Information and Policies
Introduction
This major provides students with the basic tools of economic analysis and an understanding of the mechanics of resource production, conservation, and use, in both ecological and economic terms.
Students interested in the four available concentrations (geographic information systems, global environmental justice, conservation science and policy, and agroecology and sustainable food systems) should to pursue the environmental studies B.A. degree. This does not apply to students who declared a combined major and concentration in agroecology and sustainable food systems prior to 2019.
Academic Advising for the Program
Advising is one way to make the most of your university experience. The advising system at UC Santa Cruz is amazing, and we encourage you to use it often. Ask questions, seek advice, and make decisions that work best for you.
To receive advising for this major, contact envsadvi@ucsc.edu. Additional information for prospective transfer students can be found in the Transfer Information and Policy section.
Program Learning Outcomes
Students graduating with a B.A. degree in environmental studies/economics will:
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Identify the societal (social, political, economic and ethical) agents and structures that contribute to environmental change. (social science competency)
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Describe the structure and functioning of major physical and ecological components of the earth’s systems. (natural science competency)
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Access and analyze a complex literature addressing specific topics in environmental studies, and evaluate the usefulness and limitations of individual sources of information. (analytic thinking)
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Demonstrate effective oral and written communication skills. (communication skills).
Major Qualification Policy and Declaration Process
Major Qualification
To qualify to declare the environmental studies/economics combined major, students must complete the specific courses listed below, or their approved equivalents.
One of the following:
| ENVS23 | The Physical and Chemical Environment | 5 |
| CHEM1A | General Chemistry | 5 |
Plus one of the following
Plus all of the following
| ENVS25 | Environmental Policy and Economics | 5 |
| ECON1 | Introductory Microeconomics: Resource Allocation and Market Structure | 5 |
| AM11A
/ECON 11A
| Mathematical Methods for Economists I | 5 |
Plus one of the following options
Determining qualification
-
Students who complete all the qualification courses with a grade of P, or letter grade of C or better are eligible to declare a major.
-
Students who have received one grade of C-, D+, D, D-, or F in one of the qualification courses taken at UC Santa Cruz will only be eligible to declare after successfully completing the same or an equivalent course with a letter grade of C or better.
-
Students with two or more grades of C-, D+, D, D-, or F in the qualification courses taken at UC Santa Cruz are not eligible to declare.
-
Students with AP credit for any of the qualification course(s) are eligible to declare after successfully completing the remaining qualification courses.
-
Students must attend an Environmental Studies Department declaration workshop when requesting to declare the major.
Appeal Process
Students who are not eligible to declare the major may appeal this decision by submitting an appeal to qualify for the major here within 15 days of the denial of the declaration. Within 15 days of receipt of the appeal, the department will notify the student and college of the decision. If a student has questions about the appeals process, they should contact envsadvi@ucsc.edu.
How to Declare a Major
Students wishing to declare within the Environmental Studies Department should visit the Environmental Studies Department website and follow the steps to declare listed there. Degree requirement sheets may be downloaded from the Environmental Studies Undergraduate Program Requirements page.
Transfer Information and Policy
Transfer Admission Screening Policy
To be considered for admission to UC Santa Cruz in the environmental studies/economics combined majors, transfer students must pass equivalents of the following courses with a C (2.0) or better in these required courses:
One of the following:
ENVS 23 or a general chemistry course (defined in ASSIST)
Plus one of the following:
Plus all of the following:
ECON 1 and a course in national or international politics (defined in ASSIST)
Plus one of the following:
| AM11A
/ECON 11A
| Mathematical Methods for Economists I | 5 |
| MATH11A | Calculus with Applications | 5 |
| MATH19A | Calculus for Science, Engineering, and Mathematics | 5 |
Plus the following:
Prospective transfer students should review transfer information on the environmental studies transfer information.
Students who are proposed in a different major and have advanced standing when they come to UC Santa Cruz require permission from the department to change into the major. Contact envsadvi@ucsc.edu to request permission.
Getting Started at UCSC as a Transfer Student
Transfer students pursuing environmental studies majors are encouraged to transfer in the fall quarter.
