Environmental Science, B.S.

Objectives

The objective of the Environmental Science major is to prepare students for a career in the field of environmental sciences. Students receiving this degree can either pursue graduate studies or enter the field of environmental science where jobs are available, for example, with private businesses, governmental agencies, and environmental non-profits and advocacy groups.

The Environmental Science major is a rigorous interdisciplinary program involving course work in biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, and environmental science and engineering. The learning outcomes for this degree program are:

Students will be able to apply the scientific method to formulate and test hypotheses.
Students will be able to assess and evaluate effectively global environmental processes embedded in a social and ethical context.
Students will have proficiency in the following: Earth systems science, micro- and macroevolution, ecosystem services, and anthropogenic impacts on ecosystems.
Students will have proficiency in the fundamental concepts of the physical and life sciences.
Students will have basic field, laboratory, and analytic skills in a quantitative capacity.
Students will effectively communicate through written assignments and oral presentations.
Students will demonstrate critical thinking skills needed for assessing and solving problems relating to environmental issues and policies.

Laboratory courses are designed to maximize hands-on experience in collecting samples from various media, and using an array of equipment to characterize samples of soils, water, and air. Many of the environmental science courses include field trips to the adjacent Ballona Wetlands and Santa Monica Bay to demonstrate methods for collecting samples, and to study environmental conditions and resident biota. Internships with local environmental organizations and companies are an integral component of the program. The major requires that the student conduct a research project followed by presentation of results upon completion.

Major Requirements

Lower Division Requirements:

BIOL 101 General Biology I 3 semester hours
BIOL 102 General Biology II 3 semester hours
BIOL 111 General Biology I Lab 2 semester hours
BIOL 112 General Biology II Lab 2 semester hours
BIOL 201 Cell Function 3 semester hours
BIOL 202 Genetics 3 semester hours
CHEM 110 General Chemistry I 3 semester hours
CHEM 111 General Chemistry I Lab 1 semester hours
CHEM 112 General Chemistry II 3 semester hours
CHEM 113 General Chemistry II Lab 1 semester hours
CHEM 220 Organic Chemistry I 3 semester hours
CHEM 221 Organic Chemistry I Lab 1 semester hours
ENVS 101 Introduction to Environmental Science 3 semester hours
ENVS 190 Environmental Science Seminar 0 semester hours
ENVS 210 Surveying and Mapping 4 semester hours
ENVS 250 Earth System Science 3 semester hours
EVST 1000 Introduction to Environmental Studies 4 semester hours
MATH 122 Calculus for the Life Sciences I 3 semester hours
MATH 123 Calculus for the Life Sciences II 3 semester hours
MATH 205 Applied Statistics 4 semester hours
PHYS 2500 General Physics I 4 semester hours
PHYS 2550 General Physics II 4 semester hours

Note:

In order to be eligible to take an upper division science course, a student must have a C (2.0) average in the lower division science courses.

Upper Division Requirements:

33 upper division science hours which will include:

ENVS 318 Principles of Ecology 4 semester hours
ENVS 357 Environmental Chemistry: Atmosphere and Climate 3 semester hours
ENVS 358 Environmental Chemistry: Water, Soil, and Sediment 3 semester hours
ENVS 359 Environmental Chemistry Lab 1 semester hours
ENVS 460 Environmental Microbiology 3 semester hours
ENVS 362 General Microbiology Laboratory 1 semester hours
ENVS 491 Environmental Science Capstone I 2 semester hours
ENVS 492 Environmental Science Capstone II 2 semester hours
ENVS 493 Environmental Science Internship 1 TO 3 semester hours (enroll in 2 semester hours)
One (1) applied Ecology elective (3 semester hours) selected from:
BIOL 309 Applied Plant Ecology 3 semester hours
BIOL 312 Field Botany 4 semester hours
BIOL 315 World Vegetation Ecology 3 semester hours
BIOL 319 Coastal Ecology 3 semester hours
BIOL 321 Urban Ecology 3 semester hours
BIOL 422 Marine Biology 4 semester hours
Other UD ecology elective may be accepted with consent of director.

In addition, 10 upper division science elective hours are required, to be selected from:

ENVS 505 Aquatic Chemistry 3 semester hours
ENVS 507 Environmental Engineering and Science Lab 3 semester hours
ENVS 508 Contaminant Fate, Transport, and Remediation 3 semester hours
ENVS 580 Engineering Geology 3 semester hours
ENVS 584 Climate Change and Impacts 3 semester hours
BIOL 311 Plant Interactions 3 semester hours
BIOL 335 Comparative Anatomy 4 semester hours
BIOL 423 Marine Conservation Biology 3 semester hours
BIOL 474 Principles of Evolution 3 semester hours
CHEM 356 Sustainable Practices 3 semester hours
CHEM 460 Instrumental Analysis and Lab 4 semester hours
CHEM 482 Toxicology 3 semester hours
CHEM 560 Introduction to Modern Spectroscopy 3 semester hours
CIVL 551 Remote Sensing with Civil Engineering and Environmental Science Applications 3 semester hours
CIVL 553 Modeling Environmental and Water Resources Systems 3 semester hours
CIVL 571 Air Quality, Control, and Management 3 semester hours
CIVL 572 Sustainable Waste Management 3 semester hours

Note:

A student must have a C (2.0) average in upper division science courses.

