University of California, Santa Barbara
AC-4: Graduate Program

A two-year professional degree program focused on developing solutions to critical environmental problems while preparing students for careers in environmental science and management
The program consists of 7 core specializations
- Coastal Marine Resources Management
- Conservation Planning
- Corporate Environmental Management
- Economics and the Poltics of Environment
- Energy and Climate
- Pollution Prevention and Remediation
- Water Resources Management.
Curriculum
- Year 1 - MESM students required to complete 8 core courses in natural and social sciences, and in the process are required to choose a specialization.
- Year 2 - MESM students will take courses regarding their specialization and pursue any additional interest
- Throughout both years, MESM students are required to conduct a Master’s Group Project or Eco-Entreprenuership Project with the goal to address a real environmental problem

- A two-year degree program focused on using social sciences and humanistics approach to analyze the social, cultural, political, environmental, and economic consequences of global flows, institutions, and processes
- The core of the program combines multi-method research training with study in the three related areas of specialization
- Global Political Economy and Development, more broadly defined as global political economy, sustainability, and environment
- Global Cultures and Ideology, more broadly defined as global culture, ideology, and religion
- Global Governance, more broadly defined as global governance, civil society, and human rights
Curriculum
- Year 1 - students required to complete coursework in a wide range of social sciences and humanities frameworks useful for analyzing major social problems
- Year 2 - summer and fall will be fully dedicated to field research/internship/study away on area of interest and winter and spring will consist of the completion of the project
- Students are required to be fluent at least two languages for this program

- Goal of the PhD emphasis is to provide UCSB PhD students in either Bren School or Economics Department an understanding and appreciation of the research questions and methods of a natural science that complements their research.
- Students will be trained to become environmental economists that are able to conceptualize economic problems related to environmental issues and apply appropriate qualitative and quantitative techniques to design and implement research methods
This emphasis will require students to
- Complete environmental and natural resource economic coursework
- Complete four quarters of Special Topics in Economics and attend a quarter of field seminar
- Specify a natural science focus and develop a well-round background in that specific field
- Write a dissertation

- Goal of PhD emphasis is to provide UCSB doctoral students with training and interdisciplinary environmental studies and sciences beyond the scope of their normal degree programs
- Students in the emphasis learn from their peers and participating faculty diverse perspectives of environmental studies through conversations and sharing of studies
This emphasis will require students to
- Register for a specific environmental science core seminar
- Take three elective courses in departments and disciplines other than the student’s own
- Participate in a symposium
- Include some aspect of interdisciplinary environmental studies as a substantial component of dissertation
- An outside member on dissertation committee

- Goal of PhD emphasis is to provide doctoral students with broader understanding of the physical principles governing climate on Earth, climate changes associated with natural variability and anthropogenic forcings, and the impacts of climate change on environment and society
- Students will be trained in several different disciplines to be capable of conducting research regarding Climate Sciences and Climate Change and will work closely with faculty to pursue research in modern issues such as impacts of climate on humans and the environment
This emphasis will require students to
- Complete a core seminar course regarding climate change and climate sciences
- Complete 8 units of elective courses in physical sciences
- Complete 8 units of elective courses in social sciences
- Conduct and present research in a designated forum
- Write a dissertation regarding area of focus