Transfer students plan to enroll in ECON 100A or ECON 100M during the summer or fall quarter, and ECON 113 in the winter quarter in order to take ENVS 100 and ENVS 100L in spring quarter of their first year. Transfer students who have completed the screening requirements listed above can formally declare their major, following the steps in How to Declare a Major given above.
ENVS 25 and CHEM 1A are usually offered during Summer Session at UC Santa Cruz, and transfer students are encouraged to take them if they have not completed a substitute requirement or want a better understanding of the relevant material. If you are transferring, compare catalog descriptions, consult your current institution's adviser, and refer to the ASSIST website to determine equivalency. Prospective transfer students should review the transfer information.
Letter Grade Policy
This program does not have a letter grade policy, except that the senior comprehensive requirement must be taken for a letter grade.
Course Substitution Policy
Students pursuing the Environmental Studies/Biology Combined Major cannot substitute courses to count toward their upper division electives.
Study Abroad
Environmental studies students are encouraged to study abroad and participate in other off-campus programs. If students are interested in planning to study abroad
please note the following policies:
- Students planning to study abroad must be declared in their major prior to
studying abroad.
- Students must have their courses they plan to take abroad reviewed and
approved by Environmental Studies Advising.
- Environmental studies/biology combined majors cannot petition their courses
taken abroad for upper division course substitution.
- For more information on EAP, please visit the UC Education Abroad Program
website.
Honors
Departmental Honors. Students must have a 3.5 grade point average (GPA) in all courses used to satisfy the environmental studies upper-division requirements. To be considered for departmental honors, students are limited to no more than one grade of P in those upper-division courses.
Senior Comprehensive Honors. Only applicable to a senior thesis, senior internship, or individual work in a senior seminar. Honors must be awarded by the student’s faculty sponsor, and a second faculty member (chosen by the student’s faculty adviser) must confer.
Highest Departmental Honors. Students must have a 3.75 grade point average (GPA) in in all courses used to satisfy the environmental studies upper-division requirements and must also receive senior comprehensive honors (see above).
Students must fulfill all requirements for honors from environmental studies and biology.
Requirements and Planners
Course Requirements
Lower-Division Courses
All of the following courses
| ECON1 | Introductory Microeconomics: Resource Allocation and Market Structure | 5 |
| ECON2 | Introductory Macroeconomics: Aggregate Economic Activity | 5 |
| AM11A
/ECON 11A
| Mathematical Methods for Economists I | 5 |
| AM11B
/ECON 11B
| Mathematical Methods for Economists II | 5 |
Plus one of the following options
Plus one of the following
| ENVS23 | The Physical and Chemical Environment | 5 |
| CHEM1A | General Chemistry | 5 |
Plus one of the following
Plus the following
| ENVS25 | Environmental Policy and Economics | 5 |
Plus one of the following
| ANTH2 | Introduction to Cultural Anthropology | 5 |
| PHIL22 | Introduction to Ethical Theory | 5 |
| PHIL24 | Introduction to Ethics: Contemporary Moral Issues | 5 |
| PHIL28 | Environmental Ethics | 5 |
| BME80G
/PHIL 80G
| Bioethics in the 21st Century: Science, Business, and Society | 5 |
| SOCY1 | Introduction to Sociology | 5 |
| SOCY10 | Issues and Problems in American Society | 5 |
| SOCY15 | World Society | 5 |
Upper-Division Courses
One of the following
| ECON100A | Intermediate Microeconomics | 5 |
| ECON100M | Intermediate Microeconomics, Math Intensive | 5 |
And all of the following
| ECON113 | Introduction to Econometrics | 5 |
| ENVS100 | Ecology and Society | 3 |
| ENVS100L | Ecology and Society Writing Laboratory | 5 |
Electives
Six upper-division elective courses, three in economics and three in environmental studies.
