The Environmental Studies Major

The ES major is designed to provide students with the scholarly background and intellectual skills necessary to understand complex environmental problems and formulate decisions that are environmentally sound. The academic process is multidisciplinary, drawing upon the diversity of environmentally related departments and disciplines throughout UCSB and allows a student to explore a wide variety of environmental issues, including: the social and human environment, the physical environment, and the biological environment.

Upon completion of their undergraduate degree, over one half of all environmental studies graduates go on to conduct research or attend graduate school for further study of the environment. The range of programs attended varies widely depending on a student's choice of degree and emphasis, but students are often qualified to pursue disciplines such as public policy/administration, city or regional planning, Geographic Information Systems (GIs), environmental health, environmental engineering, waste management, environmental law, education, natural resource management, forestry, or physical, chemical and biological sciences.

A degree in environmental studies has prepared graduates for positions in diverse career occupations including: environmental consulting and impact analysis, "green" business, toxicology, public-interest lobbying, water conservation, outdoor recreation, environmental education, mineral and resource management, and recycling, hazardous waste management, and local and federal government agencies such as the National Park Service, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Peace Corps, and the U.S. Department of Energy.

Two degrees are available in Environmental Studies. Please click on the appropriate link to learn more about the major and its requirements.

• Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) Degree in Environmental Studies

• Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Degree in Environmental Studies

• View a worksheet on the Difference Between the B.A. and B.S. Degrees (.pdf)

The bachelor of arts degree (B.A.) in environmental studies addresses complex environmental problems by providing the flexibility necessary for students to explore the social, cultural, and scientific issues pertaining to the environment. As preparation, during the first two years students in the B.A. degree enroll in a variety of introductory social science, humanities, and natural science courses. At the upper-division level, depending on their own area of interest, students may pursue either a specific or multidisciplinary environmental emphasis by choosing a combination of elective courses from within the Environmental Studies Program. The last part of the major is a 20-unit upper-division outside concentration where students complete courses from one or more UCSB departments or programs relating to their emphasis (view example emphases worksheet - .pdf) or by participating in a study abroad or environmental field studies program. Approximately one-third of all environmental studies B.A. majors elect to use this section to complete either a double major or official minor.

The Environmental Studies Program strongly encourages its students to participate in experiential elective courses such as the ES Internship Program (ES 192), study abroad programs, or any other academic opportunities which enhance their environmental education. The environmental studies curriculum has a number of special courses which allow students to conduct independent research projects (ES 199), work as a research assistant for one of its faculty members (ES 199RA), or pursue a senior thesis on a topic of their choice (ES 197). Approximately one-half to two-thirds of all environmental studies majors complete at least one environmental field studies or study abroad program before graduating. Additional information about these opportunities and affiliated environmental field studies programs and study abroad programs is available from the Student Info page of this website.

To view the current Environmental Studies B.A. Degree Requirements click here.

Other useful academic resources:

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The Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) major is divided into three parts: preparation for the major, upper-division requirements within environmental studies, and outside concentration in related areas.

1) Preparation for the Major (1st and 2nd years):

2) Upper-division Environmental Studies Units (3rd and 4th years):

All environmental studies majors pursuing a bachelor of arts degree must complete 13 required units and 28 elective units for a total of 41 units within environmental studies.

Area A. Required Environmental Studies Courses (13 total units):

Environmental Studies 100, 115, and 190; and either Environmental Studies 106 or 188.

Area B. Environmental Studies electives (28 total units):

Any 28 units of UD Environmental Studies elective courses numbered between 101-199. The 28 units of elective courses can be used to either cover a wide breadth of different subjects or create an environmental emphasis that constitutes a specific plan of study in a variety of disciplines such as, but not limited to: environmental planning, natural resource management, environmental law, energy, and Third World studies. Students are encouraged to meet with either an academic advisor or ES faculty member to discuss possible options to fulfilling this requirement. View the Supplemental Emphases Worksheet for some expamle emphases.

Note: No more than 4 units each from Environmental Studies 192, 194, 199, and 199RA will apply, and no more than 8 units of these courses combined will be accepted toward the major.

3) Outside Concentration (Area C):

B.A. Environmental studies majors must complete an outside concentration consisting of 20 upper-division units taken outside the Environmental Studies Program. This may be done in a number of different ways:

Complete an outside concentration by taking any 20 upper-division units from one single department or program within the College of Letters and Science (i.e. History, Geography, Geology, Economics, etc...). A double major or a minor of 20 units or more will satisfy this requirement automatically.

