Minor Concentration
Educating tomorrow’s leaders means empowering them. UCLA environmental science students play a large role in directing their own education. After laying a strong foundation in the sciences, students choose one of eight minors/concentrations, which are indicated on their diplomas:
- Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences
- Conservation Biology
- Environmental Engineering
- Environmental Health
- Environmental Systems and Society
- Geography/Environmental Studies
- Earth and Environmental Science
The minors come from direct collaboration with our six partners at UCLA: Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences; Civil and Environmental Engineering; Earth, Planetary, and Space Sciences; Ecology and Evolutionary Biology; Environmental Health Sciences; and Geography.
Students normally choose their minor/concentration by the end of their second year. Students choosing one of the seven minors must, with assistance from Institute of the Environment and Sustainability staff, apply to the associated department to be accepted into the Minor program.
A maximum of one or two courses from this requirement, depending upon the minor/concentration chosen, may be applied towards the Environmental Science Major or any other College Major or Minor.
For consideration of courses outside the regular curriculum, please contact the department of your Minor.
Note: The additional preparation course options for each Minor are specified below (see also Preparation for Major section).
Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences Minor
Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences
The Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences minor provides a formal vehicle for students specializing in other science fields to pursue interest in the atmospheric and oceanic environment.
Entry Requirements
To enter the Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences minor, students must have an overall grade-point average of 2.0 or better. Students will declare the minor officially with the Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences Department at 7127 Math Science Building. Courses must be taken for a letter grade, with an overall GPA of 2.0 or better in courses taken for the minor.
Additional preparation required:
- Mathematics 3C or 32A or Physics 5B or 1C or Chemistry 14C or 30A
Minor requirements: (7 courses, 28-31 units, two course overlap permitted)
- At least three from Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences: M100, 101, 102, 103, 104, M105, M106, 107, C110, C115, M120, 125, 130, M140, 141, 145, 150, C160, C170, 180
Four additional courses, two of which must be upper division, from any of the above Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences courses beyond the minimum three required or from:
- Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences 1, 2, 3, 186 (must be taken twice)
- Chemistry and Biochemistry 103, 110A, 110B, 113A, C113B, 114
- Earth, Planetary, and Space Sciences 15
- Ecology and Evolutionary Biology 109, C119A, 122, 123A or 123B, 147, 148
- Mathematics 115A, 115B, 132, 135, 136, 146, 170A, 170B
- Physics 110A, 110B, 112, M122, 131, 132
Other relevant courses from related disciplines may be substituted with prior approval of the department. At least five courses approved for the minor must be upper division. One course may be taken on a Passed/Not Passed basis.
Conservation Biology Minor
Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
The Conservation Biology minor is designed for students who wish to augment their major program of study with courses addressing issues central to the conservation and sustainability of biodiversity and natural ecosystem processes. The minor seeks to provide students with a greater depth of experience and understanding of the role that science can play in developing conservation policy.
Entry Requirements
To enter the Conservation Biology minor, students must (1) be in good academic standing (2.0 grade-point average or better), (2) have completed Life Sciences 7A, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology 100, and 116 (or Environment 121) with minimum grades of C or better, and (3) file a petition in the Undergraduate Advising Office, 101 Hershey Hall. All minor courses must be taken for a letter grade, with a minimum grade of C (2.0) in each.
Additional preparation required:
- Chemistry 14C or 30A or Life Science 7C and Life Science 23L
Minor requirements (7-9 courses, minimum 27 units, two course overlap permitted)
- Ecology and Evolutionary Biology 100
- Ecology and Evolutionary Biology 116 (or Environment 121)
- Four to six (minimum 19 units) from: Ecology and Evolutionary Biology 100L, 101, 103, 105, 109, 109L, 111, 112, 113AL, 114A, 114B, C119A, C119B, 122, M127, 129, M131, 142, 151A, 152, 153, 154, 155, 161, 162, 162L, C174 176, 180A, 180B, 184, any course completed from Field or Marine Biology Quarter or approved equivalent; Geography M102, M103, 106, 107, 116, 117, M118, M125, M126, M131, 133 (maximum of two Geography courses can be applied to the minor)
Environmental Engineering Minor
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Research in environmental engineering focuses on the understanding and management of physical, chemical, and biological processes in the environment and in engineering systems.
Entry Requirements
To enter the Environmental Engineering minor, students must be in good academic standing (2.0 grade-point average or better), and have earned a C or better in Math 32A or 3C. Students will then file a petition in the Office of Academic and Student Affairs, 6426 Boelter Hall. All minor courses must be taken for a letter grade, with a minimum grade of C (2.0) in each.
Additional preparation required
- Mathematics 3C or 32A
Concentration requirements (6 courses, 24 units, one course overlap permitted)
- Civil and Environmental Engineering 153
- Five from Civil andEnvironmental Engineering 110, 150, 151, 152,154, 155, 156A, 156B, 157A, 157B, 157C, 157L, C159, 163,164,M165, M166,Chemical Engineering 102A, C118; Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering 103, 105A, •*Credit for both MAE 105A & CH ENGR 102A will not be granted)
Environmental Health Concentration
Department of Environmental Health Sciences
Research in Environmental Health Sciences focus on the effects of biological, chemical and physical hazards in the environment on human and ecosystem health, and the means of managing these hazards.
