Majoring in Conservation and Resource Studies
The Conservation and Resource Studies (CRS) major is an individualized interdisciplinary program designed for students interested in environmental issues and areas of interaction among natural resources, population, energy, technology, societal institutions and cultural values. Students draw on the course offerings of the entire campus and appropriate community resources in the development of individual programs of study.
Overview
Conservation and Resource Studies (CRS) is an interdisciplinary program designed for students interested in environmental issues and areas of interaction among natural resources, population, energy, technology, societal institutions, and cultural values. The major offers a flexible, individualized educational approach to understanding the structure and dynamic functions of complex environmental systems within our society and biosphere. Because CRS students draw on the course offerings of the entire campus, they are able to tap into the social sciences, biological sciences, physical sciences, and humanities to address real-world complexity and the resulting issues. Sample topics include environmental justice and education, sustainable development of world populations, energy and environmental policy, conservation and culture, and ecological restoration and policy. Offered by the Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management (ESPM).
What will I study?
Students will be guided in self-selecting their eight upper division elective courses from departments all across campus. Because CRS students draw on the course offerings of the entire campus, they have the flexibility to incorporate any combination of courses in the social sciences, biological sciences, physical sciences, or humanities to address complex environmental problems.
Sample topics include environmental justice and education, sustainable development of world populations, energy and environmental policy, conservation and culture, and ecological restoration and policy, to name a few. Students may also draw upon appropriate community resources in the development of individual programs of study.
Despite the flexibility and breadth, all CRS curricula share a demonstrable commitment to gaining a truly interdisciplinary education. It differs from other ESPM majors in its individualized program that prepares students for a wide range of careers with an environmental leaning.
How much coursework is required?
Lower division requirements include courses in environmental sciences, physical science, biology, calculus or statistics, and social sciences. Students are encouraged to take additional lower division courses to gain a basic understanding and background in the subject area for their upper division Area of Interest.
All CRS students are required to complete a series of three core classes, ESPM 90, ESPM 100 and ESPM 194A. In ESPM 90 students will work with faculty and mentors to self design and select their eight upper division area of interest electives; this course should be taken no earlier than second semester sophomore year for freshman admits. Transfer students will take this in their first semester on campus. In ESPM 100, students will be exposed to a broad range of environmental problems and real life solutions. This fall-only course, designed for CRS students only, incorporates hands-on learning and exposure to environmental professionals in the field. It is recommended that students take this in the fall of their junior year. In ESPM 194A, students will culminate their individualized CRS studies into a seminar presented to their peers; this course is taken in the student’s last semester.
Advising
Undergraduate Advisor:
Sarah Rhoades
crs.emf.ugrad@berkeley.edu
260 Mulford Hall
University of California
Berkeley, CA 94720-3100
Faculty Advising:
Celine Pallud, head advisor
Every CRS student is expected to have a faculty advisor. During ESPM 90, students will receive guidance on how to select a faculty advisor.