Office & Contact Information

The Environmental Science & Management (ESM) major is jointly coordinated by the Department of Environmental Science & Policy and the Department of Land, Air, & Water Resources.

The major is designed for students who are interested in solving environmental problems from an interdisciplinary perspective linking the natural and social sciences. Students who choose this major will study the interaction of physical, biological, and social components of environmental problems. Students completing the program will understand the scientific basis for environmental decision-making and the legal, economic, and political issues involved in management of the environment.

Environmental Science & Policy

Susan Harrison, Chairperson

2132 Wickson Hall; 530-752-3026; Environmental Science & Policy; Faculty

Land, Air, & Water Resources

William Horwath, Chairperson

1110 Plant & Environmental Sciences Building; 530-752-1130; Land, Air & Water Resources; Faculty

The Program

Courses in biology, chemistry, physics, economics, geology, and calculus form the lower division preparatory foundation of the curriculum. These are then tied together with Environmental Science & Policy ESP 001, which provides an inter-disciplinary analysis of several environmental problems. The upper division core consists of foundation courses in physical, biological, and social sciences, as well as applied courses in environmental monitoring, GIS, impact reporting, and statistical analysis. In their junior year, students must choose a specialized track from the following six options:

• Climate Change & Air Quality
• Ecology, Biodiversity, & Conservation
• Environmental Data Science
• Natural Resource Management
• Soils & Biogeochemistry
• Watershed Science

A capstone course is required for all seniors and serves to integrate the science, policy/management and biology aspects of the ESM major. All students gain practical experience through field courses and a  required internship. Selected students may also pursue an honors thesis in their senior year.

The ESM major is jointly administered by the Departments of Environmental Science & Policy (ESP) and Land, Air & Water Resources (LAWR). Any student in good standing is eligible to transfer to the major; to do so, please see the student affairs officers in 2134 Wickson Hall or in 1150 Plant & Environmental Sciences Building.

Careers

Graduates from this program are prepared to pursue careers as practicing environmental scientists, resource analysts and planners working for public agencies and private firms specializing in environmental quality, natural resources or ecological research. The major is also excellent preparation for graduate or professional training in physical and/or biological environmental science graduate programs, as well as in environmental law, administration and environmental policy.

Major Advisors

Marissa Baskett (Environmental Science & Policy); Terrence Nathan (Land, Air & Water Resources)

Advising centers for the major, including peer advising, are located in both the Environmental Science & Policy and Land, Air & Water Resources departments. Students whose last names begin with the letters:

• A-L, see Melissa Whaley in 2134 Wickson Hall.
• M-Z,  see Lacole Brooks in 1150 Plant & Environmental Sciences.

The major requirements below are in addition to meeting University Degree Requirements & College Degree Requirements; unless otherwise noted. Respective of the Track, the minimum number of units required for the Environmental Science & Management Bachelor of Science is 111.

