Degree Requirements and Courses
Learn more about certificate and degree requirements, course content, recommended sequence, and schedule.
Earth Sciences (AA)
The Earth Sciences degree includes many specialized disciplines such as Earth (Geologic), Atmospheric, Biologic, or Environmental Science.
Associate in arts | SC Program aa.1515
Earth History focuses on the geologic, biologic, oceanographic, and atmospheric history of Earth while relying on chemistry and physics to form a better understanding of our planet through time. Atmospheric Sciences focuses on interactions of the atmosphere with Earth’s surface (especially the influence of the oceans on weather and climate). Emphasis in this degree includes conservation sciences, environmental law and policy, systems ecology and marine ecology, watershed studies, archeology, and much more.
Choose your path
Map your education by viewing the program map for the degree or certificate you’re interested in earning below. Meet with a counselor to create your official comprehensive education plan.
A program map shows all the required and recommended courses you need to graduate and a suggested order in which you should take them. The suggested sequence of courses is based on enrollment and includes all major and general education courses required for the degree.
Fall Semester, First Year
14 Units TotalENGL 1A
GE
4
College Composition
ENGL 1A
Note: For students who would benefit from further instruction and individual support while taking their first college-transfer level English course, ENGL 1AX is a recommended alternative to ENGL 1A.
This course develops the reading, critical thinking, and writing skills necessary for academic success, emphasizing expository and argumentative writing as well as research and documentation skills. As a transferable course, it presupposes that students already have a substantial grasp of grammar, syntax, and organization, and that their writing is reasonably free from errors. A research paper is required for successful completion of the course. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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This course develops the reading, critical thinking, and writing skills necessary for academic success, emphasizing expository and argumentative writing as well as research and documentation skills. As a transferable course, it presupposes that students already have a substantial grasp of grammar, syntax, and organization, and that their writing is reasonably free from errors. A research paper is required for successful completion of the course. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
HIST 17A
GE
3
United States History
HIST 17A
Advisory: ENGL 1A with a grade of C or higher
This course is a survey of the history of the United States from Pre-Columbian Peoples to the end of Reconstruction. Topics include contact and settlement of America, the movement toward independence, the formation of a new nation and Constitution, westward expansion and manifest destiny, the causes and consequences of the Civil War, and Reconstruction. This course satisfies the CSU requirement for US History (US-1). This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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This course is a survey of the history of the United States from Pre-Columbian Peoples to the end of Reconstruction. Topics include contact and settlement of America, the movement toward independence, the formation of a new nation and Constitution, westward expansion and manifest destiny, the causes and consequences of the Civil War, and Reconstruction. This course satisfies the CSU requirement for US History (US-1). This course may be offered in a distance education format.
MATH 14
GE
4
Introduction to Statistics
MATH 14
This course is an introductory course in statistics designed to show the role of modern statistical methods in the process of decision making. Concepts are introduced by example rather than by rigorous mathematical theory. The following topics will be covered: measures of central tendency and dispersion, regression and correlation, probability, sampling distributions including the normal, t, and chi-square, statistical inference using confidence intervals and hypotheses testing. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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ESCI 17
M
Lab
3
Earth System Science
ESCI 17
Note: Required day field trips.
