Description: California Ecology and Conservation (CEC) is a seven-week field program that brings UC students together for intensive scientific training at NRS reserves. Students complete a series of research projects, learn field techniques, and present findings in oral, poster, and written formats. They hone research, public speaking, and scientific writing skills while gaining familiarity with California’s ecosystems.
Taught: every Fall, Spring, and Summer term
Credits: Fall, Spring (15 units), Summer (12.7 units). The program has two components. The first, NRS BIO/ENVS 188 California Ecology and Conservation, is required of all participating students and is 12.7 semester units. The second component is NRS BIO/ENVS 189 Critical Conservation Issues in California, a 2.3 semester unit course in which students from UC Berkeley enroll only during spring or fall term.

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Description: Natural history and evolutionary biology of island terrestrial and freshwater organisms, and of marine organisms in the coral reef and lagoon systems will be studied, and the geomorphology of volcanic islands, coral reefs, and reef islands will be discussed. Features of island biogeography will be illustrated with topics linked to subsequent field studies on the island of Mo’orea (French Polynesia).
Next Taught: Every Fall semester
Credits: 15 units

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Description: A field-based course with overnight and day trips to natural areas in the Bay Area and coastal California. Field trips and lectures emphasize natural history of California organisms and field research methods to study global climate change as well as preparing students for careers in ecology, evolutionary biology and conservation. There will be four field trips. Two of these field trips are day trips and two of these trips will involve weekends. Vans to transport students to field trips which will be driven by the instructors and the GSI. Camping equipment will be provided.
Taught: every Spring semester
Credits: 3 units

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Description: Biology of the vertebrates, exclusive of fish. Laboratory and field study of local vertebrates exclusive of fish. Field trips may include visits to the East Bay Regional Park and UC Natural Reserve System, spanning a variety of distinct habitat types that support a diverse vertebrate fauna.
Taught: every Spring semester
Credits: 5 units

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Description: An in-depth examination of the ecological and evolutionary bases for behavioral diversity. Topics covered include behavior as an adaptive response, sexual selection, animal mating systems, group living, and cooperative and competitive interactions. Current conceptual approaches to these topics are explored, with an emphasis upon rigorous testing of hypotheses drawn from primary literature. Hands-on laboratory training in the methods of experimental design, data collection, and data analysis.
Taught: Odd years (in Spring semester)
Credits: 5 units

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Description: The ecosystems of California are studied from both an ecological and historical biogeographical perspective with a focus on terrestrial plant communities. Students learn how to identify about 150 species of native plants (mostly trees, but also other dominant plants from the non-forest biomes). Field trips occur each Friday and over several weekends. Students conduct group projects that involve plant inventories and data collection as well as how to collect plant specimens and use the Herbarium.
Taught: every Fall semester
Credits: 4 units

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Description: An advanced course in the biology of mammals. It will combine experience from laboratories, lectures, and field work. Topics covered include elements of modern mammalian biology such as morphology, physiology, ecology, and behavior. The laboratory portion of the course will rely on the collections of the UC Berkeley Museum of Vertebrate Zoology to introduce students to mammalian diversity in a phylogenetic context. The lecture portion of the course will cover a wide range of subjects in the ecology and evolution of mammals. There will be three required field trips in California. Field work is a critical part of the class: we will have the opportunity to observe, handle, and study wild mammals first-hand. These trips are intended to introduce students to the field identification of mammals and techniques used to study their population biology.
Taught: Even years (in Fall semester)
Credits: 5 units

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Description: An advanced course in the biology of birds. It will combine experience from laboratories, lectures, and field work. Topics covered include an introduction to the diversity, morphology, and general ecology of birds of the world. The laboratory portion of the course will rely on the collections of the UC Berkeley Museum of Vertebrate Zoology. There will be required field trips in California including: two morning-long, two full day, and one weekend trip.
Taught: Odd years (in Spring semester)
Credits: 4 units

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Description: Lectures will introduce students to the diversity of amphibians and reptiles on a world-wide basis, with an emphasis on systematics, ecology, morphology, and life history. Laboratories will teach students the diagnostic characteristics and some functional attributes of amphibians and reptiles on a world-wide basis. Field trips will acquaint students with techniques for collecting, preserving, identifying, and studying amphibians and reptiles.
Taught: Even years (in Spring semester)
Credits: 4 units

