Environmental Science, Policy and Management

University of California, Berkeley

This is an archived copy of the 2016-17 guide. To access the most recent version of the guide, please visit http://guide.berkeley.edu.

About the Program

The Environmental Science, Policy, and Management (ESPM) Graduate Program provides a wealth of opportunities for students interested in careers in academia, government, and non-governmental agencies worldwide. Our faculty are internationally recognized, and ESPM is the campus hub for connections to other renowned Berkeley programs in the environment such as the Energy and Resources Group , Agricultural and Resource Economics , the Goldman School of Public Policy , Integrative Biology , Berkeley Natural History Museums , and Berkeley Law . The Berkeley campus maintains close ties to world-class research facilities at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, U.S. Geological Survey, California Academy of Sciences, Stanford University, and many other institutions. Students admitted to our program work with their research mentor to select courses, individualize their training, and conduct research projects that meet their interests and goals. Our core graduate courses provide an introduction to the wide breadth and deep expertise of research on the environment within our department and help students apply for funding opportunities early in their graduate program.

The PhD program is the main graduate program in ESPM for students entering with or without previous masters degrees, though we also offer limited numbers of MS degrees in our specialized Master of Range Management and Master of Forestry programs. The goal of the program is to provide both a strong disciplinary education and broadly based experience in cross-disciplinary communication and problem solving. To achieve this, the program leading to the PhD in environmental science, policy, and management requires that students complete three core courses and take additional coursework in the following three areas: area of specialization, research skills, and experiential breadth.

Disciplinary Emphasis

The disciplinary emphasis is the broadest academic area encompassing the student's interests. The three disciplinary emphases within the department are ecosystem sciences, organisms & environment, and society & environment. A student pursuing a strongly interdisciplinary program may study more than one of these disciplines in depth. Specific coursework within each field will be chosen by the guiding committee in conjunction with the student and approved by the graduate mentor. 

Area of Specialization

The area of specialization is a narrower field within the context of the disciplinary emphasis. Some examples of these areas are: microbial community ecology, ecosystem function, arthropod population and community ecology, biological control of arthropods, arthropod biodiversity science, American environmental history and policy, international forest management, biogeochemistry, Mediterranean grassland ecosystems, remote sensing, and forest management, to name a few.

Application

Prospective graduate students are encouraged to contact directly a potential PhD  mentor prior to the application deadline and if possible, to visit the campus, department, and graduate program. As part of their application, each student will be asked to identify one of the three disciplinary emphases (ecosystem sciences, organisms & environment, and society & environment) most closely associated with her/his interests. If you have questions about which emphasis to choose, please ask your prospective mentor. It is not uncommon for students in ESPM to be co-mentored by two professors, often with different disciplinary emphases. The area of specialization is determined after entry into the program, in consultation with the guiding committee and PhD mentor.

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Admissions

Admission to the University

Minimum Requirements for Admission

The following minimum requirements apply to all graduate programs and will be verified by the Graduate Division:

  1. A bachelor’s degree or recognized equivalent from an accredited institution;
  2. A grade point average of B or better (3.0);
  3. If the applicant comes from a country or political entity (e.g., Quebec) where English is not the official language, adequate proficiency in English to do graduate work, as evidenced by a TOEFL score of at least 90 on the iBT test, 570 on the paper-and-pencil test, or an IELTS Band score of at least 7 (note that individual programs may set higher levels for any of these); and
  4. Sufficient undergraduate training to do graduate work in the given field.

Applicants Who Already Hold a Graduate Degree

The Graduate Council views academic degrees not as vocational training certificates, but as evidence of broad training in research methods, independent study, and articulation of learning. Therefore, applicants who already have academic graduate degrees should be able to pursue new subject matter at an advanced level without need to enroll in a related or similar graduate program.

Programs may consider students for an additional academic master’s or professional master’s degree only if the additional degree is in a distinctly different field.

Applicants admitted to a doctoral program that requires a master’s degree to be earned at Berkeley as a prerequisite (even though the applicant already has a master’s degree from another institution in the same or a closely allied field of study) will be permitted to undertake the second master’s degree, despite the overlap in field.

The Graduate Division will admit students for a second doctoral degree only if they meet the following guidelines:

  1. Applicants with doctoral degrees may be admitted for an additional doctoral degree only if that degree program is in a general area of knowledge distinctly different from the field in which they earned their original degree. For example, a physics PhD could be admitted to a doctoral degree program in music or history; however, a student with a doctoral degree in mathematics would not be permitted to add a PhD in statistics.
  2. Applicants who hold the PhD degree may be admitted to a professional doctorate or professional master’s degree program if there is no duplication of training involved.

Applicants may apply only to one single degree program or one concurrent degree program per admission cycle.

Required Documents for Applications

  1. Transcripts: Applicants may upload unofficial transcripts with your application for the departmental initial review. If the applicant is admitted, then official transcripts of all college-level work will be required. Official transcripts must be in sealed envelopes as issued by the school(s) attended. If you have attended Berkeley, upload your unofficial transcript with your application for the departmental initial review. If you are admitted, an official transcript with evidence of degree conferral will not be required.
  2. Letters of recommendation: Applicants may request online letters of recommendation through the online application system. Hard copies of recommendation letters must be sent directly to the program, not the Graduate Division.
  3. Evidence of English language proficiency: All applicants from countries or political entities in which the official language is not English are required to submit official evidence of English language proficiency. This applies to applicants from Bangladesh, Burma, Nepal, India, Pakistan, Latin America, the Middle East, the People’s Republic of China, Taiwan, Japan, Korea, Southeast Asia, most European countries, and Quebec (Canada). However, applicants who, at the time of application, have already completed at least one year of full-time academic course work with grades of B or better at a US university may submit an official transcript from the US university to fulfill this requirement. The following courses will not fulfill this requirement:
    • courses in English as a Second Language,
    • courses conducted in a language other than English,
    • courses that will be completed after the application is submitted, and
    • courses of a non-academic nature.

