The Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science

Total Course Requirements for the Bachelor's Degree: 120 units

See Bachelor's Degree Requirements in the University Catalog for complete details on general degree requirements. A minimum of 40 units, including those required for the major, must be upper division.

A suggested Major Academic Plan (MAP) has been prepared to help students meet all graduation requirements within four years. You can view MAPs on the Degree MAPs page in the University Catalog or you can request a plan from your major advisor.

General Education Pathway Requirements: 48 units

See General Education in the University Catalog and the Class Schedule for the most current information on General Education Pathway Requirements and course offerings.

This major has approved GE modification(s). See below for information on how to apply these modification(s).

• GEOS 300 is an approved major course substitution for Upper Division Natural Sciences.
• GEOS 300 is also an approved GE Writing Intensive substitution.
• BIOL 350 is an approved GE Writing Intensive substitution.

Diversity Course Requirements: 6 units

See Diversity Requirements in the University Catalog. Most courses taken to satisfy these requirements may also apply to General Education .

Literacy Requirement:

See Mathematics and Writing Requirements in the University Catalog. Writing proficiency in the major is a graduation requirement and may be demonstrated through satisfactory completion of a course in your major which has been designated as the Writing Proficiency (WP) course for the semester in which you take the course. Students who earn below a C- are required to repeat the course and earn a C- or higher to receive WP credit. See the Class Schedule for the designated WP courses for each semester. You must complete the GE Written Communication (A2) requirement before you may register for a WP course.

Course Requirements for the Major: 69-75 units

Completion of the following courses, or their approved transfer equivalents, is required of all candidates for this degree.

Major Core Program: 43 units

Lower-Division Requirements: 30 units

8 courses required:

SUBJ NUM	Title	Sustainable	Units	Semester Offered	Course Flags
BIOL 152	Principles of Ecological, Evolutionary, and Organismal Biology		4.0	FS	GE
Prerequisites: BIOL 151 or faculty permission; recommend CHEM 112 or concurrent enrollment. Introduction to evolutionary history and biological diversity, microbes and protists, invertebrates, vertebrates, and plants. Form and function of plants and animals. Ecological principles. 3 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory. This is an approved General Education course. (001123)
CHEM 111	General Chemistry		4.0	FS	GE
Prerequisites: Completion of ELM requirement; second-year high school algebra; one year high school chemistry. (One year of high school physics and one year of high school mathematics past Algebra II are recommended.) Principles of chemistry for students in science and engineering programs. Topics include atoms, molecules and ions, reactions, stoichiometry, the periodic table, bonding, chemical energy, gases, and solution chemistry. The laboratory sequence supports the above topics including both qualitative and quantitative experiments, analysis of data, and error propagation. 3 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory. This is an approved General Education course. (001816)
CHEM 112	General Chemistry		4.0	FS
Prerequisites: CHEM 111 with a grade of C- or better. A continuation of CHEM 111. Topics include kinetics, equilibrium, acid-base chemistry, electrochemistry, chemical thermodynamics, coordination chemistry, and nuclear chemistry. The laboratory sequence supports the above topics including both qualitative and quantitative experiments, analysis of data, and error propagation. 3 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory. (001817)
GEOS 102	Physical Geology		3.0	FS	GE
Prerequisites: High school chemistry or physics is recommended; students with no previous science courses are advised to enroll in GEOS 101. No college credit for those who have passed GEOS 101. Physical and chemical processes in the earth, including origin and identification of rocks and minerals; earth's interior; movements and major features of the earth's crust; erosion and sedimentation; geological structures; topographic maps; mineral resources. 2 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory. This is an approved General Education course. (004069)
GEOS 165	Environment I: Principles and Practices		1.0	FA
Prerequisites: High school biology, chemistry or physics recommended; or faculty permission. An introduction to environmental science as an integrative field of study and its parent disciplines. Field and laboratory techniques are introduced through examination of case studies. Students learn about the various professions engaged in environmental and resource management. 1 hour lecture. (020687)
GEOS 170	Environment II: Weather		3.0	SP
A descriptive study of weather processes; winds, circulations and storms; and weather impacts on life, property, crops, water availability, and air quality. Current weather briefings and California weather topics are emphasized. 3 hours lecture. (004130)
GEOS 250	Computer Applications in Geosciences		1.0	FS
Prerequisites: MATH 109 or MATH 120 (may be taken concurrently) or faculty permission. Develop skills in applying common computer software, including data analysis, presentation, graphics, and others. Use of this software as applied to selected problems in environmental sciences and geosciences. 2 hours activity. (004133)
GEOS 265	Environment III: Water and Soils		2.0	FA
Prerequisites: GEOS 170 or SCED 343. In-depth survey of the hydrologic cycle, and soil systems. Interactions between these systems are examined through case studies. 1 hour lecture, 2 hours activity. (020723)

2 courses selected from:

AND (Both the above and following course must be taken)

Or two of the following three courses may be substituted for PHYS 202A and PHYS 202B.

