The pathway below represents an efficient and effective course taking sequence for this program. Individual circumstances might require some changes to this pathway. It is always recommended that you meet with an academic counselor to develop a personalized educational plan.
The courses have been intentionally placed and should be prioritized in
the order
in which they appear. If you are unable to take all the courses in
a semester, you
should prioritize enrolling in the courses in the order below.
Some courses have
been noted as “Appropriate for Intersession” . Should you need (or want) to take
classes
in the summer and/or winter intersessions,
the program recommends these courses as appropriate for the condensed
schedule of
the intersessions.
Some pathways combine a “Certificate of Achievement” and an “Associate
Degree”. If
you are pursuing only the Certificate of Achievement, you are only
required to take
the courses marked “Program Requirement” .
All pathways include at least one “Gateway Course” which introduces you to the program and/or field of study and helps you
decide if you want to continue with this Academic and Career Path.
Most Associate degrees (though not Associate Degrees for Transfer)
require satisfying the SMC Global Citizenship requirement. If the Program
Requirements do not include a “Global Citizenship course” , be sure to select a General Education course that also satisfies Global Citizenship.
Recycling and Resource Management is among the largest and most rapidly growing industries in America. As more cities and businesses develop sustainability and zero waste policies, the need increases for personnel who can properly manage resource use and recycling. The Recycling and Resource Management curriculum emphasizes an interdisciplinary approach, exploring recycling and resource management from a variety of perspectives and in a variety of settings. Core curriculum will provide students with an in-depth study of waste diversion and resource management, emphasizing cultural, community, and business applications. Courses cover governmental and organizational policies, practices, and procedures in waste and resource management, including best management practices and successful community and educational zero waste programs.
Upon completion of the program, students will:
- Upon completion of this program students will demonstrate the ability to plan, implement, and oversee waste management programs aimed at implementing Zero Waste principles and sustainability practices for individuals, businesses, and the communities. Additionally, students will demonstrate the ability to write proposals and policy using correct terminology, principles and CA legislation and regulations regarding waste, recycling, sustainable resource management and zero waste systems.
Icon Key
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Gateway Course
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Program Requirement
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General Education
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Appropriate for Intersession
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Available Online
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Global Citizenship
Semester 1
15 Units
This course introduces general terminology and principles regarding waste, recycling, resource management and Zero Waste. The history of waste and resource management in California, including residential, commercial and institutional reuse, recycling, and composting programs, is addressed. An overview of national, state, and local legislation and regulations related to waste and resource management and recycling is provided. The course covers waste diversion practices such as reduce, reuse, recycle, and also introduces principles in recovery, remanufacturing and repurchasing.
- Area V: Global Citizenship
This course will provide an overview of our "throw-away" culture and the motivations behind consumerism and related waste disposal practices. Key issues of the course include carbon footprint, plastics in our environment, consumer laws and cultural mindsets. The course will identify key government agencies and policies and how to collaborate and obtain funding for outreach. Environmental educational skills, programs, and methods will be reviewed. Case studies of successful youth campaigns will be explored and the basics of establishing strong educational programs examined.
This course will identify how resource management and Zero Waste policies and programs are developed within a community, what type of planning and facilities are needed, and how to finance the systems. Students will also review sample sustainability and zero waste plans and will discuss different approaches communities have taken to developing Zero Waste goals. Students will also learn about tools for local government, best practices for RFPs (Request for Proposals) and contracts, enforcement options, design of resource recovery parks, performance reporting and financial records, Extended Producer Responsibility and Local Producer Responsibility policies and programs, bans, rules and incentives, and local markets and uses for discarded resources.
This course will provide hands-on applications and tools for businesses to design, implement and oversee waste reduction and resource management programs. It will review a variety of best practices for successful waste diversion and recovery in businesses, detailing how businesses can implement those practices to achieve Zero Waste. Examination of case studies will be used to demonstrate how different companies have implemented successful waste diversion and sustainability programs, including triple bottom line business practices. This course will also provide students with an understanding of how to plan and implement commercial food and organics programs.
This course provides an exploration of intellectual, psychological, social and physical factors that impact lifelong learning, well-being and success. Topics include motivation and self-efficacy; critical thinking, academic integrity and active study strategies; health issues and lifestyle choices; relating to others as a global citizen; written and oral communication; time management; career exploration; and educational planning.
- E - Lifelong Understanding and Self-Development
Semester 2
15-17 Units
SMC GE Area IV-B Course 3-5 units
This introductory course in rhetoric emphasizes clear, effective written communication and preparation of the research paper.
