Environmental Science and Management, Geospatial Science Concentration, B.S.

Our Bachelor of Science degree program explores the interactions between the biological and physical world, human institutions, and human behavior. You’ll choose one of five concentrations that will allow you to discover the intricate balance of people and nature through multiple disciplines.

Graduates should find work with state, federal, and local governments, nonprofit conservation organizations, private sector consulting firms (particularly those dealing with environmental impact analysis, environmental planning, wetlands delineation, environmental restoration, geospatial applications in natural resources, energy technology and planning, and natural resource management), or go on to professional and graduate schools to study ecology, environmental law, environmental planning, human dimensions of natural resources, outdoor recreation management, geospatial science, natural resources management, wilderness management, public administration, or environmental policy.

High school students need strong academic preparation in math, writing, and the sciences.

Requirements for the Bachelor’s Degree

A bachelor’s degree requires a total of 120 units. Students must fulfill General Education & All-University Requirements , residency, unit, and GPA requirements as outlined in the Bachelor’s Degree Requirements . This major includes a Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR) certified course.

Major Academic Plan, Environmental Science and Management, Geospatial Science Concentration, B.S.

Program MAPs represent recommended or possible pathways toward degree completion in four years (or two years for transfer students). Please see an advisor and use the DARS planner to create an education plan that is customized to meet your needs.

Environmental Science and Management, Geospatial Science Concentration, B.S. MAP

Environmental Science and Management, Geospatial Science Concentration, B.S. Transfer MAP

Requirements for the Major (76-77 Units)

Students must complete all courses in the major with a grade of C- or better. This major has 33 units that may double-count toward GE requirements.

Core Courses (43-44 Units)

BOT 105 - General Botany Units: 4
ESM 105 - Natural Resource Conservation Units: 3
GSP 101 - Geospatial Concepts Units: 3
ESM 200 - Inscape and Landscape Units: 3
or
SCI 100 - Becoming a STEM Professional in the 21st Century Units: 3
MATH 101 - College Algebra Units: 3
or
MATH 101I - College Algebra with Integrated Support Units: 3 and
MATH 1 - Support for College Algebra Units: 1
or
MATH 102 - Algebra and Elementary Functions Units: 4
STAT 109 - Introductory Biostatistics Units: 4
ESM 230 - Environmental Methods Units: 3
ESM 303 - Applied Natural History and Ecology Units: 4
ESM 305 - Environmental Conflict Resolution Units: 3
ESM 309B - Environmental Communication Units: 3
ESM 325 - Environmental Law and Regulation Units: 3
ESM 435 - Grant Proposal Writing Units: 3

Capstone Options

Complete one of the following courses based on declared concentration.

ESM 410W - Geospatial Capstone Units: 4
ESM 411W - Energy and Climate Capstone Units: 4
ESM 453W - Environmental Education and Interpretation Capstone Units: 4
ESM 455W - Ecological Restoration Capstone Units: 4
ESM 475W - Environmental Planning and Policy Capstone Units: 4

Concentration Courses (34 Units)

Lower Division

GEOG 106 - Physical Geography Units: 3
GSP 216 - Introduction to Remote Sensing Units: 3
GSP 270 - Geographic Information Science (GIS) Units: 3

Upper Division

GSP 316 - Cartography Units: 4
GSP 318 - Geospatial Programming I Units: 3
GSP 326 - Intermediate Remote Sensing Units: 3
GSP 330 - Mobile Mapping Units: 3
GSP 370 - Intermediate Geographic Information Science (GIS) Units: 3
GSP 418 - Geospatial Programming II Units: 3
or
GSP 436 - Advanced Remote Sensing Units: 3
or
GSP 470 - Advanced Geospatial Analysis and Modeling Units: 3
ESM 425 - Environmental Impact Assessment Units: 3

Natural Resources Depth

Complete one course (minimum 3 units).

ESM 360 - Introduction to Environmental Planning Methods Units: 3
ESM 430 - Natural Resource Management in Protected Areas Units: 3
FISH 260 - Fish Conservation and Management Units: 3
FISH 300 - Introduction to Fishery Biology Units: 3
FOR 302 - Forest Ecosystems and People Units: 3
FOR 307 - California’s Forests and Woodlands Units: 3
GEOL 300 - Geology of California Units: 3
GEOL 303 - Earth Resources and Global Environmental Change Units: 3
GEOL 306 - General Geomorphology Units: 3
GEOL 308 - Natural Disasters Units: 3
NAS 309 - Traditional Ecological Knowledge and Indigenous Natural Resource Management Units: 3
OCN 301 - Marine Ecosystems - Human Impact Units: 3
OCN 304 - Resources of the Sea Units: 3
RRS 306 - Rangeland Management Principles Units: 3
WSHD 310 - Hydrology and Watershed Management Units: 4
WLDF 301 - Principles of Wildlife Management Units: 3
WLDF 468 - Spatial Wildlife Ecology Units: 3

Program Learning Outcomes

Students completing this program will:

Apply science to understanding ecosystems and natural resources.
Understand the policy and socio-cultural implications of environmental issues.
Analyze human impacts on the physical, biological, and/or cultural world, and propose appropriate management strategies.
Seek out original and secondary sources of information necessary to understand complex environmental issues.
Communicate with the public and professionals concerning the environmental sciences.
Use critical thinking skills to apply measurable criteria to evaluate contemporary environmental decision-making.