Environmental Studies Associate of Arts (AA)
About the Program
The Associate of Arts in Environmental Studies is a multi-disciplinary program which provides students the academic foundation for understanding the scientific and technological basis of energy technology, as well as the political, social, and economic factors that underlie energy policy choices. This transferable program features a diverse array of classes in the degree pattern from the natural and physical sciences in such associated disciplines as geology, geography, ecology, chemistry, statistics, philosophy, and economics. Students can further expand this foundation by selecting electives from other disciplines such as anthropology and political science.
Career Opportunities
Career opportunities include Environmental Planner, Environmental Consultants, and Greenhouse Gas Emissions Permitting Consultants. Graduates will also have the potential to specialize in related areas such as water, air and forestry resources management, finance, energy and transportation analysis, waste management, low impact construction, and environmental remediation.
Program Outcomes
Upon completion of this program, students are able to:
- Analyze natural phenomena using fundamental scientific principles in the physical and biological sciences.
- Conduct a literature search, identify and evaluate legitimate sources, and clearly communicate the results.
- Construct arguments for environmental policy based on a sociopolitical and scientific understanding of human interactions with the environment.
- Perform scientific experiments, analyze the data, and evaluate the results.
Learning and Career Pathway Maps
Required Core: (31 Units)
| Course Number | Course Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| BIO 30 | Introduction to College Biology | 4 |
| BIO 40 | Humans and the Environment | 3 |
| CHEM 31 | Introduction to College Chemistry | 4 |
| or | ||
| CHEM 6 | Environmental Chemistry | 4 |
| ECON 1 | Principles of Microeconomics | 3 |
| EVST 5 | Energy and Sustainability | 3 |
| EVST 5L | Energy and Sustainability Laboratory | 1 |
| GEOG 1 | Introduction to Physical Geography | 3 |
| GEOL 1 | Physical Geology | 3 |
| PHIL 2 | Ethics | 3 |
| STAT C1000 | Introduction to Statistics | 4 |
List A: Select Two (6-8 Units)
| Course Number | Course Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| ANTR 1 | Biological Anthropology | 3 |
| ANTR 2 | Introduction to Archaeology | 3 |
| ANTR 3 | Cultural Anthropology | 3 |
| BIO 60 | Marine Biology | 4 |
| BIO 70 | Field Biology | 3 |
| GEOG 15 | Introduction to GIS | 3 |
| GEOL 2 | Historical Geology | 4 |
| GEOL 5 | Environmental Geology: Hazards & Disasters | 3 |
| GEOL 7 | Environmental Geology: Resources, Use Impact & Pollution | 3 |
| GEOL 12 | Introduction to Oceanography | 3 |
| HUMN 6 | Nature and Culture | 3 |
| POLS C1000 | American Government and Politics | 4 |
| POLI 12 | Introduction to California State and Local Government | 3 |
| SOC 5 | Introduction to Global Studies | 3 |
| or | ||
| GS 1 | Introduction to Global Studies | 3 |
| NTRN 1 | Introduction to Nutrition Science | 3 |
Total Units for the Major: 37 -39
The Associate Degree is conferred upon those students who complete the required 60 or more semester units of the degree pattern with a grade-point average of 2.0 or better, of which 12 units must be earned at Las Positas College. In addition, students must complete a General Education pattern in order to earn a degree: see the Las Positas College Associate Degree General Education Pattern or the California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC) patterns for a listing of areas and courses. Double counting courses in GE and the major is permissible. The number of units that may be double counted will depend on the entry point to the degree program, the optional course(s) taken, and the GE pattern selected. Elective units must be degree applicable. Consult with an adviser or a counselor to plan the courses necessary to achieve your academic goal.