- Prerequisite: ENGL 21B or
- Prerequisite: ENGL 22
- Prerequisite: ESL 19B or
- Prerequisite: Group A on the Placement Test
- 1A: English Composition
- A2 - Written Communication
- Area IV-A: Language and Rationality (Group A)
Elective Course 3 units
Semester 3
15 Units
BIOL 9 recommended if not completed above
See the full list: SMC GE Area I Course
SMC GE Area II-A Course 3 units

Elective Course 3 units
Elective Course 3 units
Elective Course 3 units
Semester 4
15 Units
ENGL 2 recommended for transfer options
See the full list: SMC GE Area III Course
Elective Course 3 units
Elective Course 3 units
Elective Course 3 units
Elective Course 3 units
Program Electives
6 Units
This survey course covers ecological principles including ecosystem structure and function, population dynamics and the interdependence of living organisms. Current environmental issues and controversies such as global warming, biodiversity and species extinction, habitat destruction, food and energy resources and pollution will be explored. Strategies for sustainable living will be emphasized.
- Skills Advisory: ENGL 1
- 5B: Biological Science
- B2 - Life Science
- E - Lifelong Understanding and Self-Development
- Area I: Natural Science
- Area V: Global Citizenship
This introductory course will use an interdisciplinary approach to provide students with a broad perspective on environmental problems and solutions. Students will be introduced to the strategies used by scientists, economists, political analysts and other writers and researchers to investigate and analyze environmental and urban issues, human/nature relationships, natural and built environments, and environmental citizenship.
- 4E: Geography
- D7 - Interdisciplinary Social and Behavioral Science
- Area II-B: Social Science (Group B)
- Area V: Global Citizenship
This course introduces the field of environmental ethics with an emphasis on global environmental problems and global citizenship. The conceptual foundations of environmental attitudes and values are examined through an historical survey of philosophies of nature and human/nature relations. Ethical theories are presented and used to analyze contemporary environmental problems, e.g. mistreatment of animals, pollution, climate change, species extinction, natural resource depletion, environmental racism etc. The ethical assumptions underlying various national and international responses to environmental problems will be analyzed and evaluated.
- Skills Advisory: Eligibility for English 1
- 3B: Humanities
- C2 - Humanities
- Area III: Humanities
- Area V: Global Citizenship
This course examines environmental politics. The political, economic, and social origins of environmental change and degradation are examined, as well as democratic, bureaucratic and market-based solutions to environmental problems advocated by environmental movements, interest groups and political parties. Arguments for best public policy responses to a range of environmental problems will be assessed and debated. The course offers a practical problem-solving approach focusing primarily on the relations between a range of contemporary political values and on what it means to take political responsibility for reducing the human impact on the earth.
- Skills Advisory: Eligibility for English 1
- 4H: Political Science, Government & Legal Institutions
- D8 - Political Science, Government, and Legal Institutions
- Area II-B: Social Science (Group B)
- Area V: Global Citizenship
This course will focus on the theory and application of psychological principles as they relate to the causes of, and potential solutions to, current global environmental problems. Modern ecological issues (such as global climate change, habitat-loss, etc.) have their historical origin in human behavior; this class will focus both on relevant causal behaviors, and on the mental mechanisms that give rise to such behavior. An evolutionary perspective will be employed to identify the pathways by which the clash of a “universal human nature” and the modern environment results in an “evolutionary mismatch.” Evolutionary models such as the “tragedy of the commons” will be elucidated with relevant and real world examples. In addition, the course will explore potential avenues to effectively reshape human kind’s social, technological and economic relationship with its environment. As such, a systems approach will be taken that considers the human as a part of, as well as an influence on, ecosystems. Cutting edge research will be integrated from different domains of psychology (cognitive, social, developmental and evolutionary, etc.) as well as related fields (genetics, behavioral economics, game-theory, anthropology, etc.) to comprehensively study the human-environment interaction.
- 4I: Psychology
- D9 - Psychology
- Area II-B: Social Science (Group B)
- Area V: Global Citizenship
This entry-level employment course provides the skills that new employees need to retain their jobs. These skills include communicating skills; getting along with employers, supervisors, and customers; exhibiting positive attitudes and behaviors; adapting to the company culture; and surviving the initial months on the job.
This course provides students with on-the-job practical work experience to enhance work-related skills, increase awareness of potential careers, and develop knowledge of the "work culture." The internship need not be related to the students' educational or career goal.
- Prerequisite: Must be a continuing SMC student who completed 6 or more units in the previous fall/spring semester in order to in
This course provides students with on-the-job practical work experience to enhance work-related skills, increase awareness of potential careers, and develop knowledge of the “work culture.” The internship need not be related to the students’ educational or career goal.
- Prerequisite: Must be a continuing SMC student who completed 6 or more units in the previous fall/spring semester in order to in