Environmental Systems
[ major tracks | courses | faculty ]
368 Galbraith Hall, Revelle College
All courses, faculty listings, and curricular and degree requirements described herein are subject to change or deletion without notice. Updates may be found on the Academic Senate website: http://senate.ucsd.edu/catalog-copy/approved-updates/.
There can be little doubt that in the twenty-first century the global human community is facing a substantial growth in the environmental consequences in providing food, energy, materials, and basic services to a population of almost 6.5 billion inhabitants. The Environmental Systems Program (ESYS) recognizes the growing demand for environmental specialists and is designed to prepare undergraduates to enter a broad spectrum of environmental careers and graduate programs in, for example, the natural sciences, the social sciences, public policy, law, and business.
This interdisciplinary program recognizes that local, national, regional, international, and global environmental problems do not fit neatly into traditional academic departments. A measurable part of society’s inability to effectively manage complex environmental problems stems from the lack of specialists who can apply analytical tools that cross disciplinary boundaries. Many environmental specialists possess little training in the natural sciences including both the fundamental ideas and methodologies of the earth and environmental sciences. The environmental systems major was created to address both of these shortcomings.
To encourage and foster an interdisciplinary focus in the major, the Environmental Systems Program is supported by a wide range of UC San Diego faculty representing the natural sciences, the social sciences, the humanities, engineering, and medicine. The program includes a required lower-division core, an upper-division “integrating course sequence,” two other upper-division courses and statistics, an advanced track, and a senior integrative project and seminar. There is a strong emphasis on a rigorous natural science foundation as well as an introduction to the policy sciences for all students enrolled in the major. The Environmental Systems Program places a significant value on interdisciplinary problem solving and all majors are expected to complete an integrative Senior Project in their final year. The Senior Project is designed by the student to focus on an interdisciplinary environmental problem or research topic. Appropriate topics for the Senior Project could conceivably include biodiversity conservation, coastal zone management, environmental health, climate change, environmental justice, and/or urban air quality. An important component of the Senior Project is an off-campus or laboratory internship where students might work on, for example, the development of a comprehensive management plan for a threatened ecosystem. The Senior Seminar provides a venue for the presentation and group evaluation of the ESYS Senior Projects.
The Environmental Systems Major
The requirements for completion of the environmental systems major include a lower-division core, two upper-division courses, a three course upper-division integrating sequence (ESYS 101, ESYS 102, ESYS 103), an upper-division statistics course, advanced courses in one of four tracks, and the Senior Project (ESYS 190A) and Senior Seminar (ESYS 190B). It is suggested that the integrating sequence ESYS 101, 102, and 103 should be completed by sophomore year, if possible. Any questions concerning the requirements should be directed to the associate director or the program adviser. Students completing the advanced tracks in Earth Sciences, Ecology, Behavior, and Evolution, and Environmental Chemistry will be awarded a BS in environmental systems. The BA in environmental systems will be granted to students completing the Environmental Policy track within the major.
A grade point average of 2.0 or higher in the upper-division major program is required for graduation. Students must receive a grade of C– or better in any course to be counted toward fulfillment of the major requirements. In exceptional cases, students with a grade point average in the major of 2.5 or greater may petition to have one grade of D accepted.
All courses (lower and upper division) required for the major must be taken for a letter grade.
Lower-Division Core Requirements
(Should be completed early in student’s degree program.)
Biology 3—BILD 3
Chemistry 6A-B-C, 7L
Physics 1A, 1AL, 1B, 1BL, 1C, 1CL (Physics 2A-B-C recommended for Earth Sciences track.)
Mathematics 10A-B-C—for Environmental Policy and Ecology, Behavior and Evolution tracks only
Math 20A-B-C (and 20D recommended)—for Environmental Chemistry and Earth Sciences tracks only
Economics 1
SIO 50—for Earth Sciences track only
Upper-Division Core Requirements
Economics 131. Economics of the Environment
Political Science 160AA. Introduction to Policy Analysis
Integrating Course Sequence
It is suggested that the Integrating Course Sequence of ESYS 101, 102, and 103 be completed by the sophomore year, if possible.
Environmental Systems 101. Environmental Biology
Environmental Systems 102. The Solid and Fluid Earth
Environmental Systems 103. Environmental Challenges: Science and Solutions
Environmental Systems 190A. Senior Project (two quarters)
Environmental Systems 190B. Senior Seminar
Environmental Systems Major Tracks
There are four advanced tracks in which students must complete a minimum of seven upper-division courses. Students will select courses following the requirements below in consultation with a faculty adviser.
