Study Abroad and Independent Studies Programs

A variety of environmental problems now affect our entire planet. As globalization continues and the earth's natural processes transform local problems into international ones, no societies are untouched by major environmental problems.

Ever since it was first created as an academic unit over 35 years ago, UCSB’s Environmental Studies Program has encouraged its students to consider completing some portion of their undergraduate study through the University’s Education Abroad Program (EAP) or similar “off-campus” studies program such as independent studies, the UC Washington D.C. Program, or the UC Center in Sacramento. An opportunity to study in another city or foreign university not only offers an international dimension to an undergraduate education, but can deepen a student’s understanding of the causes and effects of today’s environmental problems on a global scale.

Because of the built-in flexibility of its curriculum, the Environmental Studies Program allows students to participate in courses, programs, and opportunities which lead to independent thinking and experiential learning. Each year dozens of Environmental Studies (ES) majors choose to pursue one of a group of special courses available within the ES Program (ENV S 192, 199, and 199RA) to conduct an internship, independent research, or work as a research assistant for one of our faculty members. Aditionaly, students often choose to study abroad in countries such as Australia, Brazil, Demark, South Africa, and Costa Rica or participate in the UC's Washington Center Program in our national capital or the UC Sacramento Program.

These programs offer students the opportunity to apply academic credit towards their major while studying in a foreign country or interning for an environmentally related agency in our state or national capital. With careful academic planning and the application of study abroad units towards the ES major’s “Outside Concentration” requirement, ES students can have an experience of a lifetime studying in another city or foreign university with no loss of time in completing their degrees.

The following is detailed information about the courses and programs mentioned above. Questions about these opportunities should be directed to the specific program or you may contact the ES Academic Advisor.

Independent Studies and Research Assistant Courses (Env S 199 & 199RA)

The Independent Studies course (Env S 199) is available every quarter. This variable unit course is available to you if you have a specific topic of interest you would like to research in-depth under the supervision of an ES faculty member. The intent of this course is to allow you to investigate a topic covered in a recently completed ES course in which you would like to learn more about. The ES Program will try to accommodate your Independent Studies proposals as long as they are supported by an ES faculty member and the research to be conducted is environmental (see the official course description for restrictions). To officially pursue ES 199 credit, take a rough proposal to an appropriate ES Faculty member and discuss the possibility of you obtaining credit for your proposed research project. If you both agree on the project, then pick up an official ES 199 proposal contract, have it signed by your faculty advisor, and return it to the ES Academic Advisor before the end of the 3rd week of the quarter. Click here to download the Env S 199 Application form (.pdf)

The Research Assistant course (Env S 199RA) is designed just like the 199 course. The difference is that the main focus of this course is to allow a student to obtain academic credit while assisting an ES faculty member in conducting university research. This is a great way for a undergraduate to pick up research experience and learn more about a given environmental field. Keep your eyes open for advertised 199RA opportunities or approach any ES faculty you might be interested in working with and inquire as to any research opportunities. The enrollment procedure is the same as for the 199 course. Click here to download the Env S 199RA Application form (.pdf)

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UCSB Education Abroad Program (EAP)

The UC Education Abroad Program is a distinctive and distinguished international program of the University of California that provides academic exchanges and integrates international curricula and learning opportunities into the University. Through institutional partnerships and initiatives, the EAP expands the context and content of learning by exposing students and faculty to the challenges of diverse languages and intellectual traditions, other approaches to knowledge, and different cultural assumptions. The Program develops internationally aware citizens and enhances the potential of students and faculty to understand, respond to, and contribute to a rapidly changing world.

Whatever your field of study, whatever your future career, you will live and work in an internationally competitive environment. Preparing yourself for tomorrow is one of the most serious challenges you face as a student today. Through UC’s Education Abroad Program, more than 2,500 students are studying abroad at over 130 institutions in 34 countries. Through reciprocal agreement, about 1,000 students from EAP’s affiliate universities abroad will attend UC. EAP offers full-year and short-term programs in a wide range of academic disciplines for sophomore through graduate students.

Why Study Abroad? UC’s Education Abroad Program provides Environmental Studies students the unique opportunity to study environmental problems and issues in one of 35 countries located on six different continents. With close to 150 universities to choose from, EAP enables students to spend a period of their academic career -- a year, a semester, a quarter or summer term --studying abroad. The opportunities available to students will help them develop a global understanding of the structure and dynamics of complex environmental systems. The program may also enhance the future careers of ES students through classroom, laboratory and field experiences that are unique to the country and region in which they study.

What Will it Cost? Participation in EAP costs about the same as studying at UC. In some cases, it is less. EAP students pay their normal UC fees and receive any financial aid as if they were studying on their home campus. Furthermore, EAP students are eligible for special grants and scholarships from UC, the host country, and other sources. Best of all, there is no question of transferring units back to UCSB -- all courses taken through EAP are accepted as UC courses and carry UC units and grades. (Major and General Education credit are determined by your department and college through a petition process.)