If applicants have previously been denied admission to Berkeley on the basis of their English language proficiency, they must submit new test scores that meet the current minimum from one of the standardized tests.

Where to Apply

Visit the Berkeley Graduate Division application page . 

Admission to the Program

Applicants for admission to the graduate program must hold a bachelor's degree from a university or college with curricula and standards equivalent to those of the University of California. The completed undergraduate program should normally be in a field relevant to the disciplinary emphasis chosen. Applicants without this background may be admitted with the understanding that their coursework must compensate for deficiencies in their preparation. We suggest that prospective applicants consult with faculty or the Graduate Student Services Office for advice and course recommendations.

It is critical that all applicants identify on their application faculty whose research and work overlap with their strengths and interests. Without this information, the admission committee will not be able to evaluate your application properly. Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact faculty during the application process. Faculty sponsorship of entering graduate students will be determined once all applications have been reviewed and final admission offers have been made. The ESPM admission committee, not individual faculty, makes the final decisions on who will be offered admission to the program. Applications are accepted for the fall semester only.

Doctoral Degree Requirements

Time to Advancement

Curriculum

Courses Required
Program of study decided by the Guiding Committee with the student per research interests requires four components:
Disciplinary Emphasis (broad area) from Ecosystem Sciences; Organisms & Environment; Society & Environment
Area of Specialization (narrower field within the Disciplinary Emphasis)
Research Skills
Experiential Breadth
ESPM 201AResearch Approaches in Environmental Science, Policy, and Management3
ESPM 201CEnvironmental Forum1
ESPM 201SEnvironmental Science, Policy, and Management Colloquium1

Courses

Environmental Science, Policy and Management

ESPM C200 Principles of Phylogenetics 4 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2018, Spring 2017, Spring 2016
The core theory and methodology for comparative biology, beginning
with issues in building phylogenetic trees, with emphases on both
morphology and molecules, and both living and fossil organisms. Also
covers the many applications of phylogenetic trees to systematics,
biogeography, speciation, conservation, population genetics, ecology,
behavior, development, functional morphology, and macroevolution
that have revolutionized those fields. Labs are closely integrated with
lectures and cover the major algorithms and computer software used
to implement these approaches. Requirements include participation in
discussions, two exams, and a term project.
Principles of Phylogenetics: Read More [+]

ESPM 201A Research Approaches in Environmental Science, Policy, and Management 3 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2018, Spring 2017, Spring 2016
Research projects and approaches in environmental science, policy, and management. An introduction to the diverse ways environmental problems are researched, comparing the approaches and methods of various disciplines represented among faculty and students. This course is the first of the core course sequence required for all ESPM graduate students.
Research Approaches in Environmental Science, Policy, and Management: Read More [+]

ESPM 201C Environmental Forum 1 Unit

Terms offered: Fall 2017, Fall 2016, Fall 2015
Presentation and analysis of current topics in environmental science, policy, and management. This course is required for all ESPM doctoral students.
Environmental Forum: Read More [+]

ESPM 201S Environmental Science, Policy, and Management Colloquium 1 Unit

Terms offered: Spring 2018, Fall 2017, Spring 2017
Seminars for the presentation and discussion of original work by faculty, visiting scholars, and graduate students. Core course for the ESPM graduate program.
Environmental Science, Policy, and Management Colloquium: Read More [+]

ESPM C204 Research Reviews in Animal Behavior: Behavior Review 1 Unit

Terms offered: Spring 2018, Fall 2017, Spring 2017
This course will provide a rigorous, critical review of current research in animal behavior. Emphases will include hypothesis testing and experimental design, as well as methods of data collection and analysis. Each week, a student in the course will present original research in the form of a seminar presentation, grant proposal, or manuscript. Through discussion with seminar participants, presenters will gain critical feedback regarding their research.
Research Reviews in Animal Behavior: Behavior Review: Read More [+]

ESPM 205 Quantitative Methods for Ecological and Environmental Modeling 3 Units

Terms offered: Prior to 2007
This course will review the background mathematical and statistical tools necessary for students interested in pursuing ecological and environmental modeling. Topics include linear algebra; difference equation, ordinary differential equation, and partial differential equation models; stochastic processes; parameter estimation; and a number of statistical techniques. This course will be recommended as a prerequisite for advanced modeling courses in Integrative Biology, Energy and Resources Group, and Environmental Science, Policy, and Management.
Quantitative Methods for Ecological and Environmental Modeling: Read More [+]

ESPM C205 Quantitative Methods for Ecological and Environmental Modeling 3 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2015, Fall 2013, Fall 2012, Fall 2011, Fall 2009
This course will review the background mathematical and statistical tools necessary for students interested in pursuing ecological and environmental modeling. Topics include linear algebra; difference equation, ordinary differential equation, and partial differential equation models; stochastic processes; parameter estimation; and a number of statistical techniques. This course will be recommended as a prerequisite for advanced modeling courses in Integrative Biology, Energy and Resources Group, and Environmental Science, Policy, and Management.
Quantitative Methods for Ecological and Environmental Modeling: Read More [+]

ESPM 206 Animal Communication 2 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2018, Spring 2017, Spring 2016
The objective of the course is to explore major topics in animal communication. Topics each year will focus on a different sensory modality and range from visual, acoustic, and chemical senses. Due to the interdisciplinary nature of the study of communication, over the course of the semester, we will draw on a variety of disciplines (including cell biology, ecology, evolution, genetics, neurophysiology, and physics) to understand the mechanisms, function, and evolution of communication.
Animal Communication: Read More [+]

