ENVS Foci of Interest-Fall 2013
Agroecology & Sustainable Agriculture
Agroecology is an interdisciplinary field that links ecology, economics, policy, and society to study, sustain, and develop sustainable agricultural systems that maintain agricultural production and contribute to socially beneficial, environmentally sound, and economically robust food systems. Students in the students in the Agroecology & Sustainable Agriculture focus will gain an understanding of how ecological concepts (including soil and water processes, microbial ecology, plant physiology, competition, population growth, predator-prey interactions, mutualisms, and ecosystem services) can be applied to the development of sustainable agricultural systems. Students will also gain an understanding of social and economic aspects of agriculture (including traditional agriculture, agricultural policy and development, history, sustainable farm management, markets, food justice, and local food system experiences). In order to integrate this ecological, social, and economic knowledge, students will also have access to hands-on experiences, and obtain skills in research, fieldwork, production, and communication in order to achieve multiple sustainability goals in complex, social-ecological food systems.
Agroecologists thus work in a number of capacities: as researchers, developing agricultural techniques that will provide new models of sustainable practices; as educators, promoting the ideas of sustainable agriculture; and as a resource for policy analysts, providing information that, through government and economic policies, will encourage the conversion to ecologically-sound and socially-beneficial food production systems.
It is strongly recommended that students in the Agroecology & Sustainable Agriculture focus take the following two core classes:
- 130A/L Agroecology and Sustainable Agriculture
- 130B Principles of Sustainable Agriculture
Students are encouraged to acquire a deeper understanding in one or two sub-areas by taking a series of up to three related courses among ENVS course electives and complementary courses in other departments.*
Suggested courses may include:
- 108/L General Entomology
- 129/L Integrated Pest Management
- 131/L Insect Ecology
- 133 Agroecology Practicum
- 138/L Field Ethnobotany
- 143 Sustainable Development: Economy, Policy, and Environment
- 161A/L Soils and Plant Nutrition
- 162/L Plant Physiological Ecology
- 163/L Plant Disease Ecology
- 166 Agroecosytem Analysis and Watershed Management
- 168 Biogeochemistry and the Global Environment
- 169 Climate Change Ecology
- 191F Community and Agroecology
*See course list of Pre-Approved Upper Division Substitutions for ENVS Single Majors for courses that relate to agroecology and sustainable food systems.
In addition to the suggested coursework, it is strongly recommended that students complete at least one internship related to agroecology, sustainable agriculture, or sustainable food systems (either upper or lower division internship).
Conservation Science & Natural History
Conservation science is an interdisciplinary field that links ecology, society and policy towards the goals of protecting, restoring, and stewarding native biological diversity, the ecological systems they comprise, and the ecosystem services that flow from them to society. Natural history is the systematic observation of plants, animals, and other organisms in their environment. It undergirds conservation science and practice by providing first-hand knowledge of and connection to the dynamics of natural systems experiencing environmental changes. Students in Conservation Science and Natural History will gain an understanding of how ecology (of individual organisms, populations and communities; of interactions among organisms, water and nutrient cycles, and soils, climate, and atmosphere; and of particular habitats) can be applied to the effective stewardship of nature. Students can also gain knowledge of conservation management and policy tools (field methods, GIS, restoration, environmental assessment, science writing, economics, law and policy) and the social dimensions of conservation (conservation planning and partnerships, environmental justice, political ecology, sustainable development) to enhance their preparation as leaders in this field. Hands-on experience is particularly critical for developing natural history and conservation science skills, and is strongly encouraged through lab and field course offerings, internships, and research opportunities in campus labs and partner organizations.
Conservation biologists work in a number of capacities: as researchers refining knowledge and tools for the academic, non-profit, and government sectors; as educators and communicators building the base for conservation and stewardship; and as practitioners working actively to manage and restore land, water and wildlife in settings ranging from urban parks and traditional use areas to remote landscapes and seascapes.
Students are encouraged to acquire a deeper understanding in one or two sub-areas by taking a series of at least three related courses among ENVS course electives and complementary courses in other departments*:
Suggested courses may include:
- 15 Natural History of UCSC Campus
- 104/L Intro to Field Methods
- 107ABC Natural History Field Quarter
- 108/L General Entomology
- 109ABCD Supercourse: Ecology and Conservation in Practice
- 106 Natural History of Birds
- 115 Geographic Information Systems and Environmental Applications
- 120 Conservation Biology
- 122 Tropical Ecology and Conservation
- 123 Animal Ecology and Conservation
- 131 Insect Ecology
- 138 Field Ethnobotany
- 157 Writing in the Natural Sciences
- 160 Restoration Ecology
- 167/L Freshwater and Wetland Ecology
- 168 Biogeochemistry and the Global Environment
- 169 Climate Change Ecology
- 179 Environmental Interpretation
*See course list of Pre-Approved Upper Division Substitutions for ENVS Single Majors for courses that relate to conservation science and natural history.
