NOTE: ESYS 101, 102, and 103 should be taken by end of the junior year.
ESYS 101. The Living Earth (4 units) Fall
This course will survey the basic biochemical and physiological processes governing the relationship between organisms and their environments. Fundamentals of molecular biology, enzyme reactions, photosynthesis, and central metabolic processes, mechanisms underlying homeostasis at cellular and organismal levels will be discussed with a view toward understanding the adaptations and sensitivity of biological systems to environmental perturbations.
Prerequisites: None
ESYS 102. The Solid and Fluid Earth (4 units) Winter
The physical Earth system can be divided into three components: the solid earth, the liquid earth, and the atmosphere. These components are dynamic and interact in complex ways with profound impacts on our environment. We will examine the controls of natural phenomena such as earthquakes, volcanoes, landslides, soil formation (and destruction), and changes in sea-level and climate.
Prerequisites: Math. 10A, 10B, 10C,CHEM 6A-B-C, Physics 1A-B-C plus either Chem/Physics lab.
ESYS 103. The Human Earth (4 units) Spring
This course explores the impacts of human, social, economic, and industrial activity on the environment. It highlights the central roles in ensuring sustainable development played by market forces, technological innovation and governmental regulation on local, national and global scales.
Prerequisites:Grade of C- or better in Math 20B or Math 10A-C; Physics 2B or Physics 1 A-C; and Chemistry 6B or by consent of instructor. In addition for Esys majors, must take Esys 101 and 102 or permission of instructor.
ESYS 190A. Senior Project (2 Quarters for a total of 8 units)
(Fall/Winter)
The ESYS Program places a significant value on interdisciplinary problem solving and all majors are expected to complete an integrative Senior Project in their final year. The Senior Project is designed by the student to focus on an interdisciplinary environmental problem or research topic and is developed either individually or as part of a team over two quarters. Appropriate topics for the Senior Project could conceivably include biodiversity conservation, coastal zone management, environmental health, climate change, environmental justice, and/or urban air quality. An important component of the Senior Project is an off-campus or laboratory internship where students might work on, for example, the development of a comprehensive management plan for a threatened ecosystem.
Prerequisites: senior standing, majors only.
!! Important Additional Details !!
Enrollment and Grading Policy: ESYS majors will typically enroll in ESYS 190A in the fall and winter quarters of their final year and ESYS 190B in the spring quarter of their final year. With prior approval, students may enroll in the ESYS 190A sequence in the winter and spring quarters of their final year and enroll in ESYS 190B during summer session. The class will account for four units of credit toward the degree each quarter and will be taken on a pass/no pass basis.
ESYS 190B. Senior Seminar (2 units) (Spring or Summer Session)
The Senior Seminar provides a venue for the presentation and group evaluation of the ESYS Senior Projects.
Prerequisites: ESYS 190A.
Course Syllabus:
ESYS 190B Syllabus
ESYS 120. Science and Environmental Writing (4 units)
next offered Winter 09
Course designed to improve the written communication of science majors through frequent writing assignments that develop the practical skills needed to communicate science to lay audiences. Topics include news writing, news releases, grant writing, broadcast script writing, and editorial writing. Prerequisites: Upper division standing in science or mathematics major and completion of college composition requirement (or consent of instructor).
Course Syllabus:
ESYS
120 Syllabus 200
ESYS 120 Internet Resources
Science and
Environmental Writing Internships
ESYS 150. Environmental Perils (4units) Spring
An advanced field-oriented course for engineering and science students stressing the geologic basis for environmental perils such as earthquakes, erosion, flooding and waste disposal. Two one-hour lectures, and a two-hour lab/field trip each week.
Prerequisites: Math 10A, B, C sequence and Physics 1A,B,C sequence or equivalent.
Course Syllabus:
ESYS 150 Syllabus
ESYS 199. Independent Study (2-4 units)
Faculty guided readings or projects in the area of Environmental Systems.
