Environmental Science & Technology
There are three interrelated pathways that prospective students should consider. Each pathway has different math and science requirements:
The Associate of Science degree in Environmental Science is designed to provide students with the theoretical knowledge and the technical skills needed for major prep and transfer into a variety of scientific and environmental disciplines. With an interdisciplinary program of study, students will gain understanding of environmental science components, processes, and issues. *Students should be prepared to start a program of study that includes the Chemistry and Calculus course sequence.
The Associate of Arts degree in Environmental Studies is designed for students who are interested in solving environmental problems from an interdisciplinary perspective, linking the natural and social sciences. Students will be able to understand the scientific basis for environmental decision making and the legal, economic, and political issues involved in management of the environment. Students should be prepared to take Statistics.
The Environmental Science and Technology Certificates at Lake Tahoe Community College are designed to provide opportunities to learn fundamental skills in the field of environmental science. Coursework is designed to provide students with the theoretical knowledge and the technical skills needed for entry-level employment in a variety of environmental fields; to improve chances of employability or job placement opportunities; to provide skills training that may result in wage progression; and/or prepare students for continued study leading to a more advanced certificate or degree.
A. GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
B. REQUIRED COURSES: 37- 37.75 units distributed as follows:
1. All courses from the following (5 units):
EVS 101L Environmental Science Lab (1)
BIO 101 Principles of Biology I (5)
BIO 102 Principles of Biology II (5)
BIO 103 Principles of Biology III (5)
BIO 110 Introduction to Cell and Molecular Biology (5)
BIO 111 Introduction to Plant and Animal Biology (5)
BIO 149 Ecology (5)
BIO 201 Botany (5)
BIO 212 Zoology (5)
CHM 100 Introduction to General Chemistry (5)
CHM 101 General Chemistry I (5.75)
PHS 102 Survey of Concepts in Chemistry and Physics (5)
CHM 103 General Chemistry III (5.75)
ECO 101 Principles of Economics - Macro (4)
ECO 102 Principles of Economics - Micro (4)
EVS 106 Environmental Field Methods (2.5)
EVS 110 California Naturalist Program ( 4.5)
EVS 133 Internship Occupational Work Experience (1-6)
GEG 101 Physical Geography (5)
GEG 102 Human Geography (4)
GEG 103 World Regional Geography (4)
GEG 107 Water Quality Monitoring of Streams and Lakes (2.5)
GEG 108 Water Resources (4)
GEG 113 Meteorology (4)
GEG 134/CIS 135A ArcGIS Online (3.5)
GEL 103 History of Life and Earth (5)
MAT 118 Calculus for Business and Social Science (5)
PHS 117 Oceanography (5)
A. GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
B. REQUIRED COURSES: 60.25-63.25 units distributed as follows:
1. All courses from the following (37.25 units):
CHM 101, 102, & 103 (17.25)
EVS 101 Environmental Science (4)
EVS 101L Environmental Science Lab (1)
MAT 105, 106, 107 (15)
2. Select 15-18 units from one of the following disciplines:
BIO 101, 102, & 103 (15)
PHY 104, 105, & 106 (15)
PHY 107, 108, 207 (18)
3. A minimum of 8 units from the following:
ECO 101 Principles of Economics - Macro (4)
ECO 102 Principles of Economics - Micro (4)
EVS 106 Environmental Field Methods (2.5)
EVS 133 Internship Occupational Work Experience (1-6)
GEG 101 Physical Geography (5)
GEG 102 Human Geography (4)
GEG 103 World Regional Geography (4)
GEG 108 Water Resources (4)
GEG 113 Meteorology (4)
GEG 134/CIS 135A ArcGIS Online (3.5)
GEG 135/CIS 135B ArcGIS Desktop (3.5)
GEL 102 Physical Geology (5)
GEL 103 History of Life and Earth (5)
MAT 201 Elementary Statistics (5)
PHS 117 Oceanography (5)