ESPM C211 Modeling Ecological and Meteorological Phenomena 3 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2015, Fall 2014, Fall 2013
Modeling methods in ecology and meteorology; stability analysis; effects of anthropogenic stress on natural systems. Offered alternate years.
Modeling Ecological and Meteorological Phenomena: Read More [+]

ESPM 215 Hierarchical Statistical Modeling in Environmental Science 2 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2017, Spring 2016, Spring 2015
Hierarchical statistical models include generalized linear mixed models, generalized additive mixed models, state-space models for time-series data, and random field models for spatial data. Introduction to formulation and analysis of such models with frequentist methods, including maximum likelihood via numerical integration and restricted maximum likelihood, and Bayesian methods, including Markov chain Monte Carlo. Background in relevant probability theory.
Hierarchical Statistical Modeling in Environmental Science: Read More [+]

ESPM C216 Freshwater Ecology 3 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2015, Spring 2014, Spring 2013
This graduate course will combine formal lectures and discussion, with the overall goal of exposing students to general concepts in freshwater ecology. We will discuss a broad range of topics including freshwater environments and biota, natural selection and adaptive evolution, food webs and trophic cascades, cross-ecosystem linkages, and social-ecological resilience of freshwater ecosystems under global change. Upper division undergraduates are welcome, with permission of the instructors.
Freshwater Ecology: Read More [+]

ESPM 217 Political Economy of Climate Change 3 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2017, Fall 2016, Spring 2016
This course examines the comparative and global political economy of climate change, with a focus on the politics of climate change mitigation in the energy sector. Key themes are the choice of policy strategies and policy instruments, industry and climate policy, global institutions and collective action, markets and technological change, and economic and geo-political transformations in response to climate change. The courses combines theoretical readings with in-depth case studies.
Political Economy of Climate Change: Read More [+]

ESPM C220 Stable Isotope Ecology 5 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2016, Spring 2014, Spring 2012
Course focuses on principles and applications of stable isotope chemistry as applied to the broad science of ecology. Lecture topics include principles of isotope behavior and chemistry, and isotope measurements in the context of terrestrial, aquatic, and marine ecological processes and problems. Students participate in a set of laboratory exercises involving preparation of samples of choice for isotopic analyses, the use of the mass spectrometer and optical analysis systems, and the anlaysis of data.
Stable Isotope Ecology: Read More [+]

ESPM 222 Surface and Colloid Chemistry of Natural Particles 3 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2017, Fall 2015, Spring 2011
Structure and coordination chemistry of natural adsorbent particles in aqueous systems; solute adsorption mechanisms and theoretical models; interparticle forces and colloidal phenomena; applications to biogeochemistry and contaminant hydrology.
Surface and Colloid Chemistry of Natural Particles: Read More [+]

ESPM C225 Isotopics 2 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2016, Fall 2015, Fall 2014
This seminar will explore current topics that employ the use of stable isotopes. Discussion topics include the areas of biology, paleontology, biogeochemistry, soil science, and atmospheric science. Students will be required to lead at least one discussion of relevant literature in the topic area.
Isotopics: Read More [+]

ESPM 226 Interdisciplinary Food and Agriculture Studies 3 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2018, Fall 2015, Spring 2014
A graduate seminar exploring the ecological, social, and economic risks inherent in different forms of agriculture, from highly diversified, agroecological farming systems to industrialized agriculture. We will examine how different farm management techniques, government policies, supply chains, R&D, technology, and science may influence various risks and uncertainties, including climate change, agrobiodiversity, farmer livelihoods, food safety, public health, and nutrition.
Interdisciplinary Food and Agriculture Studies: Read More [+]

ESPM 227 Science Communication 2 Units

Terms offered: Prior to 2007
Effective communication is an important skill that all scientists should master. There are many different forms of communication, and these require different approaches and techniques. The goal of this course is to provide students with the skills to communicate scientific findings to a wide range of audiences. We will discuss approaches to communicating our findings and those of others to other scientists, the public, and the media. We will then prepare and practice communicating through papers, proposals, presentations, sound bites, and podcasts. Exercises and assignments are designed to give students hands on experience developing their own stories and packaging them to selected audiences.
Science Communication: Read More [+]

ESPM 228 Advanced Topics in Biometeorology and Micrometeorology 2 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2016, Spring 2015, Spring 2014
Measurement and modeling of trace gases and energy between the terrestrial biosphere and atmosphere. Micrometeorological flux measurement methods, including eddy covariance, profile, and eddy accumulation methods. A hierarchy of biophysical models are discussed for interpreting flux measurements. Information and theory on big-leaf, two-layer, and multi-layer models that couple energy, water, and carbon to predict trace gas fluxes are presented. How models integrate information from leaf to canopy to landscape scales is discussed.
Advanced Topics in Biometeorology and Micrometeorology: Read More [+]

ESPM 230 Sociology of Agriculture 4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2015, Fall 2014
This graduate seminar explores the sociology of agriculture and food systems, addressing key theories and topics in the field. We begin with the antecedents of the sociology of agriculture, including foundation classical agrarian theories and an overview of the field, followed by topics ranging from pesticide drift to agricultural labor injustice to food sovereignty movements and more. This course is most appropriate for students with some background in agri-food and social systems.
Sociology of Agriculture: Read More [+]

ESPM C234 Green Chemistry: An Interdisciplonary Approach to Sustainability 3 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2016, Spring 2015, Spring 2014, Spring 2013
Meeting the challenge of global sustainability will require interdisciplinary approaches to research and education, as well as the integration of this new knowledge into society, policymaking, and business. Green Chemistry is an intellectual framework created to meet these challenges and guide technological development. It encourages the design and production of safer and more sustainable chemicals and products.
Green Chemistry: An Interdisciplonary Approach to Sustainability: Read More [+]

ESPM 244 Spatial Ecology 3 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2017, Spring 2016
Spatial heterogeneity is a key feature of many ecological patterns and processes. This course will explore how spatial data and analysis can answer fundamental questions in ecology, evolution, and conservation through discussions of recent research and workshops on performing spatial analysis in R. Topics to be covered include spatial autocorrelation, habitat fragmentation, population dynamics, conservation and landscape genetics, simulation methods, niche modeling, and spatial statistics.

