Narrative for Associate in Arts in

Item 1: Program Goals and Objectives:

The Associate in Arts in Environmental Studies offered by Ohlone College is designed to prepare students for studying Environmental Studies at most universities. The core courses in the associate degree in Environmental Studies will fulfill the lower division requirements for most campuses of the UC and CSU systems. This program will enable students to develop a strong foundation in the social and physical sciences. Students will gain a strong foundation in the functioning of living systems, demography, climatology, food systems, urbanization, ecology, toxicology, geologic processes, energy resources, pollution, and human attitudes towards nature. Through these courses students will gain a better understanding of how humans are intimately connected with the environment and how human activities impact and are impacted by the environment. Careers in natural resource management, land use planning, business, energy development and management, environmental consulting, waste/energy management, pollution control, ecologist, law, environmental administration, and environmental activist/lobbyist all require knowledge of environmental issues and the functioning of ecosystems.

Learning Outcomes of Associates in Arts in Environmental Studies:

1. Recognize the social, economic, and environmental impacts of humans on the earth. 2. Apply an understanding of science and ecological principles to modern life so students may critically analyze and understand information affecting the environment. 3. Describe the effects of current, past, and future energy and resource use, and compare and contrast possible solutions to environmental problems. 4. Evaluate environmental policies, laws, and regulations, their value, implementation and effects. 5. Examine the inherent environmental, social and economic outcomes of living sustainably on current and future generations. 6. Explore a variety of environmental field and laboratory techniques that will emphasize different fields of environmental studies.

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Item 2: Catalog Description

The Associate in Arts in Environmental Studies offered by Ohlone College is designed to prepare students for studying Environmental Studies at most universities. The core courses in the associate degree in Environmental Studies will fulfill the lower division requirements for most campuses of the UC and CSU systems. This degree will enable students to develop a strong foundation in the social and physical sciences. Students will gain a strong foundation in the functioning of living systems, demography, climatology, food systems, urbanization, ecology, toxicology, geologic processes, energy resources, pollution, and human attitudes towards nature. Through these courses students will gain a better understanding of how humans are intimately connected with the environment and how human activities impact and are impacted by the environment. Careers in natural resource management, land use planning, business, energy development and management, environmental consulting, waste/energy management, pollution control, ecologist, law, environmental administration, and environmental activist/lobbyist all require knowledge of environmental issues and the functioning of ecosystems.

Since some curriculum requirements may vary among transfer universities, it is imperative that students entering Ohlone’s associate degree program in Environmental Studies meet with a counselor at the start of their academic work. Counselors will assist students in preparing a Student Education Plan that will prepare them to transfer to the university of their choice. Counselors will also advise students on the general education plan that best prepares them for the future transfer.

Item 3: Program Requirements

REQUIREMENTS FOR AA DEGREE a) Complete Major Field courses with a grade of C or better. b) Complete Ohlone College General Education (Plan A), CSU GE (Plan B), or IGETC (Plan C) requirements. These requirements are specified in the Ohlone College catalog. c) Complete at least 60 degree-applicable units with a 2.0 grade point average. d) Complete at least 12 units at Ohlone College.

Requireme Dept. Name Unit Loc CSU IGETC Seque nts Name/# s al GE nce GE Core ENVS-108 Introduction to the 3 Area Area B2 Area 5B Yr1, Environment I Fall

2 Core ENVS-142 Environmental Biology 4 Area Areas B2, Areas 5B, Yr1, OR ENVS- Environmental Racism and 3 I B3 5C Fall 112 Justice 3 Area II Core GEOG-101 Physical Geography 4 Area Areas B1, Areas 5A, Yr2, I B3 5C Fall Core GEOG-106 Economic Geography: 3 Area Area D Area 4 Yr2, Resources and Society s II, Fall VI Elective ENVS-103 The Environment and 3 Area Area D Area 4 Yr1, Humans s II, Spring VI Elective ENVS-105 Energy: The Environment, 3 Area Area D Area 4 Yr2, Humans, and II Spring Elective ENVS-107 Food, Culture, and the 3 Area Area D Area 4 Yr2, Environment s I, II Spring Elective ENVS-109 Sustainable Urban Design 3 Area Areas D, E Area 4 Yr1, and the Environment II Spring Elective ENVS-110 : Science, 3 Area Area D Area 5A Yr2, The Environment, and s I, II Spring Society

Required Major Total: 22-23 units Completion of Local GE, CSU GE Breadth, or IGETC pattern: 28-39 units Double counting: 9-16 units Transferable electives: 7-16 units Total Units: 60 units

Proposed Sequence: Year 1, Fall = 6-7 units Year 1, Spring = 6 units Year 2, Fall = 7 units Year 2, Spring = 3 TOTAL UNITS = 22–23 units

Item 4: Master Planning

The field of environmental studies addresses various interdisciplinary relationships by providing the flexibility necessary for students to explore the social, cultural, and scientific issues pertaining to the environment. As such, the program at Ohlone College tries to prepare students in a variety of introductory social science, humanities, and natural science courses. This certificate fits into Ohlone’s master plan by allowing students to complete general education requirements. Students will learn the importance of balancing human needs with the preservation of a functional .

3 To minimize human impact and move toward more sustainable practices, students will learn to understand the causes of environmental change and the complex interactions within ecosystems.

Item 5: Enrollment and Completer Projections

Data from school years Course # Sect Enrollment # Sect Enrollment 2017-2018 2017-2018 2019-2020 2019-2020 ENVS-108 Introduction to the 9 320 10 379 Environment ENVS-142 Environmental Biology 2 33 1 21 GEOG-101 Physical Geography 6 197 7 205 GEOG-106 Economic Geography: 1 21 1 31 Resources and Society ENVS-103 The Environment and 1 18 1 35 Human Health ENVS-105 Energy: The Environment, 1 15 1 37 Humans, and Sustainability ENVS-107 Food, Culture, and the 1 24 1 27 Environment ENVS-109 Sustainable Urban Design 1 35 1 32 and the Environment ENVS-110 Climate Change: Science, 2 33 2 75 The Environment, and Society ENVS-112 Environmental Racism and NA NA NA NA Justice

Item 6: Place of Program in Curriculum

There are no programs that need to be changed or made inactive in connection with approval of the proposed program. It does not replace any of the college’s existing programs.

Item 7: Similar Programs at other colleges in Service Area

Chabot College, AA in Environmental Studies

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