Bren Curriculum Overview
Bren students are required to complete 76 units of coursework to earn their Master of Environmental Science and Management (MESM) degree. The curriculum has three components:
- Core curriculum (26 units),
- Specialization coursework (36 units)
- Master's Project (Group Project or Eco-E) units (14 units)
During the first year of study, MESM students develop a broad set of skills by completing the multidisciplinary core curriculum. Bren students take an average of 16-18 units per quarter, 12 of which are typically core units. This leaves room for students to choose at least one elective course each quarter.
When choosing your elective courses, it may be beneficial to think about your specialization(s) and/or focus of interest. But don’t worry!-- it’s common for students to be undecided on their specialization at this point, and MESM students are not required to declare a specialization until the end of Winter Quarter. During Fall Quarter, you will meet with faculty advisors from each specialization and receive additional information including access to an online course planner to help you make your decision.
The bulk of the specialization courses are taken in the second year of study, after developing the core foundation in the first year. The Master's Project process begins during Spring Quarter of the first year and is completed in spring of the second year of study. View the MESM Academics page for more details.
Please also note that the lunch hour (11am -12pm) Monday-Thursday have been left open for Bren-related events such as seminars, career and academic program workshops. Please do not schedule sections or other commitments over this time, as students are expected to attend these sessions.
Required Fall Quarter Core Classes for First-Year MESMs
All new MESM students must register for the following Fall Quarter core courses*:
ESM 203: Earth System Science (3 units)
ESM 206: Statistics and Data Analysis (4 units)
ESM 210: Business and the Environment (3 units)
As a new MESM student, you are guaranteed a seat in required core courses, regardless of when you register, however, if you want a particular section, we recommend registering as soon as your pass time opens. Elective courses range in duration and credit load. View the complete schedule of Bren classes on the Academics section of the Current Student Resources page. Course descriptions are listed on the MESM Courses page.
*Due to recent changes to core course units, there may be a brief delay when registering for classes.
Elective Coursework Options
On average, Bren students enroll in 16-18 units per quarter. While a 12-unit workload is considered full-time, incoming MESM students may choose to take an elective course in Fall Quarter. However, we advise students to consider the adjustment required for starting graduate school, moving to a new place, etc. when they plan their courses in fall. Depending on your circumstances you may want to aim to take a lower number of units (12-16 units) in your first quarter.
When selecting your elective courses, please check to see if there are prerequisites! If you're wondering if the course you're interested in is intended for 2nd-year MESMs or PhDs, you can read the course description and syllabus on the MESM course page. Send a message to academics@bren.ucsb.edu if you have any specific course questions.
Communication skills
First-year MESM students may enroll in Bren communication courses. ESM 437: Writing Skills for Environmental Professionals (4 units) in Fall Quarter helps students improve and polish their writing skills. ESM 440: Strategic Environmental Communication provides students with an introduction to communication theory. ESM 440 or ESM 437 are recommended for students interested in pursuing the Strategic Environmental Communication and Media focus.
Other elective courses
You may wish to take additional elective courses based on your interests or intended specialization. You can view course descriptions on the MESM courses website. The following are some common courses taken in the first year in Fall quarter:
ESM 214: Biological Waste Treatment (5 units) is offered every other year. This course will be offered in Fall 2024 but will not be offered in Fall 2025. If you plan to pursue the Pollution Prevention and Remediation specialization, this is a good course to enroll in for Fall 2024.
ESM 271: Carbon Footprints and Carbon Accounting. (4 units)
ESM 288: Energy, Technology and the Environment. (4 units)
Special topics courses, numbered ESM 293, ESM 294, ESM 296 are seminar classes with a variable number of units (usually 2) offering students the opportunity to learn about a specialized topic in an intensive format. They are often taught by experts in a particular field brought in to supplement faculty expertise. We recommend if you are interested in the topic of these courses that you take them when they are offered because they may not be offered again. Course descriptions for special topics courses are typically made available in the two weeks preceding the start of the quarter.
How and When to Register for Courses at UCSB
See the Welcome New Students page on the UCSB Office of the Registrar’s website for instructions on how to register for classes with the UCSB Gaucho On-Line Data (GOLD) system. To see important dates for upcoming quarters, including holiday closures and final exam dates, view the UCSB academic calendar for the 2024-2025 year.
All incoming graduate students can register for classes during Pass 2, which begins May 21 (Pass 1 for Fall Quarter is only open to continuing students). Consult the "Registration" tab on GOLD for the days/times of your pass periods. Register at the beginning of your designated pass times to take full advantage of your allotted time for registration. All graduate students can resume registration during Pass 3, which begins on September 9. Students registering for classes after Thursday, September 26, 2024 (the first day of classes) are subject to a $50 late registration fee. Payment of fees is due on the first day of classes. Students pay for courses through their BARC (Billing Accounts Receivable Collections unit) account. Please visit UCSB's Office of the Registrar website for more information regarding Fall Quarter registration pass times.
**You must be registered for courses in order for UCSB to pay any of your fees (i.e. if you have a fellowship or if you work as a TA or GSR).**
Purchasing Books for Courses
Required textbooks are listed in the course syllabus and/or in Canvas. Students are encouraged to purchase or rent their books online from sources such as Amazon.com or Textbooks.com. Bren School professors generally do not have their books available at the UCSB Bookstore. Students are also encouraged to check course syllabi for any additional course material not listed on the Bren website. Most course syllabi are linked to the Courses page of the Academic Programs section. Just click on the course number (e.g., ESM 201) to view the most recent syllabus for that class.
Students may use the listserv random@lists.bren.ucsb.edu to ask other Bren students about buying or selling books. Click here for instructions on how to subscribe.
Professors may require a course reader (a compilation of related readings not found in the required textbook) that may be purchased in person at either of the following locations:
- SBPrinter.com: UCSB University Center (UCen), Room 2264; Hours are Monday through Thursday, 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m., Friday 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
- UCSB Associated Students (AS) Publications: UCen Room 1531, next to AS Cashiers and Ticket Office windows. Hours are Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
INTRODUCTION & TIMELINE
What should you be doing now?
REGISTRATION INFORMATION
MESM curriculum overview, core courses, elective coursework, how and when to register
NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION
Important information on mandatory Bren School orientation events, including writing and calculus workshops, TA orientation, lab safety training, Graduate Division orientation, activities for international students, and more.
FINANCIAL & RESIDENCY RESOURCES
Cost of attendance, paying your bill, BARC, FAFSA, establishing residency, and employment opportunities.
CAMPUS RESOURCES
Graduate Student Housing, UCSB student ID cards, computing, university email, health insurance, transportation, campus resources, and more.