Spatial Ecology: Read More [+]

ESPM 248 Special Topics and Advanced Seminars in Entomology 0.0 Units

Terms offered: Prior to 2007

Special Topics and Advanced Seminars in Entomology: Read More [+]

ESPM 249 Bioethics, Law, and the Life Sciences 3 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2013
Developments in biotechnology and the life sciences are unsettling legal and policy approaches to intellectual property, reproduction, health care, medical research, and the criminal justice system. Through reading primary materials and relevant secondary sources, this course investigates ethical, legal, and policy problems associated with these developments, and explores possible solutions.
Bioethics, Law, and the Life Sciences: Read More [+]

ESPM 250 Environmental History 4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2003, Fall 2001, Fall 1999
A critical survey of classical and recent literature in the field of environmental history, philosophy, and ethics, with special emphasis on the American environment. Topics will include environmental historiography, theories of environmental history, and the relationships between environmental history, philosophy, ethics, ecology, and policy.
Environmental History: Read More [+]

ESPM 251 International Conservation and Development Policy 3 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2013, Spring 2012, Spring 2011
Changes in Third World rural economy, ecology, and environment and ways in which these are affected by development policies. Historical dimensions of Third World environmental problems. Changing patterns of rural production (especially food) and resource use; alternative theories of natural resource and socioeconomic development; linkages between socioeconomy and environment in agrarian change and development policy; technology and resource control; conservation and development problems.
International Conservation and Development Policy: Read More [+]

ESPM C252 Topics in Science and Technology Studies 3 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2017, Fall 2016, Fall 2015, Fall 2014, Fall 2013
This course provides a strong foundation for graduate work in STS, a multidisciplinary field with a signature capacity to rethink the relationship among science, technology, and political and social life. From climate change to population genomics, access to medicines and the impact of new media, the problems of our time are simultaneously scientific and social, technological and political, ethical and economic.
Topics in Science and Technology Studies: Read More [+]

ESPM 253 Advanced Readings in Political Ecology 4 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2017, Fall 2015, Fall 2013
Critique and comparison of literature in political ecology--an approach to sociological analysis of environmental change focusing on environmental conflict. Initial sessions address the definition of political ecology, its origins, and the politics and discourses of natural resource management. Literature includes domestic and international research involving the combination of social and environmental history, local perspectives, and political economy to discuss accounts of social and environmental change.
Advanced Readings in Political Ecology: Read More [+]

ESPM C254 Ethnic and Cultural Diversity in Health Status 4 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2018, Spring 2017, Spring 2016, Spring 2015, Spring 2013
Focus on ethnic and cultural diversity in health behavior as a basis for public health programs. Consideration of U.S. ethnic minority groups and cultural groups in non-Western societies. Health status and behavior examined in context of relevant social and anthropological theory (social class, acculturation, political economy). Influence of socio-cultural background on concepts of health, illness, and health-seeking behavior. Implications for planning public health programs and policies.
Ethnic and Cultural Diversity in Health Status: Read More [+]

ESPM C255 Seminar in Sociology of Forest and Wildland Resources 3 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2014, Spring 2014, Fall 2013, Fall 2012
Individual projects and group discussions concerning social constraints to, and effects of, natural resource planning and management. Application of sociological theories to problems of managing wildland ecosystems. Students will examine topics of individual interest related to the management of wildland uses. Enrollment limited.
Seminar in Sociology of Forest and Wildland Resources: Read More [+]

ESPM 256 Science, Technology, and the Politics of Nature 3 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2011, Spring 2011, Spring 2009
This course will introduce the methods and theories of Science and Technology Studies (STS) in order to explore the relationships among science, technology, law, and politics in the domains of environment and health. The course will focus some attention on the tension between technocracy and democracy in science policy, and on the role of biotechnology in reshaping the natural and political order. The course will equip graduate students in the social sciences, law, life sciences, and public policy with theoretical and practical tools for analyzing complex problems at the science, technology, and society interface.
Science, Technology, and the Politics of Nature: Read More [+]

ESPM 258 Race, Science, and Resource Policy 3 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2017, Fall 2015, Fall 2014
This course addresses explantation and strategy in natural resource policy with an emphasis on whether, why, and how (a) 'race' distributes access to and control of environmental resources, (b) 'science' creates and arrays perceptions, organization and control of these resources, and (c) public policy shapes racial disparities in natural resource opportunities. Topics are drawn primarily from issues in metropolitan, agricultural, and public resource systems.
Race, Science, and Resource Policy: Read More [+]

ESPM 259 Transnational Environmental Politics and Movements 3 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2018, Spring 2017, Spring 2014
Contemporary issues in international environmental politics; impacts of globalization on the environment; comparative transnational environmental movements. Study of current and historical texts. Case studies drawn from around the world with a focus on methods and research techniques.
Transnational Environmental Politics and Movements: Read More [+]

ESPM 260 Governance of Global Production 3 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2018, Spring 2016, Spring 2015
This course explores critical policy and theoretical questions in the governance of global production. Current trends in the restructuring of industrial production; distributions of environmental, labor, and social impacts from this production; and new strategies for democratic governance are analyzed, including corporate self-regulation, monitoring, certification and labeling, fair trade programs, legal strategies, and international accords and agreements.
Governance of Global Production: Read More [+]

