Environmental Science, Associate in Science for Transfer
Environmental Science, Associate in Science for Transfer
Environmental science is the study of both natural and engineered systems—from ecosystems and climate to AI-driven monitoring, robotic sensing platforms, energy storage infrastructure, blockchain-verified carbon markets, and multiomic biotechnology. The field now operates at the convergence of seven pillars: artificial intelligence, robotics, energy systems, blockchain/digital infrastructure, multiomics, economics/policy, and entrepreneurship. As these technologies reshape how we monitor, manage, and build sustainable systems, environmental scientists must develop skills that span traditional science, data analytics, policy, and venture creation. This program prepares students for transfer to a CSU in Environmental Science while providing advisory pathways to build the interdisciplinary skill set that employers and the economy increasingly demand.
The development of the Associate in Science in Environmental Science for Transfer Degree (AS-T in Environmental Science) helps transfer students focus on the core prerequisite courses and supports them as they move toward their goal in transferring to a four-year institution. Students who complete this degree will satisfy lower-division general education and major requirements for transfer to a CSU in the Environmental Science program. Further, students who complete the degree will be guaranteed admission to the CSU system.
The Associate in Science in Environmental Science for Transfer Degree (AS-T) is intended for students who plan to transfer and complete a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, or a major deemed similar at a CSU campus. Each CSU campus determines which of the degrees it offers are “similar” and can be completed with the preparation included in the AS-T in Environmental Science For a current list of what majors (and what options or areas of emphasis within that major) have been designed as “similar” to this degree at each CSU campus, please refer to the CSU's Associate Degree for Transfer Major and Campus Search webpage and seek guidance from a Moorpark College counselor. Students completing this AS-T degree are guaranteed admission to the CSU system but not necessarily to a particular campus or a major of choice.
To earn an AS-T in Environmental Science, students must:
- Complete a minimum of 60 semester units that are eligible for transfer to the California State University, including both of the following:
- The California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC) requirements.
- The required coursework for the AS-T in Environmental Science as listed in the Moorpark College catalog.
2. Complete all courses in the major and Cal-GETC with a grade of “C” or better or “P” if the course is taken on a "pass-no-pass" basis. Even though a “Pass/Credit" grade is allowed, it is highly recommended that students complete their major courses with a letter grade (A, B, or C). Note: the UC system allows a maximum of 14 semester (21 quarter) units of courses graded "Pass/No Pass" (Credit/No Credit) toward the 60 transferable semester units required for transfer admission.
3. Obtain a minimum grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.0 in all CSU-transferable coursework. While a minimum of 2.0 is required for admission, some transfer institutions and majors may require a higher GPA. Please consult with a counselor for more information.
4) Complete 12 semester units in the Ventura County Community College District.
Students transferring to a CSU campus that accepts the AS-T in Environmental Science will be required to complete no more than 60 units after transfer to earn a bachelor’s degree (unless the major is a designated “high-unit” major at a particular campus). This degree may not be the best option for students intending to transfer to a particular CSU campus or to a university or college that is not part of the CSU system. Students should consult with a counselor to obtain more information on university admission and transfer requirements.
Advisory Notes
The world is changing fast, and the technology reshaping environmental work is converging even faster. The advisory notes help students understand this shift and how valuable it is to mirror that convergence in their own preparation — directing them to coursework across departments that builds competency in the seven pillars listed below, so they remain marketable, capable of creating value, and prepared to thrive in a world that increasingly rewards the integration of science, technology, and society.
- The Seven Pillars: Environmental science now operates at the convergence of seven technology and skills platforms: (1) Artificial Intelligence—climate modeling, species identification, pollution prediction, automated monitoring; (2) Robotics—drones, remediation systems, precision agriculture, autonomous environmental sensing; (3) Energy Storage—grid-scale renewables, distributed generation, EV infrastructure, data center power systems; (4) Blockchains—carbon credit verification, supply chain transparency, ESG compliance tracking; (5) Multiomics—bioremediation, biodiversity genomics, ecosystem health monitoring, eDNA analysis; (6) Economics & Policy—carbon markets, environmental regulation, ESG frameworks, climate policy design; (7) Entrepreneurship—problem identification, solution design, venture development. Students should explore coursework across all seven areas to build a competitive, transfer-ready skill set.
- AI & Data Science: 85% of environmental employers are actively upskilling for AI. It is strongly recommended that students complete at least one programming course (e.g., Python), one GIS/geospatial technologies course, and one statistics or data science course before transfer. GIS analysts earn a median salary of $73,500; remote sensing specialists average $100,593. These skills are increasingly baseline expectations, not electives.
- Energy, Robotics & Technology Systems: Data center investment is projected to grow from $500 billion to $1.4 trillion by 2030 (30% CAGR). Students interested in energy systems, drone operations, sensor networks, or environmental technology should pursue physics, engineering, and technology coursework beyond the required sequences.
