Environmental Resource Management

Program Coordinator: S. Aaron Hegde, PhD
Department Office: Business Development Center, A260
Telephone: (661) 654-2495
email: erm@csub.edu
Website: http://www.csub.edu/ermae/

Program Description

Environmental Resource Management is an interdisciplinary major administered by the Dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences. The major is a program of study that includes coursework in the following areas: (1) physical and life sciences relating to natural resource use; (2) the legal aspects of resource ownership and use; and (3) the economic and political aspects of resource allocation and environmental protection. The program also includes basic skills courses in areas such as communications, computers, statistics, and management.

The ERM major is of sufficient breadth to prepare graduates for entry into a wide range of careers relating to the use, management, and protection of environmental assets. These careers are in areas such as resource analysis and planning, environmental health, compliance, technical and environmental staff support, permitting, and real estate development. Graduates typically find employment in both the private and public sectors. Public agencies such as the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the United States Forest Service (USFS) typically hire individuals with skills provided within the program.

The program also requires a concentration (typically four courses) which further enhances the student experience. The concentration also gives students an opportunity to specialize in select areas. Previous concentrations have included Forestry, Environment and Health Distant students can complete the Bachelor’s Degree on-line from anywhere in the United States through the Internet.

Core Required Courses

Concentration

One of the following concentrations or four (4) approved electives must be completed.

Note: Courses in a concentration can be completed at Bakersfield College or another approved community college program.

Land Use Planning and Policy Concentration

One of the following: EEGS 320 Introduction to GIS
EEGS 395 Economic Geography
Three courses selected from the following or approved by the advisor:
SOC 367 Urban Sociology
AECO 390 Regional Economic Analysis
PPA 479 Urban Planning and Public Policy
ANTH 415 Cultural Resource Management
PSYC 332 Environmental Psychology
BEHS 321 Community Politics
PPA 340 Policy Networks

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

Upper Division

ERM 300 Health and Safety Compliance (4)

Compliance requirements and practices for regulations governing the protection of people in and around the workplace. Topics selected from personnel monitoring and protection, hazard assessment, hazardous materials management, hazard communication, emergency planning and response, risk management, multimedia compliance audits, and the training function within organizations. Includes conceptual models of hazard analysis as well as exercises and simulations.

ERM 411 Environmental Law I (5)

Traditional and contemporary common law theories, liabilities and remedies, public law, and the structure and power of government entities as legal foundations of environmental law. Topics include: torts, contracts, and property law; criminal law; federal and state constitutional law; public trust doctrine; eminent domain condemnations; inverse condemnation; and the commerce clause.

ERM 412 Environmental Law II (5)

Administrative law, the legislative process, and rule-making as legal foundations of environmental law. Topics include specific statutory provisions pertaining to project permitting, habitat and endangered species protection, public resource management, pesticides and toxic substances, air and water pollution, remediation, hazardous wastes, and land use controls. Prerequisite: ERM 411 or permission of instructor.

ERM 413 Environmental Compliance (4)

Compliance requirements and practices for statutes and regulations governing the protection of air, water, and land resources. Topics will include environmental impact assessment, emergency planning and response, and hazardous waste management. Case studies involving environmental compliance issues will be reviewed and evaluated.

INST 420 Electronic Legal Research Methods (2)

An introduction to research using electronic resources such as Lexis/Nexis and the Internet. Emphasis will be placed upon effective search strategy development, mastery of search tools, identification of potential resources, and retrieval of pertinent sources. Course will include legal research using Lexis/Nexis. Student will develop familiarity and skills related to search strategy development, search software, Internet navigation, research sites, and other related skills.

INST 435 Negotiation and Conflict Management (5)

Comprehensive survey of current trends in the theory and practice of negotiation as a means of resolving conflict and reaching agreement. Topics include: internal team management and pre-negotiation analysis; strategies and tactics; context and dynamics; impact of culture, gender, and personality types; follow-up and implementation; multilateral negotiation; and third party intervention. Case studies from the Program on Negotiation at Harvard Law School.

ERM 477 Special Topics (1-5)

An in-depth study of an area of land resource management not included in current course offerings. May be repeated for different course content. Prerequisites as announced.

ERM 489 Experiential Prior Learning (variable units)

Evaluation and assessment of learning that has occurred as a result of prior off-campus experience relevant to the curriculum of the department. Requires complementary academic study and/or documentation. Available by petition only, on a credit, no-credit basis. Not open to postgraduate students. Interested students should contact the department office.

ERM 491 Portfolio Assessment (3)

Graduation candidates develop a web page, resume, cover letter, and personal mission statement. They compile a representational portfolio demonstrating attainment of desired outcomes for the major. The portfolio entries, resume and cover letter are linked to the candidates website. Prerequisite: Senior Standing.

ERM 492 Integrative Project (3)

In order to demonstrate integrative skills in this interdisciplinary major, the candidate completes a project that synthesizes knowledge in science and technology, law, policy analysis, and other curriculum areas. The strengths and limitations of each paradigm are recognized and integrated into demonstration of the thesis. The project is presented in web format. Prerequisite: ERM 491.

ERM 496 Internship in Environmental Resource Management (1-5)

Internships may be arranged with various businesses or agencies. Supervision of the internship is shared by the field supervisor and course instructor. The focus of the internship must be to develop and/or apply competencies pertinent to careers in environmental policy and compliance. Offered on a credit, no-credit basis. The instructor will determine units of credit and their application.

ERM 497 Cooperative Education (variable units)

The Cooperative Education program offers a sponsored learning experience in a work setting, integrated with a field analysis seminar. The field experience is contracted by the Cooperative Education office on an individual basis, subject to approval by the department. The field experience, including the seminar and reading assignments, is supervised by the cooperative education coordinator and the faculty liaison (or course instructor), working with the field supervisor. Students are expected to enroll in the course for at least two quarters. The determination of course credits, evaluation and grading are the responsibility of the department faculty. Offered on a credit, no-credit basis only. Department will determine application of credit.

ERM 499 Individual Study (1-5)

Consent of department required.

GRADUATE COURSES

ERM 577 Special Topics (1-5)

An in-depth study of an area of environmental compliance and/or policy. May be repeated for different course content. Prerequisites as announced.

ERM 599 Individual Study (1-5)

Consent of program coordinator and instructor required.