Earth is a dynamic planet, changing in response to natural processes within the atmosphere, geosphere, hydrosphere and biosphere. Modern science is now viewing the Earth system in its entirety, the sum of its parts, in an effort to understand how processes in one sphere impact those in another. This course stresses the inter-relationships of these systems and reviews natural cycles and positive and negative feedback pathways that operate over various time scales to affect global environmental change. The impact of civilization on the Earth system is also analyzed as the course considers pollution, over population, global warming, deforestation, desertification, resource depletion, and biologic extinctions along with solutions developed within sustainable concepts and practices. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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Earth is a dynamic planet, changing in response to natural processes within the atmosphere, geosphere, hydrosphere and biosphere. Modern science is now viewing the Earth system in its entirety, the sum of its parts, in an effort to understand how processes in one sphere impact those in another. This course stresses the inter-relationships of these systems and reviews natural cycles and positive and negative feedback pathways that operate over various time scales to affect global environmental change. The impact of civilization on the Earth system is also analyzed as the course considers pollution, over population, global warming, deforestation, desertification, resource depletion, and biologic extinctions along with solutions developed within sustainable concepts and practices. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
Spring Semester, First Year
17 Units TotalCMST 60
GE
3
Public Speaking
CMST 60
This course is an introduction to the process of human communication with an emphasis on public speaking. The subjects covered are speech topic selection, audience analysis, information competency (e.g. researching, evaluating, and using supporting materials), presentation outlining, principles of effective speech delivery, critical evaluation of speeches, and presentation of informative and persuasive speeches. Most students will have the opportunity to be recorded and to use presentational technology. College-level writing skills will be expected on all papers, outlines, and short essays. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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HLTH 1
GE
3
Health and Wellness
HLTH 1
This course focuses upon those elements of human behavior which influence the health status of both the individual and the community. Topics include personal fitness, nutrition, sexuality, sexually transmitted diseases, and drug dependence, including alcohol and tobacco. Also included are topics dealing with lifestyle diseases, especially cancer, cardiovascular disease and lung disease. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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NHIS 65
M
1
Natural History of the Redwood Coast
NHIS 65
Note: Students must provide their own camping gear and food. The college supplies and requires bus transportation for no additional cost.
This course is a three day, two-night field trip with pre-trip introductory lectures on campus that explore the natural history of the coastal region of northern California. Students will explore the region and become familiar with the organisms and ecological interactions occurring in the various plant communities and intertidal zones.
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This course is a three day, two-night field trip with pre-trip introductory lectures on campus that explore the natural history of the coastal region of northern California. Students will explore the region and become familiar with the organisms and ecological interactions occurring in the various plant communities and intertidal zones.
ESCI 1
M
Lab
4
The Active Earth
ESCI 1
Note: Required field trips.
This course is an introduction to the physical processes that drive Earth as a dynamic planet. Both internal and external processes are considered as well as their inter-relationships. Discussion in the course will include Earth's internal structure, plate tectonics, minerals and rocks and their origins, surface processes, geologic structures such as faulting and folding, metamorphism, sedimentation, soil formation, geologic time including radiometric methods, geologic hazards such as earthquakes, volcanism, mass wasting, flooding, and the vital nature of Earth materials to society. Laboratory activities will focus on the application of classroom concepts and will include mineral and rock identification, geologic structures, topographic and geologic map use, use of remote imagery, recognition of landforms, geologic time, seismology, and volcanism. Lecture and laboratory will consider geologically produced and influenced natural resources, their exploitation, and concepts centered on sustainable uses. The lecture portion of this course may be offered in a distance education format.
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This course is an introduction to the physical processes that drive Earth as a dynamic planet. Both internal and external processes are considered as well as their inter-relationships. Discussion in the course will include Earth's internal structure, plate tectonics, minerals and rocks and their origins, surface processes, geologic structures such as faulting and folding, metamorphism, sedimentation, soil formation, geologic time including radiometric methods, geologic hazards such as earthquakes, volcanism, mass wasting, flooding, and the vital nature of Earth materials to society. Laboratory activities will focus on the application of classroom concepts and will include mineral and rock identification, geologic structures, topographic and geologic map use, use of remote imagery, recognition of landforms, geologic time, seismology, and volcanism. Lecture and laboratory will consider geologically produced and influenced natural resources, their exploitation, and concepts centered on sustainable uses. The lecture portion of this course may be offered in a distance education format.
BOT 1
M
Lab
4
General Botany
BOT 1
Advisory: BIOL 1 or BIOL 10 with a grade of C or higher
Note: This course includes required field trips that may extend past normal class times.
This Botany course is intended for science majors and covers comparative diversity, structure, and function of major plant and plant-like groups. Topics include plant development, morphology and physiology, taxonomy and systematics, ecology, and ethnobotany. This course may be taught in a distance education format.
