Degree Requirements and Courses
Learn more about certificate and degree requirements, course content, recommended sequence, and schedule.
University Studies: Oceanography AA Degree
University Studies – 23 Unit Emphasis | SC Program: AA.1498
This degree plan identifies courses needed for a student to transfer into any of the marine sciences. The associate degree emphasizes a multidisciplinary approach as a foundation that can then be applied to an Oceanography bachelor’s degree or a more specialized bachelor’s degree such as Marine Biology or Marine Fisheries.
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
16 Units TotalENGL 1A
GE
4
College Composition
ENGL 1A
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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HLTH 1
GE
3
Health and Wellness
HLTH 1
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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MATH 14
GE
4
Introduction to Statistics
MATH 14
Advisory: ENGL 190 with a grade of C or higher, or English Placement Level 6 or higher.
An introductory course in statistics designed to show the role of modern statistical methods in the process of decision making. Concepts are introduced by example rather than by rigorous mathematical theory. The following topics will be covered: measures of central tendency and dispersion, regression and correlation, probability, sampling distributions including the normal, t, and chi-square, statistical inference using confidence intervals and hypotheses testing. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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An introductory course in statistics designed to show the role of modern statistical methods in the process of decision making. Concepts are introduced by example rather than by rigorous mathematical theory. The following topics will be covered: measures of central tendency and dispersion, regression and correlation, probability, sampling distributions including the normal, t, and chi-square, statistical inference using confidence intervals and hypotheses testing. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
CHEM 1A
M
5
General Chemistry
CHEM 1A
Note: Students must provide those materials which are of continuing value outside of the classroom setting. This cost will be explained at the first class meeting.
A course for science and engineering majors which covers the nature of atoms, molecules, and ions; chemical reactions; precipitation, oxidation-reduction, and acid/base chemistry; stoichiometry; electronic structure; periodicity; chemical bonding and molecular structure; properties of solids, liquids, and gases; and an introduction to thermodynamics and solutions. The lecture and discussion portions of this course may be offered in a distance education format.
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A course for science and engineering majors which covers the nature of atoms, molecules, and ions; chemical reactions; precipitation, oxidation-reduction, and acid/base chemistry; stoichiometry; electronic structure; periodicity; chemical bonding and molecular structure; properties of solids, liquids, and gases; and an introduction to thermodynamics and solutions. The lecture and discussion portions of this course may be offered in a distance education format.
Spring Semester, First Year
14 Units TotalCMST 60
GE
3
Public Speaking
CMST 60
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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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.
HUM 4
GE
3
Humanities Through the Film
HUM 4
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, aesthetics 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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BIOL 1
Pre.
M
4
Principles of Biology
BIOL 1
A biological science emphasizing molecular and cellular organization, energetics of respiration and photosynthesis, cell integration and development. General principles of heredity, evolution, speciation and ecology. Intended for majors in science.
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ESCI 1
M
4
The Active Earth
ESCI 1
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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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.
Fall Semester, Second Year
16 Units TotalENGL 1C
Pre.
GE
3
Critical Reasoning, Reading, and Writing
ENGL 1C
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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ART 4
GE
3
World Art
ART 4
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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HIST 2
GE
3
World Civilization to 1500 CE
HIST 2
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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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.
POLS 2
GE
3
Intro to American Government
POLS 2
Advisory: ENGL 196 with a grade of C or higher, or English Placement Level 6 or higher.
This course is an introduction to United States and California government and politics, including their constitutions, political institutions and processes, and political actors. An examination of political behavior, political issues, and public policy, this course satisfies the CSU requirement in U.S. Constitution and California State and local government (US-2 and US-3). This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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This course is an introduction to United States and California government and politics, including their constitutions, political institutions and processes, and political actors. An examination of political behavior, political issues, and public policy, this course satisfies the CSU requirement in U.S. Constitution and California State and local government (US-2 and US-3). This course may be offered in a distance education format.
ESCI 15
M
4
Oceanography
ESCI 15
Note: Required overnight field trip.
