The goals of the Ecology, Biodiversity and Conservation Associate degree are to educate students in diverse areas of ecological and environmental science in order to understand conservation of the biodiversity found in the natural world. Students will receive a broad overview of topics such as ecological patterns, biodiversity, extinction, conservation, and evolution. The degree may exceed 60 units if students select higher unit courses. Through this associate degree, the student will develop the ability to think logically, analyze data, apply critical thinking and scientific methodology, and develop problem-solving skills necessary for success in any field of study. The coursework exposes students to the stunning biological resources and deep interconnections of natural systems. This degree is designed for students who have a passionate interest in the natural world who wish to pursue employment opportunities in natural resources within the parks, open space and land management fields. These positions include field research assistants, open space technicians, park interpreters or maintainers, natural resource managers or environmental advocates with governmental and non-governmental organizations. The Ecology, Biodiversity and Conservation degree can also be used for transfer to four-year universities (with the appropriate course selection) where students will have the opportunity to complete a Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Environmental Biology, Ecology, and Evolutionary Biology, Marine Biology, Evolution and Ecology, Integrative Biology, Evolution, Ecology & Biodiversity, Environmental Science, Ecology, Behavior and Evolution, Conservation Biology, Wildlife Management, Conservation, and Resource Studies. Career Options: Agricultural Biologist, Biochemist, Biologist, Botanist, Entomologist, Environmental Specialist, Fish and Game Technical Aide, Fish and Game Warden, Park Ranger, Conservation Science, Forester, Horticulturist, Habitat Restoration, Ecologist, Laboratory Technician, Marine Biologist, Citizen Science Coordinator, Climate Change Biology, Environmental Lawyer, Environmental outreach and education, Park Naturalist/Ranger, Research Assistant, Conservation Biologist/technician, Conservation Researcher, Trail Docent, Researcher, Scientific Illustrator, Educator, Technical/ Science Writer, Naturalist, Park Management, Veterinarian, Wildlife Biologist/consultant, Wildlife technician, Zoo Curator, Zoologist, Field Biologist, Nature Interpreter, Environmental Consultant, Environmental Technician, Environmental Policy and Management, Green Technology.
Required Core Courses. (14-21 units)
Course Number | Course Title | Units |
---|---|---|
Select one: BIOL002 BIOL037 BIOL038 | Environmental Biology Evolution - Life on Earth Biodiversity and Extinction: Hotspots, Crisis and Conservation | 3 units 3 units 3 units |
BIOL012 | Introduction to Ecology and Wildlife | 4 units |
Select one: BIOL013 BIOL014 | Natural History of California California Plants and Animals | 3 units 4 units |
Students must take either BIOL 040 OR both BIOL 041 AND BIOL
042. BIOL040 Both: BIOL041 BIOL042 | Organismal Biology Principles of Animal Biology Principles of Plant Biology | 4 units 5 units 5 units |
List A: Select 2 courses different from above (6-9 units)
Course Number | Course Title | Units |
---|---|---|
BIOL002 | Environmental Biology | 3 units |
BIOL013 | Natural History of California | 3 units |
BIOL014 | California Plants and Animals | 4 units |
BIOL018 | Marine Biology | 4 units |
BIOL024 | Bio in the News | 3 units |
BIOL035 | Biology of Birds | 4 units |
BIOL036 | Animal Behavior | 3 units |
BIOL037 | Evolution - Life on Earth | 3 units |
BIOL038 | Biodiversity and Extinction: Hotspots, Crisis and Conservation | 3 units |
BIOL043 | Principles of Cell Biology | 5 units |
BIOL055 | Biology of Sex | 3 units |
Only one: BIOL056 BIOL058 | Ecology of the Sierra Nevada Field Ecology | 3 units 3 units |
BIOL059 | Climate Change | 3 units |
List B: Select a minimum of 2 courses from below, or one course may be from List A (5-10 units)
Course Number | Course Title | Units |
---|---|---|
ANTH001 | Introduction to Physical Anthropology | 3 units |
Only one: ANTH003 ANTH003H | Introduction to Cultural Anthropology Honors Introduction to Cultural Anthropology | 3 units 3 units |
ARCH060 | Green Building & Sustainable Design | 3 units |
BIOL002L | Environmental Biology Laboratory | 1 unit |
BIOL027 | Scientific Literacy and Technical Writing | 1 unit |
CHEM001A | General Chemistry | 5 units |
CHEM001B | General Chemistry | 5 units |
CHEM012A | Organic Chemistry | 5 units |
CHEM012B | Organic Chemistry | 5 units |
CHEM030A | Fundamentals of Chemistry | 4 units |
CHEM030B | Fundamentals of Chemistry | 3 units |
COMM008 | Interpersonal Communication | 3 units |
GEOG001 | Intro Physical Geography | 3 units |
GEOL001A | Physical Geology | 4 units |
GEOL015 | Geology of California | 3 units |
GEOL020 | Field Geology | 2 units |
GIST016A | Introduction to Geospatial Technology | 3 units |
GIST016B | Mobile GIS | 3 units |
HIST014 | History of the Native North Americans | 3 units |
Only one: MATH003A MATH003AH | Calculus and Analytic Geometry Honors Calculus and Analytical Geometry | 5 units 5 units |
Only one: MATH010 MATH010H | Elementary Statistics Honors Elementary Statistics | 4 units 4 units |
OCEA010 | Introduction to Oceanography | 4 units |
PHIL003 | Introduction to Ethics | 3 units |
PHIL017 | Logic & Critical Reasoning | 3 units |
PHYS004A | Engineering Physics-Mechanics | 5 units |
PHYS004B | Engineering Physics - Electricity and Magnetism | 5 units |
PHYS004C | Engineering Physics-Light, Heat and Waves | 5 units |
PMGT011 | Park Communications | 2 units |
PMGT014 | Conservation of Our Natural Resources | 3 units |
PMGT015B | Natural and Cultural Resource Interpretation | 3 units |
PMGT017 | Basic Horticulture for Parks | 3 units |
Only one: PSYC001 PSYC001H | General Psychology Honors General Psychology | 3 units 3 units |
PSYC017 | Introduction to Social Psychology | 3 units |
SOCI001 | Introduction to Sociology | 3 units |
Only one: SOCI002 SOCI002H | Social Problems Honors Social Problems | 3 units 3 units |
Total Major Units: 25-40 units
To be awarded an Associate Degree, a student must:
- Achieve a grade of “C” or better in the major requirements.
- Completion of WVC, CSU-Breadth, or IGETC General Education patterns. Students whose goal is to obtain a bachelor’s degree should complete the CSU-Breadth or IGETC General Education pattern.
- Complete additional degree applicable units to meet the minimum 60-unit Associate Degree requirements.