Environmental Science BS

Overview

The Environmental Science BS program represents strong collaboration between the Institute of the Environment and Sustainability and the departments of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences; Civil and Environmental Engineering; Earth, Planetary, and Space Sciences; Ecology and Evolutionary Biology; Environmental Health Sciences; and Geography. The program is designed for students who are deeply interested in the study of environmental science. There are two components to the program, and both must be completed to receive the degree. The first component, the Environmental Science major, requires completion of lower-division requirements grounded in basic natural sciences, a five-course upper-division environmental science requirement reflecting the disciplinary breadth of environmental science, three social sciences/humanities courses, participation in a sustainability-focused speaker series, and completion of an environmental science practicum. The second component is a minor or concentration in one of seven environmental science areas, each associated with a particular department. With assistance from IoES staff, students must formally apply to and be accepted by the associated department to receive the minor.

Capstone Major

The Environmental Science major is a designated capstone major. In collaboration with a local agency or nonprofit institution, students work individually and in groups to complete projects that require them to integrate many of the skills, principles, theories, and concepts they have learned throughout the curriculum and apply them to real systems. Students are expected to contribute meaningfully to the analysis and solution of particular environmental science issues involving multiple disciplines and stakeholders with different perspectives. Those completing the major should possess critical thinking skills, problem-solving abilities, and familiarity with essential computational, data collection, and analysis skills, as well as demonstrate effective oral and written communication skills. Graduates should also be able to identify key ethical issues and analyze the consequences of various professional dilemmas, as well as work productively as part of a team.

Learning Outcomes

Ability to apply theories or concepts from coursework to analysis of issues in the field

Ability to make meaningful contribution to analysis and solution of particular issues involving multiple disciplines and stakeholders with different perspectives

Critical thinking skills, problem-solving abilities, and familiarity with computational and data collection and analysis procedures essential to the field

Ability to identify ethical issues raised by a particular issue

Ability to analyze the consequences of various professional dilemmas

Ability to work productively with others as part of a team

Effective oral and written communication skills

Entry to the Major

Transfer Students

Transfer applicants to the Environmental Science major with 90 or more units must complete as many of the following introductory courses as possible prior to admission to UCLA: two general chemistry courses with laboratory for majors, two general biology courses with laboratory for majors, two calculus courses, and two calculus-based physics courses.

Refer to the UCLA transfer admission guide for up-to-date information regarding transfer selection for admission.

Major Requirements

Preparation for the Major

Complete 12 required courses and additional required courses based on minor selection as follows:

Chemistry

Environment

Geography

Life Sciences

Mathematics

Select one series from:

Life Sciences 30 series

Mathematics 3 series

Mathematics 31 series

Physics

Select one series from:

Physics 1 series

Physics 5 series

Statistics

Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences Minor

For the Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences minor, one course selected from the following is also required:

Conservation Biology Minor

For the Conservation Biology minor, one or two courses from one of the following options is also required:

Chemistry 14C or 30A

Life Sciences 7C and 23L

Earth and Environmental Science Minor

For the Earth and Environmental Science minor, three additional courses as follows are also required:

Earth, Planetary, and Space Sciences Elective

Additional Course

Select one course from:

Environmental Engineering Minor

Environmental Health Concentration

Required for the Environmental Systems and Society Minor

For the Environmental Systems and Society minor, one course from the following is also required. Students selecting Life Sciences 7C must also complete 23L.

Geography/Environmental Studies Minor

For the Geography/Environmental Studies minor, three courses as follows are also required. Students should take these courses before enrolling in upper-division courses.

Geography Elective

Additional Course

Students selecting Life Sciences 7C must also complete 23L.

The Major

Complete the four requirements—physical and life science, social science and humanities, practicum/sustainability talks, and minor or concentration, as follows:

Physical and Life Sciences Requirements

Complete five courses as follows:

Additional Physical and Life Sciences Courses

Select four courses from the following physical and life sciences areas. No more than two courses may be from any one department.

Social Sciences and Humanities Requirements

Complete three courses as follows:

Additional Social Sciences and Humanities Courses

Select two courses from:

Practicum/Sustainability Talks Requirements

Minor and Concentration Requirements

A minimum of 20 units applied toward the minor requirements must be in addition to units applied toward major requirements or another minor. Successful completion of a minor is indicated on the transcript and diploma.

Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences Minor

Complete seven 4-unit courses as follows. Other relevant courses from related disciplines may be substituted with prior approval of the department. At least five courses approved for the minor must be upper-division. One course may be taken on a Passed/Not Passed basis.

Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences

Select three courses from:

Additional Courses

Four additional courses, two of which must be upper-division, from any of the above atmospheric and oceanic sciences courses beyond the minimum four required or selected from the following. Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences 186 must be taken twice. Only one course from Ecology and Evolutionary Biology 123A or 123B may be applied.

Conservation Biology Minor

Complete Ecology and Evolutionary Biology 100, 116, and four to six additional courses.

Additional Courses

Select four to six courses from the following list or any courses associated with the Field Biology Quarter or the Marine Biology Quarter or approved equivalent. A maximum of two Geography courses may be applied to the minor.

Earth and Environmental Science Minor

Environmental Engineering Minor

Complete Civil Engineering 153 and five additional courses.

Additional Courses

Select five from the following list. Credit for both Chemical Engineering 102A and Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering 105A is not allowed.

Environmental Health Concentration

Complete Epidemiology 100, two courses from Environmental Health Sciences, and three additional courses.

Environmental Health Sciences

Select two courses from:

Additional Courses

Select three courses from:

Environmental Systems and Society Minor

Select seven courses from:

Geography/Environmental Studies Minor

Complete three required courses and two additional upper-division geography courses.

Required Geography Courses

Select three courses from:

Additional Geography Courses

Complete any two additional upper-division geography courses (except those from the preceding list and courses 194 through 199).

Honors Program

The honors program provides exceptional students an opportunity for advanced research and study, under the guidance of a faculty member, that leads to the completion of an honors thesis or research project. To qualify for graduation with honors, students must (1) complete all requirements for the major, (2) have a cumulative grade-point average of 3.5 or better in upper-division coursework in the major and an overall GPA of 3.0 or better, (3) complete at least 8 units of Environment 198 taken over at least two terms, and (4) produce a completed satisfactory honors thesis. The honors thesis or research project is in addition to the requirement of the completed practicum in environmental science project. Contact the student affairs officer for more information.

Overview

Capstone Major

Learning Outcomes

Entry to the Major

Transfer Students

Major Requirements

Preparation for the Major

The Major

Honors Program

Policies

Preparation for the Major Policies

The Major Policies