This recommended pathway meets the requirements of the AS-T degree with an environmental science or biology focus, and prepares you for the Marine & Coastal Science major at Western Washington University or ocean science / oceanography majors at other universities. But you can customize your plan even more. Talk with your advisor about adapting it for your individual goals.
Scroll to the end for course suggestions.
Quarter 1 (15 credits)
OCEA& 101 Intro to oceanography with lab (5 credits)
or PHYS& 110 Physics for non-science majors (5 credits)
Take PHYS& 110 if you didn't take a year of physics in high school. It's a prerequisite for PHYS& 221 in Quarter 6. If you took physics, take OCEA& 101 now instead.
MATH& 141 Precalculus I (5 credits)
- If you're not ready for MATH& 141, start the math sequence leading to it.
- If your math placement is higher than MATH& 141, take that course instead.
- Talk with your advisor about adjusting the pathway for your starting place in math.
Social science (5 credits): a class with "SS" at the end of the course description
Career exploration:
- Find your people! Attend area-of-study activities and connect with clubs related to your career goals. Find out where students in your pathway go to study.
- Participate in undergraduate research in OCEA& 101.
Action items:
- Meet with your advisor to draw up your degree plan in Starfish.
- Have your transfer-in credits officially evaluated.
- Visit the Intercultural Center, the Learning Center and the library.
Quarter 2 (15 credits)
ENGL& 101 English composition I (5 credits)
MATH& 142 Precalculus II (5 credits)
GEOL 211 Physical geology (5 credits)
or Humanities (5 credits): a class with "H" at the end of the course description
If GEOL 211 is available this quarter, take it.
Career exploration:
- Check out the interdisciplinary Marine & Coastal Science major at Western Washington University. Are you more interested in a physical science or a biology focus? Also, look for marine science / ocean science majors at other universities you're interested in.
- Start keeping a portfolio of your best work.
Quarter 3 (15-17 credits)
GEOL 211 Physical geology (5 credits)
or Humanities (5 credits): a class with "H" at the end of the course description
If you didn't take GEOL 211 in Quarter 2, take it now.
MATH& 151 Calculus I (5 credits)
Humanities (5 credits): a course with "H" at the end of the course description
or Social science (5 credits): a course with "SS" at the end of the course description
Optional:
Learning contract (2 credits): an independent study with a faculty mentor.
Career exploration:
- Design a learning contract to dig deeper into a topic or do research of your own.
- Ask your instructors about nearby conferences you might attend next year.
- Look for a summer job or internship related to your career goals.
Action items:
- Check the GPA and other entry requirements for your future major. Are you on track?
Quarter 4 (15 credits)
CHEM& 161 General chemistry with lab I (5 credits)
BIOL& 221 Majors biology - ecology/evolution (5 credits)
MATH& 152 Calculus II (5 credits)
Career exploration:
- Listen to podcasts about ocean issues or the kind of ocean science career you're aiming for.
Action items:
- Meet with your advisor about applying to universities. Start your transfer applications.
- Apply for next year's financial aid.
Quarter 5 (15 credits)
CHEM& 162 General chemistry with lab II (5 credits)
BIOL& 222 Majors biology - cell/molecular (5 credits)
MATH& 163 Calculus III (5 credits)
or MATH& 146 Intro to statistics (5 credits)
Career exploration:
- Participate in undergraduate research in BIOL& 222.
Action items:
- If you're aiming for the Marine and Coastal Science major at WWU, apply to the major before March 1st.
- Apply to graduate.
Quarter 6 (15 credits)
CHEM& 163 General chemistry with lab III (5 credits)
BIOL& 223 Majors biology - organismal physiology (5 credits)
PHYS& 221 Engineering physics I (5 credits)
If you choose a physical sciences emphasis in the Marine & Coastal Science major at WWU, you'll take more courses in physics after you transfer.
Career exploration:
- Participate in undergraduate research in CHEM& 163.
Action items:
- Attend the spring job fair.
Course suggestions
You are encouraged to choose classes that complement your interests. Don't be afraid to reach out and try something new!
Humanities or electives
- Philosophy courses can help you develop the critical thinking important in the sciences:
- PHIL& 101 Intro to philosophy
- PHIL 115 Critical thinking
- PHIL 130 Intro to ethics
- PHIL 132 Environmental ethics
- Since ocean science is a global discipline, another language may be helpful:
- ASL& 121, CHIN& 121, FREN& 121, GERM& 121, JAPN& 121 or SPAN& 121
You can use 5 credits of 100-level language as a humanities course. If you take a second course to become more proficient, that course will be an elective.
- Ocean science involves a lot of sketching and drawing specimens and observations of the world around you:
- Ocean science intersects with many other disciplines. Consider these options (by no means the only ones) for expanding your knowledge of other worldviews:
- ENGL 124 Environmental literature
- ENGL 136 Science fiction and fantasy
- ENGL 238 Gender and literature
- ENGL 286 Mythology
- ENGL 267 Native American literature
- FILM 240 Documentary film
- FILM 265 American LGBTQ+ cinema
- HUM& 101 Intro to the humanities
- IDS 161 Literature, science and gender
- IDS 180 Visual media and culture
Social Sciences or electives
- If you're interested in exploring human history and how people play a role in the marine environment:
- SALI 201 Intro to the Salish Sea (spring only)
This class weaves together sciences and social sciences in its focus on the Salish Sea.
- Geography overlaps with physical geology, but goes further into surface processes and human constructs of spaces:
- GEOG& 100 Intro to geography
- GEOG& 102 World regional geography
- GEOG& 250 Geography of the Pacific Northwest
- If you're interested in the overlaps between ocean science and government systems:
- POLS& 101 Intro to political science
- If you're interested in an education focus, some foundation in the principles of teaching will be useful:
- EDUC 202 Intro to education
- If you're thinking about a park ranger path or government work:
- CJ& 101 Intro to criminal justice
- Consider these interdisciplinary options for expanding your understanding of the ways we explain the world and the ways our practices impact / are impacted by that world:
- IDS 112 Ethnomathematics
- IDS 113 Quantitative methods in the social sciences
- IDS 161 Literature, science and gender
- IDS 170 Intro to sustainability
- IDS 180 Visual media and culture
- IDS 210 Science, economics and politics of sustainable resources
Electives
- Communicate your science to others:
- CMST& 101 Intro to communication
- CMST& 210 Interpersonal communication
- CMST& 230 Small group communication
- CMST& 220 Public speaking
Many scientists present their work at conferences. Learn to organize a presentation and practice the art of giving one.
- Develop your critical thinking with a logic course oriented toward math and symbolism:
- PHIL& 117 Traditional logic