Environmental Policy Analysis & Planning

The EPAP curriculum combines a background in the natural sciences with more advanced work in reasoning and analysis through classes such as economics, political science, statistics, law, and ethical reasoning. Many of the upper division courses use individual projects and analytical papers to develop problem-solving and critical thinking skills. Students will choose an area of specialization that allows them to gain additional knowledge and skills in a particular policy field and provide a focus for applying the general knowledge obtained in the core classes.

The typical study path for an EPAP student includes the usual requirements for all science majors consisting of some biology, chemistry, physics and calculus but it certainly emphasizes more social science than the natural sciences. After completing the prepatory work, you'll start the "depth" area of study typically during your sophomore to junior year selecting classes that create a deeper understanding of environmental processes and policies.

EPAP Major Requirements     EPAP Study Plan - Frosh    EPAP Study Plan - Jr

EPAP Minor Requirements

For your final year of study, you select an area of specialization that you would like to focus on. The areas are advanced policy analysis, city & regional planning, resource management, energy policy, transportation planning, and water quality planning. Your choice of a specialization area can emphasize the natural science aspects of policy analysis (the environmental sciences or water quality areas) or the social sciences aspects (advanced policy analysis, city and regional planning, energy policy, and transportation policy.) We strongly encourage students to incorporate internships into their study plan.

Our graduates have found jobs as urban planners, environmental planner/analysts, planning consultants (urban or environmental), energy economists, energy policy analysts, recycling analysts, hazardous waste management analysts, transportation planners, environmental impact analysts, and water quality analysts.

This degree is also excellent preparation for graduate school in public policy analysis, city and regional planning, environmental planning, transportation planning, environmental law, political science, resource economics, and public/business administration.

If you have any questions about the major, please contact the Master Advisor, Paul Sabatier at pasabatier@ucdavis.edu or the Staff Advisor, Kimberly Mahoney at kcmahoney@ucdavis.edu