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Note: This course includes required field trips that may extend past normal class times.
This Botany course is intended for science majors and covers comparative diversity, structure, and function of major plant and plant-like groups. Topics include plant development, morphology and physiology, taxonomy and systematics, ecology, and ethnobotany. This course may be taught in a distance education format.
ESCI 37
M
1.5
The Northern Califonia Coast
ESCI 37
This course is an introduction to the processes which have shaped and continue to shape northern California's coastline. This course is paired with ESCI 37L, a concurrent corequisite course that will culminate with a three-day overnight field trip that explores the northern California coast. ESCI 37 presents basic concepts in geology, as well as determining the geologic history of the coast. It will cover additional topics specific to the northern California coastline, such as hazards including earthquakes, tsunamis, landslides, and shore erosion, but extending into coastal oceanographic processes such as tidal processes, wave action and coastal currents, and even shoreline habitats as a reflection of the geology and climate. Other topics range from active mountain building to weather patterns and even climate. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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ESCI 37L
M
Lab
0.5
The Northern California Coast Lab
ESCI 37L
Note: This course includes a three-day, overnight field trip.
This course accompanies ESCI 37 and represents laboratory and field activities associated with the northern California coast, inclusive of a three-day, overnight field trip along this stretch of coast. This course supports the goal of understanding the geology and geologic history of the north coast, as well as oceanographic and climatologic qualities as they converge to define habitats. Coastal sites demonstrate these relationships, and lab sessions prior to the trip will focus on the application of ESCI 37 concepts. Field exercises will be conducted at various stops.
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This course accompanies ESCI 37 and represents laboratory and field activities associated with the northern California coast, inclusive of a three-day, overnight field trip along this stretch of coast. This course supports the goal of understanding the geology and geologic history of the north coast, as well as oceanographic and climatologic qualities as they converge to define habitats. Coastal sites demonstrate these relationships, and lab sessions prior to the trip will focus on the application of ESCI 37 concepts. Field exercises will be conducted at various stops.
Fall Semester, Second Year
15 Units TotalENGL 1C
Pre.
GE
3
Critical Reasoning, Reading, and Writing
ENGL 1C
This course focuses on critical thinking skills, close textual analysis, and expository and argumentative writing. Students apply critical thinking skills in reading non-fiction and fiction, and in writing essays of definition, cause/effect analysis, argumentation, refutation, and advocacy. Students will learn to use research strategies in analyzing others' ideas and supporting their own. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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ART 4
GE
3
World Art
ART 4
This is a survey of the visual arts of diverse ethnic and indigenous cultures with an emphasis on both historic and contemporary art. Explored are the Americas, Africa, and the Pacific Islands. Lectures are focused on the styles, motifs, symbols, rituals and traditions of the cultures by examining their crafts, drawings, sculpture, printmaking and paintings. This course is designed as a Humanities elective, recommended for Art Core Programs, and required for the Art History Concentration. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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HIST 3
GE
M
3
World Civilization: 1500 to Present
HIST 3
Advisory: ENGL 196 with a grade of C or higher, or English Placement Level 6
This course offers a survey of the development of the major civilizations of the world from 1500 to the present. The focus is on the political, economic, social, intellectual, and religious forces in Africa, the Americas, Asia, and Europe from 1500 to the present day. This course offers multiple perspectives of the dynamic interaction of peoples and cultures that shaped this era of world history. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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This course offers a survey of the development of the major civilizations of the world from 1500 to the present. The focus is on the political, economic, social, intellectual, and religious forces in Africa, the Americas, Asia, and Europe from 1500 to the present day. This course offers multiple perspectives of the dynamic interaction of peoples and cultures that shaped this era of world history. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
ESCI 6
GE
M
Lab
4
Ancient Life
ESCI 6
Note: Required day field trips.
