UC Santa Cruz - Environmental Studies - Undergraduate Program

Advising and FAQs

Fall 2009 Advising Walk-in Hours:
Mondays - 11:00am - 2:00pm
Wednesdays - 8:00am - 12:00pm
Thursdays - 10:00am - 2:00pm
Fridays - 11:00am - 2:00pm

The key to making the most of your educational opportunities is advising, and it is your responsibility to seek the proper advice. The advising system at Santa Cruz is extensive, so use it to your advantage. Below are some resources available to you.

General academic guidance	Career information	ENVS Department policies and procedures	ENVS internships and field studies	Particular ENVS courses
UCSC General Catalog	The Career Center	ENVS Staff	Environmental Studies Internship Office	Faculty teaching those courses
The Navigator	Environmental Studies faculty			Environmental Studies students
College academic preceptors	Environmental Studies Internship Office
Peer advisers and faculty advisers

FACULTY ADVISERS

Environmental Studies faculty are the best advisers with whom to discuss your academic program, including how to prepare for graduate school and beyond. It is wise, however, to discuss these matters with several people. The faculty adviser who signs your declaration of major form should be selected based on your area of interest. You are free to meet with any of the faculty for advising. You are expected to meet with an adviser as often as needed but at least once a year to update your study plan. If you are considering a senior internship or thesis, it is essential to get an early start in developing your ideas with a faculty adviser.

STAFF ADVISERS

Environmental Studies Department Office staff can advise you about major prerequisites and upper division requirements, major declaration, enrollment issues, transfer credit, EAP planning and other procedural questions. The Environmental Studies Internship Office has extensive information about local, regional and international internship placements.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)

How do I set up an advising appointment?

What can I do with a degree in environmental studies?

Can I get credit for courses I took outside UCSC?

Do I have to take environmental studies courses for letter grades?

What's an independent study and/or how do I set one up?

How do I complete the Senior Comp Requirement?

What's the best way to get a letter of recommendation from the faculty?

I'm planning to graduate at the end of next quarter; what do I need to do?

How do I set up an advising appointment?
You can meet with the undergraduate advisor during Walk-In Advising times. If you can not make any available walk-in times, email the undergraduate advisor.

What can I do with a degree in environmental studies?
Although your prospects for a job are enhanced by graduate training, many of our undergraduates have gone directly into relevant careers. Whether you want to go to graduate school or find a job, the basic rule is to take the initiative and do your homework. Research jobs and schools. Talk with people, especially environmental studies faculty. Do an internship. Explore the options. Click here to see positions held by some of our alumni.

Can I get credit for courses I took outside UCSC?
Provided your transferred coursework is accepted at UCSC, you will, at the least, receive credits toward the 180-unit minimum required for graduation.

If your transferred courses are lower division (e.g., all community college courses) they may satisfy prerequisite or general education requirements; they will not satisfy upper division major requirements. See the Assist website for transfer guides.

If your transferred courses are upper division and relevant to environmental studies and you are doing a full major (rather than combined) you may petition for up to two substitutions toward the seven required electives. Please note that you are allowed a maximum of two substitutions including all sources (EAP, or pre-approved substitutions).

Once the course is included in your UCSC student record you will need to petition for the substitution (unless the course is on the pre-approved list). The petition form is available here. The petition must include a justification and must be accompanied by a copy of:

1. The course syllabus
2. Your current UCSC student course history (from "More Links" in your student portal), including any transferred credits

Do I have to take environmental studies courses for letter grades?
No. You do need to keep track of the percentage of all courses you take for pass/no pass grading and be sure to not exceed the 25% maximum. However, students wishing to pursue the combined major with biology need to take ALL courses for a letter grade

What's an independent study and/or how do I set one up?
An independent study is a two- or five-unit lower or upper division course designed by you and a faculty sponsor. It could be lab, field or library research or an activity such as student teaching. Independent studies do not count toward major requirements unless you successfully petition in writing upon completion of the work. (Exceptions: ENVS 195 and 183B count toward the senior exit requirement.)

The steps to enroll are:

Pick up the required form from the cases outside the Department Office, 405 ISB
Fill out the form
Meet with your faculty sponsor and have her/him sign it
Take the form back to the Department Office for approval and to get a course number for enrollment

How do I complete the Senior Comp Requirement?
Please read the Senior Comprehensive Requirement page in the Undergraduate Student Handbook.

What's the best way to get a letter of recommendation from the faculty?
See "How to Ask Faculty for a Letter of Recommendation"

I'm planning to graduate at the end of next quarter; what do I need to do?
Check with your college to make sure your general education and unit requirements will be complete. Contact the Department office and ask for a grad check on your major requirements. Contact the Registrar for "Announcement of Candidacy for Graduation" within the first three weeks of the quarter in which you plan to graduate.