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 available concentrations should 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 combined will be able to:
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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 for the environmental studies/economics combined major, students must complete the specific courses listed below, or their approved equivalents.
One of the following:
| ENVS 23 | The Physical and Chemical Environment | 5 |
| CHEM 1A | General Chemistry | 5 |
Plus one of the following
Plus all of the following
| ENVS 25 | Environmental Policy and Economics | 5 |
| ECON 1 | Introductory Microeconomics: Resource Allocation and Market Structure | 5 |
| AM 11A
/ECON 11A
| Mathematical Methods for Economists I | 5 |
| STAT 7 | Statistical Methods for the Biological, Environmental, and Health Sciences | 5 |
| STAT 7L | Statistical Methods for the Biological, Environmental, and Health Sciences Laboratory | 2 |
Determining Qualification
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Students who complete all the qualification courses with a grade of P, or letter grade of C or better are qualified to declare the major.
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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 qualified to declare the major after successfully completing the same or an equivalent course with a letter grade of C or better.
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Students with two or more grades of C-, D+, D, D-, or F in the qualification courses taken at UC Santa Cruz are not qualified to declare the major.
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Students with AP credit (score of 3 or higher) for any of the qualification course(s) are qualified to declare after successfully completing the remaining qualification courses.
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Students must attend an Environmental Studies Department declaration workshop when requesting to declare the major.
Appeal Process
Students who are not qualified to declare the major may appeal this decision by submitting an appeal to qualify for the major 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
All students are required to attend one declaration workshop offered during the first three weeks of the quarter they are eligible to declare. Before students attend declaration workshops, they should check to see if they are eligible to declare using the major qualification page. Students wishing to declare within the Environmental Studies Department should visit the Environmental Studies Department website and follow the steps listed in the "how to declare" tab. Degree requirement sheets may be downloaded from the Environmental Studies Undergraduate Program Requirements page.
Transfer Information and Policy
Transfer Admission Screening Policy
Students who apply for transfer admission to the major are required to have taken the equivalents of the following courses with a C grade (2.0) or better by the end of the spring term for students planning to enter in the fall:
One of the following:
ENVS 23 or a general chemistry course
Plus one of the following:
Plus the following:
ECON 1 or ECON 2 and a course in national or international politics
Plus one of the following:
| AM 11A
/ECON 11A
| Mathematical Methods for Economists I | 5 |
| MATH 11A | Calculus with Applications | 5 |
| MATH 19A | Calculus for Science, Engineering, and Mathematics | 5 |
Recommended Courses
In addition, one of the following courses is recommended prior to transfer to ensure timely graduation.
| SOCY 1 | Introduction to Sociology | 5 |
| SOCY 10 | Issues and Problems in American Society | 5 |
| SOCY 15 | World Society | 5 |
| ANTH 2 | Introduction to Cultural Anthropology | 5 |
| PHIL 22 | Introduction to Ethical Theory | 5 |
| PHIL 24 | Introduction to Ethics: Contemporary Moral Issues | 5 |
| PHIL 28 | Environmental Ethics | 5 |
| BME 80G
/PHIL 80G
| Bioethics in the 21st Century: Science, Business, and Society | 5 |
And all of the following courses
| ECON 1 | Introductory Microeconomics: Resource Allocation and Market Structure | 5 |
| ECON 2 | Introductory Macroeconomics: Aggregate Economic Activity | 5 |
| AM 11B
/ECON 11B
| Mathematical Methods for Economists II | 5 |
GPA Requirement
To be considered for admission in the environmental studies majors, transfer students must pass the preceding courses or their equivalents of the following courses with a C (2.0) or better in the required courses.
General Education (GEs)
Prospective students are encouraged to prioritize required and recommended major preparation, and may additionally complete courses that articulate to UC Santa Cruz general education requirements as time allows.
Getting Started at UCSC as a Transfer Student
Transfer students pursuing environmental studies majors are encouraged to transfer in the fall quarter.
Transfer students should plan to enroll in ECON 100A or ECON 100M and STAT 7/STAT 7L 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 advisor, and refer to the ASSIST website to determine equivalency. Prospective transfer students should review the 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.
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/economics combined major cannot substitute courses to count toward their upper-division electives.
Study Abroad
Students in environmental studies are encouraged to participate in Study Abroad programs and other off-campus programs. Students who are interested in these programs shall 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 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 advisor) 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). To be considered for highest departmental honors, students are limited to no more than one grade of P in those upper-division courses.
