Environmental SystemsOffice: 188 Galbraith Hall, Revelle College There can be little doubt that in the twenty-first century the global human community is facing a substantial growth in the environmental consequences of providing food, energy, materials, and basic services to a population of more than six billion inhabitants. The Environmental Systems Program 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 UCSD 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. Distinction in the major may be awarded for outstanding projects. The Environmental Systems MajorThe 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). 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 B.S. in environmental systems. The B.A. 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. Lower-Division Core Requirements(Should be completed early in student’s degree program.) Biology 3—BILD 3 Upper-Division Core RequirementsEconomics 131. Economics of the Environment Political Science 160AA. Introduction to Policy Analysis “Integrating Course Sequence” Environmental Systems 101. The Living Earth Environmental Systems Major TracksThere 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 The program is working with the School of Engineering to create an “Environmental Engineering” track to be offered at a future date. Earth Sciences Track Required upper-division courses: ERTH 101. Introduction to Earth and Environmental Sciences Solid Earth emphasis: ERTH 103. Introduction to Geophysics Ocean/Atmosphere emphasis: ERTH 142. Atmospheric Chemistry and Biochemical Cycles Other courses may be substituted by petition. CURRICULUM GUIDE PLANNING
Ecology, Behavior, and Evolution TrackRequired upper-division courses: BICD 100. Genetics Upper-division electives [a total of seven courses required, one of which must be a lab course, selected from the courses below.] Students may satisfy some part of the upper-division elective requirements through enrollment in the Environmental Biology Program at the White Mountain Research Station (WMRS). The courses that make up this program are listed below as BIEB 170-171-172. For details contact the Environmental Systems Program office. BIBC 100. Structural Biochemistry Other courses may be substituted by petition. CURRICULUM GUIDE PLANNING
Environmental Chemistry TrackStudents must complete two of the following courses: Chemistry 149A. Environmental Chemistry Students must complete: Math. 183. Statistical Methods (This statistics course required in sophomore
year) One upper-division lab from either: Two other upper-division courses, for example: Other courses may be substituted by petition. CURRICULUM GUIDE PLANNING
* Choose (2) out of 3 Environmental Policy TrackStudents complete a minimum of seven courses selected from the following list. It is also possible to complete the requirements for the Environmental Policy track with a specialization that includes courses from one of the other tracks. For example, a course of study with a focus on conservation biology and policy for students who may be interested in the policy and scientific dimensions of habitat conservation planning for endangered species, would include advanced courses from the Ecology, Behavior, and Evolution track. One upper-division Statistics course—Math 183. Statistical Methods or Economics 120A. Econometrics. Economics 132. Energy Economics Other courses may be substituted by petition. * These graduate courses are offered through the Graduate School of International Relations and Pacific Studies. Enrollment in these courses requires the permission of the instructor. CURRICULUM GUIDE PLANNING
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. |
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