Global ocean dynamics are part of an intricate system that influences world climate and both terrestrial and oceanic life. Basic principles and concepts are presented including ocean origins, ocean basin formation, seawater composition and characteristics, oceanic circulation, and the marine habitat providing a holistic view to the study of the oceans. Coastal processes such as waves and tides, erosion and deposition, and landforms are also considered. Laboratory activities will survey marine geology including plate tectonic and ocean basin topography, chemical oceanography, physical oceanography such as circulation, waves and tides, and biological oceanography including marine organisms, marine ecosystems and nutrient flow. Lecture and laboratory will consider marine 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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Global ocean dynamics are part of an intricate system that influences world climate and both terrestrial and oceanic life. Basic principles and concepts are presented including ocean origins, ocean basin formation, seawater composition and characteristics, oceanic circulation, and the marine habitat providing a holistic view to the study of the oceans. Coastal processes such as waves and tides, erosion and deposition, and landforms are also considered. Laboratory activities will survey marine geology including plate tectonic and ocean basin topography, chemical oceanography, physical oceanography such as circulation, waves and tides, and biological oceanography including marine organisms, marine ecosystems and nutrient flow. Lecture and laboratory will consider marine 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.
Spring Semester, Second Year
14 Units TotalHIST 17A
GE
3
United States History
HIST 17A
Advisory: ENGL 190 with a grade of C or higher, or English Placement Level 6 or higher.
This course is a survey of the history of the United States from Pre-Columbian Peoples to the end of Reconstruction. Topics include contact and settlement of America, the movement toward independence, the formation of a new nation and Constitution, westward expansion and manifest destiny, the causes and consequences of the Civil War, and Reconstruction. This course satisfies the CSU requirement for US History (US-1). This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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This course is a survey of the history of the United States from Pre-Columbian Peoples to the end of Reconstruction. Topics include contact and settlement of America, the movement toward independence, the formation of a new nation and Constitution, westward expansion and manifest destiny, the causes and consequences of the Civil War, and Reconstruction. This course satisfies the CSU requirement for US History (US-1). This course may be offered in a distance education format.
ETHS 1
GE
3
Introduction to Ethnic Studies
ETHS 1
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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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.
ESCI 6
M
4
Ancient Life
ESCI 6
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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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.
ESCI 16
M
3
Coastal Marine Sciences
ESCI 16
Note: Required field outings.
An introduction to coastal oceanography, a holistic science that in this course will include coastal habitat evaluation of shore and near shore ecosystems. Basic concepts in oceanography including chemical, physical, geologic, and biologic realms, as related to coasts, with an emphasis on the inter-related nature of these topics, will serve as the main thread across the topics of the course. The course will develop oceanographic concepts associated with estuaries, tidal flats, sandy shores, rocky shores, and the shallow continental shelf. Shore and near-shore island ecosystems and their evolution, inclusive of island reefs and lagoons, outer-shelf reef formation and ecology, and coastal management will round out the course. The course will also consider marine produced and influenced natural resources, their exploitation, and concepts centered about sustainable uses and conservation. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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An introduction to coastal oceanography, a holistic science that in this course will include coastal habitat evaluation of shore and near shore ecosystems. Basic concepts in oceanography including chemical, physical, geologic, and biologic realms, as related to coasts, with an emphasis on the inter-related nature of these topics, will serve as the main thread across the topics of the course. The course will develop oceanographic concepts associated with estuaries, tidal flats, sandy shores, rocky shores, and the shallow continental shelf. Shore and near-shore island ecosystems and their evolution, inclusive of island reefs and lagoons, outer-shelf reef formation and ecology, and coastal management will round out the course. The course will also consider marine produced and influenced natural resources, their exploitation, and concepts centered about sustainable uses and conservation. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
ESCI 16L
M
Lab
1
Coastal Marine Sciences Lab
ESCI 16L
This course accompanies ESCI 16 Coastal Marine Sciences and provides practical application to concepts presented in that course. Laboratory work will include field explorations along coasts, including shore and near shore systems, representing the primary resources for lab work. Other activities will include charting and navigation, species identification, and habitat monitoring to include data collection techniques, analysis and synthesis from coastal and near-shore sites. As with lecture (ESCI 16) marine produced and influenced natural resources, their exploitation, and sustainable uses, will be studied.
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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:
- California State Universities – General Education
- IGETC – Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum
Need a print out? Feel free to download and/or print out a copy of the sample program map(s).
Earth & Environment Interest Area Counselors
Email
Contact Nickie McGarry
Department
Counseling & Student Services
Phone
(530) 242-7956
Location
Redding Main Campus | Room 137
Degree
M.S., National University
For Appointments
(530) 242-7724
Interest Areas Counseling
Earth & Environment, Industrial Technology
Email
Contact Haley Carter
Department
Counseling & Student Services
Phone
(530) 242-7724
Location
Redding Main Campus | Room 101
Degree
M.S., National University
For Appointments
(530) 242-7724
Academic/Instructional Division Office
Science, Language Arts & Mathematics (SLAM)
Contact Info
Phone
(530) 242-7760
Fax
(530) 225-4668
Location
Room 935/905
Office Hours
Monday - Friday | 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
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