Environmental Systems

[ Major Tracks] [ Program Faculty] [ Courses]

OFFICE: 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 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 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.

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). Any questions concerning the requirements should be directed to the associate director or the program advisor. 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.

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, 6BL, 6C
Physics 1A, 1AL, 1B, 1BL, 1C, 1CL (Physics 2A-B-C recommended for Earth Sciences track.)
Mathematics 10A-B-C (Math. 20A-B-C recommended for Earth Sciences track.)
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”

Environmental Systems 101. Environmental Biology
Environmental Systems 102. The Solid and Fluid Earth
Environmental Systems 103. The Human Earth
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 advisor.

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
MATH 183. Statistical Methods

Upper-division electives: Students complete a minimum of seven courses selected from the following list.

SIO 100. Introduction to Field Methods
SIO 104/255. Paleobiology and History of Life
SIO 105. Sedimentology and Stratigraphy
SIO 110. Introduction to GIS and GPS for Scientists
SIO 112. Urban Landscapes
SIO 120. Introduction to Mineralogy
SIO 142. Atmospheric Chemistry and Biochemical Cycles of Atmospheric Trace Gases
SIO 144/252A. Introduction to Isotope Geochemistry
SIO 160. Introduction to Tectonics
SIO 162/256L. Structural Geology
SIO 185. Applied Complexity
SIO 199. Independent Study
ESYS 120. Science and Environmental Writing
ESYS 199. Independent Study
BIEB 132. Introduction to Marine Biology
BIEB 134. Introduction to Biological Oceanography
SIO 210. Physical Oceanography
SIO 240. Marine Geology
SIO 260. Marine Chemistry
SIO 263. Aqueous Chemistry
SIO 280. Biological Oceanography
Chemistry 149A. Environmental Chemistry
Chemistry 173/273. 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. 160AA

Econ.  1

UD elective

 

 

Econ. 131

Junior

ESYS 101

SIO 102

UD elective

Math. 183

ESYS 102

ESYS 103/MAE 124

 

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
BIBC 130/SIO 281. Marine Biochemistry
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 132. Introduction to Marine Biology
BIEB 134. Introduction to Biological Oceanography
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
BIMM 126. Marine Microbiology
BIMM 127/SIO 288. Marine Microbiology Laboratory
BIPN 100. Mammalian Physiology I
BIPN 102. Mammalian Physiology II
BIPN 105. Animal Physiology Lab (6)
BIPN 106. Comparative Physiology (4)
ESYS 120. Science and Environmental Writing
ESYS 150. Environmental Perils
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. 160AA/USP 101

BIEB 100 (statistics)

BICD 100

Junior

ESYS 101

ESYS 102

ESYS 103/MAE 124

UD elective
UD lab

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 149A. Environmental Chemistry
Chemistry 149B. Environmental Chemistry
Chemistry 173/273. Atmospheric Chemistry
SIO 141. Chemical Principles of Marine Systems

Students must complete:

Math. 183. Statistical Methods OR
Math. 186. Probability Statistics for Bioinformatics
Chemistry 100A. Analytical Chemistry Laboratory
Chemistry 140A and B. Organic Chemistry I and II

One upper-division lab from either:

Chemistry 100B. Instrumental Analysis Laboratory
Chemistry 143A. Organic Chemistry Laboratory

Two upper-division restricted electives from:

Chemistry 124. Bioinorganic Chemistry
Chemistry 126. Physical Chemistry or Chem. 133 (Note: Chem. 126 and Chem. 133 both require Physics 2D and Math. 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. 160AA

ESYS 102

ESYS 103

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 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-PS 453/253*. Sustainable Development
IR-PS 458/258*. International Environmental Policy
HIUS 154. Western Environmental History
ANBI 132. Conservation and the Human Predicament
Com/Cul 148. Communication and the Environment
Env. Studies 102. Selected Topics in Environmental Studies
Env. Studies 110. Environmental Law
Env. 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 Graduate School of International Relations and Pacific Studies. 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

Poli. 160AA

UD elective

 

Junior

ESYS 101

ESYS 102

ESYS 103

UD elective

UD elective

UD elective

Senior

ESYS 190A

ESYS 190A

ESYS 190B

UD elective

UD elective

UD elective
   

UD elective

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 Environmental Systems faculty advisor. 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.

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 advisor.

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
Math. 10A-B-C
Chemistry 6A-B-6BL-C
Physics 1A-AL, 1B-BL, 1C-CL
Economics 1
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 Web site (http://esys.ucsd.edu). Students are advised to consult with the Environmental Systems program advisors or associate director.