Lead Faculty: Dr. Dzung T. Nguyen
The Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science and Policy degree explores the complex relationships between atmospheric, hydrologic, geological, and ecological systems and human activities in a systematic way. This is accomplished by examining these interactions from a variety of perspectives, including the social sciences, the humanities, and the natural sciences.
The B.S. in Environmental Science and Policy degree provides excellent training for careers with agencies responsible for environmental protection and natural resources use, consulting firms, and those seeking opportunities for graduate studies.
Program Outcomes:
Upon completing the B.S. in Environmental Science and Policy, students will be able to examine environmental issues from an interdisciplinary perspective. They should be able to:
Students who have completed the major will also be able to appreciate and examine a problem at a variety of scales, from local to global. Finally, through their work in the capstone seminar course, they will have had the practical experience of working on a few focus issues in a collaborative way, simulating the real-world give-and-take-among parties with different interests and perspectives on environmental questions.
The College of Letters and Sciences is committed to the complete academic development of its students. Consequently, where practical, all mathematics and science courses are writing-intensive and incorporate a diversity component. Please note that all mathematics and science courses contain a critical thinking component by their very nature.
To receive a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Sciences and Policy degree, students must complete at least 180 quarter units as articulated below, 45 of which must be completed in residence at National University and 76.5 of which must be completed at the upper-division level. In the absence of transfer credit, additional general electives may be necessary to satisfy total units for the degree. Refer to the section on undergraduate admission procedures for specific information regarding admission and evaluation.
To prepare for a major in Environmental Science and Policy, students must demonstrate proficiency in the fundamental concepts of life sciences, earth sciences, and mathematics through successful completion of the following courses. Some of these courses may also be used to satisfy general education requirements.
Preparation for the Major (12 courses; 45 quarter units):
SCI 100 - Survey of Bioscience*
SCI 100A - Survey of Bioscience Laboratory (1.5 quarter units)*
(Prerequisite: SCI 100)
SCI 101 - Introduction to Chemistry*
(Recommended: Prior completion of MTH 204 or MTH 215 or MTH 216A/B)
SCI 101A - Introduction to Chemistry Laboratory (1.5 quarter units)*
(Prerequisite: SCI 101)
SCI 103 - Fundamentals of Geology*
SCI 103A - Fundamentals of Geology Laboratory (1.5 quarter units)*
(Prerequisite: SCI 103)
COM 200 - Effective Communication*
SCI 300 - Geography: Mapping the World*
CIS 301 - Management Info Systems
COM 422 - Technical Writing and Presentation (Prerequisite: ENG 334A)
MTH 210 - Introduction to Probability and Statistics*
(Prerequisites: Placement Evaluation)
MTH 215 - College Algebra and Trigonometry*
(Prerequisite: Placement Evaluation)
or
MTH 216A - College Algebra and Trigonometry I*
(Prerequisite: Placement Evaluation)
and
MTH 216B - College Algebra and Trigonometry II* (Prerequisite: Placement Evaluation)
*May be used to satisfy general education requirements.
Requirements for the Major (12 courses; 54 quarter units):
MTH 317 - Mathematical Modeling (Prerequisites: MTH 215 or MTH 216A/B and MTH 210)
SCI 303 - Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Remote Sensing in Natural Resources.
SCI 330 - Ecology
SCI 322 - Oceanography
SCI 335 - Environmental Science
SCI 336 - Natural Resources, Conservation, Economics, and Policy
SCI 337 - Environmental Law, Policy and Sustainability
PHL 375 - Environmental Ethics (Prerequisites: ENG 100/101)
SCI 411 - Biodiversity (Recommended: prior completion of SCI 100 and 100A, or equivalent)
SCI 491A - Senior Seminars and Capstone Project in Environmental Studies I
(Select a seminar series from the following list)
A. Wildlife Management
B. Desert /Xeric Watershed Management
C. Riparian Ecology and Management
D. Waste Water Management
E. Environmental Impact Report (EIR) process and preparation
F. Urban Open Space Management (canyons, vernal pools, housing corridors, etc.)
G. Land use, zoning, development and mitigation process
H. GIS/ Remote Sensing/ Electronic Tracking Data bases
SCI 491B - Senior Seminars and Capstone Project in Environmental Studies II
(Select a seminar series from the following list. It must be a different topic from the one in SCI 491A)
A. Wildlife Management
B. Desert /Xeric Watershed Management
C. Riparian Ecology and Management
D. Waste Water Management
E. Environmental Impact Report (EIR) process and preparation
F. Urban Open Space Management (canyons, vernal pools, housing corridors, etc.)
G. Land use, zoning, development and mitigation process
H. GIS/ Remote Sensing/ Electronic Tracking Data bases
SCI 492 Agency Internship/Project in Environmental Science and Policy
Upper-Division Electives (2 courses; 9 quarter units):
Students may select only 300-, 400-, or 500-level courses in the College of Letters and Sciences to complete the total of 76.5 upper-division units for the degree. Some of the suggested upper-division courses are:
ENG 375 - Nature Writing (Prerequisites: ENG 100/101)
SCI 405 - Introduction to Cell and Molecular Biology
(Recommended: prior completion of SCI 100 & 100A, or equivalent)
and
SCI 405A - Introduction to Cell and Molecular Biology Laboratory (1.5 quarter units)
(Prerequisite: SCI 405)
SCI 450 - Natural History of California: A Field Course
PHL 336 - Philosophy of Science (Prerequisites: ENG 100/101)
GLS 420 - Ecological Revolutions: Economics, Technology and the Global Environment
(Prerequisite: ENG 240)
National University is an affiliate of the National University System.