Environmental Science and Management (Pollution Prevention and Remediation)

The Master of Science in Environmental Science and Management with a specialization in Pollution Prevention and Remediation at the University of California offers a comprehensive and interdisciplinary approach to addressing some of the most pressing environmental challenges related to pollution control and sustainable management of natural resources. This program is designed for students who wish to develop advanced knowledge and practical skills essential for careers in environmental consulting, government agencies, industry, research institutions, and non-governmental organizations committed to mitigating pollution and restoring affected ecosystems.

The curriculum combines rigorous coursework, hands-on laboratory and field experiences, and collaborative projects that focus on understanding the sources, transport, and impacts of pollutants across air, water, and soil. Students explore cutting-edge techniques in pollution prevention, waste minimization, remediation technologies, and policy analysis. Core courses cover topics such as environmental chemistry, toxicology, ecosystem management, and environmental law, while specialized electives delve into emerging areas such as bioremediation, hazardous waste management, and sustainable design.

Through close interaction with faculty who are experts in environmental chemistry, engineering, policy, and ecological restoration, students gain critical thinking and problem-solving skills necessary for designing effective pollution mitigation strategies. The program emphasizes sustainability principles and promotes innovative approaches to reducing environmental footprints in various sectors, including manufacturing, energy production, and urban development.

Research is a vital component of the program, with opportunities for students to participate in faculty-led projects that address real-world pollution problems. These projects often involve collaborations with governmental agencies, industry partners, and community organizations, providing valuable professional experience and networking opportunities. Additionally, the program prepares students for professional certification and leadership roles by fostering technical proficiency, ethical responsibility, and a commitment to environmental stewardship.

By the time of graduation, students are equipped with a comprehensive understanding of pollution prevention and remediation techniques, environmental impact assessment methodologies, and policies aimed at promoting sustainable development. Whether pursuing careers in environmental consulting, policy-making, research, or management, alumni of this program are positioned to make meaningful contributions to improving environmental health and promoting resilient ecosystems. The University of California is dedicated to advancing environmental science and training leaders who will shape a cleaner, healthier future for society and the planet.

Core Courses

The Bren School MESM degree requires students to complete a core curriculum that provides solid foundation in coupled human and environmental systems. Students become conversant in the language, knowledge, techniques, and methodologies of various disciplines while developing general analytical skills, problem-solving abilities, and the adaptability that is indispensable to professional success. Our objective is to provide a foundation of multidisciplinary knowledge plus quantitative and analytical skills that will enable students to interpret, design, communicate, and implement policy and management solutions. Students normally complete the core courses during the first year of study; the courses are designed to accommodate varying levels of knowledge.

COURSE WORK

MESM students are required to take a minimum of 36 units of electives in their primary specialization. Students who pursue two specializations must meet the 36-unit requirement for each specialization. Some electives may count toward more than one specialization. Most courses associated with this specialization are offered every year. If the course is marked with an asterisk (*), it will be offered every other year.

Requirements

• In order to be considered for admission into any graduate program at UCSB, applicants must have received a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) from an accredited four-year institution prior to the quarter for which the applicant seeks admission. S/he must have earned an undergraduate cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale for undergraduate or post-graduate studies. Applicants are also required to take the Graduate Records Examination (GRE; general exam only) to be eligible to apply to UCSB’s graduate programs.
• Statement of Purpose essay - REQUIRED
  The Statement of Purpose (SOP) should also include your goals and how the Bren School will help you to achieve them, and what led you to seek a career in the environmental field. The SOP should outline past experiences (not necessarily only in academics) and how they have prepared you to succeed in a rigorous graduate program. 
  The SOP should be at least one page but no more than two. Formatting style (e.g., line spacing, typeface, or font size) is up to the discretion of the applicant. This document should be uploaded directly to the UCSB e-application.

