Sustainable Materials Management (formerly Recycling and Resource Management)

Sustainable Materials Management (SMM) 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 Sustainable Materials Management (SMM) curriculum emphasizes an interdisciplinary approach, exploring recycling and materials 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 materials management, emphasizing cultural, community, and business applications. Courses cover governmental and organizational policies, practices, and procedures in waste and materials management, including a circular economy, best management practices and successful community and educational zero waste programs.

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Programs Offered

Associate Degree
- Sustainable Materials Management
Certificate of Achievement
- Sustainable Materials Management
- Sustainability and Materials Management

Associate Degree Requirements

An Associate degree is granted upon successful completion of a program of study with a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 (C) in degree applicable coursework and a minimum of 60 degree applicable semester units, including:

Completion of the area of emphasis with a grade of C or higher in each course, or with a P if the course was taken on a Pass/No Pass basis, and the P is equal to a C or higher;
Completion of one of the following general education patterns: SMC GE, CSU GE, or IGETC;
Completion of the SMC Global Citizenship graduation requirement.

Certificate of Achievement Requirements

A Certificate of Achievement is granted upon successful completion of a program of study with a minimum overall grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 (C) and a designated minimum number of units, including:

Completion of the area of emphasis with a grade of C or higher in each course, or with a P if the course was taken on a Pass/No Pass basis, and the P is equal to a C or higher;
Completion of at least 50% of area of emphasis units at Santa Monica College. Department Chairs have the discretion to waive the 50% minimum units required at SMC to meet the major or area of emphasis. All major coursework must be completed with a “C” or better grade.

Catalog Rights

Sustainable Materials Management (formerly Recycling and Resource Management), Associate Degree or Certificate of Achievement

Program Learning Outcomes: 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.

Area of Emphasis: (18 units)

Required Core Course: (12 units)

SMM 1,Introduction to Sustainable Materials Management (formerly RRM 1)(3)

SMM 2,Culture and Zero Waste (formerly RRM 2)(3)

SMM 3,Sustainable Materials Management and Zero Waste for Communities (formerly RRM 3)(3)

SMM 4,Sustainable Materials Management and Zero Waste in Business (formerly RRM 4)(3)

Electives: Group A

Select 3 units from the following:

ANTHRO 19,The Culture of Food(3)

BUS 7,Introduction to Sustainability in Business(3)

BUS 7B,Sustainability Reporting in Business(3)

BUS 7C,Corporate Sustainability Strategies in Business(3)

BUS 7D,Business Strategies and Social Sustainability(3)

ECON 4,Environmental Economics (same as ENVRN 4)(3)

HIST 14,U.S. Environmental Historys (same as ENVRN 14)(3)

HIST 32,Global Environmental History (same as ENVRN 32)(3)

IARC 55,Sustainable Design(3)

PHILOS 20,Environmental Ethics (same as ENVRN 20)(3)

POL SC 22,Environmental Politics (same as ENVRN 22)(3)

PSYCH 40,Environmental Psychology (same as ENVRN 40)(3)

Electives: Group B

Select 3 units from the following:

BIOL 9,Environmental Biology(3)

BIOL 10,Applied Ecology and Conservation Biology(4)

GEOG 3,Weather and Climate(3)

GEOG 7,Introduction to Environmental Studies (same as ENVRN 7)(3)

GEOG 25,Introduction to Cartography (same as GIS 25)(3)

GEOG 26,Introduction to Remote Sensing(3)

GEOL 1,Physical Geology without Lab(3)

GEOL 3,Introduction to Environmental Geology(3)

GEOL 4,Physical Geology with Lab(4)

GEOL 9,Climate Change (same as GEOG 9)(3)

GEOL 31,Introduction to Physical Oceanography(3)

GIS 27,Applications in Geographic Information Systems(3)

Sustainability and Materials Management (formerly Recycling and Zero Waste), Certificate of Achievement

Program Learning Outcomes: 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.

Area of Emphasis: (12 units)

Required Core Courses: (12 units)

SMM 1,Introduction to Sustainable Materials Management (formerly RRM 1)(3)

SMM 2,Culture and Zero Waste (formerly RRM 2)(3)

SMM 3,Sustainable Materials Management and Zero Waste for Communities (formerly RRM 3)(3)

SMM 4,Sustainable Materials Management and Zero Waste in Business (formerly RRM 4)(3)

NOTE: Golden West and Irvine Valley also offer a certificate in this area of study. The courses will be accepted at each institution in the manner shown on the chart below:

TITLE	SANTA MONICA COLLEGE	IRVINE VALLEY COLLEGE	GOLDEN WEST COLLEGE
Introduction to Recycling and Resource Management	SMM 1	ENV 180	ENVS-G 141
Culture and Zero Waste	SMM 2	ENV 185	ENVS-G 142
Resource Management and Zero Waste for Communities	SMM 3	ENV 190	ENVS-G 143
Resource Management and Zero Waste Business	SMM 4	ENV 195	ENVS-G 144