Students who are considering attending graduate school should consult with an advisor before selecting lower-division core courses. We recommend PHYS 204A, PHYS 204B, and PHYS 204C.

Upper-Division Requirements: 13 units

5 courses required:

SUBJ NUM	Title	Sustainable	Units	Semester Offered	Course Flags
BIOL 350	Fundamentals of Ecology		3.0	FS	GW
Prerequisites: Completion of GE Written Communication (A2) requirement; BIOL 152 or faculty permission. Some taxonomic background is recommended. Interrelationships among living organisms, field observations of such phenomena. Application of quantitative and qualitative methods to the interpretation of ecological phenomena. 2 hours discussion, 3 hours laboratory. This is an approved Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement course; a grade of C- or higher certifies writing proficiency for majors. (001206)
GEOS 300	Earth Science		3.0	FA	GW
Prerequisites: Completion of GE Written Communication (A2) requirement; CHEM 107 or CHEM 111; PHYS 202A or PHYS 204A or PHYS 341. An intermediate treatment of astronomy, meteorology, and oceanography, with emphasis on climate change and its impacts. 3 hours discussion. This is an approved Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement course; a grade of C- or higher certifies writing proficiency for majors. (004137)
GEOS 365	Environment IV: Environmental Science Applications		2.0	SP
Prerequisite: GEOS 265 or faculty permission. Intermediate treatment of selected topics in environmental sciences. Students build on concepts and skills learned in Environment I-III courses. Local research projects and case studies are considered. 1 hour lecture, 2 hours activity. (020689)
GEOS 440	Fundamentals in Environmental Science Instrumentation		3.0	FA
Prerequisites: GEOS 250; PHYS 202B or PHYS 204B or PHYS 204C. This course provides hands-on experience in the design, construction and use of automated data acquisition systems in the environmental and hydrogeological sciences. Primary emphasis is on the use of a laboratory workshop for actual building of systems commonly used in monitoring and characterization of air, water and land resources. 2 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory. (020639)
GEOS 575	Senior Project		2.0	SP
Prerequisites: Senior standing in Hydrology or Environmental Science Options. Independent application of current standard field and laboratory methods to environmental analysis. Analysis and presentation of an individual environmental project. 1 hour discussion, 3 hours laboratory. (004169)

Major Option Course Requirements: 26-32 units

The following courses, or their approved transfer equivalents, are required dependent upon the option chosen. Students must select one of the following options for completion of the major course requirements.  Use the links below to jump to your chosen option.

• The Option in Applied Ecology
• The Option in Atmosphere and Climate
• The Option in Energy and Earth Resources
• The Option in Hydrology

The Option in Applied Ecology: 26 units

Lower-Division Requirements: 4 units

1 course required:

Upper-Division Requirements: 22 units

6 courses required:

SUBJ NUM	Title	Sustainable	Units	Semester Offered	Course Flags
BIOL 404	Aquatic Ecology		4.0	F2
Prerequisites: BIOL 152, CHEM 112. Physical, chemical, and biological factors influencing the ecology of inland waters. 3 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory. (001207)
GEOS 315	Pollution Science		3.0	SP
Prerequisites: CHEM 107 or CHEM 111. Principles and applications of major natural and anthropogenic pollution processes which include origins, transport, and sinks of contaminants in the environment. Topics include acid rain, mine waste and drainage, and agricultural pesticides. Environmental impacts, remediation and control of pollution are discussed. 3 hours lecture. (020373)
GEOS 535	Pollution Ecology		3.0	F2
Prerequisites: Chem 112, GEOS 315. The application of biological, ecological, chemical, and physical sciences to understanding the fate and transport of pollutants through ecosystems. 3 hours discussion. (004165)
GEOS 536	Applied Ecology		3.0	SP
Prerequisites: BIOL 350. Examination of the mechanisms, directions, and magnitude of an organism's or ecosystem's response to human perturbation. 3 hours discussion. (004166)
GEOS 537	Ecohydrology		3.0	SP
Prerequisites: BIOL 350, GEOS 270 or GEOS 380, or instructor consent. The study of linkages between hydrologic processes and ecosystem functions; field methods for data gathering; hydrologic transport of nutrients and pollutants through ecosystems; case studies of problems in ecohydrology. 3 hours lecture. (020330)
MATH 315	Applied Statistical Methods I		3.0	FS
Prerequisite: MATH 105, MATH 109, or MATH 120, or faculty permission. Single and two sample inference, analysis of variance, multiple regression, analysis of co-variance, experimental design, repeated measures, nonparametric procedures, and categorical data analysis. Examples are drawn from biology and related disciplines. The statistical programming language R is used. Appropriate for biology, agriculture, nutrition, psychology, social science and other majors. 3 hours discussion. (005568)

