Getting Started: Advising

Frequently Asked Questions

"Getting Started" Home | Environmental Sciences Home | UC Berkeley

Below are some Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) of new Environmental Sciences students. If you are not able to find the answer to your question, please do not hesitate to contact the ES advisor, Susan Kishi

Quick links to questions:

• Question: Am I already a declared major in Environmental Sciences?
• Question: What classes will I take my first semester?
• Question: I want to be pre-med. Can I major in ES?
• Question: How do I know whether ES is the right major for me?
• Question: What are some of the advantages of ES as a major?
• Question: What degree will I receive when I graduate?
• Question: Will I only take classes with other ES majors?
• Question: How do I know what math class to take?

Question: Am I already a declared major in Environmental Sciences?

Answer: You might be! Students who marked Environmental Sciences in CNR on their UC application enter Cal as declared ES majors. If you applied to UC Berkeley as CNR undeclared or any other major, you are not yet a declared ES major. See the ES advisor about declaring ES.

[top]

Question: What classes will I take my first semester?

Answer: Every student is different, but in general, students should expect to take two of these three classes: Chemistry, Math, and Environmental Sciences 10. Additionally, they take a Reading and Composition class. They complete their schedule with either a freshman seminar or an elective. For more information, see the section on Choosing your Classes.

[top]

Question: I want to be pre-med. Can I major in ES?

Answer: Absolutely! There is no such thing as a "pre-med major." Being pre-med simply means taking the right set of core classes for medical school. You can do that in conjunction with any major. Many of the ES lower division requirements overlap with the pre-med classes. The Career Center has much more information about health careers and the appropriate academic preparation.

[top]

Question: How do I know whether ES is the right major for me?

Answer: Choosing a major is difficult, especially before you even take classes! While no one can answer the question for you, here are some things to think about:

• Do you like science and math? Even the social science concentration of ES requires a full year of chemistry, biology, and calculus plus a physics course.
• Do you care about the environment? ES majors do!
• Do you like the idea of an interdisciplinary major? In ES, you will take courses from several different departments.
• Do you like the idea of being responsible for some of the decisions in your major? There is a framework of classes that all ES majors must follow, but you will have to make choices to fill in that framework. You will also have to write a senior thesis on a topic of your choosing.
  

Read as much as you can about the major. Look at the course descriptions--do they interest you? Talk to the ES advisor. Get involved with ESSA, the student group. In the end, you will know whether ES suits you.

[top]

Question: What are some of the advantages of ES as a major?

Answer: CNR is a small college. That means that you can get personalized attention. Advisors are very accessible. You will get to know faculty. That can lead to research opportunities, letters of recommendations, and a richer undergraduate experience. Because ES is interdisciplinary, you can personalize your degree within the structure of the major.

[top]

Question: What degree will I receive when I graduate?

Answer: All CNR Environmental Sciences majors receive a Bachelor of Science.

[top]

Question: Will I only take classes with other ES majors?

Answer: No. You will take clases with students from all across the campus. For example, in calculus, there will be students from all majors. The introductory classes are not specific to CNR or to ES.

[top]

Question: How do I know what math class to take?

Answer: Read the section on math placement. If you still have questions, contact the ES advisor.

[top]

PREVIOUS PAGE: CNR Office of Instruction and Student Affairs	NEXT PAGE: Campus Map

Back to "Getting Started" home page

Return to top

Environmental Sciences
260 Mulford Hall
University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley, CA 94720-3100
phone: 510-643-4647
fax: 510-643-3132
email: es-help@nature.berkeley.edu

Modification Date: 10/03/2006