• Personal Achievements/Contributions essay - REQUIRED
  UC Santa Barbara is interested in a diverse and inclusive graduate student population. In your Personal Achievements/Contributions (PAC), please describe any aspects of your personal background, accomplishments, or achievements that you feel are important in evaluating your application for graduate study. For example, please describe if you have experienced economic challenges in achieving higher education, such as being financially responsible for family members or dependents, having to work significant hours during undergraduate schooling, or coming from a family background of limited income. 
  Please describe any unusual or varied life experiences that might contribute to the diversity of the graduate group, such as fluency in other languages, experience living in bicultural communities, academic research interests focusing on cultural, societal, or educational problems as they affect under-served segments of society, or evidence of an intention to use the graduate degree toward serving disadvantaged individuals or populations. You may upload this document directly to your online application. 
  Alternatively, if you wish to address some discrepency in your application (e.g., low grades), you can also discuss this in your PAC to help the Admissions Committee better understand what external events or circumstances might have affected your grades at that time, and how you're better prepared now to excel in an academically rigorous program. 
  As with the SOP, formatting style (e.g., line spacing, typeface, and font size) of the PAC essay is up to the discretion of the applicant. The UC Berkeley Graduate Division provides an online resource called Writing the Personal Statement which is especially helpful in guiding applicants on this document.
• Resume or Curriculum Vitae - REQUIRED
  Applicants should include all relevant academic, work, volunteer, or leadership experience. Formatting style (e.g., line spacing, typeface, and font size) is up to the discretion of the applicant.
• Graduate Records Examination (GRE) scores - REQUIRED
  UCSB requires all applicants to its graduate programs to submit GRE scores, with the exception of Art Studio majors. Neither UCSB nor the Bren School enforce a minimum GRE score, and the Bren School does not require a subject test for its applicants. UCSB’s Graduate Institution (GI) code: 4835; please use this number on your GRE score sheets and confirm you select the graduate institution option and not the Undergraduate Institution (UI) option. A department code is not necessary to have scores sent to UCSB. GRE test scores are valid for five years after the testing year in which the test was taken (July 1–June 30). Please allow 4-6 weeks for ETS to transfer your scores to the UCSB Graduate Division, which keeps all scores in its database until they expire. More information about the GRE can be found online at http://www.ets.org/gre/.
  As part of your application you must also self-report your scores. The self-reported scores are used in matching your official scores on file. Once you initiate your application, please complete the "Exam" tab with the required demographic and exam information. 

• English language competency exam scores - REQUIRED of international students only
  If an applicant’s native language is not English, then s/he is required to complete either the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the English Language Testing System (IELTS) exam. Exceptions may be granted to applicants who have completed an undergraduate or graduate degree at an institution whose primary language of instruction is English. Scores for either examination may be no more than two years old at the time of application and can be submitted to UCSB by using the UCSB institution code 4835. 
  The University requires a minimum score of 550 (paper test) or 80 (computer test) for the TOEFL exam. The University requires a minimum Overall Band Score of 7.0 or higher for the IELTS exam. The TOEFL ITP (Institutional Testing Program) is not acceptable for the purposes of fulfilling the UCSB English language exam requirement.
  The Bren School generally does not admit students to the MESM program unless they have TOEFL or IELTS scores significantly higher than the minimum required by the University. The MESM program is rigorous, and there is not time for students to develop their English skills simultaneously. In addition, the considerable amount of group work requires students to be highly proficient in English at the time they commence the program. 
  All non-native English speakers who are admitted to UCSB—even those having an acceptable TOEFL or IELTS score—must take the university's English Language Placement Exam (ELPE). The Bren School expects students to have completed all English as Second Language (ESL) courses recommended by the test results prior to starting coursework at Bren. 
• Letters of Recommendation - REQUIRED
  Students are required to provide a minimum of three letters of recommendation (maximum of four) as part of their application package. 
  
