Requirements for the ENVS B.A. in Conservation Science and Policy

Description of Concentration

Effective conservation of biological diversity requires integrating principles of conservation biology and environmental policy.  Conservation science is built on a foundation of natural history embedded into a framework of modern ecological theory. Conservation policy reflects social values and provides the economic and legislative tools to achieve desired goals surrounding the conservation of species and ecosystems. The purpose of the Conservation Science and Policy Concentration is to provide students within environmental studies majors with the depth and necessary skills in natural history, conservation biology, and environmental policy to effectively engage in this intrinsically interdisciplinary field.  Students completing this concentration will be prepared for positions with government agencies and conservation organizations concerned with biodiversity conservation and ecosystem management.

The concentration requires upper division core course in both natural and social science aspects of  conservation as well as a field-based course in ecology, natural history, or conservation. The field-based course is important because effective work in the conservation field requires a deep understanding of natural ecosystems. This is best learned through immersive, experiential field courses that develop a natural-history based understanding of ecosystems as well as how to ask and answer critical ecological and conservation questions.

Course Requirements

ENVS B.A. Conservation Science and Policy Concentration Major Worksheet (PDF) -- updated August 2023

Alternatively, you may view the program requirements on the 2023-2024 UCSC catalog. For prior catalog years, please visit this website.

Which GEs will get satisfied by this major?

It depends on which classes you take! Please refer to this chart to see which of your GE requirements may be satisfied by taking major courses for any of our majors. If you need help understanding the chart, please speak to ENVS advising.