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I can only give you an opinion on Environmental Science classes, since the only second year electives I've taken so far I do not recommend, so when I say a class is fairly easy, I mean from the perspective of someone who's good at Environmental Science.
ENVIR SC 2B03: Soil and the Environment - Although many people would not consider this to be a very easy course, I found it to be a fairly easy class. You just need to know very basic chemistry (REDOX and Acid Base), and understand some basic concepts. [4 Labs=25%; Midterm=35%; Final=40%]
ENVIR SC 2I03: Earth Processes - In this class, you basically need to understand Igneous and Metamorphic rocks, tectonic plates, and, as the class name suggests, earth processes. There's also some basic remote sensing, but it's fairly straight forwards. [10 Labs=50%; Midterm=20%; Final=30%]
ENVIR SC 2C03: Boundary Layer Climates - Although this class isn't exactly an easy class, it is useful. I recommend this class for anyone who ever needs to use Microsoft Excel. This doesn't exactly fit your description of what you're looking for, but I though it important to note this class anyway; it's also noteworthy that I got a B+ in this class, and took it before the first year climate class, so it is possible to do well even if you have limited background. [4 Labs=20%; Midterm=20%; Final=60%]
ENVIR SC 2GI3: Introduction to GIS - Before taking this class, I asked around, and people basically told me "you love it or you hate it." Having just finished this class, I can't wait to start ENVIR SC 3GI3. Not only is GIS an excellent skill, but most people use some for of GIS, even if they don't realize it (Google Maps, a GPS). If you can do computers and geography, you can do GIS. There's some data management and statistics, but no more than absolutely necessary. I recommend this class, but be careful, because with GIS, you either love it, or you hate it. [6 Assignments=40%; Midterm=20%; Final=40%]
ENVIR SC 2E03: Earth History - Originally, this class included 2I03, but due to the difficulty, the classes were divided. The result was two classes I personally found to be fairly easy. Earth History is about sedimentary rocks, fossils, the Phanerozoic and the Precambrian (i.e. the history of the world from 4.5billion years ago to now. Note: there's very little about the Precambrian, and it's mostly about the past 550million years.) The material is fairly straight forwards, and the class is fairly easy. Most of the labs are very much done in groups, and the last two labs allow you plenty of time to complete them. There is a field trip. Yes, the final exam is worth a lot, but consider this: if the final is worth 50%, and you are not failing the class going into the final, passing the final means passing the class. [6 Labs=30%; Lab Exam=10%; Midterm=10%; Final=50%]
Environmental Science classes tend to be much more hands on than other classes. Personally, I find hands on learning much more effective than lectures, and I hate writing essays or frequently writing papers. Although I never recommend skipping lectures, and Environmental Sciences do have the occasional paper, they tend to be very lab based, and much more concept based than other studies. In addition, many people tend to recommend first year Environmental Sciences are easy electives. The characteristics that make the first year classes easy carry over to second year.
In the end, everyone's going to think that different second year classes are easy. If you want an easy second year class, start by looking at what you're good at, and what you enjoy. If you like essays, look at humanities. If you like labs, look at environmental sciences and other practical sciences. If you like lectures and math, look at math and theoretical/core sciences like physics or chemistry. All I can give you is my experience. I hope this information is helpful.
ginaj
says thanks to Schleifer_1 for this post.
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lol.
