This is an archive of the 2022-2023 University Catalog.
To access the most recent version, please visit catalog.csun.edu.

This is an archive of the 2022-2023 University Catalog.
To access the most recent version, please visit catalog.csun.edu.

UNIVERSITY CATALOG: 2022-2023

Program: B.A., Environmental Science

Program Description

The B.A. in Environmental Science degree provides a strong foundation in the major disciplines of environmental and Earth sciences upon which students can layer relevant coursework in other related fields to prepare for careers that integrate environmental science with policy, public awareness, K-12 education, and resource and risk evaluations.

Program Requirements

1. Environmental Science Core Courses (24-25 units)

2. Related Fields Core Courses (25-27 units)

Choose one of the following Introductory Earth Science courses (with the lab):

Choose one additional Introductory Biology, Chemistry or Physics course (with lab, and discussion as listed) from the following:

3. Electives (12-14 units)

Select four courses totaling 12-14 units, with two courses from each category.

Earth and Environmental Science

Choose two of the following:

BIOL 316CS/LCS Plant Biology and Lab (3/1)
BIOL 322 Evolutionary Biology (3)**
EOH 356A Environmental Health I (3)
EOH 459 Hazardous Materials and Waste Management (3)
EOH 468 Air Pollution and Health (3)
GEOG 306/L Intermediate Geographic Science and Lab (2/1)
GEOG 316 Environmental Geography (3)
GEOG 364/L Geography of World Ecosystems and Lab (2/1)
GEOG 365 and GEOG 365L Geomorphology and Lab (3/1)
GEOG 366 and GEOG 366L Geography of Environmental Hazards and Lab (3/1)
GEOG 406/L Advanced Geography Information Science and Lab (2/1)
GEOL 306/L Earth Materials and Lab (3/1)
GEOL 309/L Earth Tectonics and Structure and Lab (3/1)
GEOL 313 Field Methods (2)
GEOL 464/L Applied Geophysics and Lab (3/1)**
GEOL 501 Teaching and Learning About the Natural World (3)
GEOL 552 Geochemistry (3)
GEOL 575/L Hydrogeology and Lab (3/1)**

Policy

Choose two of the following:

ANTH 432 Environmental Justice and Health (3)**
CAS 355 Environment, Development and Social Exclusion in Central America (3)**
ECON 360 Environmental Economics (3)**
EOH 454 Environmental Health Law (3)
GEOG 350 Metropolitan Los Angeles (3)
GEOG 370 Water, Society, and the Environment (3)
GEOG 444 Conservation (3)
GEOG 459 Environmental Impact Studies (3)
GEOG 473 Water Quality in the Managed Environment (3)
POLS 461 Environmental Policy (3)
RS 370 Religion and Ecology (3)
SUST 401 Applied Sustainability (3)
URBS 310 Growth and Sustainable Development of Cities (3)
URBS 415 The California Environmental Quality Act for Urban Planners (3)
URBS 425 Social Policy, Environmental Justice and the City (3)

**Prerequisites beyond core courses and related fields courses.

4. General Education (48 units)

Undergraduate students must complete 48 units of General Education as described in this Catalog, including 3 units of coursework meeting the Ethnic Studies (ES) graduation requirement.

12 units are satisfied by the following courses in the major: CHEM 101 satisfies B1 Physical Science; BIOL 101 or BIOL 106 satisfies B2 Life Science; CHEM 101L satisfies B3 Science Laboratory Activity; MATH 140SCI satisfies Basic Skills B4 Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning; and GEOG 206/L satisfies E Lifelong Learning and fulfills the Information Competence requirement.

If taken, GEOG 316, GEOG 365 or GEOG 366 satisfies B5 Scientific Inquiry and Quantitative Reasoning; RS 370 satisfies C2 Humanities; and ECON 360GEOG 370 and/or URBS 310 satisfy 3-6 units of D1 Social Sciences.

Total Units in the Major: 61-66

General Education: 36

Additional Units: 18-23

Total Units Required for the B.A. Degree: 120

Contact

Department of Geological Sciences
Chair: Richard V. Heermance
Live Oak Hall (LO) 1202
(818) 677-3541

Student Learning Outcomes

Students will:

  1. Explain how the Earth system and anthropogenic processes have shaped a specific environment.
  2. Interpret and critically evaluate environmental findings and their implications for society.
  3. Evaluate solutions to social and environmental problems in the context of the Earth system.
  4. Work collaboratively in a way that makes all members of an interdisciplinary team feel valued.
  5. Communicate complex environmental findings to scientific and public audiences in written, oral and visual formats.