Environmental Science, Associate in Arts Degree

Orange Coast College

Upon completion of the requirements for the Associate in Applied Arts Degree in Environmental Science, students will be prepared to transfer to CSU/UC and obtain a baccalaureate degree (or higher degree) in Environmental Science. This degree is also a pathway toward internships and/or entry-level opportunities within the field, e.g., environmental policy/law and environmental health monitoring). The Environmental Science major requires completion of a minimum of 26 major units, 26-31 of which are required core units. The additional 9-13 units must be taken from a list of restricted related electives from a variety of departments. The ESEC department strongly recommends that all declared Environmental Science majors get counseling to select electives that will best prepare them for their intended transfer institution as there is high variation in requirements among institutions and some of the courses listed, including core courses, have pre-requisites that will increase the number of units required to complete this degree. For students interested in an ecology, geology, and hydrology emphasis in Environmental Science, they should consider an Associated in Science Degree in Environmental Science. The department strongly recommends that all declared Environmental Science majors complete the following courses prior to transfer: STAT C1000 Introduction to Statistics or PSYC A160 Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences and PHYS A280 Calculus-Based Physics: Electricity/Magnetism with Lab and PHYS A285 Calculus-Based Physics: Modern with Lab. Check the requirements of the transferring institution. Program Outcomes Describe the major biological, chemical, and physical components and processes within organisms and the environment Describe historical and current human activities that negatively impact the environment (energy resources, urbanization, agricultural methods, etc) and how economics, social interactions, policies, and laws affect human activity within the environment. Students who complete the degree will be prepared for admission to California State University/University of California schools in environmental science.