  Letters of recommendation should be uploaded electronically to an applicant's online application directly by the recommenders. For this process to happen, you will be asked to supply the name, email address, job title, and and current institution or organization name of each recommender. Once this information is supplied, the online application will generate an automated email to the recommenders, prompting them each to upload a letter on your behalf.
  If you are using a Letter Service (such as Interfolio or a university career center) to submit one or more letters, you will be able to indicate this information within the recommender profile. UCSB needs a rating on our rating scale from each recommender you indicate. If the letter will come from a letter service, we will only request the necessary rating from your recommender. 
  It is beneficial if an applicant can provide at least one letter (and more, if possible) from a faculty member who is familiar with his or her academic abilities. We realize that this may be difficult for applicants who have been out of school for a number of years. If this is not possible, students are requested to provide letters from professionals in supervisory or managerial roles who can attest to their scholarly ability and potential, creativity, dedication, and work performance, among other attributes.
• Prerequisite Verification Form - RECOMMENDED
  In an effort to ensure applicants are meeting the required MESM program prerequisites, Bren School applicants are asked to submit a Prerequisite Verification Form, citing where they met program preparation requirements. This is especially helpful for faculty Admissions Committee reviewers if applicants completed courses with atypical titles that might apply toward our prerequisites. Please upload this document under the Supplemental Materials section of the UCSB e-application.
• Supplemental Memo Addressing Prerequisites - OPTIONAL
  Students who lack essential preparation are requested to send the school a memo outlining how they plan to rectify the deficiency before enrolling in the Fall, should they be admitted. Presenting a good plan will strengthen one’s application. This is only required of those applicants who have not met the required prerequisites prior to application.
• Transcripts from all institutions attended - REQUIRED
  All applicants will be required to upload transcripts to their application from all institutions they attended. These uploaded transcripts are required to be official documents created by the university but can include "unofficial" transcripts that are generated by an online student portal, assuming the transcripts include the name of the student, the institution, the grades, and a grading scale. 
  Applicants who are admitted and submit a positive Statement of Intent to Register (SIR) with UCSB will be required to send official transcripts directly from the institution(s) attended to the UCSB Graduate Division, unless they attended UCSB as an undergraduate, in which case official transcripts are not required since UCSB can verify academic records using their student data-tracking systems. 
• Non-refundable application fee - REQUIRED
  Applications are not processed until this is received. All applications require a non-refundable application fee of $105 for domestic applicants and $125 for international applicants. This fee can be paid by credit card or with a check/money order using the Check/Money Order Submission Form found on the last page of the application. Students who think they are eligible can submit an application fee waiver.
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The Financing Studies component of the Environmental Science and Management (Pollution Prevention and Remediation) program at the University of California is designed to provide students with comprehensive information regarding the financial aspects of pursuing higher education within this specialized field. Students are encouraged to explore various sources of funding, including institutional scholarships, grants, fellowships, federal and state financial aid programs, as well as private scholarships offered by external organizations. The university offers need-based and merit-based financial aid options to ensure that qualified students from diverse backgrounds can access quality education without undue financial hardship. Prospective students should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the California Dream Act Application to determine eligibility for federal and state aid programs.

In addition to traditional financial aid, the program provides information on work-study opportunities, internships that may include stipends, and assistantship positions that can help offset costs while gaining practical experience. Students are also encouraged to consider student loans as a financing option, with guidance provided on managing debt responsibly. The university’s financial services office offers counseling sessions to assist students in understanding their financial obligations, repayment plans, and strategies for minimizing debt.

Furthermore, students are advised to explore external funding sources such as environmental conservation foundations, governmental research grants, and private sector sponsorships dedicated to environmental research and education. The university’s career services and faculty advisors can help identify potential funding opportunities aligned with students’ research interests and career goals. Cost-estimation tools and financial planning workshops are available to assist students in budgeting for tuition, living expenses, laboratory fees, and other associated costs of the program.

Overall, the Financing Studies of this program aim to demystify the financial commitments involved in earning a degree in Environmental Science and Management with a focus on Pollution Prevention and Remediation, enabling students to make informed decisions. Through a variety of financial support mechanisms, the university seeks to promote accessibility and support the success of all enrolled students.

The Environmental Science and Management program with a focus on Pollution Prevention and Remediation at the University of California is designed to equip students with the fundamental knowledge and practical skills necessary to address environmental contamination and develop sustainable solutions. The program emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches, integrating principles from ecology, chemistry, engineering, and policy to evaluate environmental issues and implement effective remediation strategies. Students engage in coursework covering environmental chemistry, toxicology, waste management, pollution control technologies, and environmental policy and regulation. Practical training is often incorporated through laboratory work, field studies, and internships with governmental agencies, environmental consulting firms, and research institutions. The curriculum aims to foster critical thinking and problem-solving abilities, preparing graduates for careers in environmental consulting, regulatory agencies, non-profit organizations, or advanced research. Students may also have opportunities to participate in cutting-edge research projects focused on innovative pollution mitigation technologies, environmental data analysis, and sustainable development practices. The program underscores the importance of community engagement and ethical considerations in environmental decision-making. Graduates of this specialization are expected to contribute to environmental preservation efforts, advise on pollution reduction strategies, and support the development of policies that promote ecological health. The program duration typically spans four years for a bachelor's degree or two years for a master's degree, depending on the level of study. Admission requirements generally include a strong academic record in sciences, relevant extracurricular activities, and sometimes prior coursework in environmental science or related fields. The university's commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility provides a supportive setting for students dedicated to making impactful contributions in pollution prevention and remediation.