1 course selected from:

SUBJ NUM	Title	Sustainable	Units	Semester Offered	Course Flags
GEOG 427	Environmental Impact Analysis		3.0	SP
Prerequisites: GEOG 320 or equivalent. Study of the legal antecedents to California environmental impact legislation; analysis of environmental review procedures, environmental research, preparation and evaluation of EIRs, and conditional negative declarations. 3 hours discussion. (003949)
GEOS 380	Hydrology		3.0	FA
Prerequisites: PHYS 202A or PHYS 204A (may be taken concurrently). A survey of the mass transfer processes and storage elements within the hydrologic cycle: precipitation, interception, surface runoff, infiltration, evapo-transpiration, soil water and groundwater. Quantitative methods for estimating flow and storage, use of probability concepts to predict extreme hydrologic events in a time series. 2 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory. (004150)
GEOS 516	Natural Water Systems		3.0	F2
Prerequisites: CHEM 111, GEOS 315. Fundamentals of processes in environmental aquatic systems emphasizing acid-base and pE-pH relationships, solubility of carbon species in natural waters, and interactions at the solid-liquid interface. 3 hours lecture. (020287)
GEOS 517	The Atmospheric Environment		3.0	F1
Prerequisites: CHEM 112, GEOS 315. Principles of transport of atmospheric constituents. Kinetics, mechanisms and photochemistry in the troposphere and stratosphere. A survey of atmospheric aerosols. 3 hours lecture. (020285)

The Option in Atmosphere and Climate: 29 units

Lower-Division Requirements: 8 units

2 courses required:

Upper-Division Requirements: 21 units

7 courses required:

SUBJ NUM	Title	Sustainable	Units	Semester Offered	Course Flags
GEOS 315	Pollution Science		3.0	SP
Prerequisites: CHEM 107 or CHEM 111. Principles and applications of major natural and anthropogenic pollution processes which include origins, transport, and sinks of contaminants in the environment. Topics include acid rain, mine waste and drainage, and agricultural pesticides. Environmental impacts, remediation and control of pollution are discussed. 3 hours lecture. (020373)
GEOS 321	Introduction to Meteorology		3.0	FA
Prerequisites: MATH 120; either PHYS 202B or PHYS 204C. Survey of physical and dynamic meteorology. Topics covered include thermodynamics, radiation, clouds and precipitation formation, tropical and extratropical weather systems, forecasting, and climate change. 3 hours lecture. (004140)
GEOS 400	Physical Meteorology		3.0	SP
Prerequisites: MATH 121; either PHYS 202B or PHYS 204C. Recommended: GEOS 321. The physical processes of the atmosphere: atmospheric hydrostatics and thermodynamics; aerosol physics; cloud microphysics and dynamics; radiative transfer. The role of these processes in cloud and storm development is also covered. 3 hours lecture. (004155)
GEOS 501	Dynamic Meteorology and Analysis		3.0	S2
Prerequisites: GEOS 400. Theory, analysis, and forecasting of intermediate and large-scale motions in the atmosphere. Topics include the primitive flow equations, planetary boundary layer, synoptic-scale motions, atmospheric oscillations, mesoscale circulations, and the general global circulation. 3 hours lecture. (004156)
GEOS 502	Air Pollution Meteorology		3.0	S1
Prerequisites: CHEM 112, GEOS 321 or GEOS 400, MATH 121, or faculty permission. Physical meteorological processes relevant to air pollution with a primary focus on the atmospheric boundary layer. Topics include pollutant sources and sinks, visibility, stability, deposition and dispersion, atmospheric turbulence, plume modeling, and the design of air quality monitoring networks. 3 hours lecture. (020286)
GEOS 517	The Atmospheric Environment		3.0	F1
Prerequisites: CHEM 112, GEOS 315. Principles of transport of atmospheric constituents. Kinetics, mechanisms and photochemistry in the troposphere and stratosphere. A survey of atmospheric aerosols. 3 hours lecture. (020285)
GEOS 530	Environmental Systems Modeling I		3.0	SP
Prerequisites: CHEM 112; GEOS 330 or faculty permission; MATH 120; either PHYS 202B or PHYS 204C. Physical principles, theory and analysis techniques for computer modeling in the geosciences. Methods of estimation and error analysis, boundary values and initial conditions, steady-state and time-dependent models. Emphasis on problems relating to air and water pollution and hydrologic cycle. 3 hours discussion. (004163)