Alternatively, students may propose an interdisciplinary concentration, combining 20 upper-division units taken from more than one department or program other than Environmental Studies. A plan of study listing the 20 unites to be taken must be petitioned and approved by the environmental studies academic advisor or program for this option to accepted. To be approved, the plan must demonstrate a coherent environmental focus. Environmental field studies and/or study abroad units may be used as part of this section as long as they are UC transferable and upper-division credit. Although a list of UCSB courses most often used to create interdisciplinary emphases is available (Supplemental Emphases Worksheet), students are welcome to use courses not on the list as long as they form a coherent environmental focus. Students interested in satisfying their outside concentration with an interdisciplinary mix of courses should consult the ES Academic Advisor for more information prior to beginning.

Note: Any course cross-listed with environmental studies and another department used for the outside concentration may only apply to one required area, not simultaneously to both the elective area and the outside concentration.

MAJOR REGULATIONS:

P/NP GRADING OPTION ............. Env St 190 must be taken P/NP and up to 4 units of Env St 192 may be taken P/NP for major credit. All other courses, including those applied to the major from other departments must be taken for letter grades.

SUBSTITUTIONS ............... In the major requirements permissible only by petition to the department.

RESIDENCE REQUIREMENTS .......... At least 18 UD units in major while in residence at UCSB.

G.P.A. REQUIREMENTS .............. At least 2.0 overall average in a) all UD major courses; and b) all major courses (Prep and UD) while in UC.

1. High School Preparation for the B.A.
Recommended (but not absolutely required) as part of or in addition to the UC admissions requirements:

A number of Academic Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) courses may be useful in helping satisfy one or more Preparation for the Major courses within the B.A. major.

AP Environmental Science: A score of 3 or higher on this exam will satisfy the Environmental Studies 2 requirement for the B.A. or B.S. major.

AP American Government and Politics: A score of 3 or higher on this exam will satisfy the Political Science 12 requirement for the B.A. or B.S. major.

AP Biology: A score of 3 or higher on this exam will satisfy the EEMB / MCDB 20 requirement for the B.A. major only.

AP Economics: A score of 3 or higher on this exam will satisfy the Economics requirement for the B.A. or B.S. major. Note:This is not automatic by the College and student will have to submit a petition to the ES Academic Advisor to have this substitution approved.

AP Statistics: A score of 3 or higher on this exam will satisfy the PSTAT 5A / EEMB 30 requirement for the B.A. or B.S. major.

AP Math: A student may receive credit for specific UCSB mathematics courses by taking the CEEB Advanced Placement Examination during high school.

AB Test and AB subscore:
Score of 3 = 4 units of credit (=Math 3A) placement into Math 3B
Score of 4 or 5 = 4 units of credit applied to Math 3A, subject matter credit for Math 3B by petition with major department; placement into Math 3B or 3C by petition

BC Test:
Score of 2 = No unit credit; placement into Math 3A without taking ADT
Score of 3, 4 or 5 = 8 units of credit applied to Math 3AB; indicates placement into Math 3C

2. Transfer Student Preparation
To make normal progress in the major, complete as many of the following courses as you can prior to transferring:

For additional information about specific articulation agreements between California Community Colleges and UCSB, visit ASSIST (Articulation System Stimulating Interinstitutional Student Transfer). It is California's official statewide repository of transfer information, offering easy access to a single database. ASSIST can help you determine if you will receive credit for courses you've already taken or plan to take, and how those courses will apply to specific academic requirements within the Environmental Studies major.

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The goal of the bachelor of science degree (B.S.) in environmental studies is to train a student who is proficient in the natural and physical sciences, yet is aware of social and cultural influences upon environmental problems facing society today. The B.S. degree follows a curriculum design similar to the B.A. degree in environmental studies. However, in addition to introductory social science courses, the bachelor of science preparation requires a full year of introductory biology, chemistry, physics, and calculus. The upper-division and outside concentration, while still interdisciplinary and flexible, limit the number of social science and humanities courses a student may take. The majority of environmental studies electives, as well as the outside concentration, are focused on the physical and natural science disciplines (view example emphases worksheet - .pdf).

The Environmental Studies Program strongly encourages its students to participate in experiential elective courses such as the ES Internship Program (ES 192), study abroad programs, or any other academic opportunities which enhance their environmental education. The environmental studies curriculum has a number of special courses which allow students to conduct independent research projects (ES 199), work as a research assistant for one of its faculty members (ES 199RA), or pursue a senior thesis on a topic of their choice (ES 197). Approximately one-half to two-thirds of all environmental studies majors complete at least one environmental field studies or study abroad program before graduating. Additional information about these opportunities and affiliated environmental field studies programs and study abroad programs is available from the Student Info page of this website.

To view the current Environmental Studies B.S. Degree Requirements click here.

Other useful academic resources:

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The Bachelor of Science (B.S.) major is divided into three parts: preparation for the major, upper-division requirements within environmental studies, and outside concentration in related areas.

1) Preparation for the Major (1st and 2nd years):

2) Upper-division Environmental Studies Units (3rd and 4th years):

All environmental studies majors pursuing a bachelor of science degree must complete 17-18 required units and 32 elective units for a total of 49-50 units within environmental studies.