Economics electives
Economics electives must be chosen from the following list:
| ECON100B | Intermediate Macroeconomics | 5 |
| ECON100N | Intermediate Macroeconomics, Math Intensive | 5 |
| ECON101 | Managerial Economics | 5 |
| ECON114 | Advanced Quantitative Methods | 5 |
| ECON115 | Introduction to Management Sciences | 5 |
| ECON120 | Development Economics | 5 |
| ECON128
/LGST 128
| Poverty and Public Policy | 5 |
| ECON130 | Money and Banking | 5 |
| ECON131 | International Financial Markets | 5 |
| ECON133 | Security Markets and Financial Institutions | 5 |
| ECON135 | Corporate Finance | 5 |
| ECON136 | Business Strategy | 5 |
| ECON138 | The Economics and Management of Technology and Innovation | 5 |
| ECON139A | The Economics of Electronic Commerce | 5 |
| ECON139B | E-Commerce Strategy | 5 |
| ECON140 | International Trade | 5 |
| ECON141 | International Finance | 5 |
| ECON142 | Advanced Topics in International Economics | 5 |
| ECON150 | Public Finance | 5 |
| ECON156 | Health Care and Medical Economics | 5 |
| ECON159 | The Economics of Organizations | 5 |
| ECON160A
/LGST 160A
| Industrial Organization | 5 |
| ECON160B | Government and Industry | 5 |
| ECON161A | Marketing | 5 |
| ECON162
/LGST 162
| Legal Environment of Business | 5 |
| ECON165 | Economics as an Experimental Science | 5 |
| ECON169
/LGST 169
| Economic Analysis of the Law | 5 |
| ECON175 | Energy Economics | 5 |
| ECON180 | Labor Economics | 5 |
| ECON183
/LGST 183
| Women in the Economy | 5 |
Environmental studies electives
Environmental studies electives must be chosen from those numbered ENVS 101-ENVS 179, with at least one course based in the natural sciences selected from the following upper-division courses (lecture and lab combinations count as a single course):
| ENVS104A | Introduction to Environmental Field Methods | 5 |
| ENVS104L | Field Methods Laboratory | 2 |
| ENVS106A | Natural History of Birds | 5 |
| ENVS107A | Natural History Field Quarter | 5 |
| ENVS107B | Natural History Field Quarter | 5 |
| ENVS107C | Natural History Field Quarter | 5 |
| ENVS108 | General Entomology | 5 |
| ENVS108L | General Entomology Laboratory | 3 |
| BIOE151A
/ENVS 109A
| Ecology and Conservation in Practice Supercourse: Ecological Field Methods | 5 |
| BIOE151B
/ENVS 109B
| Ecology and Conservation in Practice Supercourse: Ecological Field Methods Laboratory | 5 |
| BIOE151C
/ENVS 109C
| Ecology and Conservation in Practice Supercourse: Functions and Processes of Terrestrial Ecosystems | 5 |
| BIOE151D
/ENVS 109D
| Ecology and Conservation in Practice Supercourse: Conservation in Practice | 4 |
| ENVS120 | Conservation Biology | 5 |
| ENVS121 | Landscape Ecology | 5 |
| ENVS122 | Tropical Ecology and Conservation | 5 |
| ENVS123 | Animal Ecology and Conservation | 5 |
| BIOE125
/ENVS 125
| Ecosystems of California | 5 |
| ENVS129 | Integrated Pest Management | 5 |
| ENVS129L | Integrated Pest Management Laboratory | 2 |
| ENVS130A | Agroecology and Sustainable Agriculture | 5 |
| ENVS130L | Agroecology and Sustainable Agriculture Laboratory | 2 |
| ENVS130C | Field Experiences in Agroecology and Sustainable Food | 5 |
| ENVS131 | Insect Ecology | 5 |
| ENVS133 | Agroecology Practicum | 5 |
| ENVS138 | Field Ethnobotany | 5 |
| ENVS160 | Restoration Ecology | 5 |
| ENVS161A | Soils and Plant Nutrition | 5 |
| ENVS161L | Soils and Plant Nutrition Laboratory | 2 |
| ENVS162 | Plant Physiological Ecology | 5 |
| ENVS162L | Plant Physiological Ecology Laboratory | 2 |
| ENVS163 | Plant Disease Ecology | 5 |
| ENVS163L | Plant Disease Ecology Lab | 2 |
| ENVS164 | Projects and Practices in Soil Ecology | 5 |
| ENVS166 | Agroecosystem Analysis and Watershed Management | 5 |
| ENVS167 | Freshwater and Wetland Ecology | 5 |
| ENVS167L | Freshwater and Wetland Ecology Lab | 2 |
| ENVS168 | Biogeochemistry and the Global Environment | 5 |
| ENVS169 | Climate Change Ecology | 5 |
| ENVS170 | Agriculture and Climate Change | 5 |
None of the three environmental studies upper-division courses can be an environmental studies internship, individual study or substitution course.
