The Environmental Studies B.A. at UCSB provides interdisciplinary training to help students understand and address environmental challenges. Students begin with introductory courses (ENV S 1, 2, and 3) that integrate perspectives from the natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities, followed by foundational lower-division prerequisites.

Upper-division requirements reinforce interdisciplinary thinking. Majors take one course from each of three clusters—Ecology and Society, Energy/Water/Climate, and The Built Environment—all of which emphasize environmental problem-solving through multiple academic lenses.

Students then deepen their expertise through upper-division electives and an outside concentration, selecting courses from other UCSB departments related to their interests. Many students use this requirement to pursue a minor, double major, field studies, or study abroad program.

B.A. Major Requirements:
Official ES B.A. Requirements (UCSB General Catalog)
B.A. Requirement Worksheets: 2025-26,  2024-25,  2023-24,  2022-23 

Other ES B.A. Worksheets & Videos:
Four Year ES B.A. + GE's Plan  /  Blank 4 Year Worksheet
ES Guide to Possible Concentrations (pdf)
Video Explanation of Outside Concentration Options (12 min)
Download Slides of Outside Concentration Video (pdf)

The B.S. in Environmental Studies trains students in the natural and physical sciences while grounding them in the social and cultural dimensions of environmental problems. Like the B.A., the B.S. begins with interdisciplinary introductory courses (ENV S 1–3), but requires additional lower-division coursework in biology, chemistry, physics, and calculus.

At the upper-division level, students take one course from each of three interdisciplinary clusters—Ecology and Society, Energy/Water/Climate, and The Built Environment—all focused on key environmental issues and solutions. B.S. students then deepen their scientific expertise through upper-division Environmental Studies electives and an outside concentration, both centered on the natural and physical sciences.

B.S. Major Requirements:
Official ES B.S. Requirements (UCSB General Catalog)
B.S. Requirement Worksheets: 2025-26,  2024-25,  2023-24,  2022-23

Other B.S. Major Worksheets & Videos:
Four Year ES B.S. + GE's Plan  /  Blank 4 Year Worksheet
ES Guide to Possible Concentrations (pdf)
Video Explanation of Outside Concentration Options (12 min)
Download Slides of Outside Concentration Video (pdf)

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.

B.S. Hydro Sciences & Policy Major Requirements:
Official B.S. Hydro Requirements (UCSB General Catalog)
B.S. Hydro Req.  Worksheets: 2025-26,  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