# 2025-2026 General Catalog

**Source**: https://catalog.ucdavis.edu/departments-programs-degrees/environmental-science-policy/environmental-science-management-bs/
**Parent**: https://catalog.ucdavis.edu/departments-programs-degrees/#programsanddegreestext

[Office & Contact Information](https://catalog.ucdavis.edu/departments-programs-degrees/environmental-science-policy/)

The Environmental Science & Management (ESM) major is jointly coordinated by the Department of Environmental Science & Policy and the Department of Land, Air, & Water Resources.

The major is designed for students who are interested in solving environmental problems from an interdisciplinary perspective linking the natural and social sciences. Students who choose this major will study the interaction of physical, biological, and social components of environmental problems. Students completing the program will understand the scientific basis for environmental decision-making and the legal, economic, and political issues involved in management of the environment.

## Environmental Science & Policy

Susan Harrison, Chairperson\
2132 Wickson Hall; 530-752-3026; [Environmental Science & Policy](http://desp.ucdavis.edu/); [Faculty](http://desp.ucdavis.edu/faculty)

## Land, Air, & Water Resources

William Horwath, Chairperson\
1110 Plant & Environmental Sciences Building; 530-752-1130; [Land, Air & Water Resources](http://lawr.ucdavis.edu); [Faculty](http://www.lawr.ucdavis.edu/people/faculty)

## The Program

Courses in biology, chemistry, physics, economics, geology, and calculus form the lower division preparatory foundation of the curriculum. These are then tied together with Environmental Science & Policy [ESP 001](https://catalog.ucdavis.edu/search/?P=ESP%20001 "ESP 001"), which provides an inter-disciplinary analysis of several environmental problems. The upper division core consists of foundation 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 following six options:

- Climate Change & Air Quality
- Ecology, Biodiversity, & Conservation
- Environmental Data Science
- Natural Resource Management
- Soils & Biogeochemistry
- Watershed Science

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 in their senior year.

The ESM major is jointly administered by the Departments of Environmental Science & Policy (ESP) and Land, Air & Water Resources (LAWR). Any student in good standing is eligible to transfer to the major; to do so, please see the student affairs officers in 2134 Wickson Hall or in 1150 Plant & Environmental Sciences Building.

### Careers

Graduates from this program are prepared to pursue careers as practicing environmental scientists, resource analysts and planners working for public agencies and private firms specializing in environmental quality, natural resources or ecological research. The major is also excellent preparation for graduate or professional training in physical and/or biological environmental science graduate programs, as well as in environmental law, administration and environmental policy.

### Major Advisors

Marissa Baskett (Environmental Science & Policy); Terrence Nathan (Land, Air & Water Resources)

**Advising centers** for the major, including peer advising, are located in both the Environmental Science & Policy and Land, Air & Water Resources departments. Students whose last names begin with the letters:

- A-L, see Destiny Akins in 2134 Wickson Hall.
- M-Z,  see Lacole Brooks in 1150 Plant & Environmental Sciences.

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