Revised 5.17.11
A Course of Study for
Environmental Science A.A. Degree &
Certificate of Achievement Programs
The Environmental Science Program is an interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary course of study that presents an overview of ecological
issues from a scientific perspective. With a broad foundation across the natural sciences, the coursework examines the interrelated
nature of environmental and social systems. This program is designed to equip students with the skills and tools to successfully use the
scientific method while studying and solving environmental problems.
The Environmental Science Associate in Arts degree correlates with some of the lower-division courses required to transfer into
Environmental Science or Environmental Studies Programs at several four-year institutions as well as a broad education for transfer in
related disciplines. The Environmental Science Certificate of Achievement demonstrates completion of all required coursework in the
Environmental Science area of emphasis.
This major may also lead to many other careers. For additional possibilities, visit the Career Services Center on campus to utilize
computerized career information systems and other valuable career resources.
ASSOCIATE IN ARTS DEGREE – 60 UNITS
The Associate in Arts degree in Environmental Science involves satisfactory completion of a minimum of 60 semester units with a C
average or higher including at least 39 semester units in the Environmental Science area of emphasis (articulated below), fulfillment
of the Global Citizenship requirement, and fulfillment of all Santa Monica College general education requirements, CSU GE or
IGETC.
*Students must complete the area of emphasis (major) requirements in effect at the time enrollment begins or the requirements in
effect at graduation as long as continuous enrollment is maintained.
*Continuous enrollment is defined as enrollment in each Fall and Spring semester until graduation.
At least 50% of the area of emphasis (major) units must be completed at Santa Monica College.
Each course in the area of emphasis (major) must be completed with a grade of C or higher.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE (39 units)
Required Core Courses: (6 units)
Biology 9, Environmental Biology (3)
Environmental Studies 7, Introduction to Environmental Studies (3) (same as Geography 7)
Field Studies/Applied: (3 units minimum)
Biology 45A-Z, Field Studies in Natural History (0.5-3)
Biology 46A-Z, Field Studies in Natural History (0.5-3)
Botany 3, Field Botany (4)
Environmental Studies 88A-C, Independent Studies in Environmental Studies (1-3)
Geography 20, Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (3) (same as Geographic Information Systems 20)
Geography 35F, Field Study: California (1)
Geography 35S, Geography Field Studies (1)
Geology 35, Field Studies: California (1-3)
Zoology 20, Vertebrate Field Studies (3)
Ecology/Physical Science/Natural Science: (4 units)
Biology 3, Fundamentals of Biology (4)
Biology 15, Marine Biology with Laboratory (4)
Biology 21, Cell Biology and Evolution (4)
Botany 1, General Botany (4)
Zoology 5, Introductory Zoology (4)
Physical Science: Chemistry (5 units)
Chemistry 10, Introductory General Chemistry (5)
Chemistry 11, General Chemistry I (5)
Physical Science: Physics (4 units)
Physics 6, General Physics (4)
Physics 7, General Physics (4)
Physics 8, General Physics with Calculus (4)
Physics 14, Introductory Physics with Laboratory (4)
SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON REVERSE.
Revised 5.17.11
Earth Science: (3 units minimum)
Geography 1, Introduction to Natural Environmental (3)
Geography 3, Weather and Climate (3)
Geography 5, Physical Geography with Laboratory (4)
Geology 1, Introduction to Physical Geology (No-Laboratory) (3)
Geology 4, Physical Geology with Laboratory (4)
Geology 31, Introduction to Physical Oceanography (3)
Mathematics: ( 8 units minimum required as specified)
Math 28, Calculus 1 for Business and Social Science (5) and Math 29, Calculus 2 for Business and Social Science (3)
or
Math 7, Calculus 1 (5) and Math 8, Calculus 2 (5)
Social Science: (6 units required as specified)
Group A: choose one of the following courses:
Economics 1, Principles of Microeconomics (3)
Economics 2, Principles of Macroeconomics (3)
Political Science 1, National and California Government (3)
Group B: choose one of the following courses:
Anthropology 2, Cultural Anthropology (3)
Environmental Science 20, Environmental Ethics (3) (same as Psychology 20)
Environmental Science 40, Environmental Psychology (3) (same as Psychology 40)
Geography 2, Introduction to Human Geography (3)
Geography 8, Introduction to Urban Studies (3) (same as Urban Studies 8)
Geography 11, World Geography (3)
Geography 14, Geography of California (3)
Political Science 22, Environmental Politics and Policies (3)
Psychology 1, General Psychology (3)
Sociology 1, Introduction to Sociology (3) or Sociology 1S, Introduction to Sociology-Service Learning (3)
Sociology 2, Social Problems (3) or Sociology 2S, Social Problems-Service Learning (3)
Additional graduation requirements for the Associate in Arts degree from Santa Monica College are listed on a separate sheet
available in the Transfer/Counseling Center, as well as online (go to www.smc.edu/articulation).
SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON REVERSE.
Revised 5.17.11
CERTIFICATE OF ACHIEVEMENT
*Students must complete the area of emphasis (major) requirements in effect at the time enrollment begins or the requirements in
effect at graduation as long as continuous enrollment is maintained.
*Continuous enrollment is defined as enrollment in each Fall and Spring semester until graduation.
At least 50% of the units required for Certificates of Achievement must be completed at Santa Monica College.
Students must receive a grade of C or higher in each course to successfully complete the Certificates of Achievement.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE (39 units)
Required Core Courses: (6 units)
Biology 9, Environmental Biology (3)
Environmental Studies 7, Introduction to Environmental Studies (3) (same as Geography 7)
Field Studies/Applied: (3 units minimum)
Biology 45A-Z, Field Studies in Natural History (0.5-3)
Biology 46A-Z, Field Studies in Natural History (0.5-3)
Botany 3, Field Botany (4)
Environmental Studies 88A-C, Independent Studies in Environmental Studies (1-3)
Geography 20, Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (3) (same as Geographic Information Systems 20)
Geography 35F, Field Study: California (1)
Geography 35S, Geography Field Studies (1)
Zoology 20, Vertebrate Field Studies (3)
Ecology/Physical Science/Natural Science: (4 units)
Biology 3, Fundamentals of Biology (4)
Biology 15, Marine Biology with Laboratory (4)
Biology 21, Cell Biology and Evolution (4)
Botany 1, General Botany (4)
Zoology 5, Introductory Zoology (4)
Physical Science: Chemistry (5 units)
Chemistry 10, Introductory General Chemistry (5)
Chemistry 11, General Chemistry I (5)
Physical Science: Physics (4 units)
Physics 6, General Physics (4)
Physics 7, General Physics (4)
Physics 8, General Physics with Calculus (4)
Physics 14, Introductory Physics with Laboratory (4)
Earth Science: (3 units minimum)
Geography 1, Introduction to Natural Environmental (3)
Geography 3, weather and Climate (3)
Geography 5, Physical Geography with Laboratory (4)
Geology 1, Introduction to Physical Geology (No-Laboratory) (3)
Geology 4, Physical Geology with Laboratory (4)
Geology 31, Introduction to Physical Oceanography (3)
Mathematics ( 8 units minimum required as specified)
Math 28, Calculus 1 for Business and Social Science (5) and Math 29, Calculus 2 for Business and Social Science (3)
or
Math 7, Calculus 1 (5) and Math 8, Calculus 2 (5)
Social Science: (6 units required as specified)
Group A: choose one of the following courses:
Economics 1, Principles of Microeconomics (3)
Economics 2, Principles of Macroeconomics (3)
Political Science 1, National and California Government (3)
Group B: choose one of the following courses
Anthropology 2, Cultural Anthropology (3)
Environmental Science 40, Environmental Psychology (3) (same as Psychology 40)
Geography 2, Introduction to Human geography (3)
Geography 8, Introduction to Urban Studies (3) (same as Urban Studies 8)
Geography 11, World Geography (3)
Geography 14, Geography of California (3)
Political Science 22, Environmental Politics and Policies (3)
Psychology 1, General Psychology (3)
Sociology 1, Introduction to Sociology (3) or Sociology 1S, Introduction to Sociology-Service Learning (3)
Sociology 2, Social Problems (3) or Sociology 2S, Social Problems-Service Learning (3)
Additional graduation requirements for the Associate in Arts degree from Santa Monica College are listed on a separate sheet
available in the Transfer/Counseling Center, as well as online (go to www.smc.edu/articulation).
SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON REVERSE.