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Description: Did you know that our closest living fish relative can build a cocoon and hibernate for three years? Or that some fish make a living by eating scales? This class will conduct publishable research in evolution, ecology, and behavior by doing actual science on fishes. We will attempt to answer unknown questions about the evolution of fascinating adaptations in diverse groups of fishes in both the laboratory and field.
Taught: every Fall semester
Credits: 4 units

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Description: Geological mapping, field observation, and problem-solving in the Berkeley hills and environs leading to original interpretation of geological processes and history from stratigraphic, structural, and lithological investigations. Integration of the Berkeley hills geology into the Coast Ranges and California as a whole through field trips to key localities. Training in digital field mapping, global positioning systems, and laser surveying. Interdisciplinary focus encourages participation by nonmajors.
Credits: 4 units

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Description: Advanced geological mapping, intensive field observation, and problem solving in the field areas selected by instructors. Includes preparation of final reports. Taught: every other Spring semester
Credits: 4 units

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Description: This student-facilitated DeCal explores how art can be a powerful tool for environmental awareness, advocacy, and social change. Through various creative mediums—storytelling, music, film, photography, painting, and more—students will engage with nature and express their perspectives on environmental issues. The course will feature guest speakers from different artistic and environmental fields who will share insights on using art to inspire action and communicate ecological themes. Additionally, students will have the opportunity for field site visits at local natural spaces (such as the UC Botanical Garden, Tilden Park, and nearby UC Natural Reserves & Field Stations) to gather inspiration for their work. The course will be structured around a semester-long creative project, with regular check-ins, an initial proposal and outline, a research phase, a rough draft, peer feedback, and a final presentation. Students unable to attend field trips may propose their own outdoor experiences. By the end of the course, participants will have created a piece that reflects their artistic interpretation of environmental awareness, fostering both personal creativity and collective discussion on the intersection of nature and art.
Taught: Fall 2025
Credits: 2 units

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Description: An introduction to the biomes, plants, and animals of California. The lectures explore natural history as the foundation of the sciences, including geology, paleontology, environmental history, botany, zoology, ecology, and conservation. The field labs include activities on campus and in protected areas near Berkeley. The course is open to all students without prerequisite and provides a foundation for advanced study in the life sciences and field biology.
Taught: every Fall semester
Credits: 3 units

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Description: This course surveys the biology of fungi and selected fungal-like eukaryotes through lectures, lab/discussions and student projects. Our goal is to help students develop a broad understanding of the diversity of fungi and fungal-like organisms, their basic biology, and the major roles fungi and fungal-like organisms play in our natural ecosystems, agriculture, medicine, and biotechnology.
Taught: Even years (in Fall semester)
Credits: 3 units

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Description: This course focuses on a survey of physiological approaches to understanding plant-environment interactions from the functional perspective. The lecture course (IB 151) covers physiological adaptation; limiting factors; resources acquisition/allocation; photosynthesis, carbon, energy balance; water use and relations; nutrient relations; linking physiology; stable isotope applications in ecophysiology; stress physiology; life history and physiology; evolution of physiological performance; physiology population, community, and ecosystem levels. The lab course (IB 151L) is focused on instructing you on observational and experimental approaches and methods used in plant physiological ecology. Students are introduced to a wide range of techniques and will make measurements on different plant species growing in the field or greenhouse (weeks 1-7). A group research project is required (weeks 9-12).
Taught: Even years (in Spring semester)
Credits: 4 units (IB 151), 2 units (IB 151L)

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Description: This class focuses on the scientific practice of modern botanical taxonomy as a colonial formation that conditions our modern relations. We will first learn how plants are classified and how they fit into the tree of life, and what practical challenges exist for current practitioners of botany. Next, we will study the history of the ideas underlying classification and their connections to colonial, extractivist empire-building activities since Linnaeus. Finally, we will work to create a new taxonomy that acknowledges and imagines other relationships with plants. There will be 3-weekend field trips in this class.
Taught: Odd years (in Spring semester)
Credits: 4 units

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Description: The six-week course offered through UC Nature’s systemwide office teaches R programming and data analysis, preparing students for internships and graduate studies. The program includes online training with mentor support, a capstone project with industry data, and a field visit for hands-on experience, culminating in a symposium where students present their research and build communication skills.
Taught: June to August (exact dates subject to change)
Eligibility: Open to  K–12 graduating seniors and students enrolled at a University of California, California State University, or California Community College campus. Students must be the first in their families to attend college, low-income, or come from historically marginalized backgrounds. International students are not eligible.
Cost: Free, but you must have a Mac or PC to access online training modules.
Application due: February every year.

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