- Blockchains & Digital Environmental Markets: Carbon credit verification, ESG compliance, and supply chain transparency increasingly rely on distributed ledger technology. Students interested in environmental markets and compliance systems should explore computer science and business coursework addressing digital systems and verification.
- Economics, Policy & Entrepreneurship: Environmental technology must be deployed through policy, markets, and new ventures. Students interested in environmental implementation, regulation, ESG compliance, or building environmental solutions should pursue economics, political science, policy, and entrepreneurship coursework beyond the required microeconomics. Innovation assets are projected to grow from $5 trillion to $28 trillion by 2030—the opportunity space for environmental entrepreneurs is expanding rapidly.
- Multiomics & Biotechnology: The biology track provides partial coverage of multiomic applications including bioremediation, biodiversity genomics, and eDNA analysis. Students on the biology track should consider additional bioinformatics or computational biology coursework to strengthen their preparation for this rapidly growing field.
- Sequential Coursework: It is strongly recommended that sequential coursework in biology, chemistry, and physics be completed at a single institution. Students and counselors should discuss course options that align with the intended transfer institution’s requirements.
| Course ID | Title | Units/Hours |
|---|---|---|
| REQUIRED COURSES | ||
| ENSC M01 | Environmental Science | 3 |
| ECON C2001 | Principles of Microeconomics | 3 |
| MATH C2210 | Calculus I: Early Transcendentals | 3-5 |
| or MATH C2210H | Calculus I: Early Transcendentals - Honors | |
| or MATH M16A | Applied Calculus I | |
| STAT C1000 | Introduction to Statistics | 4 |
| or STAT C1000H | Introduction to Statistics - Honors | |
| LIST A | 15 | |
| LIST B | 4 | |
| LIST C | 10 | |
| Total Units for Major | 42 | |
| Course ID | Title | Units/Hours |
|---|---|---|
| LIST A: Sciences - Select and Complete Option 1 or Option 2 | 15 | |
| Option 1 - Biology sequence with one semester of General Chemistry | ||
| BIOL M02A | General Biology I | 5 |
| or BIOL M02AH | Honors: General Biology I | |
| BIOL M02B | General Biology II | 5 |
| or BIOL M02BH | Honors: General Biology II | |
| CHEM M01A | General Chemistry I | 5 |
| or CHEM M01AH | Honors: General Chemistry I | |
| Option 2 - Chemistry sequence with one semester of General Biology | ||
| CHEM M01A | General Chemistry I | 5 |
| or CHEM M01AH | Honors: General Chemistry I | |
| CHEM M01B | General Chemistry II | 5 |
| BIOL M02A | General Biology I | 5 |
| or BIOL M02AH | Honors: General Biology I | |
| Course ID | Title | Units/Hours |
|---|---|---|
| LIST B: Select and complete two courses, the lecture must be associated with the lab | ||
| GEOG M01 & M01L | Physical Geography and Physical Geography Lab | 3, 1 |
| GEOL M02 & M02L | Physical Geology and Physical Geology Lab | 3, 1 |
| GEOL M02H & GEOL M02L | Honors: Physical Geology and Physical Geology Lab | 3, 1 |
| Course ID | Title | Units/Hours |
|---|---|---|
| LIST C: Complete one of the Physics sequences | 10 | |
| PHYS M10A & M10AL | General Physics I and General Physics I Lab | 4, 1 |
| PHYS M10B & M10BL | General Physics II and General Physics II Laboratory | 4, 1 |
| OR | ||
| PHYS M20A & M20AL | Mechanics of Solids and Fluids and Mechanics of Solids and Fluids Laboratory | 4, 1 |
| PHYS M20B & M20BL | Thermodynamics, Electricity, and Magnetism and Thermodynamics, Electricity, and Magnetism Laboratory | 4, 1 |
| Course ID | Title | Units/Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Total Units for Major | 42 | |
| Cal-GETC Pattern | 34 | |
| Double-Counted Units | 13 | |
| Total Units for the AS-T Degree | 63 | |
Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:
- analyze how energy, water, carbon, and biological materials cycle through natural and engineered systems—from ecosystems to energy grids and data infrastructure—and evaluate how thermodynamic, biochemical, and biogeochemical processes drive these flows.
- evaluate the environmental impacts of converging technologies—including but not limited to AI-driven monitoring, robotic systems, energy storage, blockchain-enabled environmental markets, and biotechnology—alongside pollution sources, population dynamics, and resource consumption; and assess technological, policy, and management strategies for mitigation.
- apply sustainability principles across local to global scales to both natural ecosystems and engineered systems, including energy grids, digital infrastructure, environmental monitoring platforms, and technology supply chains.