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
| ECON 1 | Introductory Microeconomics: Resource Allocation and Market Structure | 5 |
| ECON 2 | Introductory Macroeconomics: Aggregate Economic Activity | 5 |
| AM 11A
/ECON 11A
| Mathematical Methods for Economists I | 5 |
| AM 11B
/ECON 11B
| Mathematical Methods for Economists II | 5 |
| STAT 7 | Statistical Methods for the Biological, Environmental, and Health Sciences | 5 |
| STAT 7L | Statistical Methods for the Biological, Environmental, and Health Sciences Laboratory | 2 |
Plus one of the following
| ENVS 23 | The Physical and Chemical Environment | 5 |
| CHEM 1A | General Chemistry | 5 |
Plus one of the following
Plus the following
| ENVS 25 | Environmental Policy and Economics | 5 |
Plus one of the following
| ANTH 2 | Introduction to Cultural Anthropology | 5 |
| PHIL 22 | Introduction to Ethical Theory | 5 |
| PHIL 24 | Introduction to Ethics: Contemporary Moral Issues | 5 |
| PHIL 28 | Environmental Ethics | 5 |
| BME 80G
/PHIL 80G
| Bioethics in the 21st Century: Science, Business, and Society | 5 |
| SOCY 1 | Introduction to Sociology | 5 |
| SOCY 10 | Issues and Problems in American Society | 5 |
| SOCY 15 | World Society | 5 |
Upper-Division Courses
One of the following
| ECON 100A | Intermediate Microeconomics | 5 |
| ECON 100M | Intermediate Microeconomics, Math Intensive | 5 |
And all of the following
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:
Environmental studies electives
Environmental studies electives must be chosen from those numbered ENVS 101 through 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):
| ENVS 104A | Introduction to Environmental Field Methods | 5 |
| ENVS 104L | Field Methods Laboratory | 2 |
| ENVS 106A | Natural History of Birds | 5 |
| ENVS 107A | Natural History Field Quarter | 5 |
| ENVS 107B | Natural History Field Quarter | 5 |
| ENVS 107C | Natural History Field Quarter | 5 |
| ENVS 108 | General Entomology | 5 |
| ENVS 108L | General Entomology Laboratory | 3 |
| BIOE 151A
/ENVS 109A
| Ecology and Conservation in Practice Supercourse: Ecological Field Methods | 5 |
| BIOE 151B
/ENVS 109B
| Ecology and Conservation in Practice Supercourse: Ecological Field Methods Laboratory | 5 |
| BIOE 151C
/ENVS 109C
| Ecology and Conservation in Practice Supercourse: Functions and Processes of Terrestrial Ecosystems | 5 |
| BIOE 151D
/ENVS 109D
| Ecology and Conservation in Practice Supercourse: Conservation in Practice | 4 |
| ENVS 120 | Conservation Biology | 5 |
| ENVS 121 | Landscape Ecology | 5 |
| ENVS 122 | Tropical Ecology and Conservation | 5 |
| ENVS 123 | Animal Ecology and Conservation | 5 |
| BIOE 125
/ENVS 125
| Ecosystems of California | 5 |
| ENVS 129 | Integrated Pest Management | 5 |
| ENVS 129L | Integrated Pest Management Laboratory | 2 |
| ENVS 130A | Agroecology and Sustainable Agriculture | 5 |
| ENVS 130L | Agroecology and Sustainable Agriculture Laboratory | 2 |
| ENVS 130C | Field Experiences in Agroecology and Sustainable Food | 5 |
| ENVS 131 | Insect Ecology | 5 |
| ENVS 133 | Agroecology Practicum | 5 |
| ENVS 138 | Field Ethnobotany | 5 |
| ENVS 160 | Restoration Ecology | 5 |
| ENVS 161A | Soils and Plant Nutrition | 5 |
| ENVS 162 | Plant Physiological Ecology | 5 |
| ENVS 162L | Plant Physiological Ecology Laboratory | 2 |
| ENVS 163 | Plant Disease Ecology | 5 |
| ENVS 163L | Plant Disease Ecology Lab | 2 |
| ENVS 164 | Projects and Practices in Soil Ecology | 5 |
| ENVS 166 | Agroecosystem Analysis and Watershed Management | 5 |
| ENVS 167 | Freshwater and Wetland Ecology | 5 |
| ENVS 167L | Freshwater and Wetland Ecology Lab | 2 |
| ENVS 168 | Biogeochemistry and the Global Environment | 5 |
| ENVS 169 | Climate Change Ecology | 5 |
| ENVS 170 | 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 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 on the department's website.
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:
Plus one of the following
| BIOE 151B
/ENVS 109B
| Ecology and Conservation in Practice Supercourse: Ecological Field Methods Laboratory | 5 |
| ENVS 183B | Senior Internship | 5 |
| ENVS 190 | Capstone Course: Environmental Problem Solving | 5 |
| ENVS 195B | Senior Thesis Group | 5 |
| ENVS 196 | 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.
- 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/economics combined 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.
This planner assumes that a student has placed into MATH 3 or AM 3.
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.
Students interested in taking the senior thesis or senior internship as their comprehensive requirement must take ENVS 195A (thesis) or ENVS 183A (internship) in the quarter before completing ENVS 195B (thesis) or ENVS 183B (internship). Both the senior thesis and senior internship are two consecutive quarter commitments.
Plan Two for Incoming Transfer Students
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.
Students interested in taking the senior thesis or senior internship as their comprehensive requirement must take ENVS 195A (thesis) or ENVS 183A (internship) in the quarter before completing ENVS 195B (thesis) or ENVS 183B (internship). Both the senior thesis and senior internship are two consecutive quarter commitments.