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 one-year MEDS program provides in-depth training in programming (including R, Python, and SQL), data visualization, management, and analysis, and culminates in a capstone project tackling a real-world environmental data science problem.

Academic Requirements

• 13 core courses (44 units) in data science
• 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)

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Summer Curriculum

The MEDS program begins with a six-week bootcamp (August - September) to develop a strong foundation of basic data-science skills. Students learn basic coding, computational and statistical foundations, 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 

EXPLORE COURSE DETAILS

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.