The Environmental Policy Analysis and Planning (EPAP) major provides students with a strong interdisciplinary background in policy analysis, including the evaluation of policy alternatives and the study of factors affecting policy formulation and implementation. Key components of this major include a general background in the natural sciences relevant to environmental policy, mathematics, statistics, and research methodology to quantitatively analyze environmental problems and policy options. Students will also get training in environmental impact assessment and geographic information systems, both are areas of growing demand, particularly in the green job market. We also offer a minor in Environmental Policy Analysis and Planning.
The EPAP Major Tracks
In the major, students may specialize in one of seven tracks, in which they will receive specialized training: (1) City & Regional Planning, (2) Climate Change Policy, (3) Conservation Management, (4) Energy & Transportation Policy, (5) Environmental Policy & Politics, (6) Water Management, and (7) Integrative Policy, which is an individualized track a student can develop in conjunction with the major adviser. We encourage students to work with the major adviser to guide them through the major and to help decide which track is the best fit.
City & Regional Planning
Are you interested in urban and rural land-use planning and how land-use patterns impact public health, environmental justice, and conservation? Are you interested in developing skills and knowledge to help design sustainable cities and towns in the 21st century? If you are, then the city and regional planning track is for you. The track includes courses in urban planning and public lands management, transportation planning and community development.
Climate Change Policy
The Climate Change Policy track provides students with an in-depth understanding of how air quality policies are designed and implemented, and how to determine if those policies are effective. This track includes courses on climate policy, environmental economics, and climate science.
Conservation Management
The Conservation Management track provides students with an in-depth understanding of how living biological resources are managed both locally and globally. This track includes courses on water politics and policy, ocean and coastal policy, ecology, and international conservation and development.
Energy & Transportation Planning
The Energy & Transportation Planning track provides students with an in-depth understanding of how energy and transportation policies are created, implemented, and evaluated. The track includes courses on energy systems, natural resource economics, transportation and land use policy, and environmental science and sustainability.
Environmental Policy & Politics
The Environmental Policy & Politics track provides students with an in-depth look at how environmental policies are created and implemented from a political science point of view. The track includes extensive courses in political science, environmental policy, and economics.
Water Management
What are the challenges in managing water quality and quantity with increasing climate variability? How would you design and implement an integrated surface and groundwater policy? The water management track provides students with an in-depth understanding of the policy and politics of water management and resources. The track includes courses in water policy and politics, water law, hydrology, oceanography, and geology.
Integrative Policy
Students choosing this individualized track must consult with a faculty adviser to identify an area of emphasis within this track and to select four upper division courses with a common theme. Possible areas of emphasis are marine policy, pollutants and the environment, planning in the presence of environmental hazards, sustainable development, or environmental and natural resource economics. If you are considering this track please contact the major adviser as soon as possible.
Minor in Environmental Policy Analysis & Planning
The Environmental Policy Analysis & Planning minor gives students a great background in environmental policy and politics, land use planning, environmental analysis, policy evaluation, and public lands management. This minor dovetails nicely with majors such as political science, economics, green engineering, and even environmental education. It is a great choice for students who want to gain a greater understanding of environmental policy.
Planned Learning Outcomes
Visit the Environmental Policy Analysis and Planning Planned Learning Outcomes