This course is a survey of past life presented through geologic and biologic investigation. This course is interdisciplinary in nature and provides geologic background and evidence for the origination and evolution of life. Associated methodologies and concepts presented include geologic time and its measure, chemical and organic evolution, controls on evolution, cladistic analysis, ancient ecologic reconstruction, mass extinction and adaptive radiation, fossilization, and ancient geographic distributions of flora and fauna. Anatomical innovations that define major classes of organisms are traced through ancestor-descendant relationships. Laboratory exercises include processes of fossilization, fossil recognition, cladistic analysis, genetics, stratigraphy, reconstruction of ancient biologic communities, ancient geographic reconstruction through fossil information, functional morphology, mass extinction and adaptive radiation in the fossil record. The lecture portion of this course may be offered in a distance education format.
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This course is a survey of past life presented through geologic and biologic investigation. This course is interdisciplinary in nature and provides geologic background and evidence for the origination and evolution of life. Associated methodologies and concepts presented include geologic time and its measure, chemical and organic evolution, controls on evolution, cladistic analysis, ancient ecologic reconstruction, mass extinction and adaptive radiation, fossilization, and ancient geographic distributions of flora and fauna. Anatomical innovations that define major classes of organisms are traced through ancestor-descendant relationships. Laboratory exercises include processes of fossilization, fossil recognition, cladistic analysis, genetics, stratigraphy, reconstruction of ancient biologic communities, ancient geographic reconstruction through fossil information, functional morphology, mass extinction and adaptive radiation in the fossil record. The lecture portion of this course may be offered in a distance education format.
ESCI 32
M
1.5
The Northern Sierras
ESCI 32
Note: Required field trip.
As part of an introduction to the diverse character of the northern Sierras, this course is paired with ESCI 32L, a corequisite course that will culminate with a three-day overnight field trip that explores the northern Sierras. ESCI 32 will present basic concepts in geology as well as topics specific to the northern Sierras such as continental growth, multiple mountain building episodes and mountain building processes, pre-Cascades volcanism, river processes and their role in landscape development, glaciation and related geomorphology, and "mother-lode" economic geology. Weather patterns and climate are addressed especially in terms of water resources and climate change. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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As part of an introduction to the diverse character of the northern Sierras, this course is paired with ESCI 32L, a corequisite course that will culminate with a three-day overnight field trip that explores the northern Sierras. ESCI 32 will present basic concepts in geology as well as topics specific to the northern Sierras such as continental growth, multiple mountain building episodes and mountain building processes, pre-Cascades volcanism, river processes and their role in landscape development, glaciation and related geomorphology, and "mother-lode" economic geology. Weather patterns and climate are addressed especially in terms of water resources and climate change. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
ESCI 32L
M
Lab
0.5
The Northern Sierras Lab & Field Studies
ESCI 32L
Note: This course includes a three-day, overnight field trip.
This course accompanies ESCI 32 and represents laboratory and field activities associated with the northern Sierras, inclusive of a three-day, overnight field trip across this region. This course supports the goal of understanding the geology and geologic history of the northern section of the Sierra Nevada mountains, as well as economic and climatologic qualities as they converge to produce important needed resources and Alpine, foothill and even wetland and desert habitats. Field sites demonstrate these relationships, and lab sessions prior to the trip will focus on the application of ESCI 32 concepts in preparation for the field trip. Field exercises will be conducted at various stops.
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This course accompanies ESCI 32 and represents laboratory and field activities associated with the northern Sierras, inclusive of a three-day, overnight field trip across this region. This course supports the goal of understanding the geology and geologic history of the northern section of the Sierra Nevada mountains, as well as economic and climatologic qualities as they converge to produce important needed resources and Alpine, foothill and even wetland and desert habitats. Field sites demonstrate these relationships, and lab sessions prior to the trip will focus on the application of ESCI 32 concepts in preparation for the field trip. Field exercises will be conducted at various stops.
