Energy and Climate
Specialization Advisor(s)
- Kyle Meng (Class of 2023)
- Ranjit Deshmukh (Class of 2024)
Anthropogenic climate change has been called "the great moral challenge of our century," and greenhouse gases emitted by consumption of fossil fuels have been found to be the primary cause. Mitigating or adapting to climate change requires fundamental transformation of humanity's systems of energy production and consumption.
There is a pressing need for professionals who think holistically about, and develop integrated solutions to, the profound social, economic, and technological problems of this transformation.
Energy and Climate (EC) students in the Master of Environmental Science and Management program develop key knowledge and skills needed to understand economics, policy instruments, and technological and non-technological aspects of climate change, where intimate understanding of energy systems plays a crucial role. EC students understand and identify complex connections between the Earth's climate and technological systems including energy production and consumption. Students also learn to effectively anticipate, evaluate, and help craft responses to environmental impacts of climate change.
Requirements
Master of Environmental Science and Management students are required to take a minimum of 36 units of electives in their primary specialization. With an advisor’s approval, Bren students may also take courses in other UCSB departments as electives to satisfy specialization requirements.
ESM courses are offered through the Bren School and most ESM courses are offered every year. Courses marked with an asterisk (*) will be offered every other year.
Courses
EC Specialization Courses (12 units required)
ESM 229 Economics and Policy of Climate Change (4 units)
ESM 237 Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation (4 units)
ESM 239 Advanced Climate Science for Policy Makers (4 units)*
ESM 287 Energy Demand Analysis (4 units)
ESM 288 Energy, Technology and the Environment (4 units)
ESM 293 Advanced Special Topics in Climate and Energy (1-2 units)
Technical Skills (8 units required)
ESM 212 Biological Community Survey & Analysis (4 units)
ESM 228 Monitoring and Evaluation (4 units)
ESM 232 Environmental Modeling (4 units)
ESM 244 Advanced Data Analysis (4 units)
ESM 262 Computing for Environmental Science and Management (2 units)
ESM 263 Geographic Information Systems (4 units)
ESM 269 Survey Design and Environmental Public Opinion (2 units)
ESM 271 Carbon Footprints and Carbon Accounting (4 units)
ESM 273 Life Cycle Assessment (4 units)
ESM 284 Sustainable Product Development (4 units)
ESM 287 Energy Demand Analysis (4 units)
Environmental Economics, Policy, and Law (4 units required)
ESM 225 Water Policy (4 units)
ESM 242 Natural Resource Economics (4 units)
ESM 243 Environmental Policy Analysis (4 units)
ESM 245 Cost Benefit Analysis (4 units)
ESM 248 Environmental Institutions (4 units)
ESM 257 Coastal Ocean Policy and Management (4 units)
ESM 277 International Environmental Law (2 units)*
ESM 278 Natural Resources Law and Policy (2 units)*
Environmental Management (recommended)
ESM 230 Strategic Planning for Non-Profit Ventures (4 units)*
ESM 279 Financial Management and Environmental Accounting (4 units)
ESM 281 Corporate Environmental Management (4 units)
ESM 284 Sustainable Product Development (4 units)
Additional Science (recommended)
ESM 211 Applied Population Ecology (4 units)
ESM 214 Biological Waste Treatment (4 units)*
ESM 215 Landscape Ecology (4 units)
ESM 219 Microbial Processes in the Environment (4 units)*
ESM 222 Pollution Risk Management (4 units)
ESM 224 Sustainable Water Resources Management (4 units)
ESM 226 Groundwater Management (4 units)
ESM 235 Watershed Analysis (4 units)
ESM 237 Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation (4 units)
ESM 239 Advanced Climate Science for Policymakers (4 units)*
ESM 240 Climate Change Biology (2 units)*
ESM 254 Coastal Marine Ecosystem Processes (4 units)
ESM 260 Applied Marine Ecology (4 units)
ESM 270 Conservation Planning & Priority Setting (4 units)
ESM 270P Conservation Planning Practicum (4 units)
ESM 282 Pollution Prevention (4 units)
ESM 288 Energy, Technology and the Environment (4 units)
Or fill in relevant science course from other UCSB department
Advanced Special Topics (recommended)
Advanced Special Topics courses (variable units) are typically taught by Visiting Professors and Lecturers and may be offered during any quarter of the academic year.
ESM 293 Advanced Special Topics in Climate and Energy
ESM 294 Advanced Special Topics in Environmental Law
ESM 296 Advanced Special Topics in Environmental Management
ESM 297 Advanced Special Topics in Environmental Policy
ESM 299 Advanced Special Topics in Environmental Science
ESM 430 Workshops in Environmental Science and Management
Relevant Courses in other UCSB departments
ENVS 193GB Green Building Design & Operations (4 units)
Internship Opportunities
Students gain experience in an industry or sector relevant to career goals through a summer internship. EC students have taken internships with a wide variety of organizations, including the Environmental Defense Fund, Madison Energy and Gas, The World Bank Group, The Wildlife Society, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Earthwatch Institute, Pacific Gas & Electric, Catalina Island Conservancy, and many other agencies, organizations, and companies.
Research & Special Projects
Students may participate in research directed by Bren faculty through one of the many interdisciplinary research groups at UCSB.
Institute for Energy Efficiency
Energy and Climate (EC) students should take advantage of the opportunities provided by UCSB’s Institute for Energy Efficiency (IEE). The Institute presents the Energy Leadership Lecture Series, which is open to the public and features prominent leaders in energy efficiency and related fields. In addition, the Institute hosts the Santa Barbara Summit on Energy Efficiency, an annual event that brings together stakeholders in efficiency technologies, facilitating growth and collaboration across the sectors.