In addition to the suggested coursework, it is strongly recommended that students complete at least one internship related to research, practice, or education in conservation, restoration, or natural history (either upper or lower division internship).
Environmental Education & Sustainability
Environmental education and sustainability (EE&S) is an interdisciplinary field that focuses preparing students to become environmental educators with an emphasis on teaching in the context of the environment, social justice and sustainability. EE&S integrates course work in natural history, ecology, political economy and policy, agroecology and food systems and emphasizes the development of teaching methodologies. Students are expected to enhance their theoretical understanding of teaching pedagogy, style, and approach within an environmental context as well as develop a stronger portfolio of teaching related skills and knowledge.
Environmental educators work in a number of capacities, including: primary and secondary teachers who emphasize ecology and the environment; outdoor educators at regional and national organizations focusing on ecology, conservation and landscapes; and interpretive educators at state and national parks.
The following courses are recommended for students interested primarily in Environmental Education & Sustainability:
- 177 Teaching Environmental Education
- 179 Environmental Interpretation
Students are expected to acquire a deeper understanding of one or two related sub-fields by taking a series of additional courses in ENVS course electives and complementary courses in other departments.*
Suggested courses may include:
- 107 Natural History Field Quarter
- 109ABCD Supercourse: Ecology and Conservation in Practice
- 120 Conservation Biology
- 140 National Environmental Policy
- 143 Sustainable Development: Economy, Policy, and Environment
- 149 Environmental Law and Policy
- 151 Environmental Assessment
- 157 Writing in Natural Sciences
- 158 Political Ecology and Social Change
- 159 Nature Literature
- 160 Restoration Ecology
*See course list of Pre-Approved Upper Division Substitutions for ENVS Single Majors for courses that relate to conservation science and natural history.
In addition to the suggested coursework, it is strongly recommended that students are encouraged to acquire teaching experience through seminars, local and regional school and teaching-related internships (either upper or lower division internships)and practica where they develop specific skills in teaching and environmental education.
Environmental Policy
Environmental policyfocuses on the design and evaluation of laws, regulations, and related institutions that shape the constraints and incentives faced by individuals and organizations. Drawing on concepts from politics, economics, and related fields, environmental policy specialists analyze the processes through which public decisions are made and the response of businesses and households to policy choices.
Examples include topics in: Conservation & Public Policy, California Agriculture & Resource Policy, Energy and Climate Policy, Water Policy, Transportation Planning and Policy.
The following core courses are recommended for students interested primarily in Environmental Policy:
- 141 Ecological Economics
- 140 National Environmental Policy
- 149 Environmental Law and Policy
Other suggested ENVS courses* on environmental policy include:
- 140 National Environmental Policy
- 141 Ecological Economics
- 142 Energy Politics and Policy
- 146 Water Quality: Policy, Regulation, and Management
- 149 Environmental Law and Policy
- 150 Coastal and Marine Policy
- 151 Environmental Assessment
- 152 Science and Land Use Decisions
- 165 Freshwater Issues and Policy
- 172 Science, Policy, and the Environment
*See course list of Pre-Approved Upper Division Substitutions for ENVS Single Majors for courses that relate to environmental policy & political economy.
In addition to the suggested coursework, it is strongly recommended that students complete at least one internship related to research, practice, or education in environmental policy (either upper or lower division internship).
Political Economy
Political economystresses the importance of culture, history, and power relations in shaping the beliefs, values, and social practices that mediate interactions between people and nature. This area of inquiry stresses the socio-cultural factors behind current political and economic systems, as well as modes of behavior and action that lie outside formal governments and markets.
Examples include topics in: Environment & Development, Sustainable Development, Politics & Power, and Environmental Justice.
Other suggested ENVS courses*political economy include:
- 110. Institutions, the Environment, and Economic Systems
- 143 Sustainable Development: Economy, Policy, and Environment
- 147 Environmental Inequality/Environmental Justice.
- 154 Amazonian Cultures and Conservation
- 156 Environmental Action through Writing
- 158 Political Ecology and Social Change.
- 172 Science, Policy, and the Environment
- 173 An Introduction to World Environmental History
- 175 Biotechnology: Social and Environmental Dimensions
*See course list of Pre-Approved Upper Division Substitutions for ENVS Single Majors for courses that relate to environmental policy & political economy.
In addition to the suggested coursework, it is strongly recommended that students complete at least one internship related to research, practice, or education in political economy (either upper or lower division internship).