Introduction to the Major
The Sustainable Environmental Design major offers students a critical understanding of the sustainability challenges facing urban regions in California and around the globe, and equips students with the technical, analytical, and design tools key to devising creative solutions.
Features of the program include gateway courses on the cultural and scientific bases of sustainability (ENV DES 110 & LD ARCH 12); a critical approaches course (ENV DES 102); a methods/technology course (LD ARCH /GEOG C188); upper division courses and concentrations around sustainability; and a capstone workshop (ENV DES 106).
“SED students have the exciting opportunity not only to craft their own studies, but to make an impact on future generations of Sustainable Environmental Designers.”
- Kevin Zamzow-Pollock, SED Alumnus
Admission to the Major
First-year applicants must declare the major at the time of application to the College of Environmental Design (CED). However, current UC Berkeley students may apply to change colleges into CED if admission requirements are met and space is available. Transfer applicants must complete lower division college and major requirements prior to Berkeley to be considered for admission to CED.
CED offers a minor in Sustainable Design. The minor is open to all UC Berkeley students except Sustainable Environmental Design majors.
Amplify Your Major
- Complete a certificate in Design Innovation or Global Urban Humanities.
- Complete a minor in CED.
- Get involved as a CED Admissions Ambassador, Community Fellow, or member of the Undergraduate Student Council.
- Connect with the CED community through student organizations.
First Year
Explore Your Major
- Connect with a CED advisor in 250 Bauer Wurster Hall or virtually via Zoom.
- Review the Sustainable Environmental Design Major Handbook for degree requirements, sample study plans, and student resources.
- Enroll in ENV DES 110 Designing Sustainability, ENV DES 1 Intro to Env. Design, and LD ARCH 12 Env. Science for Sustainable Development.
Connect and Build Community
- Meet your fellow SED students at a CED social event or SED Town Hall.
- Find study groups, tutoring, and academic support at the Student Learning Center.
- Join a CED student group such as SEED.
- Focus on your wellness and engage with services from University Health Services.
Discover Your Passions
- Discover new interests in a Freshman Seminar or student-run DeCal course.
- Visit the Office of Undergraduate Research and Scholarships.
- Find service opportunities through the Public Service Center.
Engage Locally and Globally
- Attend the Calapalooza student activities fair and get involved with a student organization.
- Explore study, internship, and research abroad options with Berkeley Study Abroad.
Reflect and Plan Your Future
- Visit Berkeley Career Engagement and the Career Counseling Library.
- Develop a plan for getting career ready.
- Sign up for Handshake and CareerMail.
- Attend the CED Career Fair to learn about possible careers.
Second Year
Explore Your Major
- Complete your lower division major requirements.
- Consider doing a CED minor or minor outside of CED.
- Consider a certificate in Design Innovation or Global Urban Humanities.
Connect and Build Community
- Attend college events like the CED Lecture Series and CED Circus.
- Get to know professors and graduate student instructors during their office hours.
- Explore campus beyond Bauer Wurster Hall.
- Focus on your wellness and engage with services from University Health Services.
Discover Your Passions
- Enroll in a Sophomore Seminar, Big Ideas Course or Discovery Course.
- Browse faculty research taking place in CED.
- Apply for CED prizes and awards to fund your studies and projects.
Engage Locally and Globally
- Help prospective and incoming students as a CED Admissions Ambassador.
- Join Handshake and LinkedIn.
- Meet with a CED Career Counselor to support you in your career journey.
- Help reduce the environmental footprint of buildings with BS@C.
Reflect and Plan Your Future
- Discuss your career options and goals with the CED Career Counselor.
- Explore career fields through the Career Connections Series or a winter externship.
- Take advantage of CED Career Services, and explore jobs and internships in industry.
- Think about doing an internship and attend an internship fair.
Third Year
Explore Your Major
- Continue following the graduation plan in your major handbook.
