top of page

EXPLORE

PATHWAYS

Sustainability, Design, & the Environment

Students interested in sustainability and the environment become experts who help minimize and manage waste and pollution, protecting the air, water, soil, and ourselves from harmful chemicals. They often coordinate these activities through a multidisciplinary focus, as they integrate the interconnected ideals of viable ecological integrity, viable economies, and equity and justice in their work.

AT A GLANCE  

IS THIS YOU?

  • I like the environment and would like to protect it.

  • I like contributing to my community through my work.

  • I like the satisfaction of completing projects.

  • I like to problem solve.

  • I like working with my hands.

  • I like to use my creativity to design and build things.

  • I am entrepreneurial.

  • I aspire to become self-reliant.

  • I find technology exciting.

  • I want to have a variety of tasks and locations in my work

Kids in Art Class
EXPRESSING MYSELF CREATIVELY
Living Room Sketch
DESIGNING SOMETHING FUNCTIONAL
Image by Christian Joudrey
CREATING TO ENTERTAIN OR INFORM
Anchor 1
Anchor 1

Explore the Different Possibilities

Check out the specific concentrations within this interest cluster, with information regarding specific careers, as well as potential majors to pursue in college!

Sustainability

For the future urban planners and regional developers looking to ensure that the places in which we live and work are environmentally safe and resource-efficient.

Potential Majors

CONCENTRATION IN
Environmental Design

For the student looking to create a sustainable and healthy future through design innovation and research. Through multidisciplinary training in human-centered design, environmental psychology, ergonomics, and facility strategy and management, you will learn how to create sustainable and healthy futures from a systems view - people, process and place.

Potential Majors

CONCENTRATION IN
Environmental Studies

For the student looking to find ways to feed a growing human population while maintaining the natural life support system provided by the Earth's ecosystems; to make built environments more efficient as urban areas continue to grow dramatically in size; and to meet the challenges posed by rising sea-level and increasing global temperatures. These challenges are complex, multifaceted and can best be solved with expertise from multiple, relevant disciplines.

Potential Majors

CONCENTRATION IN
Environmental Engineering

The application of scientific principles to environmental improvement. Generally speaking, this discipline attempts to provide healthy air, water and land for safe habitation. Additionally, this particular discipline attempts to find ways to reverse environmental damages caused by pollution.

Potential Majors

CONCENTRATION IN
Geology & Earth Science

Future Geology & Earth Science majors employ core concepts in physics, chemistry, and biology, to study the Earth system in its natural state. Combining field studies with laboratory-based and theoretical studies, they will develop an understanding for the connections between humans and their environment.

Potential Majors

CONCENTRATION IN
Agricultural Engineering

Apply engineering science to agricultural production and farming. Combines elements of mechanical, civil, and chemical engineering with animal and plant biology.

Potential Majors

CONCENTRATION IN

ROADMAPS

Anchor 1

Connect with Alumni or a Senior Mentor

Check out how our alumni students and current seniors are pursuing this pathway! Learn about what it takes. To learn more about an alumni's journey, check out their roadmap.

Delenn Ganyo
Class of 2017
PhD student in Archaeology
Chemistry/Anthropology/Creative Writing, UC Santa Barbara

COURSEWORK

Anchor 1

Choosing the Right Courses

Provided here are the COC classes that are recommended for your pathway. You are not required to take all them, so you should talk to your counselor to clarify which classes are right for you. Explore the different possibilities below!

Biology
Environmental Studies
Chemistry
Mathematics
Physics
Oceanography

ENVRMT-104

Energy Resource Conservation

Introduces a quantitative survey of current energy resources, alternate methods of energy generation, and various energy conservation methods, including practical applications relevant to today's economy and technology while stressing physics of energy and environmental utilization relevant to energy use. Field trips may be required.

Professors/Instructors

ENVRMT-103

Introduction to Environmental Science

Provides students with an understanding of the natural processes operating in the world. Explores environmental processes associated with society and emphasizes the scientific method, elements of statistics and sampling, and the completion of research-based experimental studies along with required field trips.

Professors/Instructors

OCEAN-101

Introduction to Oceanography

Studies the Earth's oceans and their. origin, seafloor features, sediments, coastal processes, circulation, waves, tides, seawater properties, and marine life. Field trip may. be. required.

Professors/Instructors

CHEM 151

Preparatory General Chemistry

A preparatory course for Chemistry 201. Provides basic foundation in problem solving, atomic theory, stoichiometry, nomenclature, states of matter and solution chemistry.

Professors/Instructors

BIOSCI 116

General Botany

Surveys the plant kingdom with an emphasis on the biology, ecology, evolution and the economic impact of plant communities. Field trips may be required and may be outside the assigned class times

Professors/Instructors

BIOSCI 130

Environmental Biology

Introduces the principles of human genetics and function of DNA; genes, chromosomes and patterns of inheritance are explored. Not designed for biological science majors.

Professors/Instructors

BIOSCI 106

Organismal & Environmental Biology

Surveys the basic biology and diversity of unicellular and multicellular organisms. It emphasizes general biological principles including population biology and ecology, basic genetics, animal behavior, evolution, classification, structure, function and adaptations of organisms (including plants, fungi, animals, and unicellular organisms) to their environments. This course is intended for Biological Sciences majors. Field trips may be required.

Professors/Instructors

Gimple, P.

BIOSCI 100

General Biology

Explores the nature of science, including cell structure and processes, energetics in living systems, heredity, development, evolution, diversity, and environmental relationships.

Professors/Instructors

PHYSICS 222

Physics: Wave Motion, Heat, & Optics

Prerequisite: PHYSIC-220 and credit for or concurrent enrollment in MATH-212. Introduces modern physics, including heat, thermodynamics and kinetic theory, wave motion and sound, geometric and physical optics. UC credit limitation: PHYSICS 110-111 and 220-221-222 combined, maximum credit one series.

Professors/Instructors

PHYSICS 221

Physics: Electricity & Magnetism

Prerequisite: PHYSIC-220 and credit for or concurrent enrollment in MATH-212.
Introduces electric and magnetic fields, circuit theory and electromagnetic induction

Professors/Instructors

PHYSICS 220

Mechanics of Solids & Fluids

Prerequisite: MATH-211. Presents a calculus-based introductory study of particle and rigid body statics and dynamics, vibrational motion, and fluid mechanics.

Professors/Instructors

PHYSICS 110

General Physics I

Presents a non-calculus-based introductory study of Newtonian mechanics, the conservation of energy, momentum, and angular momentum, including topics in vibrational motion, waves, and fluid mechanics. Designed for students majoring in the life sciences or any other major requiring a non-calculus based physics course.

Professors/Instructors

Anchor 1

Four-Year Ed Plans

Provided here are ed plans for you to take AOC & COC coursework for specific concentrations within this pathway. 

Keep in mind that these ed-plans are subject to change based on your individual needs and preferences.

AA Degrees

The ed-plans above will allow you to earn an Associate Degree in Mathematics, Physics, or Mathematics & Science (Liberal Arts & Science). All of the ed-plans above will allow you to complete your IGETC and to transfer several General Ed college credits.

Anchor 1
GENERAL ADVICE FOR THIS PATHWAY

For students who are considering applying to an art program, a creative portfolio (required for submission from colleges in visual arts and design) is most often is the deciding factor in whether they are accepted. ​

 

Make sure to document your performances and to keep track of your creative pieces. It is recommended to begin crafting your portfolio in the summer before your junior year. ​

 

Show range with your work. If your strong point is graphite, do portraits or landscapes, for instance.

bottom of page