2024-2025 Pierce College Catalog
Environmental Science (AA-DTA) Course Map
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Created by Pierce faculty, this map outlines the initial coursework for this career field and for transfer to a four-year institution. It provides you a clear path to complete your degree by listing a specific set of courses relevant to your program and career. The map is designed with the appropriate number of credits and meets degree requirements. Courses are organized in a recommended sequence; please schedule accordingly. If a course is unavailable, select the next appropriate course within the sequence. If you want to change a course on this map you must speak with an advisor to assure you meet all degree requirements. For each course, a purpose statement explains how the content relates to your career field. On this map, there may be instances when you will be required to select a course from several options. Use these purpose statements and notes to choose the course that best aligns with your interests and needs. You will also find action items to complete to assure you progress and graduate on time. While this map is a great guide to courses required to complete an Associate in Arts - Direct Transfer Agreement (AA-DTA) Degree Requirements Degree, you are responsible for fulfilling all degree requirements. Questions? Your Success Network is ready to help you!
Important note about transfer: colleges and universities may change their requirements at any time, so this map is not a guarantee of transfer. You will need to check transfer requirements with your intended four-year school.
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2. General Chemistry Prep
3. Chemistry Course Recommendation
Take one course each quarter until sequence is finished.
- CHEM& 161 General Chemistry w/Lab I (5 credits)
- CHEM& 162 General Chemistry w/Lab ll (5 credits)
- CHEM& 163 General Chem w/Lab III (5 credits)
Course purpose: Environmental scientists need to understand the chemical processes that help ecosystems to function or cause them to malfunction. In this sequence of courses you will learn about the chemical principles that underlie the functioning of ecosystems, the fundamental properties of inorganic chemicals, and the techniques and procedures of a chemistry laboratory. Transfer Note: CHEM& 161, CHEM& 162, and CHEM& 163, with a minimum 2.0 in each and completed in the last five years, are requirements for UWT’s Environmental Science, B.S. and transfer as TCHEM 142, TCHEM 152, and TCHEM 162, respectively.
Action Item: Meet with Advisor
Use your Success Network! In your first quarter, meet with your advisor to revisit your career and transfer path, make adjustments to your goals as needed, and plan for your next steps.
4. Math Course Recommendation
Take one course each quarter until sequence is finished.
- MATH& 141 Precalculus I (5 credits)
- MATH& 142 Precalculus II (5 credits)
- MATH& 151 Calculus I (5 credits)
- MATH& 152 Calculus II (5 credits)
Course purpose: Environmental scientists often use calculus to quantitatively assess chemical, biological, and physical changes in the environment. In these courses you will learn to solve complex problems using a variety of high-level mathematical functions, including differential equations and integrals. Note: The math course you select will depend on the Career Pathway Map you are following, the transfer institution/degree that you select, and your math placement guidance. Your advisor will assist you in selecting the relevant 5 or 7 credit course(s) based upon co-requisite options. Transfer Note: MATH& 151, MATH& 152, and MATH& 146, with a minimum 2.0 in each and completed in the last five years, are requirements for UWT’s Environmental Science, B.S., and transfer as TMATH 124, TMATH 125, and TMATH 110, respectively.
5. English Composition I
- ENGL& 101 English Composition I (5 credits)
Course purpose: Clear and strategic written communication with others is a central feature of all careers connected to environmental science. Note: Your advisor will assist you in reviewing your Guided Self Placement and selecting either the 5-credit or the 7-credit co-requisite ENGL& 101 + ENGLC 101 course.
6. Environmental Science Course Recommendation
Choose one
- ENVS& 100 Survey of Environmental Science (5 credits)
Course purpose: In this course you will learn what the major environmental problems on Earth are and how environmental scientists study those problems. Taking this course will therefore allow you to affirm and/or reassess your interest in the discipline. - ENVS& 101 Introduction to Environmental Science (5 credits)
Course purpose: In this course will learn about local environmental problems, local environmental justice issues, and local environmental careers while conducting labwork and fieldwork in collaboration with the University of Washington. Taking this course will provide you valuable research skills and simplify the process for transferring into a university-level environmental science program.
Transfer Note: ENVS& 101 should be taken by students interested in transferring to University of Washington - Tacoma. The course has been developed in collaboration with UW-T faculty and will count toward degree completion requirements within UW-T’s Environmental Science program.
7. Social Science Course Recommendation
Choose one
- ANTH& 206 Cultural Anthropology (5 credits)
Course purpose: In order to study and solve environmental problems, environmental scientists must understand how human cultures and societies work. In this course you will learn to apply various analytical frameworks to the study of human social and cultural patterns. - GEOG 100 Introduction to Geography (5 credits)
Course purpose: In order to study and solve environmental problems, environmental scientists must understand how human cultures and societies work. In this course you will learn about how geographers use spatial patterns to understand fundamental social, cultural, and environmental processes. - GEOG 200 Human Geography (5 credits)
Course purpose: In order to study and solve environmental problems, environmental scientists must understand how human cultures and societies work. In this course you will learn about the geographic patterns produced through the interaction of economic, cultural, social, and political processes. - SOC& 101 Introduction to Sociology (5 credits)
Course purpose: In order to study and solve environmental problems, environmental scientists must understand how human cultures and societies work. In this course you will learn about sociological approaches to the study of human interactions and social structures.
