How do majors and minors work at UC Riverside?

I'm interested in applying to UC Riverside and exploring their majors and minors. Can someone explain how flexible the system is? Are there popular combinations? I'm thinking of majoring in biology and minoring in environmental science.

Majoring and minoring at UC Riverside, just like other universities, is a structured process designed to provide you with in-depth knowledge in your primary area of study (major) while also giving you the opportunity to gain insight into an additional discipline (minor) of your choice.

In general, as a Biology major at UC Riverside, you will take a series of required courses to meet the needs of your major and likely electives in specific biology topics that interest you. Environmental Science is a popular and well-regarded minor that many Biology students delve into due to their overlapping topics in courses like conservation, pollution, and ecosystem dynamics.

The flexibility of the system generally focuses on the ability for students to customize their course load around their major and minor preferences. However, the completion of a major or minor is a commitment and often includes prerequisites, core coursework, and electives specific to the subject area. Advisers are key resources as they can help identify course sequences that meet your requirements and fit your academic, career, and personal aspirations.

At UC Riverside, you can declare your major when you apply or do so at a later stage, with specific deadlines depending on the college your major falls under. As for the minors, some students start their first year knowing what minor they want while others pick one later in their academic journey when they've taken a broader range of classes.

It's important to note that UC Riverside utilizes the quarter system, so you'll have the chance to take more classes over your college career, which might give you slightly more flexibility in completing a major and minor combination. Either way, do consider your workload because some combinations can be demanding.

In terms of popular combinations, UC Riverside doesn't publish specific numbers, but given the interdisciplinary nature of the biological and environmental sciences, this could well be a beneficial academic pairing. Additionally, the university offers multiple degree programs that combine the two in some way, for example, the Environmental Science major and the Conservation Biology major, indicating a strong intersect between the disciplines.

Remember that your plan to major in Biology and minor in Environmental Science should align well with your long-term career goals and your strengths. If you're interested in an environment-related career and enjoy the science behind it, or are planning on further studies in related fields, this combination could be a robust choice.