Course List

Code	Title	Units
English Composition & Communication Requirement
Choose one:		0-4
UWP 101	Advanced Composition
or UWP 101V	Advanced Composition
or UWP 101Y	Advanced Composition
OR any course from the UWP 102 or UWP 104 series.
UWP 102B, UWP 102G, or UWP 104E recommended
Passing the Upper Division English Composition Exam.
Communication; choose one:		4
CMN 001	Introduction to Public Speaking
or CMN 001V	Introduction to Public Speaking
CMN 003	Interpersonal Communication Competence
CMN 003V	Interpersonal Communication Competence
CMN 003Y	Interpersonal Communication Competence
DRA 010	Introduction to Performance & Digital Media
English Composition & Communication Requirement Subtotal		4-8
Preparatory Subject Matter
Biological Science
BIS 002A	Introduction to Biology: Essentials of Life on Earth	5
BIS 002B	Introduction to Biology: Principles of Ecology & Evolution	5
BIS 002C	Introduction to Biology: Biodiversity & the Tree of Life	5
Geology
Choose one:		3-4
GEL 001	The Earth
GEL 050	Physical Geology (Recommended)
Chemistry
Choose a series:		10
CHE 002A & CHE 002B	General Chemistry and General Chemistry
CHE 002AH & CHE 002BH	Honors General Chemistry and Honors General Chemistry
Choose one; not required: 1
CHE 002C	General Chemistry
or CHE 002CH	Honors General Chemistry
Physics
Choose a series:		6-12
PHY 001A & PHY 001B	Principles of Physics and Principles of Physics
PHY 007A & PHY 007B & PHY 007C	General Physics and General Physics and General Physics
Economics
Choose one:
ECN 001A	Principles of Microeconomics	4
or ECN 001AV	Principles of Microeconomics
or ECN 001AY	Principles of Microeconomics
Mathematics
Choose one:		3-4
MAT 016A	Short Calculus
MAT 017A	Calculus for Biology & Medicine (Recommended)
MAT 021A	Calculus
Choose one:		3-4
MAT 016B	Short Calculus
MAT 017B	Calculus for Biology & Medicine (Recommended)
MAT 021B	Calculus
Environmental Science & Policy
ESP 001	Environmental Analysis	4
Satisfaction of the General Education requirement.
Preparatory Subject Matter Subtotal		48-57
Core Subject Matter
Environmental Science & Management
ESM 120	Global Environmental Interactions	4
Ecology
Choose one:		4
ESP 100	General Ecology
or EVE 101	Introduction to Ecology
Environmental Science & Policy
ESP 162	Environmental Policy	4
Statistics
STA 100	Applied Statistics for Biological Sciences (Recommended)	4
or STA 013	Elementary Statistics
or STA 013Y	Elementary Statistics
Students completing the Environmental Data Science track may also choose STA 032 and cannot choose STA 013 or STA 013Y.
Environmental Monitoring
Choose one:		3-4
ATM 124	Meteorological Instruments & Observations
ESM 108	Environmental Monitoring
ESP 151L	Limnology Laboratory
ESP 179	Environmental Impact Assessment
You need a unique course for each requirement and cannot double-count a class towards two requirements. For example, ESP 179 can be used for either the environmental monitoring requirement or towards the environmental policy course for your track, but not both.
Environmental Data Science
ABT/LDA 150	Introduction to Geographic Information Systems	4
or ESP 106	Environmental Data Science
Internship		3
Choose one or more below in any combination for a total of 3 units:
ESM 092	Internship
ESP 092	Internship
ESM 192	Internship
ESP 192	Internship
Capstone Class
ESM 195	Integrating Environmental Science & Management	2
Honors Thesis; Optional
ESM 194H	Senior Honor Thesis	0-3
Core Subject Matter Subtotal		28-32
Tracks
Choose a Track:		31-49
Climate Change & Air Quality Track
Ecology, Biodiversity & Conservation Track
Environmental Data Science Track
Natural Resource Management Track
Soils & Biogeochemistry
Watershed Science Track
Tracks Subtotal		31-49
Total Units		111-146

¹

CHE 002C or CHE 002CH recommended, but not required.

Climate Change & Air Quality Track

Course List

Code	Title	Units
Atmospheric Science
ATM 060	Introduction to Atmospheric Science	4
ATM 116	Modern Climate Change	3
ESM 131	Air as a Resource	3
Additional Climate Science & Meteorology
Choose two:		6-8
ATM 110	Weather Observation & Analysis
ATM 115	Hydroclimatology
ATM 133	Biometeorology
ATM 160	Introduction to Atmospheric Chemistry
GEL 108	Earth History: Paleoclimates
Environmental Science
Choose three environmental science courses, must select at least one from section A and one from section B		9-14
A—Physical
ESM 100	Principles of Hydrologic Science
ESM 121	Water Science & Management
ESP/GEL 116N	Oceanography
ESP 152	Coastal Oceanography
HYD 141	Physical Hydrology
HYD 143	Ecohydrology
SSC 100	Principles of Soil Science
B—Biomes
ENH 160	Restoration Ecology
ESM 141	Role of Fire in Natural Ecosystems
ESM/PLS 144	Trees & Forests
ESP 124	Marine & Coastal Field Ecology
ESP/GEL 150C	Biological Oceanography
ESP 151	Limnology
ESP 155	Wetland Ecology
EVE 115	Marine Ecology
EVE/PLB 117	Plant Ecology
EVE 147	Biogeography
EVE 149	Evolution of Ecological Systems
GEL 136	Ecogeomorphology of Rivers & Streams
PLS 101	Agriculture & the Environment
PLS 130	Grassland Ecology
PLS 162	Urban Ecology
WFC 168	Climate Change Ecology
Environmental Policy
Choose two:		7-8
ESP/ECI 163	Energy & Environmental Aspects of Transportation
ESP 165	Climate Policy
ESP 167	Energy Policy
ESP 171	Urban & Regional Planning
ESP 172	Public Lands Management
ESP 174	Environmental Justice Policy & Practice
ESP 179	Environmental Impact Assessment
SOC 160	Sociology of the Environment
Total Units		32-40

