Academic Units
The College of Creative Studies at UCSB is unique in the UC system. It enrolls undergraduate students with demonstrated talent for independent work in the arts, mathematics, or the sciences. Emphases are offered in art (painting, sculpture, and book arts), biology, chemistry, computer science, literature, mathematics, music composition, and physics. Work in the college leads to the bachelor of arts degree in all emphases (with the exception of Computer Science, B.S. only), and, optionally, to the bachelor of science degree in chemistry, mathematics, and physics. In 1997-98, approximately 220 students were enrolled in the college.
College of EngineeringThe College of Engineering offers professional undergraduate education leading to the bachelor of science degree in four disciplines: chemical, electrical and mechanical engineering, and computer science. The chemical, electrical, and mechanical engineering programs are accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. The computer science program is accredited by the Computer Science Accreditation Commission of the Computing Sciences Accreditation Board. The college currently has a combined undergraduate and graduate enrollment of approximately 1,500 students.
The College of Letters and Science, which enrolls approximately 15,000 undergraduates, is the largest undergraduate college on the UCSB campus. The college offers nearly 80 majors, including a number of interdisciplinary programs, and awards four degrees: bachelor of arts, bachelor of science, bachelor of fine arts, and bachelor of music. In addition, college departments offer a wide range of minors to students interested in pursuing a second area of study.
As the administrative arm of the UCSB Graduate Council, the Graduate Division recruits and admits students in all graduate programs, promotes diversity at the graduate level, secures and awards graduate financial support, and administers graduate students' academic records. UCSB offers advanced programs of study and research leading to the doctor of philosophy, doctor of musical arts, master of arts, master of education, master of environmental science and management, master of fine arts, master of music, and master of science through the Graduate Division. Programs leading to California teaching and service credentials are also offered.
Donald Bren School of Environmental Science and Management
The mission of the Bren School is to develop professionals with unrivaled training in environmental science and management. A guiding principle of the Bren School is that analysis of environmental problems requires quantitative training in more than one traditional discipline, including natural and social science, management, and law, as well as an awareness of the physical, biological, social, political, and economic consequences that arise from scientific or technological decisions. In fall 1996, the Bren School accepted its first students into the Master of Environmental Science and Management, a professional degree intended for students who are going to re-enter the work force. Program strengths include applied ecology, environmental biogeochemistry, environmental microbiology, Earth system science and environmental economics and policy. A proposal for a doctoral program is under review.
Graduate School of EducationThe Graduate School of Education prepares researchers, teachers, and administrators in education. Two-thirds of the graduate students are working on their doctor of philosophy or master of arts degrees. Another one-third are enrolled in the teaching credential and M.Ed. program to qualify for elementary and secondary school teaching. A number of students not only work on advanced degrees but also qualify for advanced specialist or service credentials in administration or school psychology.