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Environmental Studies

The focus of the Environmental Studies department is on a rigorous, systematic, and integrated approach to the study, management and solution of environmental problems and issues. Upon completion of the degree program, students have solid preparation for making substantive contributions to this expanding and vital field. With over 25 years of experience granting degrees in Environmental Studies, this program has achieved a level of professionalism envied by newer environmental programs at other colleges and universities.

The employment record for recent graduates is excellent. Representative occupations include specialists in environmental impact assessment, environmental restoration, energy, water resources, environmental education, park management, environmental health and safety, environmental regulation and policy, hazardous materials, integrated waste management, and recycling.

The undergraduate degrees offer a broad education in environmental concepts through the core courses, along with a narrower subfield linked to a specific career pathway; this is done through the advisor-approved minor and electives. The BS program provides a strong technical background in quantitative resource analysis and is suitable for both resource managers and policy makers or practitioners such as energy auditors, designers of renewable energy systems, or ecosystem restorationists. The BA provides a more general education orientation toward environmental law, business, policy, planning, or communications. The teacher preparation degree prepares the student for application to the elementary credential program and, in addition, many students in the teacher preparation program choose to move into careers in outdoor education or park ranger work.

BA - Environmental Studies

Preparation for the Major:

ENVS 010 Life on a Changing Planet
STAT 095 Elementary Statistics
ECON 001B Principles of Economics: Microeconomics
CHEM 030A Introductory Chemistry

Major Requirement:

ENVS 001 Introduction to Environmental Issues

All students must satisfy the following prerequisite (or equivalent) prior to registering for the WST and 100W courses at SJSU {Academic Senate policy S05-8}:

ENGL 001B Composition 2
A "C" or better is required in English 1B (a "C-" is not acceptable).
or
Second Semester English Composition Equivalent Course
A course articulated to SJSU's English 1B is recommended, however any course approved for the IGETC second semester composition area would be accepted to meet this requirement (a grade of "C" or better is required).

Students interested in the BA in Environmental Studies with a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential should contact department advisors for lower division requirements.

BS - Environmental Studies

Preparation for the Major:

ENVS 010 Life on a Changing Planet
ECON 001B Principles of Economics: Microeconomics
STAT 095 Elementary Statistics

Take two courses in the same field of study from the following series and select a third course from another field:

CHEM 1A and CHEM 1B General Chemistry
Sequence must be complete
OR
PHYS 002A Fundamentals of Physics
AND
PHYS 002B Fundamentals of Physics
OR
BIOL 001 Plant Biology
AND
BIOL 002 Animal Biology

MAJOR REQUIREMENTS:

ENVS 001 Introduction to Environmental Issues

All students must satisfy the following prerequisite (or equivalent) prior to registering for the WST and 100W courses at SJSU {Academic Senate policy S05-8}:

ENGL 001B Composition 2
A "C" or better is required in English 1B (a "C-" is not acceptable).
or
Second Semester English Composition Equivalent Course
A course articulated to SJSU's English 1B is recommended, however any course approved for the IGETC second semester composition area would be accepted to meet this requirement (a grade of "C" or better is required).

PARKS MINOR - WEST VALLEY COLLEGE ONLY

WEST VALLEY COLLEGE students that wish to transfer a Parks minor in Environmental Stuides will need to complete the following:

Please select 9 units from the following West Valley College courses:
PKMGT 10: Intro to Park Management (3 units)
PKMGT 11: Park Communications (2 units)
PKMGT 14: Conservation of Our Natural Resources (3 units)
PKMGT 15A: Duties of the Ranger (3 units)
PKMGT 15B: Natural and Cultural Resource Interpretation (3 units)
PKMGT 15C: Intro to Park Maintenance (3 units)
PKMGT 18: Park Planning and Design (2 units)
BIO 14: California Plants and Animals (3 units)
AND
GEOL 1A: Physical Geology (4 units)
OR
GEOL 10A: Earth Science Systems (4 units)
OR
GEOL 15: Geology of California (3 units)

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