Investigate how social and environmental problems are deeply intertwined.
The Bachelor of Science program in Society and Environment in the Rausser College of Natural Resources introduces students to the main approaches and theory for environmental social sciences, including how social science tools can be applied to environmental problems and how social science theories contribute to understanding environmental problems.
Students select courses from three Thematic Areas aligned with their interests: US Environmental Policy and Management, Global Environmental Politics, and Justice and Sustainability. The S&E major is offered by the Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management.
Highlights
- Tailor your studies with coursework from three thematic areas.
- Learn how to be a Rausser scientist in NATRES 76.
- Get involved with environmental service through Epsilon Eta.
Curriculum
Students in the Society and Environment major complete lower division core courses in environmental science and social science, along with coursework in economics or environmental economics, math or statistics, and breadth areas. At the upper division level, students select courses from the following three thematic areas with the choice to specialize in one, or take courses from multiple areas:
- US Environmental Policy and Management
- Global Environmental Politics
- Justice and Sustainability
Students also participate in study abroad programs around the world, providing an opportunity to expand their academic and cultural experiences while completing major requirements.
Learn more at nature.berkeley.edu/advising/majors/society-and-environment
About ESPM
The Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management is a multidisciplinary program that recognizes the urgency of the challenges facing our environment, and the enormous opportunities that may lead to transformative change. We have award-winning faculty in climate science, biodiversity, environmental policy, land use, and community outreach—all driven by a collective interest in our environmental future.
Declaring the Major
First-year and transfer students accepted to UC Berkeley and who selected Society and Environment on their undergraduate admissions application will be admitted directly to the Rausser College of Natural Resources and the S&E major (no declaration required).
If you are currently a Rausser student and wish to declare a new major within the college, you must meet with the advisor for your intended major after completing the requirements to declare. If you are a UC Berkeley student in another college, you must meet the requirements to change into Rausser and declare a new major.
Society and Environment students are well prepared for graduate school and a range of career opportunities in public agencies, non-profit organizations, or private companies. Students pursue careers in fields such as environmental consulting, education, health, or law; environmental policy and environmental studies; community, urban, or regional planning; and other areas related to environment and society. Employers often are impressed by undergraduates who can demonstrate a clear focus and strong organizational skills, which the Society and Environment program fosters in our graduates.
UC Berkeley offers a number of career resources for students studying Society and Environment. Rausser College partners with Berkeley Career Engagement to help students access resources, events, and professional opportunities related to their studies. Additionally, Berkeley Career Engagement provides career counseling, professional and graduate school advising, job and internship listings, and events such as career and graduate school fairs.
Employment
Alumni find employment in a variety of fields and industries after graduation. Examples include:
- Development Associate
- Energy Program Specialist
- Environmental Consultatant
- Food Access Coordinator
- Foreign Policy Researcher
- GIS Technician
- JusticeCorp Member
- Legislative Analyst
- Marketing Lead
- Paralegal Specialist
- Research Associate
- Senior Editor
- Special Education Teacher
- Sustainable Business Manager
- Transportation Associate
Graduate Study
Alumni pursue graduate education to gain more depth of knowledge in their field as well as prepare for jobs that require advanced degrees. Examples include:
- Agricultural Sciences
- Business Administration
- Ecology
- Environmental Science
- Journalism
- Latin American Studies
- Law
- Public Administration
Sam, class of 2026
With a sister in ecology and another in sociology, Sam Ward strikes the middle ground with her major in Society and Environment. A Regent’s and Chancellor’s Scholar, NAVCAL Fellow, and first-generation transfer student, Sam is interested in how the legal system can support California ecosystems and sectors of society.
“Growing up, we all saw firsthand how the lack of access to green spaces, clean air and basic infrastructure affected public health….I want to help address [Sacramento’s] need for public transportation and more inclusive and widespread green spaces….I want to help the city I love and grew up in thrive.”
First Year
Plan Your Studies
- Familiarize yourself with the S&E major; check out the Major Snapshot and Sample Degree Plans.
- Meet with your college advisor to discuss your academic plans.
- Begin lower division math/statistics, ESPM core, and breadth courses; enroll in NATRES 76 How to Be a Rausser CNR Scientist.
- Join Berkeley Connect for 1:1 mentoring and to meet peers with shared interests.
- Discover new interests in a Freshman Seminar, Berkeley Changemaker, or DeCal course.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Explore the Rausser Student Resource Center and Virtual Bulletin Board.
- Join a Rausser student group like Epsilon Eta or ESSA.
- Visit Berkeley Discovery to get started with research, entrepreneurship, public service, and creative projects.
- Find support from the Student Learning Center and Biology Scholars Program.
- Learn how to prepare for office hours and build relationships with faculty.