When Should You Study Abroad? With the inherent flexibility the ES major offers, environmental studies students have a significant range of choices and options as to when they can study abroad. Although it is not required for ES majors to have their preparation for the major requirements completed before studying abroad, because of the considerable breadth of course work required at the lower-division level, most ES majors choose to complete as many of these courses as possible before leaving to study abroad during their junior or senior year. Most students find that the fewer the number of lower-division requirements one has to complete when they return from EAP the better.

Where Should I Study Abroad? Students wishing to complete a substantial part of their Environmental Studies Major have a wide variety of options. At least 18 different countries host universities that have specific environmental studies programs or departments (see below for a partial list). Many additional countries offer a variety of environmental courses through more “traditional” academic departments such as biology, sociology, geography, and anthropology. And with the option for students to satisfy their “Outside Concentration” requirement by taking their units from any single, non-environmental, department or program, an ES major may choose to attend any EAP host university and still apply a significant number of units towards their degree.

Explore the Global Environment! Here is a partial list of EAP host countries that offer unique opportunities in environmental studies and environmental science: Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Denmark, France, Germany, Ghana, Hong Kong, Israel, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.

What Classes Should I take? Environmental Studies students are advised to complete as many of their lower-division preparation for the major courses as possible before they plan to go abroad. As the vast majority of courses taken while studying through EAP are at the upper-division level, this will allow a student to meet the prerequisites for many of the EAP courses they might want to take and achieve maximum flexibility transferring their course work towards upper-division major requirements.

Depending on a student’s area of academic interest and the number and type of courses offered at their host university, it is possible for an ES major to apply as many as 32 upper-division EAP units towards their major requirements. This would include no more than eight to twelve units of “environmental” electives towards Area B of the ES major and as many as 20 units, or the entire Outside Concentration, towards Area C. Students considering participating in EAP are strongly encouraged to meet with one of the Environmental Studies Academic or Student Peer Advisors to review their major requirements and discuss how to maximize the number of EAP units they may apply towards their major.

EAP students automatically earn UC credit for the work they complete abroad. However, application of credit to major requirements is subject to the discretion of the department for which a student is a major. Coursefinder (http://eap.ucop.edu/coursefinder) is an online EAP database that lists approved EAP courses and allows students to search specific courses taken by UC students during the last three years. More courses may be found by navigating to the host universities' websites from the Countries Page at the system-wide EAP website (http://eap.ucop.edu). Click on the flag of the country you wish to explore, then "web links" to get the website of the host university.

What Do I Do Next? Environmental Studies majors interested in study abroad through EAP should begin by consulting the EAP webpages to see what program options are available. Application and EAP advising are available at the UCSB campus EAP office or stop in and see the Environmental Studies Program advising staff in Girvetz Hall.

PLAN AHEAD! It is never too early to start investigating study abroad opportunities as most EAP applications are due six months to a year prior to the program’s start date. Plus, some programs have an academic or linguistic prerequisite that must be satisfied in advance.

The best way to learn about EAP is to talk to an EAP counselor. These people will help you find the best program to fit your needs. Visit their website at: http://www.eap.ucsb.edu

For opportunities in Environmental Studies and Environmental Science through EAP visit:
http://www.uoeap.ucsb.edu/EAP/discipline/environ.htm

The EAP office is located on the 2nd floor of South Hall (Graduate Tower)
Office hours are 9-5 Monday-Friday
Phone: 893-3763

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UCSB Washington Center Program (UCDC)

Participation in the UCSB Washington Center Program is open to all majors from all colleges. This full academic internship program is offered every quarter, including summer. Undergraduates admitted to the program obtain full-time or part-time internships for which they receive course credit. The internships are combined with an independent study research paper, and can include participation in lectures, seminars and elective courses offered by UCSB and other UC faculty at the UCDC Center.

Every quarter, a select group of UCSB undergraduates travels to our Nation's Capital for a unique academic experience. While studying at UCSB's Washington Center, students combine real work experience with independent research and study, and they get to take advantage of the wide array of cultural and political opportunities in the political center of the United States and one of the most dynamic and important cities in the world. http://www.ucdc.ucsb.edu.

University of California Center in Sacramento (UCCS) Program

The UCCS provides a unique experiential learning experience for UCSB students. It is a residential program that combines an internship, research, and coursework. In addition, students have the opportunity to observe public policy processes firsthand in our state's capital. Designed for undergraduates in their junior or senior year, the program assumes students have completed a significant part of their upper-division and major courses, and that their internships and research projects will serve to enhance their academic study. This is not a program designed for any one major. Students in all fields are welcome and encouraged to apply.
http://uccs.universityofcalifornia.edu

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