California Environment Semester

Spend your first semester at Oxy in an integrated set of courses built around extended field trips.

Join a group of 32 students and three faculty learning about natural science, economics, and the environment of California. The spectacular California landscape will be our laboratory as we investigate the geology, biology and economics of our environment through "hands on" data collection, laboratory and computer analysis, critical thinking and writing, and classroom learning. This semester is a unique opportunity to fulfill three requirements toward graduation and required courses for six majors. The only prerequisites for this combined course are enthusiasm for outdoor activities, such as hiking and camping, and curiosity about the natural world. CES students excel in a wide variety of majors and frequently become campus leaders. We are committed to accommodating students regardless of physical ability or prior experience; field trip expenses will be paid by the College.

Lecture/Discussion: Focused on introductory biology, economics, geology and writing skills and strategies

Labs: On and off campus, including integrated analysis of field data and observations

Field Work: Three multi-day trips and local one-day trips to explore the wide range of California's natural environments, engage in field-based study, and collect data for later analysis