Environmental Studies (B.A.) 180 units
Program Description
The Environmental Studies major is designed to provide an interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary overview of the environmental studies field, coupled with an in-depth study of one subfield. The core requires coursework in the sciences and social sciences and students may build options based on one or several related fields in these categories. As part of the Environmental Studies major, students must select a 16 unit program of electives. Three options allow students latitude in providing specialization to a particular field of interest: Environment and Society, Physical Environment and Sustainable Resource Management. Courses in these options must be distributed across two departments. Environmental Studies majors are provided internship and service learning opportunities through assignments in public and private agencies on projects related to citizen action, environmental management and planning, or in research. Ten to twenty hours weekly are required and are supervised and evaluated by agency personnel.
Student Learning Outcomes
Students graduating with a B.A. in Environmental Studies from Cal State East Bay will be able to:
demonstrate the knowledge, skills and sensitivities needed to perform effectively as an environmental professional individuals and in a team setting;
demonstrate a basic understanding of politics, law, economics, ethics, biology, chemistry, geography and geology as they apply to the environmental studies field;
communicate clearly and persuasively concerning a range of environmental issues both orally and in writing and to critically analyze environmental impact reports, statements and assessments;
apply scientific reasoning and quantitative and statistical methods applicable in the environmental field;
understand the practical/field dimensions of a range of Bay Area environmental issues and their linkages to regional, national and global processes critical to sustainable development;
Career Opportunities
• Administrator
• Citizen Activist
• Consumer Affairs Specialist
• Educator
• Energy Impact Assessor
• Environmental Auditor
• Environmental Compliance Officer
• Historical Preservationist
• Journalist
• Land Acquisition Analyst
• Lawyer Librarian
• Mediator
• Open Space and Recreation Planner
• Solid Waste and Recycling Specialist
• Sustainability Manager
• Water Control Inspector
• Water Conservationist
• Watershed Manager
Scholarship
Richard and Evelyn Thoman Scholarship in Geography and Environmental Studies
One $500 scholarship awarded each academic year for full-time undergraduate or graduate studies. Awards are limited to students with upper division or graduate standing. A grade point average of 3.5 or higher is required, and demonstrated scholastic and creative ability in the field of Geography or Environmental Studies.
Advanced Placement
Students who earn a grade of 3 or higher on the College Entrance Examination Board’s Advanced Placement Test in Environmental Science will be given 4 units of credit equivalent to ENVT 2000.
Major Requirements (B.A.) 93-94 units
Please consult an advisor in your major department for clarification and interpretation of your major requirements. The B.A. degree requires a total of 180 units.
- The core major consists of 77-78 units;
- the Environment and Society Option consists of 16 units;
- the Physical Environment Option consists of 16 units.
- the Sustainable Resource Management Option consists of 16 units.
- GE/USHG/UWS consists of 84 units (some courses may double-count units - see your advisor).
- Free Electives (if any) will make up the remainder units to reach 180 minimum total units (see your advisor).
Lower Division Core (32-33 units)
Upper Division Core (45 units)
Option Requirements
Students must select one of the following options. Four courses, totaling 16 units, distributed across at least two catalog prefixes, in one of the following three options:
Other Undergraduate Degree Requirements
In addition to major requirements, every student must also complete the University requirements for graduation which are described in the Undergraduate Admission and Degree Information & FAQ chapter in the front of this catalog. These include the General Education-Breadth requirements; the second composition (ENGL 1002 ) requirement; the cultural groups/women requirement; the performing arts/activities requirement; the U.S. history, U.S. Constitution, and California state and local government requirement; the University Writing Skills Requirement; and the residence, unit, and grade point average requirements.
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