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Environmental Studies & Sustainability A.S. Degree

The Environmental Studies & Sustainability Program is an interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary course of study that presents a broad overview of ecological issues from a variety of perspectives in the natural, physical, and social sciences. The coursework examines the interplay between natural and social systems and the ideological foundations of humankind’s attitudes and behaviors with respect to their ever-changing environment.

Total Units:

56-65

First Year

Semester 1

15-17 Units

Course	Units	Pre-Reqs^	Semesters Offered*
GEOG 302 Environmental Studies & Sustainability	3		F, S
GEOG 310 Human Geography: Exploring Earth's Cultural Landscapes	3		F(O), S(O)
GEOG 331 ¹ Exploring Maps and Geographic Technologies	3		F(P)
PSYC 330 Introductory Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences or	3	MATH 120	F, S
STAT C1000E Introduction to Probability and Statistics or	4	MATH 120, 125 or STAT 100	F, S, Su
ECON 310 Statistics for Business and Economics or	3	MATH 120 or 125	F, S, Su
MATH 355 Calculus for Biology and Medicine I or	4	MATH 335	Check Class Schedule for offering
MATH 400 Calculus I	5	MATH 370	F, S
CRC Area II(a)-Written Communication	3	Recommend meeting with a counselor	F, S, Su

¹ Suggested GEOG 331-meets requirement for Field/Applied Course and for AS in GEOG. See Field/Applied Course List below for other course options available to meet this requirement.

Semester 2

16 Units

Course	Units	Pre-Reqs^	Semesters Offered*
BIOL 350 Environmental Biology or	3	Advisory: ENGRD 312 & ENGWR 101	Check Class Schedule for offering
BIOL 352 Conservation Biology	3		Check Class Schedule for offering
GEOG 300 ¹ Physical Geography: Exploring Earth's Environmental Systems	3	Advisory: Co-req: GEOG 301	F, S
GEOG 301 ¹ Physical Geography Laboratory	1	Pre or co-req: GEOG 300	F, S
ECON 304 Principles of Microeconomics	3	MATH 100 or 102 or 1 yr of high school Elem All; Advisory: MATH 120 or 125	F(O), S(O), Su(O)
CRC Area III(b)-Life Development Skills	3		F, S, Su
CRC Area V(a)-American Institutions	3		F, S, Su

¹ Suggested GEOG 300 & 301 to meet Earth Science and AS in GEOG Requirements. See Earth Science Course List below for other course options available to meet this requirement.

Year 2

Semester 3

15-17 Units

Course	Units	Pre-Reqs^	Semesters Offered*
ECON 306 Environmental Economics	3	Advisory: MATH 120 or 125 or 1 yr of high school Algebra II	F
CHEM 305 Introduction to Chemistry or	5	Elementary Algebra or higher	F, S, Su
CHEM 400 General Chemistry I	5	Elementary Algebra and CHEM 300, 305 or 309 or 1 year of high school CHEM with lab	F, S, Su
BIOL 308 Contemporary Biology or	3	Advisory: ESLR 320 & ESLW 310 or ESL 325 or eligible for ENGRD 310 & ENGWR 101	F, S, Su
BIOL 400 Principles of Biology	5	Advisory: Eligibility for ENGWR 300	F, S
CRC Area III(a)-Physical Edu Activity	1		F, S, Su
Elective ²	3		F, S, Su

¹ CHEM 321 & 322 should be taken together to satisfy the minimum of 4 units required for Chemistry Courses.

² Suggestion-ANTH 310 Cultural Anthropology (3 units); Advisory: Eligible for ENGWR 300; F(O), S(O), Su(O); CRC Area V(b) or VI. Units needed to total 60 units for graduation. Refer to Course Number for the appropriate course level necessary for the degree.

Semester 4

10-15 Units

Course	Units	Semesters Offered*
CRC Area I-Humanities	3	F, S, Su
CRC Area V(a)-American Institutions 2	3	F, S, Su
Elective ¹	3	F, S, Su
Elective ²	1-3	F, S, Su
Elective ³	0-3	F, S, Su

^You must have passed the prerequisite course(s) with a “C” or better; Corequisite must be taken during the same semester; Advisory means it is recommended but not required to enroll in the course.