C. ELECTIVE UNITS to bring the total to 90.
REQUIRED COURSES: 28-30.75 units distributed as follows:
- All courses from the following (5 units):
EVS 101 Environmental Science (4)
EVS 101L Environmental Science Lab (1)
- A minimum of 5 units from the following:
CHM 100 Introduction to General Chemistry (5)
CHM 101 General Chemistry I (5.75)
PHS 102 Survey of Concepts in Chemistry and Physics (5)
- A minimum of 10 units from the following:
EVS 106 Environmental Field Methods (2.5)
EVS 133 Internship Occupational Work Experience (1-6)
GEG 107 Water Quality Monitoring of Streams and Lakes (2.5)
GEG 134/CIS 135A ArcGIS Online (3.5)
GEG 135/CIS 135B ArcGIS Desktop (3.5)
- Two courses (not already used above) from the following (8-10.75 units):
BIO 101 Principles of Biology I (5)
BIO 149 Ecology (5)
BIO 201 Botany (5)
BIO 212 Zoology (5)
CHM 101 General Chemistry I (5.75)
GEG 101 Physical Geography (5)
GEG 108 Water Resources (4)
GEG 113 Meteorology (4)
GEL 102 Physical Geology (5)
MAT 201 Elementary Statistics (5)
PHS 117 Oceanography (5)
PHY 104 General Physics I (5)
A Foundational Skills Certificate will be awarded upon completion of a minimum of
13.5 units distributed as follows:
1. All courses from the following (8.5):
EVS 101 Environmental Science (4)
EVS 101L Environmental Science Lab (1)
GEG 134/CIS 135A ArcGIS Online (3.5)
2. A minimum of 5 units from the following:
BIO 113 Field Methods in Wildlife Ecology (4)
EVS 106 Environmental Field Methods (2.5)
EVS 110 California Naturalist Program (4.5)
GEG 107 Water Quality Monitoring of Streams and Lakes (2.5)
GEG 135/CIS 135B ArcGIS Desktop (3.5)
The California Naturalist Certificate (offered by University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources) is awarded to students who fulfill the requirements outlined in EVS 110 (a course offered at LTCC every spring term).
Students are required to devote at least 8 hours to a class project that benefits LTCC and enhances educational opportunities for future naturalists and local residents. Course presentations are publicly available through LTCC's "Naturalist Library."
This list is not exhaustive, but it provides an idea of the job opportunities out there for Environmental Science & Technology students.
- Agricultural Technologist
- Air Quality Inspector
- Aquaculturalist
- Arborist
- Botanist
- Community Developer
- Conservation Biologist
- Conservation Officer
- Ecologist
- Eco-tourism Operator
- Environmental Analyst
- Environmental Communicator
- Environmental Educator
- Environmental Engineer
- Environmental Land Consultant
- Environmental Lawyer
- Environmental Manager
- Environmental Planner
- Environmental Scientist
- Field Guide
- Fisheries Consultant
- Forest Resource Officer
- Geologist
- GIS Analyst
- Hazardous Waste Manager
- Hydrologist
- Journalist
- Land Surveyor
- Land Use Planner
- Lobbyist
- Materials Tester
- Media Correspondent
- Meteorologist
- Mining Consultant
- Non-profit Administrator
- Oceanographer
- Park Ranger
- Policy Advisor
- Political Advisor
- Professor
- Remote Sensing Specialist
- Researcher
- Soil Scientist
- Sustainability Development Manager
- Teacher
- Treatment Plant Operator
- Urban Planner
- Water Quality Inspector
- Wildlife Conservationist
Some of these career choices may require additional education or preparation in the form of graduate studies, experiential education, or professional formative courses and exams.
There are A NUMBER OF STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS that you can apply for each spring. Scholarships make it possible to earn money for college that does not ever need to be repaid. While some of LTCC's scholarships are competitive, there is a wide variety available you can apply for for free that are awarded based on all kinds of qualities and interests.
Have a question?
We’re just a call or email away:
Lake Tahoe Community College
One College Drive
South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150
enrollment@ltcc.edu
(530) 541-4660 x 211