The Option in Energy and Earth Resources: 28 units

Lower-Division Requirements: 4 units

1 course required:

Upper-Division Requirements: 24 units

7 courses required:

SUBJ NUM	Title	Sustainable	Units	Semester Offered	Course Flags
GEOS 306	Mineralogy and Lithology		4.0	FA
Prerequisites: GEOS 101 or GEOS 102; CHEM 107 or CHEM 111 or equivalent; or faculty permission. Identification and origins of the more common minerals and rocks. 2 hours lecture, 6 hours laboratory. (004080)
GEOS 307	Stratigraphy		3.0	FA
Prerequisites: GEOS 203 and GEOS 306 (both may be taken concurrently), or faculty permission. Basic concepts of stratigraphy. Methods of strata description, correlation, mapping, and interpretation. Sedimentary tectonics and lithic associations. Graphic representation of data. 2 hours discussion, 3 hours laboratory. (004081)
GEOS 360	Field Methods		2.0	SP
Prerequisites: GEOS 306, GEOS 307. Elementary geologic field methods, descriptive geometry, photogeology, and geologic mapping. Ten days in the field during January intersession. 6 hours laboratory. (004074)
GEOS 549	Economic Geology		3.0	F2
Prerequisites: GEOS 306, GEOS 307; or faculty permission. The integrative course dealing with origins and occurrences of metallic and non-metallic mineral deposits, including factors in their use. 3 hours discussion. (004111)
GEOS 550	Fossil Fuels		3.0	FA
Prerequisite: GEOS 307 or faculty permisison. Geological principles and environmental impacts of exploring for and exploiting resources of petroleum, natural gas, oil shales, oil sands, coal, and coalbed-methane. Applications using geological data, potential sites for CO2 sequestration and environmental impact assessments are emphasized. 3 hours lecture. (020574)
GEOS 570	Environmental and Engineering Geology		3.0	F1
Prerequisites: GEOS 102, GEOS 203, GEOS 306. For majors in related sciences and technical fields, GEOS 102 only. Practical application of techniques to solve geological engineering and environmental problems. Techniques of surface investigations and remote sensing; borehole and surface geophysics; soil descriptions and properties; landslide mapping, mechanics and remediation, subsurface investigation of rock masses; mapping of discontinuities, establishing rock quality, tunneling techniques. Seismic studies; surface and trench mapping of faults, seismic risk analysis. Ground water monitoring, site assessment, techniques of hazardous waste cleanup, state and federal regulations on hazardous waste, siting of landfills. 3 hours lecture. (004116)
MATH 315	Applied Statistical Methods I		3.0	FS
Prerequisite: MATH 105, MATH 109, or MATH 120, or faculty permission. Single and two sample inference, analysis of variance, multiple regression, analysis of co-variance, experimental design, repeated measures, nonparametric procedures, and categorical data analysis. Examples are drawn from biology and related disciplines. The statistical programming language R is used. Appropriate for biology, agriculture, nutrition, psychology, social science and other majors. 3 hours discussion. (005568)

1 course selected from:

SUBJ NUM	Title	Sustainable	Units	Semester Offered	Course Flags
GEOS 380	Hydrology		3.0	FA
Prerequisites: PHYS 202A or PHYS 204A (may be taken concurrently). A survey of the mass transfer processes and storage elements within the hydrologic cycle: precipitation, interception, surface runoff, infiltration, evapo-transpiration, soil water and groundwater. Quantitative methods for estimating flow and storage, use of probability concepts to predict extreme hydrologic events in a time series. 2 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory. (004150)
GEOS 415	Hydrogeology		3.0	SP
Prerequisites: CHEM 111, GEOS 306, GEOS 380, MATH 120; PHYS 202A or PHYS 204A. Recommended: GEOS 307. Theory and analysis of groundwater flow, including fluid physics, aquifer properties, soil water, groundwater recharge, hydrogeologic environments, aquifer mechanics, and water quality degradation. 2 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory. (004102)