Ecology, Biodiversity & Conservation Track

Course List

Code	Title	Units
Courses appearing in more than one section can only be used to fulfill one section.
Physical Processes
Choose one:		3-5
ATM 060	Introduction to Atmospheric Science
ATM 116	Modern Climate Change
ATM 133	Biometeorology
ESM 121	Water Science & Management
ESM 131	Air as a Resource
ESP 152	Coastal Oceanography
GEL 134	Environmental Geology & Land Use Planning
HYD 143	Ecohydrology
SSC 100	Principles of Soil Science
Environmental Policy
Choose one:		3-5
ESP 161	Environmental Law
ESP 166	Ocean & Coastal Policy
ESP 168A	Methods of Environmental Policy Analysis
ESP 169	Water Policy & Politics
ESP 170	Conservation Biology Policy
ESP 171	Urban & Regional Planning
ESP 172	Public Lands Management
ESP 173	Land Use & Growth Controls
ESP 174	Environmental Justice Policy & Practice
ESP 179	Environmental Impact Assessment
SOC 160	Sociology of the Environment
Evolution
EVE 100	Introduction to Evolution	4
Conservation Biology
Choose one:		4
WFC 154	Conservation Biology
or ESP 127	Plant Conservation Biology
Field Methods
Choose one:		3-5
ESP 123	Introduction to Field & Laboratory Methods in Ecology
ESP 124	Marine & Coastal Field Ecology
ESP 151L	Limnology Laboratory
EVE/ENT 180A	Experimental Ecology & Evolution in the Field
WFC 100	Field Methods in Wildlife, Fish, & Conservation Biology
WFC 126	Conservation in Working Landscapes
ENH 160 & 160L	Restoration Ecology and Restoration Ecology Laboratory
PLS 147 & 147L	California Plant Communities and California Plant Communities Field Study
Population Ecology
Choose one:
ESP 121	Population Ecology	4
or WFC 122	Population Dynamics & Estimation
Community Ecology
Choose one:		3-4
EVE 104	Community Ecology
EVE 115	Marine Ecology
EVE 181	Ecology & Evolution of Animal-Plant Interactions
PLB/EVE 117	Plant Ecology
WFC 155	Wildlife Space Use & Habitat Conservation
Ecosystems
Choose one:		3-4
ENH 160	Restoration Ecology
ESP 151	Limnology
ESP 155	Wetland Ecology
EVE 147	Biogeography
HYD 143	Ecohydrology
PLS 162	Urban Ecology
PLS 163	Ecosystem & Landscape Ecology
Choose one cross-cutting ecology course		3-5
ESM 141	Role of Fire in Natural Ecosystems
ESM/PLS 144	Trees & Forests
ESP 124	Marine & Coastal Field Ecology
ESP/GEL 150C	Biological Oceanography
ESP 151	Limnology
ESP 155	Wetland Ecology
ETX 150	Evolution in Human-Altered Environments
EVE 109	Molecular Ecology
EVE 115	Marine Ecology
EVE 138	Ecology of Tropical Latitudes
PLS 130	Grassland Ecology
WFC 125	Tropical Ecology & Conservation
WFC 151	Wildlife Ecology
WFC 168	Climate Change Ecology
Choose one organismal biology course		3-5
ENT 103	Insects Systematics
ENT 116	(Discontinued)
EVE 112	Biology of Invertebrates
EVE 114	Experimental Invertebrate Biology
PLB/PLS 102	(Discontinued; fulfills both the organismal lecture and lab requirements, simultaneously)
PLB/PLS 116	Plant Morphology & Evolution (fulfills both the organismal lecture and lab requirements, simultaneously)
PLB/EVE 119	Population Biology of Invasive Plants & Weeds (fulfills both the organismal lecture and lab requirements, simultaneously)
WFC 110	Biology & Conservation of Wild Mammals
WFC 111	Biology & Conservation of Wild Birds
WFC 120	Biology & Conservation of Fishes
WFC 134	Herpetology
Complete one lab associated with either the cross-cutting ecology or organismal biology course:		0-4
ENT 116L	(Discontinued)
ESP 151L	Limnology Laboratory
ESP 155L	Wetland Ecology Laboratory
EVE 112L	Biology of Invertebrates Laboratory
EVE/ENT 180B	Experimental Ecology & Evolution in the Field
WFC 110L	Laboratory in Biology & Conservation of Wild Mammals
WFC 111L	Laboratory in Biology & Conservation of Wild Birds
WFC 120L	Laboratory in Biology & Conservation of Fishes
WFC 134L	Herpetology Laboratory
Total Units		33-49