Area A. Required Environmental Studies Courses (17-18 total units):

Environmental Studies 100, 115, 190; Environmental Studies 106 or 188; and Geography 172 or PSTAT 120A or 133B or EEMB 146A or 179.

Area B. Environmental Studies Electives (32 total units):

The 32 upper-division environmental studies units are split into two sections.

Section B1: students must complete 20 units from the following list of "science" ES electives:

Environmental Studies 105, 111, 114A, 114B, 119, 120, 121, 128, 134, 140, 144, 147, 148, 149, 152, 158ES, 162A, 163, 166BT, 166FP, 168, 169, 171 and 197.

Section B2: The remaining 12 units may be satisfied by completing any environmental studies courses number 101-199, excluding the first 20 units used to satisfy Section B1.
Note: No more than 4 units each from Environmental Studies 192, 194, 199, and 199RA will apply, and no more than 8 units of these courses combined will be accepted toward the major.

3) Outside Concentration (Area C):

B.S. Environmental studies majors must complete an outside concentration consisting of 16 upper-division units taken outside the Environmental Studies Program. This may be done in a number of different ways:

Complete an outside concentration by taking 16 upper-division units from one of the following science departments (completion of a double major from one of the following departments will satisfy): molecular, cellular, and developmental biology (MCDB); ecology, evolution, and marine biology (EEMB); chemistry and biochemistry; geography (systematics and techniques courses only); geological sciences; mathematics; physics; or probability and statistics. Note: Geology 101 and Mathematics 100A-B will not apply.

Alternatively, students may propose an interdisciplinary outside concentration by combining 16 upper-division units from any of the departments listed above. A plan of study listing the 16 units to be taken must be petitioned and approved by the environmental studies academic advisor or program chair prior to beginning this option. To be approved, the plan must demonstrate a coherent environmental science focus. Although a list of UCSB courses most often used to create interdisciplinary emphases is available from the program office or download, students are welcome to use courses not on the list as long as they form a coherent environmental focus (UC-acceptable upper-division transfer, field studies, or study abroad units may be considered). Students interested in satisfying their outside concentration with such courses should consult the ES Academic Advisor for more information prior to beginning.

Note: Any course cross-listed with environmental studies and another department used for the outside concentration may only apply to one required area, not simultaneously to both the elective area and the outside concentration.

MAJOR REGULATIONS:

P/NP GRADING OPTION ............. Env St 190 must be taken P/NP and up to 4 units of Env St 192 may be taken P/NP for major credit. All other courses, including those applied to the major from other departments must be taken for letter grades.

SUBSTITUTIONS ............... In the major requirements permissible only by petition to the department.

RESIDENCE REQUIREMENTS .......... At least 18 UD units in major while in residence at UCSB.

G.P.A. REQUIREMENTS .............. At least 2.0 overall average in a) all UD major courses; and b) all major courses (Prep and UD) while in UC.

1. High School Preparation

Recommended (but not absolutely required) as part of or in addition to the UC admissions requirements:

A number of Academic Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) courses may be useful in helping satisfy one or more for the lower-division Major courses within the B.A. major.

AP Environmental Science: A score of 3 or higher on this exam will satisfy the Environmental Studies 2 requirement for the B.A. or B.S. major.

AP American Government and Politics: A score of 3 or higher on this exam will satisfy the Political Science 12 requirement for the B.A. or B.S. major.

AP Economics: A score of 3 or higher on this exam will satisfy the Economics requirement for the B.A. or B.S. major. Note:This is not automatic by the College and student will have to submit a petition to the ES Academic Advisor to have this substitution approved.

AP Statistics: A score of 3 or higher on this exam will satisfy the PSTAT 5A / EEMB 30 requirement for the B.A. or B.S. major.

AP Math: A student may receive credit for specific UCSB mathematics courses by taking the CEEB Advanced Placement Examination during high school.

AB Test and AB subscore:
Score of 3 = 4 units of credit (=Math 3A) placement into Math 3B
Score of 4 or 5 = 4 units of credit applied to Math 3A, subject matter credit for Math 3B by petition with major department; placement into Math 3B or 3C by petition

BC Test:
Score of 2 = No unit credit; placement into Math 3A without taking ADT
Score of 3, 4 or 5 = 8 units of credit applied to Math 3AB; indicates placement into Math 3C

2. Transfer Student Preparation

To make normal progress in the major, complete as many of the following courses as you can prior to transferring:

For additional information about specific articulation agreements between California Community Colleges and UCSB, visit ASSIST (Articulation System Stimulating Interinstitutional Student Transfer). It is California's official statewide repository of transfer information, offering easy access to a single database. ASSIST can help you determine if you will receive credit for courses you've already taken or plan to take, and how those courses will apply to specific academic requirements within the Environmental Studies major.

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