Program: Environmental Sciences, B.S. - San Diego State University

May 05, 2025

2025-2026 University Catalog

(Major Code: 49011) (Academic Plan Code: 777001BSS)

All candidates for a degree in Applied Arts and Sciences must complete the graduation requirements listed in the section of this catalog on “Graduation Requirements .” Individual master plans are filed with both the Environmental Sciences adviser and the Office of the Registrar.

A minor is not required with this major.

Impacted Program

The Environmental Sciences major is an impacted program. To be admitted to the Environmental Sciences major, students must meet the following criteria:

Complete preparation for the major;
Complete a minimum of 60 transferable semester units;
Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0.

To complete the major, students must fulfill the degree requirements for the major described in the catalog in effect at the time they are accepted into the premajor at SDSU (assuming continuous enrollment).

Preparation for the Major

(31 units)

ENV S 100 - Environmental Sciences Units: 3
also listed as
SUSTN 100 - Environmental Sciences Units: 3
and
GEOL 101 - Dynamics of the Earth Laboratory Units: 1
or
GEOL 100 - Planet Earth Units: 3
and
GEOL 101
or
GEOL 104 - Earth Science Units: 3
and
GEOL 101
or
GEOG 101 - Earth’s Physical Environment Units: 3
and
GEOL 101
or
OCEAN 100 - The Ocean Planet Units: 4
BIOL 215 - Biostatistics Units: 3
or
STAT 250 - Statistical Principles and Practices Units: 3
CHEM 200 - General Chemistry Units: 5
GEOL 205 - Earth System History Units: 4
GEOL 210 - GIS and Remote Sensing in the Earth and Environmental Sciences Units: 3
BIOL 203 - Principles of Cell and Molecular Biology Units: 3
BIOL 203L - Principles of Cell and Molecular Biology Laboratory Units: 1

Select one Calculus and Physics Sequence:

MATH 124 - Calculus for the Life Sciences Units: 4
PHYS 180A - Fundamentals of Physics Units: 3
PHYS 182A - Physical Measurements Laboratory Units: 1
or
MATH 150 - Calculus I Units: 4
PHYS 195 - Principles of Physics Units: 3
PHYS 195L - Principles of Physics Laboratory Units: 1

Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement

Complete one of the approved upper division writing courses (W) with a grade of C (2.0) or better. See “Graduation Requirements ” section for a complete listing of requirements.

Major

A minimum of 37 upper-division units to include

GEOL 300 - Data Analysis in the Earth and Environmental Sciences I Units: 3
ENV S 301 - Energy and the Environment Units: 3
GEOG 591 - Remote Sensing of Environment Units: 3
GEOG 591L - Remote Sensing of Environment Laboratory Units: 1
ENV S 498A - Senior Seminar in Environmental Sciences Units: 3
ENV S 498B - Senior Seminar in Environmental Sciences Units: 3

21 Units of Approved Upper-Division Major Electives

Students are encouraged to meet with their major adviser to develop an intentional suite of upper-division elective courses that will support their career aspirations, and some recommended thematic area are provided below. Note that some of the listed major elective courses have required prerequisites and some courses may not be offered on a regular basis. No more than three major electives may come from GE Exploration courses.

Environmental Sciences, B.S.

Impacted Program

Preparation for the Major

Select one Calculus and Physics Sequence:

Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement

Major

21 Units of Approved Upper-Division Major Electives

Climate and Energy

Coastal Environments and Resources

Environmental Restoration, Conservation, and Management

Health and the Environment

Land, Water, and Food Security

Additional Upper-Divisional Elective Options