Graduate Courses

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Santa Cruz operates on the quarter system: fall, winter, spring and summer. Graduate courses in environmental studies are not usually offered during summer quarter. Graduate courses are, by default, graded either S (satisfactory), U (unsatisfactory) or I (incomplete). Graduate students are encouraged to take courses in other departments (e.g., ecology and evolutionary biology, anthropology, earth sciences, economics, history of consciousness, mathematics, ocean sciences, sociology) which are listed in the general UCSC General Course catalog. Most courses earn 5 credits; the normal full-time course load for graduate students is 10 to 15 credits per quarter.

Courses required in the first year

In the second year, students will take at least two of 210, 220, 230, and 240.  Students are required to take 290, 290L, and 292 each quarter until advancement to candidacy.

201A-B. KEYWORDS AND CONCEPTS IN ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES

This introductory course presents entering graduate students with directed readings and facilitated discussions in interdisciplinary Environmental Studies. The purpose is to ensure a foundation of shared literacy by examining key concepts.

201M. INTERDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH METHODS IN ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES

This seminar focuses on the challenges of undertaking research in an interdisciplinary environment. Students analyze the conventions of their research communities; frame and focus research questions, and evaluate appropriate methodologies for field, laboratory and archival research to develop a research proposal.

201N. INTERDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH DESIGN IN ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES

This course provides students with opportunities to learn the research protocols, practices and methods used in Environmental Studies. A combination of lectures, reading, practical exercises, and short projects will be used to explore how these methods can best be incorporated into interdisciplinary research designs.

ONE COURSE IN QUANTITATIVE METHODS

The goals of this requirement are to enable students to understand the usefulness of mathematical reasoning and statistical methods, to design experiments and studies, and to choose the appropriate quantitative tools for research and critical analysis. Topics include descriptive elementary modeling, descriptive statistics, testing for differences, testing for trends, categorical analysis, and experimental design. Examples of appropriate courses for fulfilling this requirement are available from the graduate program coordinator.

210. POLITICAL ECOLOGICAL THOUGHT AND ENVIRONMENT

Provides an introduction to social scientific analyses of the relationships between capitalist development and the environment in the late 20th century. It has a dual purpose: First, to develop a contemporary historical understanding and sensibility of how economic change, new institutional configurations, and world-scale processes are shaping interactions with the environment. Second, to examine some recent political social theoretical perspectives on nature-society relations and radical environmental and social movements.

220. CONSERVATION BIOLOGY

The principles of conservation biology, including a review of the core disciplines of demography, population genetics, island biogeography, and community ecology, and discussion of area and edge effects, population viability, and ecosystem issues related to the maintenance of biological diversity, especially in fragmented landscapes.

230. AGROECOLOGY AND SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE

The application of ecological concepts and principles to the design and management of agricultural systems. The long-term goal of sustainable agroecosystems is examined in economic, social, and ecological contexts.

240. PUBLIC POLICY AND CONSERVATION

Introduction to political and economic approaches to policy analysis, with particular reference to natural resource scarcity, property rights, and environmental conservation. Case studies apply economic and policy process concepts to the management of public lands, biodiversity, and renewable resources.

235. SOCIAL THEORIES OF NATURE

Intensive reading and discussion seminar on the treatment of nature in social theory. Focuses on major recent works, which examine nature in social theory, in themselves and in the context of the intellectual history of development of disciplinary discourses about nature. Students write critical reviews of assigned books and a research paper situating a particular book within its intellectual tradition. Prerequisite: interview with instructor to determine preparedness. May be repeated for credit.

247. REGIONAL APPROACHES TO ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY

A research seminar combining theoretical issues in democratic theory, political economy, and planning with emerging concepts of bioregionalism. The focus is on institutional, scientific, and political innovations in managing the environment. Students evaluate current and historical proposals to regionalize environmental policy in the U.S.

