<p>I'm in the process of choosing a major for each of the UC schools, and I've noticed that Berkeley offers environmental science jointly in both the college of letters and science as well as the college of natural resources. I've been trying to find a difference, but the most in depth information I can find is this: The course requirements for the ES major are identical for both colleges, but each college maintains a separate administrative unit for its students. As a result, administrative policies for adding courses, dropping courses, withdrawing, may vary.</p>
<p>Does anyone know any specifics that would help he choose between the two?</p>
<p>i know that CNR gives out BS degrees, and LS gives out BA degrees. I don’t know how they would do it with environmental science though since it’s offered like that. Could always try emailing the major advisor in either college to see.</p>
<p>CNR is by far a smaller college and thus has much more advising. On the one hand, they offer more guidance and specialized programs such as SPUR. However, some people (myself included) like the freedom that L&S offers - you don’t have to cut through administrative red tape to get approved for signing up for or dropping classes, and there’s no rule for the minimum units you need to take each semester toward your major, etc. There’s less hand-holding, but less of a safety catch if you plan poorly. I’m not too familiar with CNR, so I don’t know what other differences there are besides more guidance and advising and a “smaller college” feel.</p>
<p>Thanks for the prompt replies. I have emailed the advisor in the College of Letters & Science but have yet to hear back. LS does give out a BA for environmental science as well. Is this something I should be concerned about? Would it be better to have one or the other? It seems to me that a BS would make more sense for this particular major. </p>
<p>And Applejuice, your information was very helpful. That’s exactly the kind of information I was looking for.</p>
<p>In fields where both a BA and BS are given out, a BS does usually look more prestigious. However, any degree from UC Berkeley is going to look good, so don’t worry about it that much.</p>
<p>As for the B.S. versus B.A., technically, the only difference is that the B.A. degree implies a more liberal arts education (more general ed/breadth requirements) whereas B.S. implies a program more focused toward the major courses. I don’t think it would make much of a difference, but perhaps you should consider going for the B.A. if you’re planning on going into policy, and the B.S. if you’re leaning more toward the “science” aspect of environmental science.</p>
<p>WOW I’m applying to UC schools for environmental science as well
good luck to you and thank you for asking, I didn’t notice that ><
but why does LS give out only BA for physics and other science major?</p>
<p>I don’t quite know what direction I want to go with it yet. I’m not even sure how likely I am to stick with this major. I was thinking LS simply because if I do want to change my major, it would be easier to do so within the same college. However, I would enjoy the smaller feel of CNR. With environmental science, I doubt there would be a difference in focus between the two schools since course requirements are identical.</p>
