Earth Systems Science and Policy: Marine & Coastal Ecology Concentration

Type of degree: B.S.

Brief overview of program: The Earth Systems Science & Policy (ESSP) program offers an innovative interdisciplinary B.S. degree program linking natural science, physical science, technology, economics, and policy. The program emphasizes the critical thinking and technical skills necessary to develop workable solutions to complex environmental problems. Unique in its commitment to linking earth systems science to environmental economics and social policy, ESSP provides students with active learning and applied research in marine, coastal, and watershed systems

Website: Click here for program website

Tuition (2007):In State: $3000.00, Out of State: $10,170 (max)

For the students that enter the workforce, what are the most common occupations that they pursue with this degree or certificate? ESSP graduates have pursued successful careers in fields including environmental consulting/planning; marine technology; marine habitat mapping; hydrology/water quality technology; land use consulting; GIS analysis; science teaching; watershed management; marine research; marine mammal husbandry; environmental health; aquarium science/management; natural/interpretive guiding; environmental education; land surveying; technical writing; wetlands biology; scientific illustration; and native plant restoration. The organizations hiring ESSP graduates have included the National Park Service; Monterey Bay Aquarium; Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute; Seafloor Systems; Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary; U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service; U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; Monterey Peninsula Water Management District; Monterey County Water Resources Agency; Catalina Island Marine Institute; Secor Environmental Consulting; SRA International; MEC Analytical Systems; California State Parks; Swanson Environmental Consulting; California Department of Fish & Game; Monterey County Planning Office; Wetlands Research Associates; National Marine Fisheries Service; Sierra Club; Whitson Engineers; Granite Construction; LandWatch Monterey; Rana Creek Ranch; Entrix Inc.; Jones & Stokes Environmental Planning, and the National Atmospheric and Oceanic Administrations Marine Protected Areas Center.

Description of Facilities: Please see http://sep.csumb.edu/sep/html/research.htm

Program Faculty: Susan Alexander, Ph.D., Professor Ecology ~ ecosystem modeling ~ marine science Sharon Anderson, Ph.D., Professor Science education ~ soil and water chemistry ~ water quality Carla Bundrick Benejam, M.A., Lecturer Human evolution ~ primate behavior ~ science education Robert Curry, Ph.D., Lecturer Watershed science ~ river restoration ~ geology ~ law and policy Michael Dalton, Ph.D., Associate Professor Economics ~ fisheries management ~ climate change policy John Detka, M.S., Teaching Associate Watershed restoration ~ ecology ~ botany ~ remote sensing ~ science education ~ web design and online educational resources Daniel Fernandez, Ph.D., Professor and Chair of the Division Physics ~ sustainability and alternative energy ~ fog water collection ~ ocean remote sensing Corey Garza, Ph.D., Assistant Professor Marine ecology ~ statistics ~ geospatial technology (GIS/GPS) Crystal Gonzalez, M.S., Lecturer Science education ~ organic chemistry William Head, Ph.D., Professor Marine ecology ~ internship program ~ marine policy ~ aquaculture ~ critical thinking Pat Iampietro, M.S., Lecturer Geospatial technology (GIS/GPS) ~ seafloor mapping Rebecca Kersnar, M.A., Lecturer Biology (botany) ~ academic writing and reading ~ environmental ethics ~ TESOL Henrik Kibak, Ph.D., Associate Professor Science education ~ systems biology ~ biochemistry Rikk Kvitek, Ph.D., Professor and Director of the Seafloor Mapping Lab Marine science ~ geospatial technology (GIS/GPS) ~ seafloor mapping Laura Lee Lienk, M.S., Lecturer and Co-Director of the Watershed Institute Watershed restoration ~ service learning ~ environmental education James Lindholm, Ph.D., Assistant Professor Ecology of marine fishes ~ habitat response to fishing ~ design and efficacy of MPAs Marc Los Huertos, Ph.D., Assistant Professor Water quality ~ nitrogen cycling ~ agroecology Don Mautner, M.S., Lecturer Meteorology ~ oceanography Steven Moore, Ph.D., Professor Zoology ~ biomechanics ~ robotics for environmental education and research Kristy Morris, Ph.D., Lecturer Chemistry ~ water quality ~ analytical method development Daniel Shapiro, Ph.D., Associate Professor Environmental justice ~ environmental ethics ~ senior capstone coordinator ~ writing and critical thinking Douglas Smith, Ph.D., Associate Professor Watershed processes and restoration ~ geology ~ marine geology ~ sedimentology Aparna Sreenivasan, Ph.D., Lecturer Cell cycle ~ fungal pathogenesis ~ molecular biology ~ science writing and education Fred Watson, Ph.D., Assistant Professor and Co-director of the Watershed Institute Hydrology ~ ecology ~ modeling ~ monitoring ~ software development Myriam Weber, M.S., Lecturer Earth science ~ science education ~ water policy ~ agricultural science ~ international development Swarup Wood, Ph.D., Associate Professor Sustainability ~ chemistry ~ learner-centered education Suzanne Worcester, Ph.D., Associate Professor Restoration ecology ~ conservation biology ~ informal science education Natalie Zayas, M.S., Lecturer Online education ~ water quality ~ science education

Student Support: Please see: http://csumb.edu/site/x2127.xml

Program Point of Contact: Daniel Fernandez

Email: daniel_fernandez@csumb.edu

Department: B. S. in Earth Systems Science & Policy

Institution address: CSU Monterey Bay 100 Campus Center, Building 53
                             Seaside,CA 93955-8001

Phone: (831) 582-4110