Earth Sciences
Ecology, Behavior, and Evolution
Environmental Chemistry
Environmental Policy
It is possible to complete the requirements for any of the environmental systems tracks with five upper-division electives and a specialization that consists of two additional upper-division electives from any other track. For example, a student interested in the policy and scientific dimensions of habitat conservation planning for endangered species might plan a course of study to include five advanced courses from the Ecology, Behavior, and Evolution track and two advanced courses from the Environmental Policy track.
Earth Sciences Track
Required lower-division course:
SIO 50. Introduction to Earth and Environmental Sciences
Required upper-division courses:
SIO 102. Introduction to Geochemistry
Mathematics 183. Statistical Methods
Upper-division Earth Sciences restricted electives: Students must complete a minimum of four courses selected from the following list:
SIO 100. Introduction to Field Methods
SIO 103. Introduction to Geophysics
SIO 104/255. Paleobiology and History of Life
SIO 105. Sedimentology and Stratigraphy
SIO 106. Introduction to Hydrogeology
SIO 110. Introduction to GIS and GPS for Scientists
SIO 120. Introduction to Mineralogy
SIO 135. Satellite and Remote Sensing
SIO 144/252A. Introduction to Isotope Geochemistry
SIO 150. Whole Earth Geochemistry
SIO 152. Petrology and Petrography
SIO 160. Introduction to Tectonics
SIO 162. Structural Geology
SIO 199. Independent Study
ESYS 199. Independent Study
Upper-division electives: Students must complete a minimum of three courses selected from the following list:
Students may use any additional course(s) from the Earth Science restricted electives list (above) as an upper-division elective.
SIO 101. California Coastal Oceanography
SIO 111. Introduction to Ocean Waves
SIO 115. Ice and the Climate System
SIO 117. The Physical Basis of Global Warming
SIO 119. Physics and Chemistry of the Ocean
SIO 138. Coral Reef Environments
SIO 141/Chemistry 174. Chemical Principles of Marine Systems
SIO 143. Ocean Acidification
SIO 170. Introduction to Volcanology
SIO 172. Physics of the Atmosphere
SIO 180. Communicating Science to Informal Audiences
SIO 182. Environmental and Exploration Geophysics
ESYS 120. Science and Environmental Writing
Chemistry 171. Environmental Chemistry
Chemistry 173. Atmospheric Chemistry
Other courses may be substituted by petition.
Curriculum Guide Planning
FALL |
WINTER |
SPRING |
---|---|---|
Freshman |
||
Chem 6A |
Chem 6B |
Chem 6C |
Math 20A or Math 10A |
Math 20B or Math 10B |
Math 20C or Math 10C |
SIO 50 |
BILD 3 |
Chem 6BL |
Sophomore |
||
Phys 2A or 1A, 1AL |
Phys 2B or 1B, 1BL |
Phys 2C or 1C, 1CL |
Poli Sci 160AA/USP 101 |
Econ 1 |
ESYS 103/MAE 124 |
ESYS 101 |
ESYS 102 |
Econ 131 |
Junior |
||
UD elective |
SIO 102 |
UD elective |
Math 183 |
UD elective |
UD elective |
Senior |
||
ESYS 190A |
ESYS 190A |
ESYS 190B |
UD ESYS elective |
UD ESYS elective |
UD ESYS elective |
Ecology, Behavior, and Evolution Track
Required upper-division courses
BICD 100. Genetics
BIEB 100. Biometry (satisfies upper-division statistics requirement)
Upper-division electives (a total of seven courses required, one of which must be a lab course, selected from the courses below)
BIBC 100. Structural Biochemistry
BIBC 102. Metabolic Biochemistry
BIBC 103. Biochemical Techniques
BIBC 120. Nutrition
BICD 110. Cell Biology
BICD 120. Fundamental of Plant Biology
BICD 130. Embryos, Genes, and Development
BICD 134. Human Reproduction and Development
BIEB 102. Introductory Ecology—Organisms and Habitats
BIEB 121. Ecology Laboratory
BIEB 126. Plant Ecology
BIEB 131. Marine Invertebrate Ecology Lab
BIEB 140. Biodiversity
BIEB 144. Quantitative Ecology
BIEB 150. Evolution
BIEB 156. Population Genetics
BIEB 164. Behavioral Ecology
BIEB 165. Behavioral Ecology Laboratory
BIEB 166. Animal Communication
BIEB 167. Animal Communication Lab
BIEB 176/ANBI 132. Conservation and the Human Predicament
BIMM 100. Molecular Biology
BIMM 110. Molecular Basis of Disease
BIMM 114. Virology
BIMM 120. Bacteriology
BIMM 121. Laboratory in Microbiology
BIMM 124. Medical Microbiology
BIPN 100. Mammalian Physiology I
BIPN 102. Mammalian Physiology II
BIPN 105. Animal Physiology Lab (6)
BIPN 106. Comparative Physiology (4)
SIO 101. California Coastal Oceanography
SIO 126. Marine Microbiology
SIO 126L. Marine Microbiology Laboratory
SIO 127. Marine Molecular Ecology
SIO 128. Microbial Life in Extreme Environments
SIO 132. Introduction to Marine Biology
SIO 133. Marine Mammal Biology
SIO 134. Introduction to Biological Oceanography
SIO 138. Coral Reef Environments
SIO 143. Ocean Acidification
SIO 147. Introduction to Phylogenetics (lab course)
SIO 180. Communicating Science to Informal Audiences
SIO 181. Marine Biochemistry
SIO 183. Phycology: Marine Plant Biology (lab course)
SIO 184. Marine Invertebrates (lab course)
SIO 189. Pollution, Environment, and Health
ESYS 120. Science and Environmental Writing
ESYS 199. Independent Study
Other courses may be substituted by petition.
