Graduate Courses
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), or U (unsatisfactory). 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 until advanced to candidacy.
Courses required first and second year:
Fall Winter Spring
Year 1 201A Quantitative/Qualitative Requirement 201B
(Elective here okay)
290 290 290
290L (Make up Pre-Req-okay) 290L
292 292 292
Year 2 290 290 290
292 292 292
290L
In the first year, students are required to enroll in the 2-quarter sequence of ENVS 201A-B, which introduces basic concepts in ecology and the social sciences, and their applications in environmental studies.
Students are required to take a minimum of two Area Specialization courses
One each from the social sciences (ENVS 210 or ENVS 240) and the natural sciences (ENVS 220 or ENVS 230). These courses are designed to ensure that students acquire disciplinary depth in their chosen research fields, gain experience of their research communities, and refine the research skills necessary to perform successfully in the professional arena. You are expected to bring to the course a solid undergraduate foundation in the area.
Students are required to take 290 and 292 (or 297) each quarter until advancement to candidacy. 290L x 3 is required.
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, and are listed in the ENVS Graduate Student Handbook.
One course in Qualitative Methods
The requirement for a qualitative methods course provides training in research design and the selection of appropriate qualitative tools for research and analysis. Examples of appropriate courses for fulfilling this requirement are available from the graduate program coordinator, and are listed in the ENVS Graduate Student Handbook.
Students must also take an elective in area of expertise. Pre-approved courses are listed in the ENVS Graduate Student Handbook.
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.
210. POLITICAL ECOLOGICAL THOUGHT AND ENVIRONMENTProvides 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.
215A/L. GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS AND ENVIRONMENTAL APPLICATIONS
Introduction to geographic information systems (GIS) as the technology of processing spatial data, including input, storage and retrieval; manipulation and analysis; reporting and interpretation. Emphasizes GIS as a decision support system for environmental and social problem solving, using basic model building, experimental design, and database management.
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.
272. QUALITATIVE FIELD METHODS
Introduces qualitative research approaches in environmental studies. Focuses on philosophies of science, epistemological debates, and specific approaches to qualitative methods. Course components include: field safety, research ethics, human subjects, training, research design and sampling, field observation and ethnographies, key informants, field notes, focus groups, oral histories, narrative research, archival research, questionnaires, discourse analysis, participatory research, and qualitative data analysis techniques.
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.
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.
291C. ADVANCED READINGS IN RISK AND PUBLIC POLICY (3 credits)
Advanced readings and research on environmental risk and public policy. Explores environmental decision making given the question of the burden of proof and scientific uncertainty and grapples, in an advanced manner, with emergent policy alternatives, such as the precautionary principle.
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.
291P. ADVANCED READINGS IN ENVIRONMENTAL HISTORY AND ANTHROPOLOGY (3 credits)
Course of readings systematically surveying the theoretical contributions of the disciplines of environmental history, historical ecology, environmental anthropology, and geography. After an overview of the evolution of 20th-century thought on the relationship between environment and culture as seen through the lenses of these disciplines, explores emerging research hybrids and new research frontiers.
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.
See Also
