The Environmental Studies Program offers three undergraduate degrees. The B.A. and B.S. degrees in Environmental Studies both integrate knowledge from the natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities to analyze and address the complex interactions between humans and the environment. The two options allow students the opportunity to choose a degree that best fits their environmental interests and goals (learn more about the difference between the B.A. and B.S. in Environmental Studies). The major in Hydrological Sciences and Policy provides students with the scientific training needed to understand and solve complex hydrologic problems at local, regional, and global levels. The goal of the hydrologic sciences curriculum is to provide a rigorous framework for students to examine the range of hydrologic processes in our environment. All three degree programs offer rigorous training and exposure to significant breadth and depth of subject matter.
Environmental Studies, B.A.
B.A. Major Requirements :
Official ES B.A. Requirements (UCSB General Catalog)
B.A. Requirement Worksheets: 2024-25, 2023-24, 2022-23
Other ES B.A. Worksheets & Videos:
Four Year ES B.A. + GE's Plan / Blank 4 Year Worksheet
Supplemental Environmental Emphasis Worksheet (upper-div)
Video Explanation of Outside Concentration Options (12 min)
Download Slides of Outside Concentration Video (pdf)
Note: PDF's are editable online - right-click to download
Degree Overview
The Bachelor of Arts degree (B.A.) in Environmental Studies offers interdisciplinary training necessary for students to explore the social, cultural, and scientific challenges pertaining to the study of environmental threats and solutions. Students are introduced to the major through a series of interdisciplinary lower division courses (ENV S 1, 2, and 3), which emphasize integrated thinking across the natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities. They then acquire basic disciplinary expertise by completing a range of lower division prerequisites.
The next stage of training reemphasizes integration and interdisciplinarity. Under the upper division requirements, Environmental Studies majors select three courses, one from each of three clusters (Ecology and Society; Energy/Water/Climate; The Built Environment). Although these clusters and the associated courses vary in focus, each tackles a key environmental topic by drawing on research from the natural sciences, social sciences and humanities, each emphasizes solutions, and each requires critical thinking.
Finally, students complete their training by acquiring in-depth expertise through upper division Environmental Studies electives and an outside concentration. Through the outside concentration, students complete courses from one or more UCSB departments or programs relating to their emphasis. Approximately one-third of all environmental studies B.A. majors elect to use this section to complete either a double major or minor, or to participate in a field studies or study abroad program.
Environmental Studies, B.S.
B.S. Major Requirements:
Official ES B.S. Requirements (UCSB General Catalog)
B.S. Requirement Worksheets: 2024-25, 2023-24, 2022-23
Other B.S. Major Worksheets & Videos:
Four Year ES B.S. + GE's Plan / Blank 4 Year Worksheet
Supplemental Environmental Emphasis Worksheet (upper-div)
Video Explanation of Outside Concentration Options (12 min)
Download Slides of Outside Concentration Video (pdf)
Note: PDF's are editable online - right-click to download
Degree Overview
The goal of the Bachelor of Science degree (B.S.) in Environmental Studies is to train students to become proficient in the natural and physical sciences, as well as to be aware of social and cultural influences upon environmental problems facing society today. The B.S. degree follows a curriculum design similar to the B.A. degree. Students in the B.S. degree are also introduced to the major through a series of interdisciplinary lower division courses (ENV S 1, 2, and 3), which emphasize integrated thinking across the natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities. However, their lower division prerequisites include a full year of introductory biology, chemistry, physics, and calculus, in addition to introductory social science and humanities courses.
At the upper division level, the B.S. degree also emphasizes integration and interdisciplinarity. Under the new upper division requirements, B.S. majors in Environmental Studies select three courses, one from each of three clusters (Ecology and Society; Energy/Water/Climate; The Built Environment). Although these clusters and the associated courses vary in focus, each tackles a key environmental topic by drawing on research from the natural sciences, social sciences and humanities, each emphasizes solutions, and each requires critical thinking.
Students in the B.S. degree track complete their training by acquiring in-depth expertise through upper division Environmental Studies electives and an outside concentration. Both elective and outside concentration courses are restricted to physical and natural science disciplines.
Hydrological Sciences & Policy, B.S.
B.S. Hydro Sciences & Policy Major Requirements:
Official B.S. Hydro Requirements (UCSB General Catalog)
B.S. Hydro Req. Worksheets: 2024-25, 2023-24, 2022-23
Other Hydro B.S. Major Worksheets & Videos:
Four Year Hydro B.S. + GE's Plan
Blank 4 Year Worksheet
Note: PDF's are editable online - right-click to download
Degree Overview
The focus of the hydrologic sciences and policy major is to provide students with the scientific training needed to understand and solve complex hydrologic problems at local, regional, and global levels. The goal of the hydrologic sciences curriculum is to provide a rigorous framework for students to examine the hydrologic process in our environment. It provides a rigorous framework of courses in biology, chemistry, math, geography, physics, and geology necessary for students to understand the hydrologic process and the impacts humans have upon it. Introductory courses concentrate on physical & natural sciences to prepare majors for demanding upper-division required courses in rivers, environmental hydrology, water pollution, and water policy. Students then select one course from six hydrology themed clusters of courses and take three elective courses from a broad list that includes an internship class, a senior thesis, the Environmental Leadership Incubator (ELI), or participation in the UC Education Abroad Program or an affiliated field studies program with projects located on six continents.
Ready?
Join the thousands of other students at UCSB pursuing an Environmental Studies degree. Visit our webpage on declaring the major to learn more about the process.
Questions?
Have questions about which degree is right for you? Visit the Environmental Studies Academic Advisor in Bren 4313 or email advising@es.ucsb.edu to have all your questions answered.