Environmental Technology refers to the skills and knowledge that allows a person to work in the environmental field in compliance with governmental regulations and at the same time protect human health and the environment.
The Environmental Technology Associate of Science Degree Program is a two-year program designed to prepare students to either enter the work force at the technician level or transfer into a bachelors’ degree program.
Please contact the Student Success Team for this program if you have any questions.Course | Units | Typically Offered |
1st Semester | ||
ET 130 - Health Effects of Environmental Hazardous MaterialsM | 3.0 | |
ET 130 - Health Effects of Environmental Hazardous Materials (3.0 units) Advisory: ENGL 035 or ENLA 100 or appropriate placement; READ 043 or appropriate placement; MATH 053 or MATH 053B or appropriate placement This course is designed to educate students working in or seeking employment in areas that include health and safety responsibilities. The course provides an overview of how to identify and evaluate the hazards of chemical, physical, and biological agents that can be encountered in industrial operations, as well as waste disposal and remediation sites. | ||
BIOL 120 - Environmental Biology (RHC GE 5)M | 3.0 | |
BIOL 120 - Environmental Biology (3.0 units) Advisory: ENGL 035 or ENLA 100 or appropriate placement; READ 043 or appropriate placement; MATH 050 or MATH 050D or MATH 053 or appropriate placement Utilizing basic biological concepts, an interdisciplinary approach is used to address environmental challenges. Topics addressed may include ecosystem characteristics and functions, population dynamics, energy and material resource use, pollution, and alternative energy sources. Students in many disciplines will benefit from this course as the social, political, and economic implications of environmental decisions are addressed. This course fulfills the general education requirement in life sciences. | ||
BIOL 120L - Environmental Biology LaboratoryM | 1.0 | |
BIOL 120L - Environmental Biology Laboratory (1.0 units) Prerequisite/Corequisite: BIOL 120 This laboratory course compliments the Environmental Biology lecture course and is designed for students interested in furthering their understanding of the environmental sciences. The scientific method will be employed to investigate ecosystems and their functions, natural selection, population interactions, environmental toxicology, radiation exposure effects, soil and groundwater systems, water pollution, alternative energy systems, and environmental resistance. | ||
RHC GE 7a - Fine ArtsGE | 3.0 | |
Note: All honors courses have a prerequisite. Select one: | ||
ElectiveEL | 3.0 | |
Select any course that is numbered 40 or above. Please see a counselor to discuss course options. | ||
Total Semester Units: | 13.0 | |
2nd Semester | ||
CIT 101 - Introduction to Computer Information Technology (RHC GE 8b)M | 3.0 | |
CIT 101 - Introduction to Computer Information Technology (3.0 units) Advisory: ENGL 035 or ENLA 100 or appropriate placement; READ 043 or appropriate placement; CIT 100A This course is an examination of information systems and their role in business. It will focus on information systems, database management systems, networking, e-commerce, ethics and security, computer systems hardware and software components. It will apply these concepts and methods through hands-on projects developing computer-based solutions to business problems. | ||
ET 230 - Safety and Emergency ResponseM | 4.0 | |
ET 230 - Safety and Emergency Response (4.0 units) Advisory: ENGL 035 or ENLA 100 or appropriate placement; READ 043 or appropriate placement; MATH 050 or MATH 050D or MATH 053 or appropriate placement This course is designed to provide individuals, who are working in or who seek employment in the environmental technology field, with hands-on instruction in safety and emergency response to chemical and physical exposures at hazardous waste sites. Topics include: hazard identification, emergency response planning, proper use and selection of PPE, site control and evaluation, handling drums and containers, field sampling and air monitoring, proper use of instruments, confined spaces, emergency response including field exercises in the use of APR and SCBA. This course satisfies the requirements for 40 hour HAZWOPER TRAINING under OSHA (1910.120) and confined space entry training under OSHA (1910.146). | ||
ENGL 101 - College Composition and ResearchGE | 3.5 | |
ENGL 101 - College Composition and Research (3.5 units) Prerequisite: ENGL 035 or ENLA 100 or appropriate placement This is a composition course that enables students to generate logical, coherent essays and reports necessary to academic and professional success. Students will become proficient in research techniques, learn critical reading and thinking skills through expository and persuasive reading selections, and apply these skills to creating original essays and a final research paper. The lab component of this course is designed to assist students in improving and refining their writing and language skills. Students will complete lab activities that enhance their ability to compose logical, well-supported arguments that exhibit grammatical fluency and correct documentation form. Students will meet with composition instructors through individual conferences that address students’ specific writing concerns. This course is designed for students who wish to fulfill the General Education requirement for Written Communication. | ||
