University Studies – 20 Unit Emphasis | SC Program: AA.1505

This degree plan prepares the student to transfer as they prepare for a Single Subject Teaching Credential in Science, Earth Science Concentration. Courses in this plan are designed to develop breadth and to demonstrate multidisciplinary aspects across the Earth Sciences.

 

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 Total
ENGL 1A
GE 4
College Composition
ENGL 1A
Units 4
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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MATH 41A
GE 3
Concepts of Elementary Math
MATH 41A
Units 3
This course emphasizes the development of quantitative reasoning skills through in-depth investigations of mathematics topics, which include: patterns and sequences, inductive and deductive reasoning, problem solving, logic, set theory, set of real numbers and its subsets.
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ESCI 1
GE M 4
The Active Earth
ESCI 1
Units 4
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 about sustainable uses. The lecture portion of this course may be offered in a distance education format.
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GEOG 7
GE M 3
California Geography
GEOG 7
Units 3
Note: Field trip may be required.

This course provides an introduction to California's diversified geography including climate, landforms, natural vegetation, and mineral and water resources. The cultural landscapes of ethnic diversity, our Native American past, urban and agricultural regions, and the economic challenges of the future are also examined. California Geography examines these topics, their spatial distributions, and their impact on the environment. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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Spring Semester, First Year

16 Units Total
ENGL 1C
Pre. GE 3
Critical Reasoning, Reading, and Writing
ENGL 1C
Units 3
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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CMST 60
GE 3
Public Speaking
CMST 60
Units 3
Advisory: ENGL 190 with a grade of C or higher, or English Placement Level 6 or higher.

This course is an introduction to the process of human communication with 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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ESCI 12
GE M 4
General Earth Science
ESCI 12
Units 4
Note: Required field trips when offered face to face.

This is a survey course designed for non-science majors. It spans the Earth-related sciences, including geology, oceanography, meteorology, and astronomy. In general, the course focuses on physical processes and materials as related to each discipline. Topics include the geologic evolution of the Earth, economic resources derived from the Earth, Earth materials, evolution and character of the oceans, ocean-atmosphere interactions, atmospheric processes including weather and climate, the solar system and Earth as part of the universe. Using an Earth systems approach, lecture and laboratory will consider concepts centered on the sustainable use of natural resources. The laboratory portion of this course provides hands-on activities that support and demonstrate lecture concepts. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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NHIS 15
GE M 3
Natural History of California
NHIS 15
Units 3
Note: Required day field trips

This course is designed to give the student a unified view of the natural history of California with an emphasis on Northern California. The geology, weather, ecology, life zones, plant and animal species, and aquatic and mountain environments are emphasized. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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GEOG 9
3
Map and Geospatial Principles
GEOG 9
Units 3
This course is an introduction to maps, imagery, and geospatial technologies. Students will learn geographic techniques for data collection, interpretation, and presentation. Map principles along with types of maps and their applications are covered. Methodologies include map reading, use of imagery, geographic information systems (GIS), global positioning systems (GPS), and map creation. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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Fall Semester, Second Year

14 Units Total
HIST 2
GE 3
World Civilization to 1500 CE
HIST 2
Units 3
Advisory: ENGL 196 with a grade of C or higher, or English Placement Level 6 or higher

This course is a comparative survey of the major ancient world civilizations which developed between 3500 B.C.E. and 1500 C.E. It examines political institutions, religious ideologies, the rise and fall of empires, and the major cultural innovations of each of the major world civilizations. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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HUM 4
GE 3
Humanities Through the Film
HUM 4
Units 3
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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ESCI 6
GE M 4
Ancient Life
ESCI 6
Units 4
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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AGNR 60
GE M 3
Environmental Science
AGNR 60
Units 3
Advisory: Students who wish to add a lab component to this class should co-enroll in AGNR 61.

This course is an introduction to the conservation or wise use of natural resources and incorporates discussions about the complex relationships of man to the environment. Students will learn about the diverse agencies that manage our resources along with their history and philosophies. The course will cover each of the major natural resources - such as water, air, energy, forests, wildlife, agriculture, and soils - as well as environmental policy and laws that govern the use of these resources. An emphasis is placed on the practical components of Environmental Science as it relates to social and economic aspects of conservation. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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AGNR 61
Lab 1
Environmental Science Lab
AGNR 61
Units 1
This is a laboratory course designed to complement AGNR 60 and to acquaint the students with some of the more common laboratory and field tests and procedures utilized in environmental science. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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Spring Semester, Second Year

16 Units Total
ART 4
GE 3
World Art
ART 4
Units 3
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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ETHS 1
GE 3
Introduction to Ethnic Studies
ETHS 1
Units 3
Advisory: ENGL 196 with a grade of C or higher

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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HLTH 1
GE 3
Health and Wellness
HLTH 1
Units 3
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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PHSC 1
GE M 4
Physical Science Survey
PHSC 1
Units 4
Active learning, lecture, discussion, demonstration and lab activities cover selected theories of physics and chemistry, emphasizing the conceptual basis of these theories. The course is designed for non-science majors as part of their general education requirement in science. This course is not appropriate for students who have taken college level physics or chemistry.
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GEOG 8
GE M 3
World Regional Geography
GEOG 8
Units 3
This course will introduce students to the world's major geographic regions. This course will increase student awareness of geographic concepts by examining the physical, cultural, economic and political characteristics of the major realms of the world through the unifying concept of the geographic region. This course will illustrate the importance of the world's geographic regions and how they interrelate. The location of important geographic features such as mountain ranges, rivers, countries, and major cities will be an important part of the course. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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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:

Need a print out? Feel free to download and/or print out a copy of the sample program map(s).

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