Santa Cruz,
CA,
United States
Type
Public
Degrees offered
Bachelor's Degree
BSc in Environmental Sciences in Santa Cruz United States | University of California, Santa Cruz
University of California, Santa Cruz
|
Santa Cruz United States
Visit institution website
for more information
Qualification
Bachelor Degree
Languages
English
Delivery Mode
On-Campus
Tuition (2025)
USD
50,244
Attendance
Full-time
Full-time Duration
48 months
The UCSC Environmental Sciences (ESCI) major is an interdisciplinary undergraduate program exclusively for bachelor's degree students. This program aims to train students passionate about environmental science challenges, emphasizing physical science aspects rather than biological sciences.
The Bachelor of Science (B.S.) curriculum prepares students for professional paths in environmental sciences, engineering, policy, law, education, or business, offering rigorous quantitative training unique to UCSC. Beyond thorough grounding in fundamental physical sciences and specialized environmental science knowledge, the program equips students for success in graduate school admissions and competitive job markets.
Academic Structure
The program's foundation consists of calculus, physics, chemistry, and essential upper-level environmental science classes. Students must complete five supplementary courses from an extensive selection of advanced electives, allowing specialization in specific environmental science fields. All majors must complete a culminating senior experience, either through an intensive capstone seminar or by writing a senior thesis.
Academic Focus Areas
The program concentrates on these key study domains:
Climate science: Investigating Earth's climatic history, current conditions, and future projections
Biogeochemical systems: Examining global cycles of water, carbon, nitrogen, sulfur, mercury, and other elements
Atmospheric studies: Covering weather patterns, air quality, and chemical processes in the atmosphere
Marine science: Exploring ocean physics, chemistry, and biological systems
Hydrology: Studying freshwater resources and quality
Environmental contaminants: Analyzing water and air pollution, plus contaminant movement
Destination of Study
Subjects of Study
Language Requirements
English
IELTS 7.0
Qualification Requirements
Freshman applicants are students who have: Completed their secondary education and have earned a certificate of completion which enables them to be admitted to a university in their home country; Never been enrolled as a university student.
UC has slightly different admission requirements for applicants who are international students. If you're applying as a freshman, you must:
Complete 15 year-long academic courses with a 3.4 GPA: 2 years of history (in place of U.S. History, history of your country); 4 years of composition and literature in language in which you are instructed; 3 years (four years recommended) of college-preparatory mathematics that include the topics covered in elementary and advanced algebra and two- and three-dimensional geometry.* (Approved integrated math courses may be used to fulfill part or all of this requirement); 2 years of laboratory science (biology, chemistry, and/or physics) OR 2 years of integrated science; 2 years of a second language; 1 yearlong course (or 2 semesters) of visual and performing arts; 1 additional course from any subject areas above.
English-language Proficiency
Score 6.5 or higher on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) examination:
Internet-based test (iBT): Minimum score of 80 or better
Paper-based test (completed prior to Oct. 2017): Minimum score of 550 or better
o Revised paper-delivered test (completed Oct. 2017 or later): Minimum score of 60 or better
Tuition
USD
50,244