Undergraduate Field Study and Experiential Learning

Environmental studies provides students with abundant opportunities to earn academic credit while getting up close and personal with the natural world and environmental issues. We administer a robust internship program and lead the renowned Natural History Field Quarter program. We also offer several upper and lower-division courses and labs that are taught partially or entirely outdoors. Many students assist professors and Ph.D. students with their research or conduct their own research and write a senior thesis. This can include working with one of our many Affiliated Research Centers and Initiatives. There are several sources of funding for students with financial need to receive stipends to enable them to participate in research.

Environmental Studies (ENVS) Internship Program

The Department of Environmental Studies offers a comprehensive internship program that connects classroom learning with hands-on skills and real-world experiences. The program provides diverse on- and off-campus opportunities for academic credit, including summer internships, opportunities on campus or with private businesses, and experiences related to agroecology and plants, energy, conservation, environmental education, public policy, research, water and marine systems, and environmental justice. Some of our internship opportunities (and classes) utilize the 789-acre UC Santa Cruz Campus Natural Reserve as an outdoor classroom and living laboratory.

For more information about how to take part in our internship program and get help from an advisor, visit our Internship Program & Career Resources page.

Field courses

Natural History Field Quarter is a 15-unit Environmental Studies class taught each spring quarter. While camping at UC’s Natural Reserves, the class focuses on California natural history and land management, while teaching direct personal observation, inquiry, and reflection. Students gain career skills relevant to field ecology, education, science illustration, writing, and environmental policy & management.
California Ecology and Conservation is a 19-unit, 7-week intensive field course that satisfies three ENVS upper-division course requirements. It is offered every spring, summer, and fall quarter.
Agroecology Field Quarter is a 17-unit series of courses (ENVS 133C, ENVS 130A, ENVS 130L, ENVS 130C) designed to provide hands-on experience in sustainable agriculture and horticulture practices and principles.

Lab courses

Undergraduate lab courses in Environmental Studies emphasize experiential learning, combining fieldwork, laboratory experiments, and data analysis. These courses foster hands-on skills in environmental research, ecological monitoring, and applied technologies. Students gain expertise in study design, data interpretation, and professional tools like GIS and statistical software, preparing them for careers in environmental fields and more.