Environmental Science

Effective: Fall 2022
Associate in Science Program Map
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This program map from the 2024-2025 catalog year represents one possible pathway to complete this program. Your pathway may vary depending on your transfer plans and also previous college credit, including AP Test scores, concurrent enrollment courses and high school articulated courses.

I'm ready to get started. What do I do next?

  1. Review this program map to get an overview of the required courses
  2. Meet with a counselor to develop your customized student education plan www.chabotcollege.edu/counseling
  3. Use DegreeWorks, an online student education planning tool, to track your progress toward graduation www.chabotcollege.edu / admissions / degreeworks
Program Description

The Associate in Science in Environmental Science degree provides students with a foundation in scientific principles and the diversity of life. Environmental Science students study life at various levels of organization ranging from the molecular level to the entire biosphere. Greatest emphasis is on population, community, ecosystem and biome levels. Students answer scientific questions by critically evaluating scientific information, developing and testing hypotheses using the tools and techniques of the ecological, biological and physical sciences, analyzing data, and interpreting results.


What can I do with this major?

The Associate in Science in Environmental Science degree prepares students for careers in research, environmental protection and health, environmental law and policy, conservation management, agriculture, food, natural resource management and forestry. Preparation for some entry level jobs in careers such as environmental protection and health technician may require an associate’s degree while most careers require at least a bachelor’s degree and scientists or specialists will need to obtain a master’s or doctorate degree


Learning and Career Pathway
  • Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics & Environment

Icon Key

= Critical Course = Prerequisite for Other Courses = Prerequisite Required = Required for Major GE = General Education

This program map is under development. Please check back.

Semester 1

16 units

MTH 1
Calculus I1

5 units
This course is the first in the three-course calculus sequence intended for majors in math, engineering, and physical sciences. The course covers elements of analytic geometry, derivatives, limits and continuity, differentiation of algebraic and trigonometric functions, and the definite integral. Application to the sciences are also covered.
Course Details:
  1. Prerequisite: MTH 20
  2. Prerequisite: MTH 22
  3. Prerequisite: MTH 21
  4. Prerequisite: MTH 31
  5. Prerequisite: MTH 31S
  6. Prerequisite: MTH 36
  7. Prerequisite: MTH 36S
  8. Prerequisite: MTH 37
  • Transfers to UC/CSU
    • Terms Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer

    ENSC 11 or ENSC 15 & 15L (Choose one)

    4 units
    Terms Offered: Spring, Fall

    ENSC 11
    Humans and the Environment with Laboratory

    4 units
    Identification of problems created by humans’ modification of their environment by focusing on ecological interactions involving the human species; investigating the life processes of organisms as they relate to specific environments. Includes basic ecological concepts, evolution, biodiversity, human population growth, environmental policy, water, land and energy resources. Environmental Science 10, 11, and 12 may be combined for a maximum of 4 units. (Formerly Ecology 11)
    Course Details:
    Terms Offered: Spring, Fall
    or

    ENSC 15
    Agroecology

    3 units
    Principles of the ecology of sustainable food systems. The environmental impact of agriculture, types of agriculture, soil science, plant structure, reproduction, development and growth and plants' interactions with other organisms. The interactions of culture, human population growth, and major environmental challenges in the transition to sustainable agriculture and food systems Designed for non-majors in environmental science.
    Course Details:
    or

    ENSC 15L
    Agroecology Laboratory

    1 unit
    Laboratory exercises developed as an adjunct to ENSC 15 (Agroecology). Practical applications of ecological concepts and principles to the design and management of sustainable food systems. Investigation of abiotic factors and organisms that make up agroecosystems. Examination of gardens, farms and the local food system.
    Course Details:
    1. Prerequisite: ENSC 15

    General Education Course – consult with STEM counselor to determine appropriate GE pattern – 3 units

    3 units
    GE

    English 1

    4 units
    GE
    • 1 - Starting math class will vary depending on Math placement, complete Math Course Selection in ClassWeb/MyPortal and see STEM counselor for correct level Math course to start.

    Semester 2

    14 units

    GEOS 1
    Physical Geology with Laboratory

    4 units
    Introduction to the study of the scientific composition and dynamics of the Earth ranging from the atomic scale of minerals to the global scale of plate tectonics. Included is the formation of the Earth, geochemistry, geophysics, hydrology, geomorphology and the interactions between humans and the geologic environment. The course is a foundation course for both the non-science major and majors in the Earth sciences and environmental sciences.
    Course Details:
  • Transfers to CSU
    • Terms Offered: Spring, Fall