- Check your degree progress using the Academic Progress Report (APR) in CalCentral to ensure timely progress of remaining graduation requirements.
Connect and Build Community
- Apply to be the CED Community Fellow or part of the CED Undergraduate Student Council.
- Become a Golden Bear Orientation Leader and welcome new students to UC Berkeley.
- Focus on your wellness and engage with services from University Health Services.
Discover Your Passions
- Check out CED research opportunities.
- Find research and funding opportunities in the OURS database.
- Assist faculty in their research through URAP.
Engage Locally and Globally
- Work on energy and climate change solutions as part of CITRIS Workforce Innovation Program.
- Consider a Berkeley Global Internship.
- Apply your skills in projects for Solar Spring Break or the Green Initiative Fund.
- Share your accomplishments, internships and projects on the SED website.
Reflect and Plan Your Future
- Conduct informational interviews.
- Learn about graduate and professional school. Discuss options with advisors and professors and see Step-by-Step for planning help.
- Update your resume and LinkedIn profile.
- Attend career and graduate school fairs.
Fourth Year
Explore Your Major
- Complete a degree check to ensure timely completion of remaining graduation requirements.
- Complete any “bucket list” courses.
- Take the SED Capstone Class ENV DES 106: Sustainable Environmental Design Workshop.
Connect and Build Community
- Connect with alumni groups and build your network as you prepare to graduate.
- Join a professional association such as USGBC or PHIUS.
- Focus on your wellness and engage with services from University Health Services.
Discover Your Passions
- Teach your own DeCal course.
- Undertake an optional honors thesis or independent study.
- Keep pursuing your interests through a fellowship or gap year after graduation.
Engage Locally and Globally
- Hone your leadership skills with the Peter E. Haas Public Service Leaders program.
- Explore service opportunities after graduation, such as Peace Corps, Teach for America, or U.S. Department of State.
Reflect and Plan Your Future
- Utilize job board tools in your job search.
- Ask professors and graduate student instructors for recommendation letters.
- Attend Employer Info Sessions and On-Campus Recruiting.
- Apply to jobs, graduate school, and other opportunities.
Jobs and Employers
- Account Executive, Houzz
- Account Manager, Google
- City Planner, City of Grover Beach
- Designer, Issey Miyake
- Draftsperson, De Meza Architecture
- Fellow, Climate Corps
- Interactive Designer, Square
- Planner, Samtrans
- Project Coordinator, PAE Consulting
- Project Engineer, Turner Construction
- Sustainability Consultant, SPHERA
- Sustain. Design Specialist, HOK
- Waste Zero Specialist, Recology
Graduate Programs
SED graduates can pursue graduate programs in multiple disciplines, including but not limited to City Planning, Architecture, Business, and Natural Resources.
Examples gathered from the First Destination Survey of recent Berkeley graduates.
Connect With Us
Cal Day
Come to Berkeley’s annual Open House in April for information sessions, campus tours, special talks, and more.
Golden Bear Orientation
Join your peers in the campus-wide UC Berkeley orientation program for all new students.
Events
Attend department events with students, staff, and faculty. Visit ced.berkeley.edu/news-events for news and updates.
Advising
Advising for prospective and current students is available in-person at the CED Office of Undergraduate Advising in 250 Bauer Wurster Hall and virtually via Zoom. See ced.berkeley.edu/advising/connect-with-advising for the advising schedule.
Advising Hours
Fall/Spring: Tuesday - Friday 10am-12pm, 1-4pm
Summer: Tuesday - Friday 10am-12pm, 1-3pm
Visit ced.berkeley.edu/advising/undergraduate-advising for more information or with advising questions.
How to Use this Map
Use this map to help plan and guide your experience at UC Berkeley, including academic, co-curricular, and discovery opportunities. Everyone’s Berkeley experience is different and activities in this map are suggestions. Always consult with your advisors whenever possible for new opportunities and updates.