*(O) = online available (P) = partially online

¹ Suggestion-GEOG 335 to meet the requirement for the Certificate in Field Data Mapping & GIS. Units needed to total 60 units for graduation. Refer to Course Number for the appropriate course level necessary for the degree.

² Suggestion-GEOG 390. Units needed to total 60 units for graduation. Refer to Course Number for the appropriate course level necessary for the degree.

³ Units required are determined by the number of units needed to total 60 units for graduation. Refer to Course Number for the appropriate course level necessary for the degree.

Field/Applied Course List-a minimum of 3 units from the following:

Course	Units	Pre-Reqs^	Semesters Offered*
GEOG 331 ¹ Exploring Maps and Geographic Technologies	3		F(P)
GEOG 335 Introduction to Geographic Information Systems Applications	3	Advisory: CISC 302	S
GEOG 391 Field Studies in Geography: Mountain Landscapes	1-4		Check Class Schedule for offering
GEOG 392 Field Studies in Geography: Coastal Landscapes	1-4		Check Class Schedule for offering
GEOG 393 Field Studies in Geography: Arid Landscapes	1-4		Check Class Schedule for offering
GEOG 394 Field Studies in Geography: Volcanic Landscapes	1-4		Check Class Schedule for offering
GEOL 390 Field Studies in Geology	1-4		Check Class Schedule for offering

¹ Suggested course.

Earth Science List-a minimum of 3 units from the following:

Course	Units	Pre-Reqs^	Semesters Offered*
GEOG 300 ¹ Physical Geography: Exploring Earth's Environmental Systems	3	Advisory: co-req of GEOG 301	F, S
GEOG 301 ¹ Physical Geography Laboratory	1	Pre or co-req: GEOG 300	F, S
GEOG 305 Global Climate Change	3		F(P), S(P)
GEOL 300 Physical Geology	3	Advisory: co-req GEOL 301	F, S
GEOL 301 Physical Geology Laboratory	1	Co-req: GEOL 300	F, S

¹ Suggested courses.

Career Options/Outlook:

Environmental Scientists and Specialists conduct research or perform investigations to identify, abate, or eliminate sources of pollutants or hazards that affect the environment or the population\'s health. Using knowledge of various scientific disciplines, may collect, synthesize, study, report, and recommend action based on data derived from measurements or observations of air, food, soil, water, and other sources. Career opportunities require more than two years of college study.

A sample of reported job titles:

Environmental Analyst, Environmental Health and Safety Specialist, Environmental Programs Specialist, Environmental Protection Specialist, Environmental Scientist, Environmental Specialist, Hazardous Substances Scientist, Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS), Research Environmental Scientist, Senior Environmental Scientist

Projected job openings in California (2021-2031):

1,400

Projected growth in California (2021-2031):

12% growth

Median Salary in California with advanced degree (2021):

$88,800/yr

Source:

https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/19-2041.00

Transfer notes:

Please meet with a counselor for specific transfer course evaluation or transferring to a specific 4-year institution.

With the inclusion of all the suggested courses noted

This map will meet the requirement for the Certificate of Achievement in Sustainability and the AS degree in Geography.

Honors option:

The CRC Honors Program is designed specifically for academically accomplished students and for students with the potential for high achievement. Students who complete 15 units or more in honors-designated courses will earn special recognition as an Honors Scholar, a distinction that may entitle the student to guaranteed transfer and scholarship opportunities at select transfer colleges and universities.

About this program map:

This program map represents one possible pathway to complete the program. Please see a counselor to create an education plan customized to meet your needs. This map is not a guarantee of course availability or financial aid applicability.

Zero Textbook Costs (ZTC):

The Zero Textbook Costs designation and logo are added to any course that provides free access to all required instructional materials. These are typically shared with students through Canvas. Courses that are designated as ZTC may still require students to purchase supplemental materials such as lab coats, a calculator, art supplies, etc. See full definitions and searching tips on the Zero Textbook Costs page of the college website.

Catalog Year: 2025-2026

Published September 26, 2025

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