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Environmental Science

Centralia College offers two degree tracks for students interested in environmental science.

environmental science icon

Track 1 - Associate in Arts Degree

Degree: Associate in Arts

Emphasis: Environmental Studies

The Associate in Arts degree with an emphasis
in Environmental Studies is intended for students who
plan a career in an environmental field in areas such as environmental policy and law, urban planning, environmental ethics, and environmental advocacy.

Track 1 Education Plan

Notes for Students

Select three Social Science distribution classes, one class from each of the following disciplines:

  • ANTH& 100, OR 206, OR 225, OR GEOG& 200
  • ECON& 202 OR ECON& 201
  • POLS& 101 OR POLS& 202

Select Humanities distribution classes from the following:

  • CMST& 220, PHIL& 101
  • Plus five (5) credits of foreign language or other Humanities distribution. Additional Natural Science distribution classes are recommended for electives: BIOL& 221, 222, 223; BOTA 113, 150; GEOG 201, and GEOL 108, 208

Fall Quarter

  • BIOL& 100 Survey of Biology - 5 credits
  • ENGL& 101 English Composition I - 5 credits
  • Humanities Distribution - 5 credits

Winter Quarter

  • ENVS& 100 Survey of Environmental Science - 5 credits
  • Social Science Distribution - 5 credits
  • Elective - 5 credits

Spring Quarter

  • ENGL& 102 Composition II - 5 credits
  • CHEM& 121 Introduction to Chemistry - 5 credits
  • Humanities Distribution - 5 credits

Fall Quarter

  • GEOL& 101 Introduction to Physical Geology - 5 credits
  • MATH& 146 Introduction to Statistics - 5 credits
  • Social Science Distribution - 5 credits

Winter Quarter

  • HLTH 130 Health & Wellness - 3 credits
  • Social Science Distribution - 5 credits
  • Electives - 7 credits

Spring Quarter

  • Humanities Distribution - 5 credits
  • Electives - 10 credits

 

Track 2 - Associate in Science Degree

Degree: Associate in Science

Emphasis: Environmental Science

The Associate in Science degree with an emphasis in Environmental Science is intended for students who plan a career as a scientist or technician in an environmental field such as conservation biology, environmental chemistry, environmental geology, energy resources, environmental planning, agro- ecology or atmospheric sciences.

Track 2 Education Plan

Fall Quarter

  • CHEM& 161 General Chemistry w/Lab I - 6 credits
  • ENGL& 101 English Composition I - 5 credits
  • ENVS& 100 Survey of Environmental Science - 5 credits

Winter Quarter

  • CHEM& 162 General Chemistry w/Lab II - 6 credits
  • GEOL& 101 Introduction to Physical Geology - 5 credits
  • MATH& 142 Pre-Calculus II - 5 credits

Spring Quarter

  • CHEM& 163 General Chemistry w/Lab III - 6 credits
  • ECON& 201 Microeconomics - 5 credits
  • MATH& 151 Calculus I - 5 credits

Fall Quarter

  • BIOL& 221 Majors Ecology/Evolution - 5 credits
  • MATH& 152 Calculus II - 5 credits
  • PHYS& 221 - Engineering Physics I - 5 credits

Winter Quarter

  • BIOL& 221 Majors Cell/Molecular - 5 credits
  • MATH& 146 Introduction to Statistics OR MATH& 163 Calculus III - 5 credits
  • CMST& 220 Public Speaking - 5 credits

Spring Quarter

  • BIOL& 223 Majors Organismal Physiology - 5 credits
  • HLTH 130 Health & Wellness - 3 credits
  • Humanities or Social Science Distribution - 5 credits

 

Environmental Science Classes

ENVS 100 - Survey of Environmental Science Lab

Field experience in environmental science. Visit local environments, both natural and human-dominated, ranging from old growth forests to floodplain restoration sites to recycling, forestry and organic farming operations. Includes two Saturday field trips.

ENVS& 100 - Survey of Environmental Science

An interdisciplinary course for both non-science majors and beginning science students. Topics include biodiversity, climate, pollution, energy, and food. Students cannot receive credit for both ENVS& 100 and ENVS& 101.

ENVS& 101 - Introduction to Environmental Science w/Lab

An interdisciplinary course for non-science majors and beginning science students. Topics include biodiversity, climate, pollution, energy and food. Independent laboratories and field trips included. Students cannot receive credit for Both ENVS& 100 and ENVS& 101. 

ENVS 120 - Watersheds: Connecting Mountains to the Sea

Investigate interconnections among geology, hydrology, biological diversity, ecology, human impacts and development along local rivers from headwaters to the ocean. General concepts presented in lectures are illustrated during day-long weekend field trips over rough terrain. 

ENVS 170 - Natural Resources Management

What are Pacific Northwest forests, fishes and wildlife? Learn some common species, historical human uses, what policies drive their management, how to conserve them for future use, and how to plan for a career in the field. 

CONTACT

Dr. Lisa Carlson (she/her/hers)
Professor of Biology
Office: WSC 318 C
360-623-8370
Email Dr. Lisa Carlson