The Option in Hydrology: 31-32 units

Lower-Division Requirements: 8 units

2 courses required:

Upper-Division Requirements: 23-24 units

5 courses required:

SUBJ NUM	Title	Sustainable	Units	Semester Offered	Course Flags
GEOS 380	Hydrology		3.0	FA
Prerequisites: PHYS 202A or PHYS 204A (may be taken concurrently). A survey of the mass transfer processes and storage elements within the hydrologic cycle: precipitation, interception, surface runoff, infiltration, evapo-transpiration, soil water and groundwater. Quantitative methods for estimating flow and storage, use of probability concepts to predict extreme hydrologic events in a time series. 2 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory. (004150)
GEOS 382	Hydrologic Field Methods I		1.0	FA
Prerequisite: GEOS 380 (may be taken concurrently) or faculty permission. Develops field and related laboratory skills in performing common measurements in surface water and soil water components of the hydrologic cycle. Students learn to critically evaluate the theoretical basis for field methods and hydrologic characterization approaches. 3 hours laboratory. (020641)
GEOS 383	Hydrologic Field Methods II		1.0	SP
Prerequisite: GEOS 380 (may be taken concurrently), GEOS 415 or faculty permission. Develops field and related laboratory skills in performing common measurements of precipitation and groundwater. Students learn to critically evaluate the theoretical basis for field methods and hydrolgic characterization approaches. 3 hours laboratory. (020642)
GEOS 415	Hydrogeology		3.0	SP
Prerequisites: CHEM 111, GEOS 306, GEOS 380, MATH 120; PHYS 202A or PHYS 204A. Recommended: GEOS 307. Theory and analysis of groundwater flow, including fluid physics, aquifer properties, soil water, groundwater recharge, hydrogeologic environments, aquifer mechanics, and water quality degradation. 2 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory. (004102)
GEOS 460	Water Resources Management		3.0	SP
Prerequisites: Upper-division standing; GEOS 330 or GEOS 380. Water-resources, management plans of world; emphasis on California and Israeli plans. Water plans in primitive, agrarian, and industrial societies. Data gathering and interpretation, regulation of water resources, and control of water pollution. 3 hours lecture. (004168)

1 course selected from:

SUBJ NUM	Title	Sustainable	Units	Semester Offered	Course Flags
GEOS 516	Natural Water Systems		3.0	F2
Prerequisites: CHEM 111, GEOS 315. Fundamentals of processes in environmental aquatic systems emphasizing acid-base and pE-pH relationships, solubility of carbon species in natural waters, and interactions at the solid-liquid interface. 3 hours lecture. (020287)
GEOS 565	Geochemistry		3.0	FA
Prerequisites: CHEM 111, GEOS 102. Recommended: GEOS 306. Investigation of the chemistry of minerals, rocks, and natural waters. Provides students with interests in geology, hydrology, environmental science, and other disciplines a background on the chemical compositions of rocks, minerals, and natural waters; chemical processes in the formation of rocks and waters; principles of reaction chemistry, thermodynamics, and kinetics applied to geochemical systems; and migration of chemical contaminants in the environment. 3 hours lecture. (004115)

1 course selected from:

SUBJ NUM	Title	Sustainable	Units	Semester Offered	Course Flags
GEOS 306	Mineralogy and Lithology		4.0	FA
Prerequisites: GEOS 101 or GEOS 102; CHEM 107 or CHEM 111 or equivalent; or faculty permission. Identification and origins of the more common minerals and rocks. 2 hours lecture, 6 hours laboratory. (004080)
GEOS 535	Pollution Ecology		3.0	F2
Prerequisites: Chem 112, GEOS 315. The application of biological, ecological, chemical, and physical sciences to understanding the fate and transport of pollutants through ecosystems. 3 hours discussion. (004165)
GEOS 537	Ecohydrology		3.0	SP
Prerequisites: BIOL 350, GEOS 270 or GEOS 380, or instructor consent. The study of linkages between hydrologic processes and ecosystem functions; field methods for data gathering; hydrologic transport of nutrients and pollutants through ecosystems; case studies of problems in ecohydrology. 3 hours lecture. (020330)
GEOS 545	Applied Geophysics		3.0	S1
Prerequisites: One year of physics, GEOS 102, or faculty permission. Introduction to solid-earth geophysical exploration techniques and data analysis. Includes electrical, electromagnetic, gravimetric, and seismic surveying, and wireline well logging. Concentration on problems in environmental science, hydrology, mineral prospecting, and oil exploration. 3 hours discussion. (004112)

Advising Pattern Core Requirements: 6 units

The following courses, or their approved transfer equivalents, are required depending upon the advising pattern chosen. Students must select one of the following advising patterns for the completion of the major course requirements.

