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Environmental Science Courses

These listings are sourced from Curricunet, and some courses may not be offered every semester. For additional information, contact the academic department, speak with counseling or refer to the current Class Schedule and College Catalog.

ENSC 10 - Humans and the Environment    ( 3.00 - Units )
Identification of problems created by humans’ modification of their environment by focusing on ecological interactions involving the human species; investigating the life processes of organisms as they relate to specific environments. Environmental Science 10, 11, and 12 may be combined for a maximum of 4 units.

Student Learning Outcomes (SLO)
  1. Students will clearly communicate how environmental science principles relate to real-world occurrences and explain how environmental science practices can be integrated into everyday life.
  2. Students will describe how human industrialization and urbanization has affected local ecosystems, including their biotic and abiotic factors, biodiversity and ecological interactions.
  3. Students will be able to use verbal, written and illustrative means to communicate their understanding of environmental science concepts.

ENSC 11 - Humans and the Environment with Laboratory    ( 4.00 - Units )
Identification of problems created by humans’ modification of their environment by focusing on ecological interactions involving the human species; investigating the life processes of organisms as they relate to specific environments. Includes basic ecological concepts, evolution, biodiversity, human population growth, environmental policy, water, land and energy resources. Environmental Science 10, 11, and 12 may be combined for a maximum of 4 units. (Formerly Ecology 11)

Student Learning Outcomes (SLO)
  1. Students will clearly communicate how environmental science principles relate to real-world occurrences and explain how environmental science practices can be integrated into everyday life.
  2. Students will describe how human industrialization and urbanization has affected local ecosystems, including their biotic and abiotic factors, biodiversity and ecological interactions.
  3. Students will be able to use verbal, written and illustrative means to communicate their understanding of environmental science concepts and laboratory methods.

ENSC 12 - Current Issues in Environmental Science    ( 3.00 - Units )
Identification of problems created by humans’ modification of their environment by focusing on ecological interactions involving the human species. Introduction of fundamental concepts of matter, energy, and ecology with emphasis on application of these concepts to a range of contemporary environmental issues including human population growth, resource use, pollution and global change. Environmental Science 10, 11, and 12 may be combined for a maximum of 4 units.

Student Learning Outcomes (SLO)
  1. Apply environmental principles to everyday occurrences, social issues, or novel situations.
  2. Communicate environmental concepts by written, verbal and graphical/illustrative means.
  3. Students will use and develop competency with standard techniques of bio-sciences, (make and interpret graphs, interpret data).

ENSC 14 - California Fire Ecology    ( 3.00 - Units )
This class will explore how the ecosystems of California are adapted to fire, historical and contemporary indigenous land management practices that use fire, and the roles of colonization and government policies in changing fire regimes in California. This class will also discuss the possible causes and solutions for the recent catastrophic wildfires that have occurred in California

Student Learning Outcomes (SLO)
  1. identify and discuss the potential ecosystem benefits of integrating indigenous fire practices into modern techniques for managing fire in California landscapes.
  2. describe the role of climate change in recent catastrophic wildfires;
  3. identify fire characteristics in case studies of California wildfires and describe their specific effects on the ecosystems in fire-affected regions;

ENSC 15L - Agroecology Laboratory    ( 1.00 - Units )
Laboratory exercises developed as an adjunct to ENSC 15 (Agroecology). Practical applications of ecological concepts and principles to the design and management of sustainable food systems. Investigation of abiotic factors and organisms that make up agroecosystems. Examination of gardens, farms and the local food system.

Student Learning Outcomes (SLO)
  1. Students will apply the principles and philosophies of science to developing and maintaining food crops.
  2. Students will demonstrate competency with sustainable techniques used in raising food crops.
  3. Students will describe the systematics and life cycles of plants, their interactions with other species and integrated pest management
  4. Students will express their understanding of agroecological concepts by verbal, written and graphic/illustrative means.

ENSC 15 - Agroecology    ( 3.00 - Units )
Principles of the ecology of sustainable food systems. The environmental impact of agriculture, types of agriculture, soil science, plant structure, reproduction, development and growth and plants' interactions with other organisms. The interactions of culture, human population growth, and major environmental challenges in the transition to sustainable agriculture and food systems Designed for non-majors in environmental science.

Student Learning Outcomes (SLO)
  1. Students will describe the structures, functions and interactions of abiotic factors and organisms at all levels of organization in agroecosystems.
  2. Students will express their understanding of agroecological concepts by verbal, written and graphic/illustrative means.
  3. Students will describe the interactions of culture, human population growth and major environmental challenges in the transition to sustainable agriculture and food systems.