    BIOS 21A
    Principles of Plant Biology and Ecology

    4 units
    Principles of the diversity, structure and function of autotrophs including plants, protists, and bacteria. Emphasis on cell reproduction, alternation of generations, plant morphology and anatomy, homeostasis, development, phylogeny, taxonomy, and systematics. Principles of ecology including conservation biology. This course is intended for students majoring in biological sciences OR for students who will apply to professional schools, including schools of medicine, dentistry, and pharmacy. May not receive credit if BIOL 6 has been completed successfully.
    Course Details:
    1. Prerequisite: MTH 55
    2. Strongly Recommended: ENGL 1
    Terms Offered: Fall, Spring

    General Education Course – consult with STEM counselor to determine appropriate GE pattern

    3 units
    GE

    General Education Course – consult with STEM counselor to determine appropriate GE pattern

    3 units
    GE

    Semester 3

    16 units

    CHEM 1A
    General College Chemistry I1

    5 units
    Introduction to atomic structure, bonding, stoichiometry, thermochemistry, gases, matter and energy, oxidation-reduction, chemical equations, liquids and solids, solutions, chemical energetics and equilibrium. Laboratory includes both quantitative and qualitative experiments.
    Course Details:
    1. Prerequisite: MTH 55
      2. or
    2. Prerequisite: MTH 55B
    3. Prerequisite: CHEM 31
      4. or

    BIOS 21B
    Principles of Animal Biology and Evolution

    4 units
    Principles of the diversity, structure and function of heterotrophic organisms-animals, protists, and fungi with emphasis on homeostasis, development, phylogeny and taxonomy. Principles of evolution, evolutionary history, and population genetics. Intended for biological sciences majors. This course is intended for students majoring in biological sciences OR for students who will apply to professional schools, including schools of medicine, dentistry, and pharmacy. May not receive credit if BIOL 4 has been completed successfully.
    Course Details:
    1. Prerequisite: MTH 55
      2. and
    2. Prerequisite: BIOS 21A
      3. or
    3. Prerequisite: CHEM 1A
    4. Strongly Recommended: ENGL 1
    Terms Offered: Fall, Spring

    PHYS 3A
    College Physics A

    4 units
    Introduction to the major principles of classical mechanics using calculus for students studying life sciences and architecture. Includes: the scientific method and social responsibility of the scientist, Newtonian mechanics, energy, gravitation, fluids, thermodynamics, and vibration waves.
    Course Details:
    1. Prerequisite: MTH 1
    2. Prerequisite: MTH 22
    3. Prerequisite: MTH 15
  • Transfers to CSU

    • General Education Course – consult with STEM counselor to determine appropriate GE pattern

    3 units
    GE
    • 1 - *Students with High School Chem B or better and High School GPA 3.0 or higher, see STEM counselor for Chem 1A placement, otherwise will need to take Chem assessment or complete Chem 31 first.

    Semester 4

    14-16 units

    BIOS 21C
    Principles of Cell and Molecular Biology

    5 units
    GE
    Principles of the structure and function of biological molecules, prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, and viruses, with emphasis on homeostasis, cell reproduction and its controls, molecular and transmission genetics, control of gene expression, genetic control of pattern formation in development, and cell metabolism. This course is intended for students majoring in biological sciences OR for students who will apply to professional schools, including schools of medicine, dentistry, and pharmacy. May not receive credit if BIOL 2 has been completed successfully.
    Course Details:
    1. Prerequisite: CHEM 1A
      2. and
    2. Prerequisite: BIOS 21A
      3. or
    3. Prerequisite: BIOS 21B
    4. Strongly Recommended: ENGL 1
  • Transfers to CSU
    • Terms Offered: Spring, Fall

    CHEM 1B or PHYS 3A (Consult with STEM counselor and choose one)

    4-5 units

    CHEM 1B
    General College Chemistry II

    5 units
    Continuation of Chemistry 1A. Chemical energetics and equilibria, solutions and ionic equilibria, acid-base chemistry, electrochemistry, coordination chemistry, kinetics, nuclear chemistry, organic chemistry, and the chemistry of family groups of the periodic table. Laboratory emphasizes quantitative techniques, including instrumentation, and qualitative analysis.
    Course Details:
    1. Prerequisite: CHEM 1A
    or

    PHYS 3B
    College Physics B

    4 units
    Introduction to the major principles of ELECTROMAGNETISM AND MODERN PHYSICS using calculus for students studying life sciences and architecture. Includes Electrostatics, Electro-circuits, electromagnetic waves, optics, relativity , atomic and nuclear physics and the social responsibility of the scientist and architect .
    Course Details:
    1. Prerequisite: MTH 16
      2. or
    2. Prerequisite: MTH 2
      3. and
    3. Prerequisite: PHYS 3A
      4. or
    4. Prerequisite: PHYS 4A
  • Transfers to CSU

    • General Education Course – consult with STEM counselor to determine appropriate GE pattern

    3 units
    GE

    Elective Course (consult with STEM counselor to determine the appropriate GE pattern)

    2-3 units
    Total Units: 60-62 units
    This program map is not a guarantee of course availability or financial aid applicability.