Environmental Science Minor

Environmental Science is one of the most versatile fields of study you can pursue. The environmental science minor enhances any major and opens the door to many opportunities for potential careers. This program encourages you to take advantage of the rich local opportunities in the sciences. You'll gain a fundamental understanding of core environmental science concepts and engage in collaborative, applied, active, and project-based learning activities.

Required Courses

Please note: Twelve of the units taken to complete a minor (6 of which are upper division) may not be used in fulfillment of other minors, concentrations, or major requirements.

Students must complete 12 units, 6 of which are upper-division, from the following coursework to fulfill the requirements of the Environmental Science Minor.

Complete one of the following course/course combinations:

• ENVS 303/L: Calif Transect Orientation (5 units)
  
• ENVS 315: Soils and the Environment (4 units)
  
• ENVS 332: Intro to GIS/GPS (4 units)
  
• ENVS 350: Quantitative Field Methods (4 units)
  
• ENVS 355: Environmental Monitoring (4 units)
  
• ENVS 436: Rmt Sns/Image Process (4 units)
  
• ENVS 440: Environmental Modeling (4 units)
  
• ENVS 446: Landscape Ecology (4 units)
  
• ENVS 475: Projects in Natural Resource Management (4 units)
  

Complete additional coursework from the following list:

• ENVS 101: Energy and Sustainability (4 units)
  
• ENVS 128: Introduction to Soil Science (3 units)
  
• ENVS 196: Environmental Science Intro Research Practicum (1-2 units)
  
• ENVS 201: Intro to Environmental Science (4 units)
  
• ENVS 282: Mtry Bay:Case Sty Env Sci &Pol (3 units)
  
• BIO 230: Environmental Biology (4 units)
  
• GEOL 260: Geology/Hydrology (4 units)
  
• ENVS 303: Calif Transect Orientation (2 units)
• ENVS 303L: California Transect Lab (3 units)
  
• ENVS 307: Energy Solutions and Climate Change (3 units)
• ENVS 315: Soils and the Environment (4 units)
• ENVS 332: Intro to GIS/GPS (4 units)
• ENVS 350: Quantitative Field Methods (4 units)
  
• ENVS 355: Environmental Monitoring (4 units)
  
• ENVS 370: Environmental Wildlands Studies (4 units)
  
• ENVS 371: Environmental Field Survey (4 units)
  
• ENVS 394: Environmental Science Internship (1-2 units)
  
• ENVS 497: Independent Study (1-2 units)
• ENVS 397: Independent Study (1-2 units)
  
• ENVS 436: Rmt Sns/Image Process (4 units)
  
• ENVS 440: Environmental Modeling (4 units)
• ENVS 446: Landscape Ecology (4 units)
• ENVS 475: Projects in Natural Resource Management (4 units)
• ENVS 497: Independent Study (1-2 units)
  
• GEOL 310: Natural Disasters and Human Impacts (3 units)
• GEOL 360: Geomorphic Systems (4 units)
  
• GEOL 460: River Hydrology, Assmtt&Monitor (4 units)
  
• BIO 340: Ecology (4 units)
• BIO 342: Plant Communities of CA (4 units)
• MSCI 337: Robotics for Ecological Research (4 units)
  

Learning Outcomes

Minor LO 1: Environmental Research and Communication

Environmental Science minors use quantitative evidence to evaluate hypotheses and to interpret environmental patterns and processes, and to communicate their findings clearly in written and oral formats.

Minor LO 2: Applied Environmental Science

Environmental Science minors synthesize and apply environmental science knowledge and skills to real-world scenarios.