Earth Sciences
A.S. Degree Major Earth Sciences · Santiago Canyon College · 2025-2026 Catalog
The Associate of Science in Earth Sciences degree is designed to provide students who need or want broad knowledge of the Earth sciences for their profession, but do not necessarily plan on becoming professional geoscientists. In addition to the geosciences, professions where such knowledge could prove to be useful include environmental sciences, urban planning and land use, transportation, travel and tourism, education, park rangers and other recreation professionals.
Program Courses & Requirements
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Earth Sciences, AS: Complete all of the following | 18-21 | |
| Major requirements | 11 | |
| ERTH 100 | Physical Geology | 3 |
| ERTH 100L | Physical Geology Laboratory | 1 |
| ERTH 111 | Historical Geology | 4 |
| Please select one (1) of the following: | ||
| ERTH 130 | Environmental Geology | 3 |
| ERTH 160 | Oceanography | 3 |
| GEOG 130 | Introduction to Weather and Climate | 3 |
| Select a minimum of six (6) units from the following | 6 | |
| An additional course from above (may not be a course used to satisfy the requirements in above list) | ||
| GEOG155 and SURV155 are considered the same course and credit will be awarded for only one course. | ||
| ASTR 103 | Introduction to the Solar System | 3 |
| ERTH 120 | Earth Sciences | 3 |
| ERTH 121 | Earth Sciences for Educators | 3 |
| GEOG 150 | Exploring Maps and Geographic Technologies | 4 |
| GEOG 155 | Introduction to Geographic Information Systems | 3 |
| LIBI 100 | Library Research Fundamentals | 3 |
| LIBI 103 | Advanced Internet Research | 1 |
| SURV 155 | Introduction to Geographic Information Systems | 3 |
| Select a minimum of one (1) unit from the following | 1-4 | |
| ERTH 200 | Geology of California | 3 |
| ERTH 212 | San Andreas Fault System Geology Field Study | 1 |
| ERTH 214 | Orange County Geology Field Study | 1 |
Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate an understanding of geoscience processes based upon observation of Earth materials and features.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the basic principles of the geosciences.