Environmental Data Science Track

Course List

Code	Title	Units
Environmental Data Science		4
ESP 106	Environmental Data Science
Programming		4
ECS 032A	Introduction to Programming
or ECS 032AV	Introduction to Programming
Data Analysis
Choose one:		4
ABT 181N	Concepts & Methods in Geographic Information Systems
ABT/HYD 182	Environmental Analysis Using GIS
Remote Sensing
Choose one:		4-5
ESM 185	Aerial Photo Interpretation & Remote Sensing
ESM 186	Environmental Remote Sensing
Environmental Policy
Choose one:		3-4
ESP/ECI 163	Energy & Environmental Aspects of Transportation
ESP 165	Climate Policy
ESP 166	Ocean & Coastal Policy
ESP 169	Water Policy & Politics
ESP 171	Urban & Regional Planning
ESP 172	Public Lands Management
ESP 174	Environmental Justice Policy & Practice
ESP 179	Environmental Impact Assessment
SOC 160	Sociology of the Environment
Quantitative Environmental Science
Choose one:		3-4
ATM 120	Atmospheric Thermodynamics & Cloud Physics
ESP 121	Population Ecology
HYD 143	Ecohydrology
PLS 123	Introduction to Plant & Crop Systems Modeling
WFC 122	Population Dynamics & Estimation
Statistical Analysis
Choose two:		8
STA 104	Applied Statistical Methods: Nonparametric Statistics
STA 106	Applied Statistical Methods: Analysis of Variance
STA 108	Applied Statistical Methods: Regression Analysis
STA 130A	Mathematical Statistics: Brief Course
STA 130B	Mathematical Statistics: Brief Course
STA 135	Multivariate Data Analysis
STA 137	Applied Time Series Analysis
STA 141A	Fundamentals of Statistical Data Science
STA 141B	Data & Web Technologies for Data Analysis
STA 142A	Statistical Learning I
Physical Processes
Choose one:		3-5
ATM 110	Weather Observation & Analysis
ATM 116	Modern Climate Change
ATM 133	Biometeorology
ESM 100	Principles of Hydrologic Science
ESM 121	Water Science & Management
ESM 131	Air as a Resource
SSC 100	Principles of Soil Science
Biological Processes
Choose one:		3-5
ESP 124	Marine & Coastal Field Ecology
ESP/GEL 150C	Biological Oceanography
ESP 151	Limnology
ESP 152	Coastal Oceanography
ESP 155	Wetland Ecology
EVE/PLB 117	Plant Ecology
EVE 147	Biogeography
GEL 136	Ecogeomorphology of Rivers & Streams
PLS 101	Agriculture & the Environment
PLS 130	Grassland Ecology
PLS 163	Ecosystem & Landscape Ecology
WFC 125	Tropical Ecology & Conservation
WFC 168	Climate Change Ecology
Total Units		36-43

Natural Resource Management Track

Course List

Code	Title	Units
Courses appearing in more than one section can only be used to fulfill one section.
Environmental Policy
Choose three:		9-13
ESP 160	The Policy Process
ESP 165	Climate Policy
ESP 166	Ocean & Coastal Policy
ESP 167	Energy Policy
ESP 168A	Methods of Environmental Policy Analysis
ESP 169	Water Policy & Politics
ESP 170	Conservation Biology Policy
ESP 171	Urban & Regional Planning
ESP 172	Public Lands Management
ESP 173	Land Use & Growth Controls
ESP 174	Environmental Justice Policy & Practice
ESP 179	Environmental Impact Assessment
HYD 150	Water Law
SOC 160	Sociology of the Environment
Environmental Law
Choose one:		3-4
ESP 161	Environmental Law
or HYD 150	Water Law
Statistics
Choose one:		4
ARE 106	Econometric Theory & Applications
ECN 102	Analysis of Economic Data
STA 101	Advanced Applied Statistics for the Biological Sciences
STA 103	Applied Statistics for Business & Economics
STA 106	Applied Statistical Methods: Analysis of Variance
STA 108	Applied Statistical Methods: Regression Analysis
STA 130A	Mathematical Statistics: Brief Course
STA 131A	Introduction to Probability Theory
Or equivalent upper division statistics.
Biological Processes
Choose two:		6-8
ENT 104	Behavioral Ecology of Insects
ESM 141	Role of Fire in Natural Ecosystems
ESM/PLS 144	Trees & Forests
ESP 151	Limnology
ESP 155	Wetland Ecology
EVE 115	Marine Ecology
PLB/EVE 117	Plant Ecology
PLS 130	Grassland Ecology
WFC 110	Biology & Conservation of Wild Mammals
WFC 111	Biology & Conservation of Wild Birds
WFC 120	Biology & Conservation of Fishes
WFC 134	Herpetology
Physical Processes
Choose two:		6-9
ATM 116	Modern Climate Change
ATM 133	Biometeorology
ESM 121	Water Science & Management
ESM 131	Air as a Resource
ESP/GEL 116N	Oceanography
ESP 152	Coastal Oceanography
HYD 143	Ecohydrology
SSC 100	Principles of Soil Science
Remote Sensing
Choose one:
ESM 185	Aerial Photo Interpretation & Remote Sensing	4-5
or ESM 186	Environmental Remote Sensing
Total Units		32-43