260. ECONOMIC INSTITUTIONS AND THE ENVIRONMENT

Focuses on the economy's utilization of natural resources and ecosystems from the perspectives of New Institutional Economics (NIE) and Ecological Economics (EE). Concepts and tools from NIE and EE are introduced and then explored in the context of the extraction, transformation, transfer (sale), end-use, and deposition/recycling of natural resources. Open to advanced undergraduates with instructor permission.

262. PROPERTY RIGHTS AND THE ENVIRONMENT

Examines the property-rights bases of environmental change and resource-based conflict. Early sessions offer a theoretical understanding of property rights. Subsequent sessions apply the theory to local, national, and international environmental issues and conflicts.

263. PLANT DISEASE ECOLOGY

Introduction to ecological roles of plant diseases, including their importance in regulating plant populations dynamics, community diversity, system function in natural ecosystems, considerations of plant diseases in conservation ecology, and ecological approaches to managing diseases in agroecosystems.

271. VALUING THE ENVIRONMENT

Intensive seminar examining the normative underpinnings of environmental values. Draws on tools from ananlytical, ethical, and political philosophy to develop normative arguments concerning environmental inequality and justice, environmental preservation, and risk evaluation. Involves team projects in whichstudents develop cases on controversial contemporary issues such as biotechnology.

280. ADVANCED TOPICS IN ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES

Intensive research seminar, including reading and critique of primary research literature and research in progress. Topics vary and are announced in advance; students should consult with faculty prior to enrolling. May be repeated for credit.

283. ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES INTERNSHIP

Graduate-level internship focuses on integrating interdisciplinary academic theory with practical, specialized experience in a professional setting. Prerequisite: students must complete paperwork and meet with coordinator prior to first day of instruction.

290. INTERDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH SEMINAR

Research seminars presented weekly throughout the year by environmental studies and affiliated faculty, by visiting scholars, and by graduate students. Students discuss the content and methodology of research presented following each seminar. May be repeated for credit.

290L. GRADUATE RESEARCH SEMINAR

Graduate student presentations of doctoral research proposals, dissertation work-in-progress, grant applications, and conference papers. This weekly laboratory meeting seeks to develop professional skills, teach constructive criticism, and foster effective discussion among peers.

291. ADVANCED READINGS IN ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES

Focusing on a recently published volume or on a topic of current interest, this seminar requires a rigorous analysis of the principles and methods employed in the four core areas of the program: sustainable agriculture and agroecology; conservation biology; environmental policy analysis; and political economy. May be repeated for credit.

291D. ADVANCED READINGS IN TROPICAL ECOLOGY, AGRICULTURE, AND DEVELOPMENT (3 credits)

Analyzes recent publications in ecology, conservation, agroecology, and development in tropical and subtropical regions, particularly Latin America. Discussions place special emphasis on integration across natural and social science disciplines to address issues of sustainability in tropical regions.

291M. ADVANCED READINGS IN BIOGEOCHEMISTRY (3 credits)

Course consists of three parts: fundamental biogeochemistry of the Earth, global cycles of nutrient elements, and societal and scientific issues of global change. Class activities include (1) presentation of summary statements based on reading assignments; (2) discussion of theories, concepts, methodologies, and applications; (3) computer simulations and modeling of elemental cycles using STELLA; and (4) integration of scientific information on global change with social issues by writing.

292. TOPICS IN RESEARCH IN ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES

Seminar in which students give critically evaluated presentations regarding current research in environmental studies and issues in research design. Students should consult with faculty prior to enrolling. May be repeated for credit.

297. INDEPENDENT STUDY

Independent study and research under faculty supervision. Prerequisite: petition on file with sponsoring agency.

297F. INDEPENDENT STUDY (2 credits)

Independent study and research under faculty supervision. Intended to be taken in conjunction with a 5-credit course. Prerequisite: petition on file with sponsoring agency. May be repeated for credit.

299. THESIS RESEARCH

Dissertation research and writing under faculty supervision. Prerequisite: petition on file with sponsoring agency. May be repeated for credit.