A list of all courses offered by the Environmental Studies Department is available here. A list of which upper-division courses offered in the current year by the Environmental Studies Department are based in the natural sciences and in the social sciences is available here.
Disciplinary Communication (DC) Requirement
Students of every major must satisfy that major's upper-division Disciplinary Communication (DC) requirement. The DC requirement for the environmental studies/economics combined major is satisfied by completing:
The following courses:
| ENVS100 | Ecology and Society | 3 |
| ENVS100L | Ecology and Society Writing Laboratory | 5 |
Plus one of the following
| BIOE151B
/ENVS 109B
| Ecology and Conservation in Practice Supercourse: Ecological Field Methods Laboratory | 5 |
| ENVS183B | Senior Internship | 5 |
| ENVS190 | Capstone Course: Environmental Problem Solving | 5 |
| ENVS195B | Senior Thesis Group | 5 |
| ENVS196 | Senior Seminar | 5 |
Comprehensive Requirement
Students satisfy the senior comprehensive requirement by completing both of the following:
- One of the options for environmental studies B.A.; and
- Pass those portions of the economics comprehensive examination administered in ECON 100A and ECON 113.
The senior comprehensive may be satisfied by completing one of the options listed below. All courses used to satisfy the senior comprehensive requirement must be taken for a letter grade.
Before enrolling in the senior thesis or senior internship option, students must formally apply to work with a particular faculty mentor very early in their thesis or project preparation. The senior thesis and senior internship option require careful planning, additional independent research, and at least a two-quarter commitment.
Students with advanced skills in one of the graduate focal areas may also take a graduate seminar by invitation from the instructor.
Planners
The following are two sample academic plans for students pursuing the environmental studies B.A. major without a concentration. Plan One is for incoming frosh and Plan Two is for incoming transfer students.
Plan One for Incoming Frosh
*This course is also offered in the spring term.
Students completing this major will have satisfied the SI, IN, PE-E, IS, PE-H, MF, and PR-E general education requirements. In addition, they will need to fulfill all remaining university, college, and general education requirements.
Plan Two for Incoming Transfer Students
|
Fall |
Winter |
Spring |
| 3rd (junior) |
ECON 100A or ECON 100M |
ECON 113 |
Upper-division ENVS
(natural sciences) |
| |
Upper-division ECON |
ENVS 100 & ENVS 100L |
| |
|
|
| 4th (senior) |
Upper-division ENVS
|
Upper-division ENVS |
Comprehensive
requirement |
| Upper-division ECON |
Upper-division ECON |
|
| |
|
|
This planner assumes that a student has completed all required lower-division courses—including UCSC or community college general education requirements.
A transfer student who has completed the requirements for the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) before matriculating at UC Santa Cruz, with at most two course requirements left to complete, is allowed to satisfy IGETC in lieu of the UCSC general education requirements.
Plan One for Incoming Frosh
|
|
Fall
|
Winter
|
Spring
|
|
1st (frosh)
|
MATH 3 or AM3
|
SOC/ANTH/ethics
course
|
ENVS 23 or
CHEM 1A
|
|
|
ENVS 25
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2nd (soph)
|
ENVS 24 or BIOE 20C
|
ENVS 100 & ENVS 100L*
|
Upper-division ENVS
|
|
STAT 7 & STAT 7L
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3rd (junior)
|
Upper-division ENVS
(social science)
|
Upper-division ENVS
(natural science)
|
Upper-division ENVS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4th (senior)
|
Upper-division ENVS
|
Upper-division ENVS
|
Upper-division ENVS
|
|
|
|
Comprehensive
requirement
|
|
|
|
|
*This course is also offered in the spring term.