Environmental scientists advance our understanding of how people are affecting the world around us, and they connect that understanding to management and policy. Students in the environmental science and management major complete a capstone course that integrates the science, policy, management and biology aspects of the major. All students have opportunities to gain practical experiences through field courses and a required internship. Courses in biology, chemistry, physics, economics and calculus form the lower-division foundation of the ESM major curriculum. The upper-division core consists of courses in physical, biological and social sciences, as well as applied courses in environmental monitoring, GIS, impact reporting and statistical analysis. In their junior year, students must choose a specialized track from the six options. A capstone course is required for all seniors and serves to integrate the science, policy, management and biology aspects of the ESM major. All students gain practical experience through field courses and a required internship. Selected students may also pursue an honors thesis during their senior year. The ESM major is hosted by both the Environmental Science and Policy department and the Land, Air and Water Resources department.
The climate change and air quality track aims to train students in the physical and biological processes associated with global climate change and air quality, and to provide them with the necessary policy background to be able to understand the implications of global warming and climate change. Courses cover foundations of climatology and atmospheric science, air quality, hydrology, interaction between vegetation and the atmosphere, biogeography and evolution, biomes, and environmental policy making. This track would prepare students for a broad range of environmental and policy positions in the public and private sectors, such as the California Air Resource Board, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, various county Air Quality Management Districts, environmental consulting firms, and graduate school in a broad range of environmental topics.