Curriculum Guide Planning
FALL |
WINTER |
SPRING |
---|---|---|
Freshman |
||
Chem 6A |
Chem 6B |
Chem 6C |
Math 10A |
Chem 6BL |
Math 10C |
Math 10B |
BILD 3 |
|
Sophomore |
||
Phys 1A, 1AL |
Phys 1B, 1BL |
Phys 1C, 1CL |
Econ 1 |
UD elective |
Econ 131 |
Poli Sci 160AA/USP 101 |
BIEB 100 (statistics) |
BICD 100 |
|
|
ESYS 103/MAE 124 |
Junior |
||
ESYS 101 |
ESYS 102 |
|
UD elective |
UD elective |
UD elective |
Senior |
||
ESYS 190A |
ESYS 190A |
ESYS 190B |
UD elective |
UD elective |
|
Environmental Chemistry Track
Students must complete two of the following courses:
Chemistry 171. Environmental Chemistry I
Chemistry 172. Environmental Chemistry II
Chemistry 173/273. Atmospheric Chemistry
SIO 141/Chem 174. Chemical Principles of Marine Systems
Students must complete
Mathematics 183. Statistical Methods OR
Mathematics 186. Probability Statistics for Bioinformatics
Chemistry 100A. Analytical Chemistry Laboratory
Chemistry 140A. Organic Chemistry I
Chemistry 140B. Organic Chemistry II
One upper-division lab from either
Chemistry 100B. Instrumental Analysis Laboratory
Chemistry 143A. Organic Chemistry Laboratory
Two upper-division restricted electives from
Chemistry 125. Bioinorganic Chemistry
Chemistry 126. Physical Chemistry or Chem 133 (Note: Chem 126 and Chem 133 both require Physics 2D and Mathematics 20D as prerequisites.)
Chemistry 127. Physical Chemistry or Chem 131, Chem 132
Chemistry 140C. Organic Chemistry III
ESYS 199. Independent Study
Other courses may be substituted by petition.
Curriculum Guide Planning
FALL |
WINTER |
SPRING |
---|---|---|
Freshman |
||
Chem 6A |
Chem 6B |
Chem 6BL |
Math 10A |
Math 10B |
Math 10C |
Bild 3 |
|
Chem 6C |
Sophomore |
||
Phys 1A, 1AL |
Phys 1B, BL |
Phys 1C, CL |
Econ 1 |
Chem 140A |
Chem 140B |
Chem 100A |
Math 183 or Math 186 |
Econ 131 |
Junior |
||
*Chem 149A |
*Chem 149B |
*Chem 173 |
ESYS 101 |
Chem 100B or Chem 143A |
|
Poli Sci 160AA/USP 101 |
ESYS 102 |
ESYS 103/MAE 124 |
Senior |
||
ESYS 190A |
ESYS 190A |
ESYS 190B |
UD elective |
UD elective |
*SIO 141/Chem 174 |
*Choose 2 out of 4
Environmental Policy Track
Required Upper-Division Course
One upper-division statistics course—Math 183, Statistical Methods or Economics 120A, Econometrics
Upper-Division Electives
Students complete a minimum of seven courses selected from the following:
Economics 116. Economic Development
Economics 125. Economics of Population Growth
Economics 130. Public Policy
Economics 132. Energy Economics
Environmental Systems 120. Science and Environmental Writing
Environmental Systems 150. Environmental Perils
Environmental Systems 199. Independent Study
Political Science 102L. The Politics of Regulation
Political Science 125. The Politics of Conservation in Developing Countries
Political Science 125A. Communities and the Environment
Political Science 150A. Politics of Immigration
Political Science 160AB. Introduction to Policy Analysis
*IR-GN 457/257. Cost Benefit Analyses
*IR-GN 459/259. Conflict Resolution of Environmental Issues
*IR-GN 487/289. Applied Environmental Issues
*IR-GN 488/206. Corporate Strategy and the Environment
*IR-GN 490/290. Special Topics in Pacific International Affairs (petition only)
*IR-GN 453/253. Sustainable Development
*IR-GN 458/258. International Environmental Policy
HISC 105. History of Environmentalism
HIUS 154. Western Environmental History
ANBI 132. Conservation and the Human Predicament
Com/Cul 148. Communication and the Environment
Environmental Studies 102. Selected Topics in Environmental Studies
Environmental Studies 110. Environmental Law
Environmental Studies 130. Environmental Issues
Philosophy 148. Philosophy and the Environment
Philosophy 164. Technology and Human Values
SIO 110. Introduction to GIS and GPS for Scientists
SIO 112. Urban Landscapes
USP 124. Land Use Planning
USP 144. Environmental and Preventive Health Issues
USP 170. Sustainability Planning
USP 171. Sustainable Development
Other courses may be substituted by petition.
