The Environmental Sciences Major, first offered as a cross-college major in 1998, is the first and only
cross-college major at Berkeley, which means that students in either Letters
and Sciences or Natural Resources can major in Environmental Sciences, and
they take the same curriculum, with a choice of emphasis in biological science,
physical science, and social science.
The major was designed with three premises in mind:
No single department can provide a comprehensive view of environmental sciences, and at Berkeley, expertise in this area is distributed widely among departments and colleges. Broad, interdisciplinary academic preparation allows students to work effectively toward solving real-life environmental problems that very rarely fall within the lines separating traditional academic disciplines.
The science requirements for the major should be quite rigorous, allowing majors to develop the fundamental scientific skills they need to work effectively in the field. The scientific rigor separates Environmental Science graduates from graduates of majors with less emphasis on basic science and is highly valued by graduate schools and by employers.
Students complete a senior research project and thesis as a capstone experience. In a series of senior courses, students first investigate an environmental problem or issue of their own choosing, and then, working closely with instructors, establish the foundations for their thesis, and conduct their research.
"There were many advantages to having an interdisciplinary and inter-college major," says one student. "I was able to choose my emphasis, and at the same time, learn from students and faculty with interests in other areas. The ES major is structured, but not rigid, allowing students to take full advantage of classes from different departments and colleges."
Another student reports that "One of my favorite things about the Environmental Sciences major is the sense of community surrounding it. I have worked closely with many of the students who will be graduating with me, and I can always count on support and encouragement from my peers as well as from the advisors, professors, instructors, and graduate students who make the major possible. As an ES major, I feel that there is a whole community of people, united by concern for our environment, who want to help me reach my goals."