Environmental Studies strongly encourages its students to participate in experiential elective courses, internships, study abroad programs, or any other academic opportunities which enhance their environmental education. Our curriculum has a number of special courses which allow undergraduates to conduct independent research projects (ENV S 199), work as a research assistant for one of its faculty members (ENV S 199RA), pursue a senior thesis on a topic of their choice (ENV S 197). Environmental Studies also houses the Environmental Studies Internship Program, which permits students to receive hands-on experience through an academic internship (ENV S 192) with local, state, national and international agencies.
Additionally, through the outside concentration requirement, environmental studies students may earn academic credit towards their major requirements while conducting field research in the outdoors with faculty from all over the globe. These opportunities are available through a number of field studies programs at accredited institutions. Furthermore, the flexibility of the environmental studies curriculum permits students the opportunity to pursue study abroad through the UC Education Abroad Program. Depending on the coursework taken, academic credit may be petitioned to substitute for a large number of units in the environmental studies or hydrologic sciences majors.
Over two-thirds of all environmental studies majors complete at least one internship, field studies or study abroad program before graduating. Additional information about these and other affiliated experiential education programs is available on this website or from the Environmental Studies Academic Advisor (Bren 4313).