*These graduate courses are offered through the School of Global Policy and Strategy. Enrollment in these courses requires the permission of the instructor.
Curriculum Guide Planning
FALL |
WINTER |
SPRING |
---|---|---|
Freshman |
||
Chem 6A |
Chem 6B |
Chem 6C |
Math 10A |
Math 10B |
Math 10C |
Bild 3 |
Chem 6BL |
|
Sophomore |
||
Phys 1A, 1AL |
Phys 1B, 1BL |
Phys 1C, 1CL |
Econ 1 |
Math 183 or Econ 120A |
Econ 131 |
ESYS 101 |
ESYS 102 |
ESYS 103/MAE 124 |
Junior |
||
Poli Sci 160AA/USP 101 |
UD elective |
|
UD elective |
UD elective |
UD elective |
Senior |
||
ESYS 190A |
ESYS 190A |
ESYS 190B |
UD elective |
UD elective |
UD elective |
UD elective |
Environmental Systems Minor
A minor in environmental systems will expose students to the interdisciplinary approach necessary to address environmental problems. The program places a strong emphasis on a rigorous natural science foundation. Thus, most of the courses related to the minor have significant prerequisites; students planning an environmental systems minor should check catalog course description carefully.
The minor consists of twenty-eight units, at least twenty of which must be upper division. Any upper-division course used to satisfy major requirements may not be applied toward a minor. Up to two courses for the minor may be taken on a Pass/Not Pass basis, (upper or lower division). Students must earn at least a letter grade of C– in the remaining five or more courses used for the minor. Students considering the environmental systems minor are strongly advised to meet with the associate director or the program adviser.
The minor is structured as followed:
Lower-Division Courses
Any two of the following lower-division courses, if they are not lower-division requirements for the student’s major, may be applied to satisfy eight of the total units necessary for the minor:
Biology 3
Mathematics 10A-B-C
Chemistry 6A-B, 7L-C
Physics 1A-AL, 1B-BL, 1C-CL
Economics 1
Scripps Undergraduate Education (SIO): any lower-division course
Environmental Systems 10
Environmental Studies 30
Required Core Courses
Environmental Systems 101, offered every fall quarter
Environmental Systems 102, offered every winter quarter
Environmental Systems 103, offered every spring quarter
Note: ESYS 102 and ESYS 103 all have significant prerequisites; students planning an environmental systems minor should check course descriptions and prerequisites carefully.
Upper-Division Electives
At least two additional upper-division courses from the advanced tracks in the environmental systems major. The lists of upper-division electives are reviewed and updated each quarter. They are available in the Environmental Systems Office and on the program website (http://esys.ucsd.edu). Students are advised to consult with the Environmental Systems Program advisers or associate director.
Special Studies Courses
Special Studies in the environmental systems is offered as ESYS 199. This course is subject to consent of the instructor and approval by the Department of Environmental Systems faculty adviser. This course is open to students who have accrued at least ninety quarter-units and have a GPA of least 3.0. No more than two quarters of environmental systems special studies may be counted toward the environmental systems major.
Study abroad through the Education Abroad Program or Opportunities Abroad Program can enhance a student’s major, particularly as an opportunity for diverse field experiences. However, careful planning is important to meet all major requirements. Please contact the Environmental Systems Office as early as possible if you are planning to study abroad.