How to Declare the Major

Instructions and resources for prospective Environmental Science students.

1. Read all information pertaining to the Environmental Science major and its requirements under Academics on the IoES website.
2. Sign up for the Environmental Science Piazza group
3. To apply for the major and/or discuss requirements, please sign up for an appointment via the counseling Calendly link. Scheduled appointments are held remotely either via phone or Zoom. When you make the appointment via Calendly, please include your phone number and email. Counseling hours are generally Monday – Friday 10 am – 12 pm and 2 – 4 pm. In person walk-in counseling is available on Tuesdays in winter quarter 2026 usually from 11am-1pm and 2pm-3pm.
4. If you already have Junior or Senior standing, please complete and submit the Major Declaration Planner, which includes a degree plan where you outline how to fulfill all remaining requirements. Include current courses and those you still need to take.
5. You should be as detailed as possible in outlining your course plan. However, you may not be able to determine which specific upper division classes you can take for each requirement in future quarters. “Minor UD” for an Upper Division class in your minor, or “UD Science elective” etc.
6. A minimum of 20 units must be unique to your minor/concentration. Please note the course overlap on the petition form E.g.: “Policy+ Minor”.
7. Include all other requirements for graduation including GE, Honors, other minors, pre-med etc. in your unit calculations.
8. If you plan to take courses at a Community College after earning 105 quarter units, requirements may be met but units will not transfer in. Such classes should be listed as follows, e.g.: “Chem 14B (CC) – Units: 0”.
9. Pay attention to units – while most upper division classes are 4 units, some may be 5 or even 6 units.