Academics: MEDS Program
The Bren School Master of Environmental Data Science degree prepares you for a career advancing solutions to environmental problems through data science. The 11-month MEDS program provides in-depth training in applications including R, Python, and SQL; software training to leverage data visualization to communicate compelling scientific narratives; and culminates in a capstone project tackling a real-world environmental data science problem.
Academic Requirements
- 13 core courses (44 units) in data science, workflows, evaluation and analysis, and data visualization
- Capstone Project (8 units) to develop professional problem-solving skills
- Total of 52 units
Additional Courses
- Advanced Special Topics in Environmental Data Science (6 units)
Summer Curriculum
The MEDS program begins with a six-week, full-immersion, summer session (August - September) to develop a strong foundation of basic data-science skills. Students learn basic coding, computational, statistical, and team-science skills.
EDS 212 Essential Math for Environmental Data Science (2 units)
EDS 214 Analytical Workflows and Scientific Reproducibility (2 units)
EDS 217 Python for Environmental Data Science (4 units)
EDS 221 Scientific Programming Essentials (4 units)
Fall Curriculum
EDS 220 Working with Environmental Data (4 units)
EDS 222 Statistics for Environmental Data Science (4 units)
EDS 223 Geospatial Analysis and Remote Sensing (4 units)
EDS 242 Ethics & Bias in Environmental Data Science (2 units)
* EDS 296-1F Advanced Special Topics in Environmental Data Science: Data Science Tools for Building Professional Online Portfolios (2 units)
Winter Curriculum
EDS 232 Machine Learning in Environmental Science (4 units)
EDS 240 Data Visualization and Communication (4 units)
EDS 241 Environmental Policy Evaluation (2 units)
EDS 411A Capstone Project (4 units)
* EDS 296-1W Advanced Special Topics in Environmental Data Science: Intro to Shiny - Building Reactive Apps & Dashboards (2 units)
Spring Curriculum
EDS 213 Databases and Data Management (4 units)
EDS 230 Modeling Environmental Systems (4 units)
EDS 411B Capstone Project (4 units)
* EDS 296-1S Advanced Special Topics in Environmental Data Science: A Climate Modeling Perspective on Big Data Techniques (2 units)
* Denotes additional courses that are not academic requirements
Master’s Capstone
Spanning Winter and Spring quarters, MEDS students will participate in a small-group (3-4 students), client-driven capstone project. Capstone projects provide real-world experience for students to advance an environmental objective with data-driven solutions for a business, public agency, or non-profit organization. Students will leave the program with real, transferable experience and an expanded professional network.
Academic Calendar & Class Schedule
The MEDS program begins with six-weeks of Summer intensive courses to develop a strong foundation of data science skills. This 11-month program runs Summer through the following Spring Quarter with graduation in June.
UCSB Academic Calendar for Fall 2023 through Summer 2024
UCSB Academic Calendar for Fall 2024 through Summer 2025