Spring Semester, Second Year
15 Units TotalETHS 1
GE
3
Introduction to Ethnic Studies
ETHS 1
Advisory: Essay-writing skills and eligibility to enroll in a transfer-level English Composition course
This course takes an interdisciplinary approach to the study of race and ethnicity in the United States. It examines social justice movements in relation to ethnic and racial groups in the United States to provide a basis for a better understanding of the socioeconomic, cultural, and political conditions among key social groups including, but not limited to, Native Americans, African Americans, Asian Americans, and Latina/o Americans. This course examines the systemic nature of racial/ethnic oppression through an examination of key concepts including racialization and ethnocentrism, with a specific focus on the persistence of white supremacy. Using an anti-racist framework, the course will examine historical and contemporary social movements dedicated to the decolonization of social institutions, resistance, and social justice. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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This course takes an interdisciplinary approach to the study of race and ethnicity in the United States. It examines social justice movements in relation to ethnic and racial groups in the United States to provide a basis for a better understanding of the socioeconomic, cultural, and political conditions among key social groups including, but not limited to, Native Americans, African Americans, Asian Americans, and Latina/o Americans. This course examines the systemic nature of racial/ethnic oppression through an examination of key concepts including racialization and ethnocentrism, with a specific focus on the persistence of white supremacy. Using an anti-racist framework, the course will examine historical and contemporary social movements dedicated to the decolonization of social institutions, resistance, and social justice. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
HUM 4
GE
3
Humanities Through the Film
HUM 4
This course is an examination of the motion picture as an art form. This course offers a concise introduction to the history of film against the broader changes in popular culture since the late nineteenth century. Students will see how elements of film can provide valuable insights into how movies communicate and convey meaning to their audiences using a unique network of techniques. Students will see how film, film genres, and developments within the film industry offer a first-hand look at how specific films illuminate important aspects of philosophical, historical, aesthetic, and social life and analyze how film connects with the larger world. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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POLS 2
GE
3
Introduction to American Government
POLS 2
Advisory: ENGL 1A or English Placement Level 7 or higher.
This course is an introduction to United States and California government and politics, including their constitutions, political institutions and processes, and political actors. An examination of political behavior, political issues, and public policy, this course satisfies the CSU requirement in U.S. Constitution and California State and local government (US-2 and US-3). This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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This course is an introduction to United States and California government and politics, including their constitutions, political institutions and processes, and political actors. An examination of political behavior, political issues, and public policy, this course satisfies the CSU requirement in U.S. Constitution and California State and local government (US-2 and US-3). This course may be offered in a distance education format.
ESCI 35
1.5
Lassen Volcanic National Park
ESCI 35
Note: Required overnight field trip.
This course is an introduction to Lassen Volcanic Park that is paired with ESCI 35L, a concurrent corequisite course that includes a three-day overnight field trip within and around the park. ESCI 35 is a lecture course and meetings will present geology, weather and climatology, ecology, and park history, with a particular focus on park geology and climatology. Basic concepts in geology needed to understand the geologic history of the park, as well as outcrops visited during the ESCI 35L field trip, its climatologic evolution, and modern ecology are also discussed, in addition to the historical development of the park. Featured topics will include volcanic processes and features, volcanic and geothermal hazards, geothermal potential, past glaciation, faulting, and modern seasonal ecology as driven by precipitation patters and spring systems. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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This course is an introduction to Lassen Volcanic Park that is paired with ESCI 35L, a concurrent corequisite course that includes a three-day overnight field trip within and around the park. ESCI 35 is a lecture course and meetings will present geology, weather and climatology, ecology, and park history, with a particular focus on park geology and climatology. Basic concepts in geology needed to understand the geologic history of the park, as well as outcrops visited during the ESCI 35L field trip, its climatologic evolution, and modern ecology are also discussed, in addition to the historical development of the park. Featured topics will include volcanic processes and features, volcanic and geothermal hazards, geothermal potential, past glaciation, faulting, and modern seasonal ecology as driven by precipitation patters and spring systems. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
ESCI 35L
Lab
0.5
Lassen Volcan Nat'l Prk Lab & Field Stud
ESCI 35L
Note: Required overnight field trip.