ESPM 261 Sustainability and Society 3 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2017, Fall 2016, Spring 2013
Science-based technologies that are central to the search for sustainability in contemporary societies and their environmental impacts. Theoretical approaches to investigating how science, technology, and environment intersect. How societies move closer to sustainable technological systems. Redesign of existing technologies and the introduction of new technologies. How adverse impacts can be prevented through policy. Case studies of contemporary developments.
Sustainability and Society: Read More [+]

ESPM 262 Race, Identity, and the Environment 3 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2018, Spring 2016, Spring 2015
Advanced readings on environment and race. Shifting meanings of "race" and its application and usefulness in theorizing human-environment relationships. Foundations of environmental ideas and attitudes towards the natural environment and their connections to contemporary environmental practices. Construction of environmental narratives and images in defining ideas of racial and place identity. How representations of the natural environment are structurally and culturally racialized within environmental institutions and the media. Post-race possibilities.
Race, Identity, and the Environment: Read More [+]

ESPM 263 Indigenous, Feminist, and Postcolonial Approaches to Science, Technology, and Environment 4 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2013, Spring 2012, Spring 2011
This seminar presents material from indigenous studies; feminist and postcolonial science and technology studies (STS), including animal studies; political ecology; and other fields. It engages non-dominant knowledges while interrogating the role of key technoscientific concepts (modernity, objectivity, universality) in colonizations of both humans and nonhumans. This course highlights the role of critical methods in shifting power relations in research, including students' own research.
Indigenous, Feminist, and Postcolonial Approaches to Science, Technology, and Environment: Read More [+]

ESPM 264 Silviculture Seminar 1 Unit

Terms offered: Fall 2016, Fall 2010, Fall 2008
A seminar covering various aspects of silviculture and related issues.
Silviculture Seminar: Read More [+]

ESPM 265 Seminar on Fire as an Ecological Factor 2 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2017, Fall 2016, Fall 2015
Effect of fire on ecology of forest and rangeland.
Seminar on Fire as an Ecological Factor: Read More [+]

ESPM 268 Seminar in Range Ecology 2 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2018, Fall 2017, Spring 2017
A seminar course dealing with selected topics in ecology of rangelands.
Seminar in Range Ecology: Read More [+]

ESPM 271 Advanced Remote Sensing of Natural Resources 3 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2014, Fall 2013, Spring 2013
Advanced photographic systems. Nonphotographic systems including multispectral scanner, imaging spectrometry, thermal, and RADAR. The use of ditigal image processing, geographic information systems (GIS,) and accuracy assessment. A look into linking remote sensing with GIS and integrated analysis of multisource spatial data. Laboratories and application projects are to be arranged.
Advanced Remote Sensing of Natural Resources: Read More [+]

ESPM C273 Science and Technology Studies Research Seminar 3 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2018, Fall 2017, Spring 2017, Spring 2016, Spring 2015, Fall 2013
This course will cover methods and approaches for students considering professionalizing in the field of STS, including a chance for students to workshop written work.
Science and Technology Studies Research Seminar: Read More [+]

ESPM 276 Advanced Silviculture 2 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2018, Spring 2017, Spring 2016
Advanced topics related to the dynamics and management of forest stands such as competition effects, mixed-species interactions, mutiaged stand silviculture, pruning, thinning regimes, management for old growth features, wood quality effects, and others. Field trips may be included.
Advanced Silviculture: Read More [+]

ESPM 277 Advanced Topics in Conservation Biology 3 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2017, Fall 2016, Spring 2014
A graduate level seminar covering advanced topics in conservation of biodiversity, focused on designing protected area networks. We will first lay the groundwork for the course by exploring the fundamental papers in ecology and conservation biology that led to systematic conservation planning. Then, we will study various issues at the current frontiers of the discipline, such as incorporating threats, costs, evolutionary processes, and ecosystem services into reserve network design. The class will encourage student engagement through discussions, group projects, peer instruction and peer review of essays.
Advanced Topics in Conservation Biology: Read More [+]

ESPM 278 Range Assessment 3 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2011, Spring 2008, Spring 2007
Rangeland vegetation sampling techniques with emphasis on comparing the relative efficiency of different techniques of vegetation measurement. Includes weekly lab exercises on artificial sampling boards and/or in the field. Juniors and seniors are encouraged.
Range Assessment: Read More [+]

ESPM 279 Seminar on Pastoralism 3 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2016, Spring 2015, Spring 2014
A survey of pastoral animal management and production systems, as they influence and are influenced by the rangeland environment. Review of the evolution of animal management practices; contemporary management systems in California,the West, and worldwide; and production systems with both traditional and nontraditional goals. Examination of agroforestry and nomadic and transhumant grazing systems, sheep and cattle production, game ranching, and organic meat production will be included.
Seminar on Pastoralism: Read More [+]

ESPM 280 Seminar in Range Ecosystem Planning and Policy 3 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2016, Spring 2016, Spring 2010
A seminar course dealing with selected current topics in range ecosystem planning and policy.
Seminar in Range Ecosystem Planning and Policy: Read More [+]

ESPM 281 Seminar in Wildlife Biology and Management 2 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2018, Fall 2017, Fall 2016
Reading, conference, and discussion. Reports and discussion of recent studies in wildlife biology and management. Open to qualified graduate students from other departments.
Seminar in Wildlife Biology and Management: Read More [+]

ESPM C282 Health Implications of Climate Change 3 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2018, Spring 2017, Spring 2016, Spring 2015
The course will provide a basic foundation in the physical mechanisms of, responses to, and health implications of climate change. We will explore the variety of epidemiologic, risk assessment, and statistical methods used to understand the impacts of climate change on health across diverse demographic groups. The public health implications, positive and negative, of efforts to mitigate and adapt to climate change will be elaborated, including discussions of ethical, political, and economic aspects of these efforts. Students will be responsible for leading class discussions and presenting a poster on their choice of a topic related to climate change and health.
Health Implications of Climate Change: Read More [+]