B.S. Degree in Environmental Science

(126 S.H.)

First Year

Fall Semester

BIOL 101 General Biology I 3 semester hours
BIOL 111 General Biology I Lab 2 semester hours
CHEM 110 General Chemistry I 3 semester hours
CHEM 111 General Chemistry I Lab 1 semester hours
ENVS 101 Introduction to Environmental Science 3 semester hours
FFYS 1000 First Year Seminar 4 semester hours or RHET 1000 Rhetorical Arts 4 semester hours
ENVS 190 Environmental Science Seminar 0 semester hours
ORNT 1000 First Year Forum 0 semester hours

Total: 16 semester hours

Spring Semester

BIOL 102 General Biology II 3 semester hours
BIOL 112 General Biology II Lab 2 semester hours
CHEM 112 General Chemistry II 3 semester hours
CHEM 113 General Chemistry II Lab 1 semester hours
MATH 122 Calculus for the Life Sciences I 3 semester hours or MATH 131 Calculus I 4 semester hours
RHET 1000 Rhetorical Arts 3 or 4 semester hours or FFYS 1000 First Year Seminar 4 semester hours

Total: 16-17 semester hours

Sophomore Year

Fall Semester

BIOL 201 Cell Function 3 semester hours
CHEM 220 Organic Chemistry I 3 semester hours
CHEM 221 Organic Chemistry I Lab 1 semester hours
ENVS 210 Surveying and Mapping 4 semester hours
MATH 123 Calculus for the Life Sciences II 3 semester hours or
MATH 132 Calculus II 4 semester hours
University Core 4 semester hours

Total: 18-19 semester hours

Spring Semester

BIOL 202 Genetics 3 semester hours
ENVS 250 Earth System Science 3 semester hours
MATH 205 Applied Statistics 4 semester hours
University Core 3-4 semester hours
EVST 1000 Introduction to Environmental Studies 4 semester hours

Total: 17-18 semester hours

Junior Year

Fall Semester

ENVS 460 Environmental Microbiology 3 semester hours
ENVS 362 General Microbiology Laboratory 1 semester hours
ENVS 357 Environmental Chemistry: Atmosphere and Climate 3 semester hours
ENVS 493 Environmental Science Internship 1 TO 3 semester hours (enroll in at least 1 semester hour)
PHYS 2500 General Physics I 4 semester hours
University Core 4 semester hours

Total: 16-18 semester hours

Spring Semester

ENVS 318 Principles of Ecology 4 semester hours
ENVS 358 Environmental Chemistry: Water, Soil, and Sediment 3 semester hours
ENVS 359 Environmental Chemistry Lab 1 semester hours
ENVS 493 Environmental Science Internship 1 TO 3 semester hours (enroll in at least 1 semester hour)
PHYS 2550 General Physics II 4 semester hours
Upper Division Elective 3-4 semester hours

Total: 16-18 semester hours

Senior Year

Fall Semester

ENVS 491 Environmental Science Capstone I 2 semester hours
Upper Division Ecology Elective* OR Upper Division Science Elective 3 semester hours
Upper Division Science Elective 3 semester hours**
Upper Division Elective 4 semester hours**
University Core 4 semester hours

Total: 16 semester hours

Spring Semester

ENVS 492 Environmental Science Capstone II 2 semester hours
Upper Division Ecology Elective* OR Upper Division Science Elective 3 semester hours**
Upper Division Science Elective 4 semester hours**
University Core 4 semester hours

Total: 13 semester hours

Total: 120 semester hours

The proper sequence of the University Core courses should be discussed with the student’s advisor. The course sequence in Mathematics depends on the results of the Mathematics Placement Exam.

Notes:

* Applied Ecology elective is selected from: BIOL 309 , BIOL 312 , BIOL 315 , BIOL 319 BIOL 321 , BIOL 322 , BIOL 422 , or by consent of director.

** Upper Division science electives are selected from: ENVS 505 , ENVS 507 , ENVS 508 , ENVS 513 , ENVS 525 , ENVS 584 , CIVL 553 , BIOL 311 , BIOL 335 , BIOL 474 , CHEM 356 , CHEM 460 , CHEM 482 , CHEM 560 , or by consent of director.

*** Dean’s list requires a minimum of 15 semester hours.