Soils & Biogeochemistry

Course List

Code	Title	Units
Soil Science
Courses appearing in more than one section can only be used to fulfill one section.
SSC 100	Principles of Soil Science	5
Additional Soil Science
Choose four:		16-21
ESM 100	Principles of Hydrologic Science
HYD 134	Aqueous Geochemistry
SSC 102	Environmental Soil Chemistry
SSC 105	Field Studies of Soils in California Ecosystems
SSC 107	Soil Physics
SSC 109	Sustainable Nutrient Management
SSC 111	Soil Microbiology
SSC 112	Soil Ecology
SSC 118	Soils in Land Use & the Environment
SSC 120	Soil Genesis, Morphology, & Classification
Environmental Science & Policy
Choose two:		6-8
ESM 121	Water Science & Management
ESP 165	Climate Policy
ESP 166	Ocean & Coastal Policy
ESP 171	Urban & Regional Planning
ESP 172	Public Lands Management
ESP 174	Environmental Justice Policy & Practice
ESP 179	Environmental Impact Assessment
SOC 160	Sociology of the Environment
Land Use Analysis
Choose one:		3-4
ESM 185	Aerial Photo Interpretation & Remote Sensing
GEL 134	Environmental Geology & Land Use Planning
HYD/EBS 147	Runoff, Erosion & Water Quality Management
SSC 118	Soils in Land Use & the Environment
Physical & Biological Processes
Choose two:		6-8
ATM 160	Introduction to Atmospheric Chemistry
ESM/PLS 144	Trees & Forests
ESP/GEL 116N	Oceanography
ESP/GEL 150A	Physical & Chemical Oceanography
ESP/GEL 150C	Biological Oceanography
ESP 151	Limnology
ESP 155	Wetland Ecology
EVE/PLB 117	Plant Ecology
GEL 132	Introductory Inorganic Geochemistry
PLS 130	Grassland Ecology
Total Units		36-46

Watershed Science Track

Course List

Code	Title	Units
Courses appearing in more than one section can only be used to fulfill one section.
Complete both introductory hydrologic and soil science courses.
SSC 100	Principles of Soil Science
ESM 100	Principles of Hydrologic Science
Water Management
Choose one:		3-4
ESM 121	Water Science & Management
ESM 125	River Conservation
HYD 150	Water Law
Hydrologic Science
Choose two:		7-8
ATM 133	Biometeorology
HYD/ESM/ABT 110	Irrigation Systems & Water Management
HYD 118/EBS 148/ESM 118	Evapotranspiration Principles, Measurement & Modeling
ESP/GEL 116N	Oceanography
HYD 124	Plant-Water-Soil Relationships
HYD 143	Ecohydrology
HYD/EBS 144	Groundwater Hydrology
HYD 145	Water Science & Design
Physical Environments
Choose one:		3-5
ESP 151L	Limnology Laboratory
ESP 152	Coastal Oceanography
GEL 035	Rivers
GEL 109	Earth History: Sediments & Strata
GEL 136	Ecogeomorphology of Rivers & Streams
GEL 140	Introduction to Process Geomorphology
Environmental Data Science
Choose one:		4
ABT 181N	Concepts & Methods in Geographic Information Systems
ABT/HYD 182	Environmental Analysis Using GIS
ESM 185	Aerial Photo Interpretation & Remote Sensing
ESP 106	Environmental Data Science
Environmental Policy
Choose two:		6-11
ESP 166	Ocean & Coastal Policy
ESP 168A	Methods of Environmental Policy Analysis
ESP 169	Water Policy & Politics
ESP 172	Public Lands Management
ESP 173	Land Use & Growth Controls
ESP 174	Environmental Justice Policy & Practice
ESP 179	Environmental Impact Assessment
Soil Science
Choose one:		4-5
SSC 105	Field Studies of Soils in California Ecosystems
SSC 118	Soils in Land Use & the Environment
SSC 120	Soil Genesis, Morphology, & Classification
Aquatic Organisms & Habitats
Choose one:		3-4
ENT 116	(Discontinued)
ESP 151	Limnology
ESP 155	Wetland Ecology
EVE 115	Marine Ecology
WFC 120	Biology & Conservation of Fishes
WFC 134	Herpetology
Total Units		30-41