ESPM 284 Demographic Methods for Population Viability Analysis 3 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2009, Fall 2007, Fall 2002
Application of demographic methods to the management of plant and animal populations. Conservation problems faced by small populations of threatened or exploited species will be emphasized. Implications for life-history theory will also be discussed. Demographic analyses include (1) an understanding of life cycle diagrams, projection matrices, and age- and stage-based approaches; (2) calculation of population growth rate and sensitivity of demographic parameters to perturbation; and (3) advanced tehcniques of stochastic simulation modeling, spatial analyses, and population viability analyses will be learned.
Demographic Methods for Population Viability Analysis: Read More [+]

ESPM 288 Reproducible and Collaborative Data Science 3 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2018
Introduction to principles and tools for reproducible and collaborative data science, including data curation and cleaning, version control, virtual machines, scripted work flow, hypothesis-driven exploratory data analysis, data visualization, and communication. Students will be introduced to git, Python,R, and LaTeX. The class will navigate a series of problem-driven analyses, focused on case studies and independent projects, leading to reproducible products that allow updated analyses as new data become available. Projects by first year trainees will be presented at the Annual Symposium.

Reproducible and Collaborative Data Science: Read More [+]

ESPM 290 Special Topics in Environmental Science, Policy, and Management 1 - 4 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2018, Fall 2017, Spring 2017
Study and critical analysis of topics, research, and texts pertinent to environmental science, policy, and management. Different topics will be available each semester reflecting faculty and student interest.
Special Topics in Environmental Science, Policy, and Management: Read More [+]

ESPM 296 Individual Study 1 - 7 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2018, Fall 2017, Spring 2017
Individual study in consultation with a member of the faculty directed to analysis and synthesis of the literature of a specialized subject area in forestry and resource management.
Individual Study: Read More [+]

ESPM 298 Directed Group Study 1 - 6 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2018, Fall 2017, Spring 2017
Advanced study of research topics which vary each semester.
Directed Group Study: Read More [+]

ESPM 299 Individual Research 1 - 12 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2018, Fall 2017, Summer 2017
Individual research under the supervision of a faculty member.
Individual Research: Read More [+]

ESPM N299 Individual Research 1 - 8 Units

Terms offered: Summer 2013 10 Week Session, Summer 2012 10 Week Session, Summer 2009 10 Week Session
Individual research under the supervision of a faculty member.
Individual Research: Read More [+]

ESPM 300 Supervised Teaching in Environmental Science, Policy, and Management 1 - 6 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2018, Fall 2017, Spring 2017
Teaching methods at the University level; course content; problem set review and development; guidance of laboratory experiments; course development and evaluation; supervised practice teaching.
Supervised Teaching in Environmental Science, Policy, and Management: Read More [+]

ESPM C302 Effective Scientific Communication 3 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2009, Fall 2007
This course will introduce methods of organizing and delivering oral presentations, initating and organizing manuscripts, and utilizing digital communication methods, such as web-based media. Students will develop effective communication techniques through in-class experience. This class will have an emphasis on the sciences but will be useful and open to graduate students of all disciplines.
Effective Scientific Communication: Read More [+]

ESPM 375 Professional Preparation: Teaching in Environmental Science, Policy, and Management 2 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2017, Fall 2015, Fall 2014
The course will consist of readings and discussions led by instructors, graduate students, and guest speakers covering topics on developing teaching skills relevant to an interdisciplinary environmental science program. Students will present brief lectures that will be taped and evaluated and will learn skills for evaluating success in conveying complex ideas to their own students.
Professional Preparation: Teaching in Environmental Science, Policy, and Management: Read More [+]

ESPM 400 Professional Training in Research 1 - 6 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2018, Spring 2017, Spring 2016
Training for students in planning and performing research under the supervision of a faculty member. This course is intended to provide credit for experience obtained.
Professional Training in Research: Read More [+]

ESPM 601 Individual Study for Master's Students 1 - 8 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2018, Spring 2017, Spring 2016
Individual study for the comprehensive examination in consultation with the field adviser.
Individual Study for Master's Students: Read More [+]

ESPM 602 Individual Study for Doctoral Students 1 - 8 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2018, Spring 2017, Spring 2016
Individual study in consultation with the major field adviser, intended to provide an opportunity for qualified students to prepare themselves for the various examinations required of candidates for the Ph.D.
Individual Study for Doctoral Students: Read More [+]

Faculty and Instructors

+ Indicates this faculty member is the recipient of the Distinguished Teaching Award.

Faculty

Rodrigo P. P. Almeida, Associate Professor. Disease ecology, vector, plant disease, Xylella fastidiosa, emerging.
Research Profile

Miguel A. Altieri, Professor. Agriculture, environmental science, pest management.
Research Profile

Ronald Amundson, Professor. Pedology isotope biogeochemistry, impact of climate and life on earth processes, soils in biogeochemical cycles, human impacts on soils and ecosystems.
Research Profile

Gary Anderson, Adjunct Professor. Microbial ecology, genomics, diversity in extreme environments.