- Live and learn in the Global Environment Theme House.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Visit UHS Career Counseling and Berkeley Career Engagement.
- Start exploring career paths for the major; check out the S&E Career Snapshot.
- Begin making a plan to get career ready.
- Create or update your resume and LinkedIn profile.
- Start using Handshake to connect with career events and opportunities.
Second Year
Plan Your Studies
- Complete lower division economics and breadth coursework.
- Continue exploring with a Sophomore Seminar or Big Ideas course.
- Look into study abroad and learning a foreign language; see options in Environmental Sciences abroad.
- Enrich your studies with a certificate or minor such as CalTeach or Food Systems.
- Explore the major's thematic areas.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Attend Rausser and ESPM events like the Department Seminar Series.
- Develop your skills in the Berkeley Student Leadership Academy.
- Explore research opportunities from Rausser and OURS; apply to SPUR or URAP to work on a faculty project.
- Browse programs from the Student Environmental Resource Center.
- Connect with student resources from the Berkeley Climate Change Network.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Meet with a BCE career educator to discuss career options and goals.
- Build your network and explore career fields via job shadowing and informational interviews.
- Pursue an internship to build skills and explore fields; apply for the Rausser Summer Internship Grant.
- Browse graduate school resources from the Graduate Division and BCE.
Third Year
Plan Your Studies
- Begin upper division coursework in the thematic areas and complete an Environmental/Political Economy/Skills and Methods course; enroll in electives and ESPM core courses (if needed).
- Review your degree progress with your college advisor.
- Spend a term off-campus with UCDC or a field program at Gump Station or UC Nature reserve.
- Consider applying to the Rausser College Honors Program; look into Haas Scholars.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Welcome new students to Berkeley as a Golden Bear Orientation Leader.
- Help other students as a Rausser Peer Advisor.
- Check out the Public Service Internship, College Corps, and Haas Public Service Leaders Program.
- Address real-world problems in the Fung Fellowship or Big Ideas Contest.
- Get involved with the Lawrence Hall of Science or Berkeley Natural History Museums.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Speak with faculty, advisors, and career educators about post-graduate options.
- Join a professional association in your area of interest.
- Interested in public service careers? Look into the John Gardner Fellowship, Huntington Award, and Truman Scholarship.
- Connect with alumni groups like Rausser Alumni.
Fourth Year
Plan Your Studies
- Finish all upper division coursework within the thematic areas as well as elective courses.
- Enroll in a 4-unit honors thesis (ESPM, ENVECON, PLANTBI or MBN H196) during both the fall and the spring semester if doing the honors program; join a thesis writing workshop at the Student Learning Center.
- Complete any remaining degree requirements and prepare for graduation.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Interested in teaching? Give it a try by facilitating your own DeCal course.
- Submit a course research project for the Library Prize, American Cultures Student Prize, or other awards.
- Present at a Rausser Research Showcase or outside conference with the Conference Travel Grant.
- Get published! Submit your work to Perennial: The Undergraduate Environmental Journal of Berkeley.
- Pursue a special project after graduation with the Stronach Prize.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Check in with a BCE career educator.
- Apply to graduate school or post-graduate programs.
- Meet employers at info sessions, on-campus recruiting, and career fairs like the Nonprofit, Environment and Public Service Career Fair.
- Utilize job search tools from BCE and apply for job opportunities.
- Learn about alumni career services.
Summer
- Make progress on degree requirements with a Summer Sessions course like ESPM 15, 50AC, or 152, or GPP 115.
- Gain field skills through the Forestry Field Camp or California Ecology and Conservation.
- Go abroad through UCEAP or Berkeley Study Abroad.
- Conduct research with support from SPUR or UC Nature.
- Pursue a summer minor or certificate such as Data Science, Journalism, or Sustainable Business and Policy.
- Consider a summer internship with Cal in the Capital, Cal in Sacramento, or Berkeley Global Internships.
- Apply to the GiGS program to learn about graduate school.
First Semester
Plan Your Studies
- Get your bearings with L&S 198 Transitioning to Cal.
- Familiarize yourself with the S&E major; check out the Major Snapshot and Sample Degree Plans.
- Meet with your college advisor to discuss your academic plans and explore the major's thematic areas.
- Begin upper division coursework in your thematic area and an elective course; enroll in core coursework (if needed).
- Join Berkeley Connect for 1:1 mentoring and to meet peers with shared interests.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Explore the Rausser Student Resource Center and Virtual Bulletin Board.
- Join a Rausser student group like Epsilon Eta or ESSA.
- Visit Berkeley Discovery to get started with research, entrepreneurship, public service, and creative projects.
- Find support from the Student Learning Center and Biology Scholars Program.
