Environmental Science, Technology & Policy, B.S.

The program’s innovative, interdisciplinary curriculum focuses on the interactions among biological, physical, and social systems, and offers training in highly desired technical skill sets and policies, preparing you for a bright career in environmental science research, environmental resource management, environmental consulting, industry, non-profit agencies, government, and environmental education.

Educational Objectives

Our small class sizes and student-to-faculty ratio will enhance and personalize your overall learning experience, ensuring your academic success through opportunities for mentorship, research, independent studies, community service initiatives and internships.

Our emphasis on active, applied learning will add a unique, valuable dimension to your preparation and take you on engaging learning experiences in the superb natural habitats around Monterey Bay including at the Fort Ord National Monument, Fort Ord Dunes State Park, Big Sur, Andrew Molera State Park, Elkhorn Slough, Pinnacles National Park, county parks,  and other nearby coastal habitats.

Our innovative curriculum and leading-edge technology will set your education and training apart, as you work with geospatial technologies like GIS and remote sensing, as well as data science methods using R and Python for collecting, analyzing, visualizing, and communicating scientific data.

Our strong community and regional partnerships with agencies like the U.S. Geological Service, California State Parks, National Park Service, U.S. fish and Wildlife Service, NASA, California Department of Water Resources, Resource Conservation Districts, Regional Park Districts, Bureau of Land Management, and Water Management Districts will position you to form valuable professional connections for after you graduate.

Complete all of the following core courses with a grade of C- or above:

• MATH 150 - Calculus I Units: 4
• STAT 250 - Applied Stat:Sci Tech Units: 4
• ENVS 300 - Critical Thinking & Communication in Environmental Science Units: 4
• ENVS 350 - Quantitative Field Methods Units: 4

Complete one of the following core courses with a grade of C- or above:

• ENVS 201 - Intro to Environmental Science Units: 4
• FYS 124 - Introduction to Environmental Science Units: 4

Complete one of the following core course/course combinations with a grade of C- or above:

• ENVS 240 - Environmental Biology Units: 4
• BIO 211 - Ecology, Evolution, Biodiversity and Plants Units: 4  and 
• BIO 211L - Ecology, Evolution, Biodiversity and Plants Lab Units: 1

Complete all of the following core courses:

• CHEM 110 - Chemistry I Units: 4
• CHEM 110L - Chemistry I Lab Units: 1
• GEOL 260 - Geology/Hydrology Units: 4
• PHYS 220 - Physics I Units: 4
• ENVS 332 - Intro to GIS/GPS Units: 4

Complete one of the following core courses:

• ENSTU 280 - Environmental Economics and Policy Units: 3
• BUS 202 - Micro Economics Units: 3

Complete one of the following science breadth course/course combinations:

• MATH 151 - Calculus II Units: 4
• CHEM 111 - Chemistry II Units: 4 and
• CHEM 111L - Chemistry II Lab Units: 1
• BIO 210 - Molecular and Cell Biology and Animal Physiology Units: 4 and
• BIO 210L - Molecular and Cell Biology and Animal Physiology Lab Units: 1
• BIO 306 - Biotechnology for Agriculture Units: 3 and
• BIO 306L - Biotechnology for Agriculture Lab Units: 1
• PHYS 221 - Physics II Units: 4

Complete one of the following upper division service-learning courses or course combinations:

• ENSTU 349S - Environmental Interpretation and Outreach Units: 5
• ENSTU 369S - Civic Ecology SL Units: 4
• ENSTU 384S - Social and Ecological Justice Service Learning Units: 4
• ENVS 382S - Climate Justice and Communication Units: 4
• BIO 379S - Biology Service Learning Units: 3
• MSCI 359S - Marine Science Service Learning Units: 3

Complete one of the following capstone seminar courses:

• ENVS 410 - Capstone Integration Seminar Units: 1
• ENVS 402 - Honors Capstone Seminar Units: 1

APPLIED ECOLOGY CONCENTRATION

Complete the following course:

• BIO 340 - Ecology Units: 4

Complete one of the following capstone project courses:

• BIO 448 - Freshwater Ecology Units: 4
• ENVS 446 - Landscape Ecology Units: 4
• ENVS 464 - Wildlife Management and Conservation Units: 4
• ENVS 475 - Projects in Natural Resource Management Units: 4

Complete one of the following applied ecology courses or course combinations, not previously taken:

• ENVS 303 - Calif Transect Orientation Units: 2 and
• ENVS 303L - California Transect Lab Units: 3
• ENVS 342 - Plant Communities of CA Units: 4
• ENVS 440 - Environmental Modeling Units: 4
• ENVS 446 - Landscape Ecology Units: 4 
• ENVS 475 - Projects in Natural Resource Management Units: 4
• ENVS 483 - Environmental Impact Assessment Units: 4
• BIO 448 - Freshwater Ecology Units: 4
• BIO 449 - Community Ecology Units: 4

WATERSHED SYSTEMS CONCENTRATION

Complete the following course:

• GEOL 360 - Geomorphic Systems Units: 4

Complete the following capstone project course:

• GEOL 460 - River Hydrology, Assmt&Monitor Units: 4

Complete one of the following watershed-related course/course combinations, not previously taken:

• ENVS 303 - Calif Transect Orientation Units: 2 and
• ENVS 303L - California Transect Lab Units: 3
• ENVS 342 - Plant Communities of CA Units: 4
• ENVS 483 - Environmental Impact Assessment Units: 4
• BIO 340 - Ecology Units: 4

ENVIRONMENTAL DATA ANALYSIS CONCENTRATION

Complete the following course:

• BIO 380 - Practical Computing for Scientists Units: 4

Complete the following capstone project course:

• ENVS 436 - Remote Sensing Units: 4

Complete one of the following data analysis-related courses:

• ENVS 440 - Environmental Modeling Units: 4
• ENVS 532 - Advanced GIS&Spatial Analysis Units: 4
• BIO 448 - Freshwater Ecology Units: 4
• STAT 320 - Nonparametric Statistics Units: 4
• STAT 325 - Experimental Design and Analysis Units: 4
• STAT 410 - Generalized Linear Models Units: 4

Your learning experience will unfold at the nexus of world-class research institutes, state and regional preserves, the Fort Ord National Monument, and the Monterrey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Our location will fuel an unparalleled experience where you’ll study the interconnection between terrestrial, freshwater, and coastal ecosystems, as well as nearby habitats of the coastal oak woodland, maritime chaparral, redwood forest, Monterey pine and cypress forests, grasslands, streams and rivers, estuaries, and coastal dune habitats. 

You may find yourself conducting hydrologic and benthic macroinvertebrate surveys on the Carmel River, mapping populations of rare species at the Fort Ord Dunes State Park, studying the impacts of sheep grazing and goat browsing on native plants within the Fort Ord National Monument, and monitoring ground squirrel populations on the CSUMB campus.

The program will instill in you a broadened perspective, understanding, and value for using your knowledge and skills to improve lives and communities. You’ll gain practical experience in habitat restoration and community-based conservation, while also exploring and promoting a variety of issues related to environmental justice, where you’ll help expand opportunities for underrepresented communities to get involved with environmental issues and take advantage of outdoor opportunities for recreation, learning, and personal growth.