Upon completion of the requirements for the Associate in Applied Arts Degree in Environmental Science, students will be prepared to transfer to CSU/UC and obtain a baccalaureate degree (or higher degree) in Environmental Science. This degree is also a pathway toward internships and/or entry-level opportunities within the field, e.g., environmental policy/law and environmental health monitoring). The Environmental Science major requires completion of a minimum of 26 major units, 26-31 of which are required core units. The additional 9-13 units must be taken from a list of restricted related electives from a variety of departments. The ESEC department strongly recommends that all declared Environmental Science majors get counseling to select electives that will best prepare them for their intended transfer institution as there is high variation in requirements among institutions and some of the courses listed, including core courses, have pre-requisites that will increase the number of units required to complete this degree. For students interested in an ecology, geology, and hydrology emphasis in Environmental Science, they should consider an Associated in Science Degree in Environmental Science.

The department strongly recommends that all declared Environmental Science majors complete the following courses prior to transfer: STAT A160 Introduction to Statistics or PSYC A160 Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences and PHYS A280 Calculus-Based Physics: Electricity/Magnetism with Lab and PHYS A285 Calculus-Based Physics: Modern with Lab. Check the requirements of the transferring institution.

Program Outcomes

1. Describe the major biological, chemical, and physical components and processes within organisms and the environment
2. Describe historical and current human activities that negatively impact the environment (energy resources, urbanization, agricultural methods, etc) and how economics, social interactions, policies, and laws affect human activity within the environment. 
3. Students who complete the degree will be prepared for admission to California State University/University of California schools in environmental science.

Review Graduation Requirements and General Education. 

¹

Lecture and applicable lab course must both be taken to fulfill area credit.

²

Some program major units may also meet GE requirements.

³

Cal-GETC pattern (up to 34 units) may be substituted.

⁴

Multicultural Requirement may be met with a General Education or Major course.

Program Sequence

These sequences at Orange Coast College are general course curriculum maps for students to finish all major and general education requirements for two-year completion of degrees, and/or fulfillment of transfer requirements. The course sequence may include course prerequisites and other placement requirements. Students are advised to meet with an Orange Coast College Counselor to review course selections and sequences to ensure that completion of this program will meet a student's transfer and career goals.

¹

CHEM A130 can be taken for prerequisite of BIOL A180 and CHEM A180 as elective units

²

VARIES TO REACH MINIMUM 60 DEGREE APPLICABLE UNITS

³

OCC AA GE AREA 7E requires a minimum of 3 units to include one course from 7E- Theory/non-activty and one course from 7E- Activity

⁴

OCC AA Global/ Multicultural required if not already taken in other GE areas, refer to AA Graduation Requirement webpage; if requirement is fulfilled, take degree applicable elective units