Introduction
The designated emphasis is the equivalent of a “minor” for doctoral study. It will provide you with a framework for in-depth study in specialized fields in your area, and an opportunity for recognition of particular scholarly expertise.
Requirements
Complete the Environmental Studies Designated Emphasis Plan and contact the Graduate Program coordinator if you are interested in taking the Environmental Studies Designated Emphasis Plan. You must declare your intent to complete a designated emphasis in environmental studies before you officially advance to candidacy.
Committee Composition and Departmental Approvals
An environmental studies faculty member is required to act as your designated emphasis advisor. They will advise you about coursework as you complete the Environmental Studies Designated Emphasis Plan, serve on your qualifying examination committee, and your dissertation reading committee.
Course Requirements
Doctoral students from other departments at UC Santa Cruz may complete a designated emphasis in environmental studies by completing ENVS 201A, three advanced ENVS graduate courses or seminars (from the list below), and at least two quarters in an environmental studies graduate research group registered under ENVS 292, Topics in Research in Environmental Studies.
| ENVS 201A | Research Approaches in Environmental Studies | 5 |
Three advanced graduate courses or seminars
Take three advanced graduate courses or seminars from the departmentally approved list below (current list is also provided on the ENVS DE Plan), and participate for at least two quarters in an environmental studies graduate research group registered under ENVS 292, Topics in Research in Environmental Studies.
| ENVS 210 | Political Ecological Thought and Environment | 5 |
| ENVS 220 | Conservation Biology | 5 |
| ENVS 230 | Agroecology and Sustainable Agriculture | 5 |
| ENVS 235 | Social Theories of Nature | 5 |
| ENVS 240
/CSP 242
| Public Policy and Conservation | 5 |
| ENVS 247 | Regional Approaches to Environmental Policy | 5 |
| ENVS 263 | Plant Disease Ecology | 5 |
| ENVS 271 | Valuing the Environment | 5 |
| ENVS 280 | Advanced Topics in Environmental Studies | 5 |
| ENVS 291 | Advanced Readings in Environmental Studies | 3 |
| ENVS 291C | Advanced Readings in Risk and Public Policy | 3 |
| ENVS 291D | Advanced Readings in Tropical Ecology, Agriculture, and Development | 3 |
| ENVS 291M | Advanced Readings in Biogeochemistry | 3 |
| ENVS 291P | Advanced Readings in Environmental History and Anthropology | 3 |
Plus
Participate for at least two quarters in an environmental studies graduate research group registered under ENVS 292, Topics in Research in Environmental Studies.
| ENVS 292 | Topics in Research in Environmental Studies | 2 |
Writing, Research and/or Teaching Requirements
Include a significant scholarly written component (i.e., a chapter of the student's dissertation or a paper to be submitted for publication) on an appropriate environmental topic.