RHC GE 4 - American InstitutionsGE | 3.0 | |
Note: All honors courses have a prerequisite. Select one: | ||
Total Semester Units: | 13.5 | |
Summer 1 | ||
Major ElectiveM | 3.0 | |
Notes: See major sheet for major elective options. The following areas of specialization are available: Waste Management, Land Use Planning & Environmental Restoration, Water Resources, Alternative & Efficient Energy Systems, and Environmental Health &Safety. Please see a counselor to discuss course options. | ||
RHC GE 3 - Physical EducationGE | 1.0 | |
Select one: KINA or DANC activity course. | ||
Total Semester Units: | 4.0 | |
3rd Semester | ||
ET 260 - Environmental Sampling and AnalysisM | 4.0 | |
ET 260 - Environmental Sampling and Analysis (4.0 units) Advisory: ENGL 035 or ENLA 100 or appropriate placement; READ 043 or appropriate placement; MATH 053 or MATH 053B or appropriate placement This course provides an overview of the techniques of sampling protocols for obtaining soil, air, surface water, and groundwater samples based on sampling protocols approved by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). In the lecture, emphasis is placed on aspects of the procurement of samples through the EPA-approved standard operating procedures and practices. In the laboratory, students gain practical knowledge and skills for the appropriate collection and handling of environmental samples. | ||
Major ElectiveM | 3.0 | |
Notes: See major sheet for major elective options. The following areas of specialization are available: Waste Management, Land Use Planning & Environmental Restoration, Water Resources, Alternative & Efficient Energy Systems, and Environmental Health &Safety. Please see a counselor to discuss course options. | ||
RHC GE 6 - Social and Behavioral ScienceGE | 3.0 | |
Note: All honors courses have a prerequisite. Select one: | ||
RHC GE 7b - HumanitiesGE | 3.0† | |
Notes: Select one: | ||
Total Semester Units: | 13.0† | |
4th Semester | ||
Major ElectiveM | 3.0 | |
Notes: See major sheet for major elective options. The following areas of specialization are available: Waste Management, Land Use Planning & Environmental Restoration, Water Resources, Alternative & Efficient Energy Systems, and Environmental Health &Safety. Please see a counselor to discuss course options. | ||
Major ElectiveM | 3.0 | |
Notes: See major sheet for major elective options. The following areas of specialization are available: Waste Management, Land Use Planning & Environmental Restoration, Water Resources, Alternative & Efficient Energy Systems, and Environmental Health &Safety. Please see a counselor to discuss course options. | ||
Major ElectiveM | 3.0 | |
Notes: See major sheet for major elective options. The following areas of specialization are available: Waste Management, Land Use Planning & Environmental Restoration, Water Resources, Alternative & Efficient Energy Systems, and Environmental Health &Safety. Please see a counselor to discuss course options. | ||
RHC GE 2 - Math CompetencyGE | 3.0† | |
† some classes may have higher units. Note: Students intending to transfer should begin at transfer level math. Transfer math courses are numbered 100+. Please meet with a counselor to discuss course options. | ||
Total Semester Units: | 12.0† | |
Summer 2 | ||
RHC GE 3 - Physical EducationGE | 1.0 | |
Select one: KINA or DANC activity course. | ||
ElectiveEL | 1.0 | |
Select any course that is numbered 40 or above. Please see a counselor to discuss course options. | ||
ElectiveEL | 3.0 | |
Select any course that is numbered 40 or above. Please see a counselor to discuss course options. | ||
Total Semester Units: | 5.0 | |
Total Units for Environmental Technology AS program | 60.5† | |
† | Some classes may have higher units |
M | Major course; course may also meet a general education requirement |
GE | General Education course |
EL | Elective Course |
Students will identify the types of environmental, health, and safety hazards that may be encountered in the environmental field.
For more information about graduation rates, loan repayment rates, and post-enrollment earnings about this institution and other postsecondary institutions please click here: https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/
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Rio Hondo College, serving the communities of El Monte, Pico Rivera, Santa Fe Springs, South El Monte, and Whittier for over 50 years.
Rio Hondo College
3600 Workman Mill Road
Whittier, CA 90601
Phone: (562) 692-0921
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