This course accompanies ESCI 35 and represents laboratory and field activities associated with Lassen Volcanic National Park, inclusive of a three-day overnight field trip within and around the park. This course supports the goal of understanding the geologic and climatologic history and modern ecologic character of the park through site and outcrop exposures as they demonstrate volcanic processes, volcanic and geothermal features, past glaciation and glacial features, slide hazards, faulting, and typical seasonality experienced by the park as it drives ecology. Field exercises will be conducted at various stops.
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This course accompanies ESCI 35 and represents laboratory and field activities associated with Lassen Volcanic National Park, inclusive of a three-day overnight field trip within and around the park. This course supports the goal of understanding the geologic and climatologic history and modern ecologic character of the park through site and outcrop exposures as they demonstrate volcanic processes, volcanic and geothermal features, past glaciation and glacial features, slide hazards, faulting, and typical seasonality experienced by the park as it drives ecology. Field exercises will be conducted at various stops.
ESCI 2
Pre.
M
Lab
4
Earth: The History of Our Planet
ESCI 2
Advisory: GEOG 1A and GEOG 1AL, GEOG 7, NHIS 5, or NHIS 15 with a grade of C or higher
Notes:
1. Completion of any ESCI course, except ESCI 14/14L, OR any one of the listed advisory courses with a minimum grade of C is recommended.
2. Required day and overnight field trips.
Natural processes on Earth develop results specific to those processes. For example, the results of volcanism are unique to eruptions while rivers and flowing water form their own deposits, as do crashing waves along a shore. These signature results can be preserved in rocks, often with fossils included. The study of Earth's history is then revealed in rock successions as they collect through time. This course will define the origin of minerals, rocks and fossils in successions, described as stratigraphy and often formed in relation to mountain building episodes, in an effort to understand Earth through time. Supporting concepts include biologic evolution, geologic time, and paleogeographic relationships. Plate tectonics and crustal evolution will provide a base framework though with a North American focus and an emphasis on the west coast. Laboratory exercises will include the description and classification of minerals and rocks, the recognition of ancient metamorphic, igneous and sedimentary environments, the recognition, occurrence, and geologic use of fossil organisms, introduction to and application of stratigraphic principles, recognition of geologic structures, and the development and use of different types of geologic maps and cross sections.
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Notes:
1. Completion of any ESCI course, except ESCI 14/14L, OR any one of the listed advisory courses with a minimum grade of C is recommended.
2. Required day and overnight field trips.
Natural processes on Earth develop results specific to those processes. For example, the results of volcanism are unique to eruptions while rivers and flowing water form their own deposits, as do crashing waves along a shore. These signature results can be preserved in rocks, often with fossils included. The study of Earth's history is then revealed in rock successions as they collect through time. This course will define the origin of minerals, rocks and fossils in successions, described as stratigraphy and often formed in relation to mountain building episodes, in an effort to understand Earth through time. Supporting concepts include biologic evolution, geologic time, and paleogeographic relationships. Plate tectonics and crustal evolution will provide a base framework though with a North American focus and an emphasis on the west coast. Laboratory exercises will include the description and classification of minerals and rocks, the recognition of ancient metamorphic, igneous and sedimentary environments, the recognition, occurrence, and geologic use of fossil organisms, introduction to and application of stratigraphic principles, recognition of geologic structures, and the development and use of different types of geologic maps and cross sections.
Please see a counselor to discuss options for meeting general education requirements for transfer to California State Universities (CSU) and/or University of California (UC) campuses, as well as any specific additional courses that may be required by your chosen institution of transfer.
*Alternative Courses: Please see a Shasta College counselor for alternative course options. You can also view the following to find other courses to meet degree/certificate requirements:
- California State Universities – General Education
- IGETC – Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum
Need a print out? Feel free to download and/or print out a copy of the sample program map(s).
- Earth Sciences (AA) (PDF)
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