Watershed Advising Pattern: 6 units

2 courses required:

SUBJ NUM	Title	Sustainable	Units	Semester Offered	Course Flags
GEOS 390	Surficial Processes		3.0	F1
Prerequisites: MATH 120; either PHYS 202A or PHYS 204A. A survey of the processes governing uplift and denudation of landscapes, including isostasy, chemical and physical weathering, mass movements, surface water erosion, formation of channels, and flow and sediment transport. 2 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory. (004152)
GEOS 410	Introduction to Watershed Hydrology		3.0	SP
Prerequisites: GEOS 380 or prior hydrology course work and consent of instructor. A survey of the hydrologic processes governing the movement and storage of water at the watershed scale. Emphasis is on computer-based methods for characterizing the physical framework and quantifying the resultant hydrology in terms of its temporal and spatial variability. 2 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory. (004161)

Hydrogeology Advising Pattern: 6 units

2 courses required:

SUBJ NUM	Title	Sustainable	Units	Semester Offered	Course Flags
GEOS 307	Stratigraphy		3.0	FA
Prerequisites: GEOS 203 and GEOS 306 (both may be taken concurrently), or faculty permission. Basic concepts of stratigraphy. Methods of strata description, correlation, mapping, and interpretation. Sedimentary tectonics and lithic associations. Graphic representation of data. 2 hours discussion, 3 hours laboratory. (004081)
GEOS 530	Environmental Systems Modeling I		3.0	SP
Prerequisites: CHEM 112; GEOS 330 or faculty permission; MATH 120; either PHYS 202B or PHYS 204C. Physical principles, theory and analysis techniques for computer modeling in the geosciences. Methods of estimation and error analysis, boundary values and initial conditions, steady-state and time-dependent models. Emphasis on problems relating to air and water pollution and hydrologic cycle. 3 hours discussion. (004163)

Electives Requirement:

To complete the total units required for the bachelor's degree, select additional elective courses from the total University offerings. You should consult with an advisor regarding the selection of courses which will provide breadth to your University experience and possibly apply to a supportive second major or minor.

Grading Requirement:

All courses taken to fulfill major course requirements must be taken for a letter grade except those courses specified by the department as Credit/No Credit grading only.

Advising Requirement:

Advising is mandatory for all majors in this degree program. Consult your undergraduate advisor for specific information.

Honors in the Major:

Honors in the Major is a program of independent work in your major. It requires 6 units of honors course work completed over two semesters.

The Honors in the Major program allows you to work closely with a faculty mentor in your area of interest on an original performance or research project. This year-long collaboration allows you to work in your field at a professional level and culminates in a public presentation of your work. Students sometimes take their projects beyond the University for submission in professional journals, presentation at conferences, or academic competition. Such experience is valuable for graduate school and professional life. Your honors work will be recognized at your graduation, on your permanent transcripts, and on your diploma. It is often accompanied by letters of commendation from your mentor in the department or the department chair.

Some common features of Honors in the Major program are:

1. You must take 6 units of Honors in the Major course work. All 6 units are honors classes (marked by a suffix of H), and at least 3 of these units are independent study (399H, 499H, 599H) as specified by your department. You must complete each class with a minimum grade of B.
2. You must have completed 9 units of upper-division course work or 21 overall units in your major before you can be admitted to Honors in the Major. Check the requirements for your major carefully, as there may be specific courses that must be included in these units.
3. Your cumulative GPA should be at least 3.5 or within the top 5% of majors in your department.
4. Your GPA in your major should be at least 3.5 or within the top 5% of majors in your department.
5. Most students apply for or are invited to participate in Honors in the Major during the second semester of their junior year. Then they complete the 6 units of course work over the two semesters of their senior year.
6. Your honors work culminates with a public presentation of your honors project.

While Honors in the Major is part of the Honors Program, each department administers its own program. Please contact your major department or major advisor to apply.