8. English Composition II
9. Art Course Recommendation
Choose one
- ART 101 Beginning Design (5 credits)
Course purpose: Environmental scientists must be able to effectively communicate in a variety of ways and with a wide range of audiences. This course will provide you with fundamental visual design concepts that will help you to present environmental information effectively. - ART 111 Beginning Drawing (5 credits)
Course purpose: Environmental scientists must be able to effectively communicate in a variety of ways and with a wide range of audiences. This course will provide you with instruction and practice in drawing, a skill that will help you to visually illustrate environmental concepts.
11. Political Science Course Recommendation
Choose one
- POLS& 101 Introduction Political Science (5 credits)
Course purpose: Environmental scientists recognize political systems as drivers of environmental change and as integral parts of any solution to environmental problems. This course will help you to understand these issues by providing you with an essential foundation in political science. - POLS& 200 Introduction to Law (5 credits)
Course purpose: Environmental scientists recognize political systems as drivers of environmental change and as integral parts of any solution to environmental problems. This course will provide you with the foundation for understanding the role of environmental law and environmental interest groups in environmental science. - POLS& 202 American Government (5 credits)
Course purpose: Environmental scientists recognize political systems as drivers of environmental change and as integral parts of any solution to environmental problems. This course will provide you with a broad background of knowledge about the historical and present-day workings of the American government.
12. Natural Science Course Recommendation
Choose one
- GEOL& 101 Introduction to Physical Geology (5 credits)
- GEOG 210 Physical Geography (5 credits)
Course purpose: Environmental scientists need to understand how Earth’s great planetary systems operate, including the lithosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere and atmosphere. While both of these courses will provide you with this knowledge, GEOL& 101 will provide you with a greater focus on the lithosphere, and GEOG 210 will provide you with a greater focus on Earth’s climate and weather patterns.
13. Philosophy Course Recommendation
Choose one
- PHIL 150 Introduction to Ethics (5 credits)
Course purpose: Because environmental scientists seek to use scientific knowledge in order to change the world around them, you must frequently consider the moral and ethical implications of their actions. - PHIL 230 Contemporary Moral Problems (5 credits)
Course purpose: Because environmental scientists seek to use scientific knowledge in order to change the world around them, you must frequently consider the moral and ethical implications of their actions. In this course you will gain valuable practice applying ethical theories about right and wrong to ongoing disputes in the world. - PHIL 160 Introduction to the Philosophy of Science (5 credits)
Course purpose: There are many ways of knowing about the natural environment, so environmental scientists need to understand how their production of scientific knowledge differs from other forms of knowing nature. In this course you will learn how science works, how it changes, and what its shortcomings are.
14. Communications Course Recommendation
Choose one
- CMST& 220 Fundamentals of Public Speaking (5 credits)
Course purpose: Environmental scientists must be able to effectively communicate in a variety of ways and with a wide range of audiences. This course will provide you with valuable practice presenting oral information to a range of audiences. - CMST& 240 Intercultural Communication (5 credits)
Course purpose: The examination of the effects of culture upon the process of communication. Using theory and skill development, students are prepared to communicate effectively both within and across cultures.
15. Additional Recommended Courses
- PHYS& 114 General Physics I (5 credits)
Course purpose: Environmental scientists must understand the basic physical processes that govern the movements of Earth’s atmosphere, hydrosphere, and lithosphere. In this course you will learn about concepts such as energy, force, and work that are fundamental to the functioning of these Earth systems. Transfer Note: PHYS& 114 or PHYS& 221, with a minimum 2.0 in each and completed in the last five years, are requirements for UWT’s Environmental Science, B.S. and transfer as TPHYS 121. - BIOL& 160 General Biology w/Lab (5 credits)
Course purpose: Environmental scientists require an in-depth understanding of the fundamental biological processes that allow living organisms to survive and thrive. This course will provide you with an overview of biology and introduce you to basic biological laboratory techniques. -
Transfer Note: BIOL& 211, BIOL& 212, and BIOL& 213, with a minimum 2.0 in each and completed in the last five years, are requirements for UWT’s Environmental Science, B.S. and transfer as TBIOL 120, TBIOL 130, and TBIOL 140, respectively.
- MATH& 146 Introduction to Stats (5 credits)
Course purpose: Statistics is an essential tool for data analysis in every branch of environmental science. This course will provide a fundamental understanding of statistics and prepare you for more complex statistical coursework.
Adjusted Total Credits 98
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