The policy emphasis is designed for students interested in the study of the interface between environmental science and the policy process. The interdisciplinary curriculum (lower-division core of math and science, together with courses in environmental policy, economics, systems, and research /analysis methods) provides students the knowledge, understanding, tools and strategies to participate more effectively in the political system, in order to integrate science into the policy process. The program focuses on identification, analysis and developing innovative approaches and solutions to environmental problems. Through case studies and community activities, students learn to understand conflicting values, develop constituencies and negotiate solutions for policy implementation. The program prepares students for positions in research, administrative and advocacy positions in all sectors. It also lays the foundation for graduate school in science and environmental policy and/or law.
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Course
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Course Title |
Prerequisites |
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MLO
#1: QUANTITATIVE FOUNDATIONS: Students must be able to apply
the fundamental
mathematical and statistical constructs used to
communicate quantitative information within the context of Earth System
Science and Policy. |
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Each
of the following courses: |
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MATH 150 |
Calculus I |
MATH 130 |
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MATH 151 |
Calculus II |
MATH 150 |
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STAT 200 OR 250 |
Statistics course approved by your
advisor |
variable |
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MLO
#2: EARTH SYSTEMS SCIENCE & POLICY FOUNDATIONS: Students
must be able to apply basic scientific principles and methods to the study of
a) major physical and life science components of the earth system, including
the atmosphere, biosphere, geosphere, and hydrosphere, as well as the
chemical and physical processes underlying these components and b) human
components of the earth system including the social, economic, and political
structures that shape our interactions without environment. |
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Each
of the following courses: |
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CHEM 110 |
Chemistry I |
MATH 130 (concurrent OK) |
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CHEM 111 |
Chemistry II |
CHEM 110 |
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PHYS 220 |
Physics I |
CHEM 111, MATH 150 |
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BIO 240 |
Biology I: Ecology, Evolution &
Biodiversity |
CHEM 110, MATH 130 |
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GEOL 260 |
Geology and Hydrology |
CHEM 110, MATH 130 |
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ESSP 271 |
The Oceans |
MATH 99 |
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ESSP 272 |
The Atmosphere |
MATH 99 |
ESSP 283 |
Politics & the Environment
|
None |
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ESSP 284 |
Environmental Economics & Management |
MATH 150 |
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MLO
#3: NATURAL SCIENCE COMPETENCY Students
must be able to understand, use, and accurately communicate advanced
scientific concepts. |
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ESSP 31X, 34X, or 36X |
Upper division science course
approved by your advisor |
See catalog for prerequisites |
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MLO
#4: POLICY COMPETENCY: Students
must understand and accurately communicate state, federal, and local
political structures and processes and their relationships, as well as
landmark environmental laws and regulations. |
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One
of the following courses: |
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ESSP 386 |
Science, the Environment, and the
Political Process |
ESSP 283, instructor consent |
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MLO
#5: DATA ACQUISITION, ANALYSIS, AND DISPLAY Demonstrate
proficiency with current technologies for acquiring, analyzing, and
displaying data relevant to a real-world problem. |
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ESSP 332 |
Intro to Geographic Information
Systems (GIS) and Global Positioning Systems
(GPS) |
CST 101 or ESSP 300L |
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MLO
#6 SYSTEMS APPROACH TO ENVIRONMENTAL
DECISION MAKING: Students must be able to apply general systems
theory, systems modeling, stakeholder analysis, cost/benefit analysis or
other interdisciplinary analysis tools to evaluate the equitability and the
effectiveness of alternative environmental decisions, policies, or actions. |
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One
of the following courses: |
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ESSP 301 |
Ecosystems Services: Scientific and
Economic Analyses |
MATH 150, BIO 240, ESSP284, recommend BIO 340 |
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ESSP 303L |
California Transect |
BIO 240, GEOL 260, instructor consent |
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ESSP 309 |
The Science & Policy of Global
Change |
BIO 240, GEOL 260, ESSP 283 |
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MLO
#7: AREA OF CONCENTRATION: Students must be able to apply
advanced knowledge and skills in a chosen area of Earth System Science
&Policy. |
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Group
I. Economic Analysis: |
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ESSP 380 |
Environmental and Resource
Economics |
ESSP 284, Math 151 |
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Group
II. Advanced Concentration –Both of
the following: |
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ESSP 486 |
Coastal Zone Management |
ESSP 386 |
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One
additional policy course approved by your advisor |
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MLO #8: SCIENTIFIC INQUIRY: Students must use the scientific method to design, conduct, and
interpret natural science and/or social science investigations, and
understand the ethical norms that guide scientific practice |
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One
of the following courses: |
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SBS 366 |
Research Methods in Social and
Behavioral Sciences |
STAT 200 |
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MLO
#9: EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION: Students must present clearly
(in both written and oral formats) analyses of complex Earth Systems Science
& Policy issues. |
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Each of the following courses |
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ESSP 300 |
Reading, Writing, and Critical
Thinking in ESSP |
ENGCOM A |
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ESSP400,403 |
Capstone I and II Seminars |
ESSP 300 |
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MLO
#10: SERVICE LEARNING: Student must demonstrate the ability to combine
disciplinary knowledge and community experiences to share the relevance and
importance of science with culturally, linguistically, technologically, and economically
diverse populations in the context of issues of social responsibility,
justice, diversity and compassion. |
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One
of the following courses: |
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ESSP 349S |
Interpreting Monterey Bay Natural
History for the Community |
BIO 240 |
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ESSP 369S |
Community-Based Watershed
Restoration Service Learning |
upper division standing |
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ESSP 384S |
Environmental Justice &
Environmental Policy Service Learning |
ENG COM A, instructor
consent |
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