Dennis D. Baldocchi, Professor. Biometeorology, biosphere-atmosphere trace gas fluxes, ecosystem ecology, climate change.
Research Profile

Jillian Banfield, Professor. Nanoscience, Bioremediation, genomics, biogeochemistry, carbon cycling, geomicrobiology, MARS, minerology.
Research Profile

John J. Battles, Professor. Forest Ecology and Ecosystem Dynamics.
Research Profile

Steven R. Beissinger, Professor. Conservation, behavioral and population ecology.
Research Profile

Gregory Biging, Professor. Forest Biometrics and Remote Sensing.
Research Profile

Carl Boettiger, Assistant Professor. Theoretical ecology, ecoinformatics, modeling, data science, resilience, early warning signals, decision theory.
Research Profile

Justin S. Brashares, Associate Professor. Wildlife, biodiversity, ecology, conservation, human livelihoods.
Research Profile

Eoin Brodie, Assistant Adjunct Professor.
Research Profile

Thomas D. Bruns, Professor. Microbial biology, plant biology, fungi, nucleic acid sequences, basidomycetes, ectomycorrhizal fungi communities.
Research Profile

Stephanie M. Carlson, Associate Professor. Fish ecology, freshwater ecology, evolutionary ecology.
Research Profile

Claudia J. Carr, Associate Professor. International and rural resource development.
Research Profile

Ignacio Chapela, Associate Professor. Agriculture, biotechnology, environmental science, microbial biology, policy and management.
Research Profile

Todd Dawson, Professor. Physiological plant ecology, evolutionary plant ecology, ecosystem processes, adaptations of plants, carbon, water, nitrogen.
Research Profile

Kathryn De Master, Assistant Professor. Sociology and political ecology of agriculture, agrarian change, rural conservation and development, agri-environmental policy, food justice/sovereignty movements, heritage and terroir, diversified farming systems, participatory mapping.
Research Profile

Perry De Valpine, Associate Professor. Population ecology, mathematical modeling and statistics.
Research Profile

Richard S. Dodd, Professor. Tree genetics and systematics.
Research Profile

Damian O. Elias, Assistant Professor. Neuroethology, behavioral ecology, and evolutionary biology of arthropods.
Research Profile

Mary K. Firestone, Professor. Soils, environmental policy, environmental science, policy & management, wildlife, miicrobial biology.
Research Profile

Brian L. Fisher, Associate Adjunct Professor. Entomology, Ants.
Research Profile

Gordon Frankie, Professor. Urban entomology, policy, environmental policy, environmental science, pest management, management.
Research Profile

Inez Fung, Professor. Global change, environmental policy, ecosystem scienes.
Research Profile

Matteo Garbelotto, Adjunct Professor. Forest pathology, forest mycology, forest and tree management.
Research Profile

Wayne Marcus Getz, Professor. Africa, disease ecology, wildlife conservation, resource management.
Research Profile

Rosemary Gillespie, Professor. Evolutionary ecology, systematics, spider biology, conservation.
Research Profile

+ J. Gilless, Professor. Environmental policy, resource economics, forestry, forest economics, wildland fire.
Research Profile

Allen Goldstein, Professor. Global change, air pollution, environmental science, biogeochemistry, atmospheric chemistry.
Research Profile

Charles Griswold, Adjunct Professor. Entomology.

John Harte, Professor. Global change, ecology, sustainability, energy policy, theoretical ecology, biodiversityl.
Research Profile

Susan Hubbard, Adjunct Professor.

Lynn Huntsinger, Professor. Rangeland conservation and management.
Research Profile

Alastair Iles, Associate Professor. Science, technology and environment; green chemistry; sustainability learning; environmental policy.

David Kavanaugh, Adjunct Professor. Systematics, biogeography, evolution, and natural history of carabid beetles.
Research Profile

Maggi Kelly, Professor in Residence. Remote sensing, wetlands, ecosystem sciences, forests, geoinformatics, participatory web, GIS.
Research Profile

Siamak Khorram, Adjunct Professor. Remote sensing, image processing.

Claire Kremen, Professor. Conservation Biology, Pollination, Agroecology, Entomology.

Isao Kubo, Professor. Agriculture, insect biology, pest management.
Research Profile

Laura N. Lammers, Assistant Professor. Environmental geochemistry, crystal growth, mineral-fluid and fluid-fluid interfacial processes, contaminant transport.

Jonas Meckling, Assistant Professor. Climate policy, energy policy, political economy.
Research Profile

Carolyn Merchant, Professor. Environmental history, philosophy and ethics.
Research Profile

Adina Merenlender, Adjunct Professor. Conservation biology.
Research Profile

Nicholas J. Mills, Professor. Invasive species, Biological control, Population ecology, Entomology/Insect biology.
Research Profile

Katharine Milton, Professor. Tropical ecology of humans and non-human primates diet parasite-host interactions.
Research Profile

Rachel Morello-Frosch, Professor. Race and class determinants of the distribution of health risks associated with air pollution among diverse communities in the United States.

Patrick M. O'Grady, Assistant Professor. Population genetics and phylogenetics of Drosophila, adaptive radiation, biogeography.
Research Profile

Kevin O'Hara, Professor. Stand dynamics silviculture forest management.
Research Profile

Kate O'Neill, Associate Professor. International environmental politics/ global political economy.
Research Profile

Dara O'Rourke, Associate Professor. Environmental justice, globalization, industrial ecology, labor.
Research Profile

George Oster, Professor. Computational biology, developmental biology, mathematical modeling of molecular and cellular systems, protein motors, cell motility, spatial pattern formation in eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells, neural pattern formation.
Research Profile

Celine Pallud, Associate Professor. Biogeochemistry, iron reduction, metals and contaminants, soil aggregates, selenium kinetics of organic matter degradation, nitrate reduction, soil and environmental biogeophysics, biogeochemical cycles, fate and transport of nutrients, sulfate reduction, wetland soils, littoral sediments, spatial variation in biogeochemical processes.
Research Profile

Nancy L. Peluso, Professor. Political ecology/resource policy and politics/forests/agrarian change/property and access.
Research Profile

Matthew D. Potts, Associate Professor. Forest management, biofuels, plantation agriculture, land use planning, land use policy, biodiversity conservation, ecosystem services, tropical ecology, environmental economics.
Research Profile

Robert Rhew, Associate Professor. Geography, terrestrial-atmosphere exchange of trace gases, atmospheric chemistry and composition, halogen biogeochemistry, stratospheric ozone depletion issues, coastal salt marsh, chaparral, desert, tundra, boreal forest, grassland.
Research Profile