Entry requirements
To enter the Environmental Health concentration, students must have earned a B or better in Chemistry 14A, 14B, 14BL, 14C (or 20A, 20B, 20L, 30A) and have an overall 3.0+ GPA in prep requirements for the Environmental Science major. Students declare the concentration at the Institute of the Environment and Sustainability SAO Office, Life Science 2318.
Additional preparation required:
- Chemistry 14C or 30A
Concentration Requirements (6 courses, 22-24 units, one course overlap permitted)
- Environmental Health Sciences 100 and C135, or C185A and C185B
- Epidemiology 100
- At least three from: Chemistry and Biochemistry 153A; Environmental Health Sciences C125, C140, C152D, C157, C164, M166
Environmental Systems and Society Minor
The Environmental Systems and Society minor is designed for students who wish to augment their major program of study with courses addressing the relationships between environmental science and associated social and political issues. The minor seeks to impart a deeper understanding of environmental systems related to air, land, water and biological resources. A main goal of the program is to provide students with a foundation for sound decision making as a professional and a citizen.
Entry Requirements
To enter the Environmental Systems and Society minor, students must be in good academic standing (2.0 grade-point average) and declare the minor at the Institute of the Environment SAO Office, Life Science 2318. All minor courses must be taken for a letter grade, with an overall grade-point average of 2.0 or better.
Note: The courses listed here are a subset of those officially listed for the Minor; Environmental Science majors must follow these specific course requirements:
Additional preparation required:
Choose one from:
- Chemistry 14C or 30 A or
- Mathematics 3C or 32A or
- Physics 5B or 1C or
- Life Science 7C & 23L or
- Earth Planetary & Space Sciences 1
Minor requirements (7 courses, 28-30 units, two course overlap permitted)
- Seven courses from Environment: M111, 121, M125, M126, M131, M133, 134, 150, M153,157, C159, 160, M161, 162, 163, M164, 166, M167
- The SAR 185A/B/B or A/C/C series is an acceptable substitute for one elective.
Geography/Environmental Studies Minor
The Geography/Environmental Studies minor is intended for students interested in environmental issues and emphasizes a systems approach to gaining a causal understanding of major environmental problems facing our society and the world at large. The uniqueness of the minor lies in its geographical perspective on the impact, at various geographical scales, of human activity on natural systems and on the implications of global environmental change on local, regional, and global human systems.
Entry Requirements
To enter the Geography/Environmental Studies minor, students must have an overall grade-point average of 2.0 or better and file a petition in the Geography Department Advising Office, 1255 Bunche Hall. Courses should be selected in consultation with the departmental adviser. At least three of the five upper division courses must be taken in residence at UCLA. All minor courses must be taken for a letter grade.
Additional preparation required
Choose one from:
- Chemistry 14C or 30 A or
- Mathematics 3C or 32A or
- Physics 5B or 1C or
- Life Science 3 and 23L or
- Earth Planetary & Space Sciences 1
Minor requirements (7 courses, 30 units, two course overlap possible)
- Geography 5
- Choose one from: Geography 1, 2, 3, 4, or 6
- Choose three from: Three from Geography 101, M102, M103, 106, 107, 108, 109,M110,116, 117,M118, 120, M125, M126, M127,130, M131, 133, 135, 136, 138, 139B, 139C
- Two additional upper division Geography courses, excluding those from the preceding list and courses 190-199
- NOTE: Geography course numbers changed effective Fall 2020. DARS should automatically accommodate these changes for any courses taken prior to Fall 2020.
Earth and Environmental Science
Department of Earth Planetary and Space Sciences
In the Earth and Environmental Science minor students study the interaction of the solid Earth, oceans, and atmosphere with human activities. The minor provides background in Earth sciences that is especially appropriate for students intending to become K through 12 teachers in Earth, physical, or life sciences. It may also be of interest to students who plan careers in business, dentistry, environmental sciences, government, journalism, law, medicine, or public health.
Entry Requirements
To enter the minor, students must have an overall grade-point average of 2.0 or better. A minimum of 20 upper division units applied toward the minor requirements must be in addition to units applied toward major or minor requirements in another department or program. Each minor course must be taken for a letter grade, and students must have an overall grade-point average of 2.0 or better.
Additional preparation required
- Mathematics 3C or 32A, or Physics 5B or 1C, or Chemistry 14C or 30A
Minor requirements (7 courses, 28 units, two course overlap permitted)
- Earth Planetary and Space Sciences 1, and one course from 5, 13, 15, or 61.
- Choose five from: Earth Planetary and Space Sciences 101, 112, C113, 139, 150, 153. Consult with the EPS Sci Department for other applicable courses.