- Learn how to prepare for office hours and build relationships with faculty.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Visit UHS Career Counseling and Berkeley Career Engagement.
- Start exploring career paths for the major; check out the S&E Career Snapshot.
- Create or update your resume and LinkedIn profile.
- Use Handshake to start connecting with career events and opportunities.
- Meet with a BCE career educator to discuss career options and goals.
Second Semester
Plan Your Studies
- Continue with courses in the thematic areas and complete an Environmental/Political Economy/Skills and Methods course; enroll in an elective and ESPM core course (if needed).
- Look into study abroad and learning a foreign language; see options in Environmental Sciences abroad.
- Enrich your studies with a certificate or minor such as CalTeach or Food Systems.
- Consider applying to the Rausser College Honors Program; look into Haas Scholars.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Attend Rausser and ESPM events like the Department Seminar Series.
- Check out the Public Service Internship, College Corps, and Haas Public Service Leaders Program.
- Explore research opportunities from Rausser and OURS; apply to SPUR or URAP to work on a faculty project.
- Browse programs from the Student Environmental Resource Center.
- Connect with student resources from the Berkeley Climate Change Network.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Build your network and explore career fields via job shadowing and informational interviews.
- Pursue an internship to build skills and explore fields; apply for the Rausser Summer Internship Grant.
- Browse graduate school resources from the Graduate Division and BCE.
- Speak with faculty, advisors, and career educators about post-graduate options.
Third Semester
Plan Your Studies
- Focus on upper division coursework for the thematic areas as well as elective courses.
- Review your degree progress with your college advisor.
- Spend a term off-campus with UCDC or a field program at Gump Station or UC Nature reserve.
- Enroll in a 4-unit honors thesis (ESPM, ENVECON, PLANTBI or MBN H196) during fall semester if doing the honors program.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Welcome new students to Berkeley as a Golden Bear Orientation Leader.
- Help other students as a Rausser Peer Advisor or Transfer Student Center Leader.
- Develop your skills in the Berkeley Student Leadership Academy.
- Address real-world problems in the Fung Fellowship or Big Ideas Contest.
- Get involved with the Lawrence Hall of Science or Berkeley Natural History Museums.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Check in with a BCE career educator.
- Join a professional association in your area of interest.
- Interested in public service careers? Look into the John Gardner Fellowship, Huntington Award, and Truman Scholarship.
- Apply to graduate school or post-graduate programs.
- Connect with alumni groups like Rausser Alumni.
Fourth Semester
Plan Your Studies
- Finish upper division coursework in the thematic areas and any remaining electives.
- Enroll in H196 units during spring semester if doing the honors program; join a thesis writing workshop at the Student Learning Center.
- Complete any remaining degree requirements and prepare for graduation.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Interested in teaching? Give it a try by facilitating your own DeCal course.
- Submit a course research project for the Library Prize, American Cultures Student Prize, or other awards.
- Present at a Rausser Research Showcase or outside conference with the Conference Travel Grant.
- Get published! Submit your work to Perennial: The Undergraduate Environmental Journal of Berkeley.
- Pursue a special project after graduation with the Stronach Prize.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Meet employers at info sessions, on-campus recruiting, and career fairs like the Nonprofit, Environment and Public Service Career Fair.
- Utilize job search tools from BCE and apply for job opportunities.
- Learn about alumni career services.
Summer
- Make progress on degree requirements with a Summer Sessions course like ESPM 152 or 169, or GPP 115.
- Gain field skills through the Forestry Field Camp or California Ecology and Conservation.
- Go abroad through UCEAP or Berkeley Study Abroad.
- Conduct research with support from SPUR or UC Nature.
- Pursue a summer minor or certificate such as Data Science, Journalism, or Sustainable Business and Policy.
- Consider a summer internship with Cal in the Capital, Cal in Sacramento, or Berkeley Global Internships.
- Apply to the GiGS program to learn about graduate school.
Undergraduate Advising
Have questions about Society and Environment or the Rausser College of Natural Resources?
Rausser College provides undergraduate advising to prospective and current undergraduate students. College Advisors are available on a drop-in and appointment basis to assist students with course enrollment and academic planning, explain college and university policies and procedures, and connect students to faculty and other campus student resources. Peer Advising Leaders are trained in understanding college and University requirements, policies, and procedures, and offer personal viewpoints and experiences to current and prospective students.
Advising services are available in 260 Mulford Hall in the Office of Instruction and Student Affairs. For advising hours and contacts, visit nature.berkeley.edu/advising/undergraduate-advising or email advising.rcnr@berkeley.edu.
Related Programs
Looking for programs similar to Society and Environment? UC Berkeley also offers the following major, minor, and certificate programs:
