Program Overview

Environmental Science and Policy, B.A.

Overview

The Environmental Science and Policy B.A. prepares students interested in environmental problem solving by linking an understanding of natural science with socioeconomic factors and public policy. The curriculum combines a quantitative understanding of environmental science, chemistry, and biology with law, policy, and economics to provide a foundation for careers in environmental policy, resource management, education, environmental law, urban and environmental design, and related fields.

Admission

Students may be admitted to the Environmental Science and Policy major upon entering the university as freshmen, via change of major, or as transfer students from other colleges and universities.

Requirements

• Complete the following courses:
  • EARTHSS 40A | Earth System Chemistry
  • EARTHSS 40B | Earth System Biology
  • EARTHSS 40C | Earth System Physics
  • UPPP 8 | Introduction to Environmental Analysis and Design
  • UPPP 5 | Introduction to Urban Planning and Policy
  • STATS 7 | Basic Statistics 1
  • EARTHSS 70A | Sustainable Energy Systems
  • EARTHSS 70B | Sustainable Food and Water Systems
  • EARTHSS 116 | Introduction to Environmental Data Science
  • EARTHSS 192 | Careers in Earth System Science
  • SOCECOL 10 | Research Design
• Select one of the following:
  • SOCECOL 195 | Field Study (4 units)
  • SOCECOL 195W | Field Study Writing Seminar 2
  • SOCECOL 195B | Advanced Field Study 2
  • SOCECOL 195CW | Advanced Field Study 2
  • UC Washington, D.C. (UCDC) Academic Internship Program 3
  • UC Center Sacramento Academic Internship Program 3
• Select three of the following:
  • UPPP 42 | The Green New Deal
  • UPPP 117 | Environmental Justice
  • UPPP 131 | Environmental Sustainability I
  • UPPP 132 | Energy Justice and Just Transitions
  • UPPP 133 | Environmental Law and Policy
  • UPPP 139 | Water Resource Policy
  • UPPP 142 | Environmental Hazards in an Urbanizing World
  • UPPP 145 | Environmental Governance
  • UPPP 146 | Principles of Economics for Planning and Policy
• Seven 4-unit upper-division courses from the list below, with at least two courses from UPPP and two courses from EARTHSS:
  • UPPP or EARTHSS courses (100-196)
  • EARTHSS 199 | Undergraduate Research
  • SOCECOL 199 | Special Studies
  • SOCECOL H190A | Honors Research
  • SOCECOL H190W | Honors Research
  • EARTHSS H199A | Honors Research in Earth System Science
  • EARTHSS H199B | Honors Research in Earth System Science
  • EARTHSS H199C | Honors Research in Earth System Science

Optional Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Specialization

The optional GIS Specialization for Environmental Science and Policy majors is met by completing one of the following options:

• Option 1:
  • UPPP 120 | Introduction to GIS for Planning and Policy
  • UPPP 125 | Advanced Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
  • UPPP 127 | Spatial Analysis Project
• Option 2:
  • EARTHSS 134 | Fundamentals of GIS for Environmental Science
  • UPPP 127 | Spatial Analysis Project

Sample Program

The following is a sample program for the Environmental Science and Policy major:

• Freshman:
  • Fall: EARTHSS 40A, UPPP 8, STATS 7
  • Winter: EARTHSS 40B, UPPP 5
  • Spring: EARTHSS 40C
• Sophomore:
  • Fall: SOCECOL 10, EARTHSS 70B
  • Winter: EARTHSS 70A
  • Spring: Electives
• Junior:
  • Fall: UPPP 145, EARTHSS 116
  • Winter: SOCECOL 195, EARTHSS upper-division elective
  • Spring: UPPP 133, Electives
• Senior:
  • Fall: Upper-division elective, UPPP 146
  • Winter: Upper-division elective
  • Spring: EARTHSS upper-division elective, Electives

Honors Program

Environmental Science and Policy students may complete either the Earth System Science Honors Program or the Social Ecology Honors Program. In a year-long honors course sequence, Environmental Science and Policy students admitted into the Environmental Science and Policy honors program pursue research with faculty in the Earth Systems Science or Urban Planning and Public Policy Departments, and prepare a written thesis of their work.

Career Opportunities

The Environmental Science and Policy major provides a strong interdisciplinary foundation for students to pursue a range of public and private sector positions, including environmental management, resource management, environmental law, environmental consulting, work with nonprofit organizations and non-governmental agencies, and related areas. Students are poised to pursue graduate studies (professional Masters degree or Ph.D.) in the following fields: environmental science, environmental studies, public policy, public administration, urban and regional planning, geography and related fields.