic Chemistry (4, 4) GEOG 2100 Physical Geography (4) GEOL 2101 Physical Geology (or 2100) (5) GEOL 2102 Earth and Life Through Time (4) PHYS 2701, 2702, 2703 Introductory Physics (4, 4, 4) MATH 1304 Calculus I (4) | |||||
| III. | Upper Division Core (23 units) | ||||
| BIOL 3110 Principles of Ecology (4) ENSC 4800 Seminar in Environmental Science (3) ENVT 4100 Environmental Impact Analysis (4) GEOG 3000 Resource Management (4) GEOL 4320 Hydrogeology (4) STAT 3010 Statistical Methods in the Social Sciences (4) or STAT 3031 Statistical Methods in Biology (4) | |||||
| IV. | Electives (8 units) | ||||
| Complete two electives from the following: | |||||
| ECON 2301 Principles of Microeconomics (4) ECON 4306 Environmental Economics (4) HIST 3505 California Environmental History (4) PHIL 3151 Environmental Ethics (4) POSC 3460 Environmental Law (4) POSC 4171 Public Policy and Environment (4) | |||||
| V. | Options | ||||
| A student must declare an option by the time he/she has completed 44 units of the Core courses; this establishes the student's home department. Students may elect to change their option with the notification of their advisor and home department. Options are available in Biology, Chemistry, Geology, and Environmental Systems and Resource Management, and are designed to provide in-depth study of a specific field. Each option requires 26-31 units within the discipline, in a combination of required courses and electives. The student cannot use courses in the department of his/her option to satisfy G.E. requirements. | |||||
| A. | Biology (29 units) | ||||
| BIOL 1401 Molecular and Cellular Biology (5) BIOL 3405 Microbiology (6) BIOL 3898 Cooperative Education (2) Electives from the following courses or other approved courses (16 units by advisement): | |||||
| BIOL 3215 Marine Biology (4) or M SC 4103 Marine Ecology (6); BIOL 3121 Principles of Genetics (5), 3216 Freshwater Environments (4), 4200 Plant Taxonomy (4), 4300 General Entomology (4), 4583 Vertebrate Biology (4); M SC 4104 Quantitative Marine Science (6), 4144 Biological Oceanography (6) | |||||
| B. | Chemistry (29 units) | ||||
| CHEM 2200 Quantitative Analysis (5) CHEM 3400 Introductory Biochemistry (4) CHEM 4601 Environmental Chemistry I (4) CHEM 4602 Environmental Chemistry II (4) Electives from the following courses and/or other approved courses (12 units by advisement): | |||||
| CHEM 3898 Cooperative Education (Internship) (2), 4900 Independent Study (1-4) | |||||
| C. | Environmental Systems and Resource Management (26-31 units) | ||||
| ENVT 4910 Internship in Environmental Studies (2-4) Three courses from the following (13-14 units by advisement): | |||||
| GEOG 3410 Air-Photo Interpretation (4), 3605 Computer Cartography (5), 4425 Remote Sensing of Earth Environments (4), 4600 Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (5), 4605 Environmental Applications of GIS (5) | |||||
| Three courses from the following (11-13 units by advisement): | |||||
| BIOL/GEOG 4130 Biogeography (4); ENVT 4800 Senior Seminar in Environmental Studies (3); GEOG 3450 Literature and Research Methods (5), 4125 Field Course in Physical-Biotic Geography (4), 4320 Energy and Society (4), 4350 Water Resources and Management (4); GEOL 3110 Principles of Geomorphology (4) or GEOG 3115 Physical Landscape Analysis (4) | |||||
| D. | Geology (29-30 units) | ||||
| GEOL 3601 Mineralogy and Optical Crystallography (5) GEOL 3801 Sedimentology and Stratigraphy (5) GEOL 3810 Structural Geology (5) GEOL 3910 Geologic Field Methods (3) Five units of upper division GEOL lecture with lab/field coursework, covering the characteristics, occurrence, and origin of igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks, with prior approval of department (5) Electives from the following courses or other approved courses (6-7 units by advisement): | |||||
| GEOL 3110 Principles of Geomorphology (4), 3400 General Oceanography (4), 4010 Applied Geophysics (5), 4900 Independent Study (1-4) | |||||
| Other Degree Requirements |
In addition to major requirements, every student must also complete the University requirements for graduation which are described in the Baccalaureate Degree Requirements chapter in the front of this catalog. These include the General Education-Breadth requirements; the second composition (ENGL 1002) requirement; the cultural groups/women requirement; the performing arts/activities requirement; the U.S. history, U.S. Constitution, and California state and local government requirement; the University Writing Skills Requirement; and the residence, unit, and grade point average requirements.
| Undergraduate Courses |
The course prefix for the following courses is ENSC.
| | |
| 2800 | Environmental Problems of California (4) Human impact on the biologic and geologic environment in California. Resource needs, waste issues, species diversity, and ecosystem degradation. Not open to students with credit for ENSC 2801 or 2802. |
| 2801 | Global Environmental Problems (4) Human impact on the biologic and geologic environment in California and throughout the world. Resource needs, waste issues, species diversity, and ecosystem degradation. Not open to students with credit for ENSC 2800 or 2802. |
| 2802 | Global Environmental Issues (4) Biologic and geologic environment in California and throughout the world with emphasis on human impact. Resource needs, waste issues, species diversity, and ecosystem degradation. Not open to students with credit in ENSC 2800 or ENSC 2801. |
| 3999 | Issues in Environmental Science (4) Readings, discussion, and research on contemporary and/or significant issues in environmental science. May be repeated for credit when content varies, for a maximum of 8 units. |
| 4800 | Seminar in Environmental Science (3) Advanced study of environmental issues based on papers presented by students. Topics to change with each course offering. Team-taught by faculty from different departments in Environmental Sciences. Prerequisites: completion of Environmental Sciences core and senior or graduate standing. |
| 4900 | Independent Study (1-4) |
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© 2008 The California State University
Last Updated: January 8, 2009