George Roderick, Professor. Invasion biology, Biodiversity science, Sustainability and global change, Insects.
Research Profile

Erica B. Rosenblum, Assistant Professor. Evolutionary ecology, speciation and extinction, ecological genomics, herpetology, global change biology.
Research Profile

Whendee SIlver, Professor. Ecosystem ecology, biogeochemistry.
Research Profile

Scott L. Stephens, Professor. Wildland fire science, fire ecology, forest ecology, forest policy, forest management.
Research Profile

Mark A. Tanouye, Professor. Genetics, neuroanatomy, electrophysiology, mechanisms of nervous system structure and function, drosophila mutants.
Research Profile

Neil Tsutsui, Professor. Genetics and behavior of social insects.
Research Profile

Ian Wang, Assistant Professor. Landscape genetics, landscape ecology, ecological and conservation genomics.

Kipling Will, Associate Professor. Carabid beetles/ Insect Systematics/ Associate Director,Essig Museum of Entomology.
Research Profile

David E. Winickoff, Associate Professor. Biotechnology, bioethics, environmental regulation, Science and Technology studies, geoengineering, technology transfer.
Research Profile

Robert York, Adjunct Assistant Professor. Forest Ecology, Silviculture, Giant Sequoia restoration and ecology.
Research Profile

Specialists

Van Butsic, Assistant Specialist. Land systems science, conservation, environmental economics and policy, coupled human natural systems, GIS applications.
Research Profile

Kent M. Daane, Specialist. Control of insect pests in agricultural crops.

Christy M. Getz, Associate Specialist. Ethics, history, politics, rural development.

Ted Grantham, Assistant Specialist. Freshwater ecology, stream hydrology, climate risk assessment, California water management and policy.

Vernard Lewis, Specialist. Biology and management of structural and household pests.
Research Profile

Max A. Moritz, Associate Specialist. Fire Ecology and Management.
Research Profile

Thomas A. Scott, Specialist. Wildlife conservation, human impacts on wildlife, wildlife/urban interface.

Jennifer Sowerwine, Assistant Cooperative Extension Specialist. Building equitable, economically viable and culturally relevant food systems in metropolitan areas that contribute to healthy communities, ecological diversity and sustainable livelihoods.

Richard B. Standiford, Cooperative Extension Specialist. Forest management.

William Stewart, Specialist. Watershed management, forest management, resource economics.

William D. Tietje, Specialist. Oak woodland ecology, human impacts on wildlife.

Lecturers

Kendra Klein, Lecturer.

Alan H. Krakauer, Lecturer.

Patina Mendez, Lecturer.

Kurt Spreyer, Lecturer.

Bridget M. Tracy, Lecturer.

Visiting Faculty

Daphne Miller, Visiting Associate Professor.

Emeritus Faculty

Barbara Allen-Diaz, Professor Emeritus. Rangeland ecology and management, Plant community ecology.
Research Profile

Reginald Barrett, Professor Emeritus. Wildlife biology and management.
Research Profile

Frank Beall, Professor Emeritus.

+ Howell V. Daly, Professor Emeritus. Biosystematics of bees; traditional and modern taxonomic procedures, including use of computers in classification and data analysis and management.

Harvey Doner, Professor Emeritus. Chemistry of trace elements in soils, mineral-organic compound interactions, and chemistry of carbonates and more soluble minerals in soils.

Paul L. Gersper, Professor Emeritus. Soil/plant relationships, land use.
Research Profile

Peng Gong, Professor Emeritus. Remote Sensing and GIS.
Research Profile

Andrew Gutierrez, Professor Emeritus. Systems ecology biological control.
Research Profile

Richard R. Harris, Specialist Emeritus. Forestry, resource management, riparian ecology.

John A. Helms, Professor Emeritus.

+ Joe R. McBride, Professor Emeritus. Forest ecology and urban forestry.
Research Profile

John G. McColl, Professor Emeritus. Soil science: nutrient cycling, forest soils.
Research Profile

Doug McCreary, Specialist Emeritus. Artificial regeneration of native California oaks.

Dale McCullough, Professor Emeritus. Wildlife biology and management.
Research Profile

William Mckillop, Professor Emeritus. Forest economics, forest management, forest policy, timber supply, forestry economics.
Research Profile

Gary Nakamura, Specialist Emeritus. Forestry and silviculture.

Alexander H. Purcell III, Professor Emeritus. Insect vectors of plant pathogens.

Robert D. Raabe, Professor Emeritus. Ornamental pathology.

Milton Schroth, Professor Emeritus. Ecology, pathogen physiology, biocontrol.

Philip Spieth, Professor Emeritus. Population Genetics and Evolution.

Robert Van Steenwyk, Professor Emeritus. Pest management, forestry, microbial biology.
Research Profile

Stephen C. Welter, Professor Emeritus. Plant-insect interactions and agricultural entomology.

Contact Information

Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management

130 Mulford Hall

Phone: 510-643-7430

Visit Department Website

Department Chair

George Roderick, PhD

145 Mulford Hall

Phone: 510-643-3326

Fax: 510.643.5438

roderick@berkeley.edu

Chief Administrative Officer

Carolyn J. Chee, PhD

143 Mulford Hall

Phone: 510.642.2987

cjchee@berkeley.edu

Head Graduate Adviser

Matthew D. Potts

203A Mulford Hall

Phone: 510-642-5580

mdpotts@berkeley.edu

Graduate Student Affairs Officer

Roxanne Heglar

133 Mulford Hall

Phone: 510-642-6410

rheglar@berkeley.edu

Graduate Student Affairs Officer

Bianca Victorica

131 Mulford Hall

Phone: 510-642-1546

biancav@berkeley.edu

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