"Unlike other doctoral programs, ESE students learn how to work together to try to solve real world environmental problems." Mark Gold, ESE Alumni, Executive Director, Heal the Bay
Problems Course


During the second year, students focus on the Problems Course. The Problems Course consists of a supervised research project directed towards the solution of a current environmental problem. The intensive research effort in the Problems Course typically occurs over a 12-15 month period, and leads to one or more peer-reviewed journal articles.

Although Problems Courses take many forms, from field studies or laboratory projects to application of models and database analyses, they typically involve technical problems with policy implications. Concurrently with the Problems Course, students participate in a Problems Course Workshop that focuses on developing oral presentation and technical writing skills.

Recent Problems Courses

Air Pollution and Exposure Assessment
(Advisor: Dr. Arthur M. Winer)

Fruin, S.  1999.  Benzene Exposure and Dose for the Southern California Population: Application of the Regional Human Exposure Model.

Farrar, C. and J. Jones.  2001.  Relationship Between Indoor, Outdoor and Personal Concentrations in Four Los Angeles County Communities.

Behrentz, E. and Sabin L.D.  2002.  Characterizing the Range of Children's Pollutant Exposure During School Bus Commutes.

Liebeler, J.  2004.  Investigation of the Impacts of the 2002 West Coast Port Strike on Air Quality in the South Coast Air Basin.


 Restoration Ecology and Environmental Assessment
(Advisor: Dr. Richard F. Ambrose)

Estes, S. 2009. Attenuation of fecal indicator bacteria and human-specific Bacteroides in two California coastal wetlands.

Sias, G. 2009. Effects of urban runoff on rocky intertidal communities in southern California.

Bear, T. 2007. Establishing Goals for Restoration of Coastal Wetlands in Southern California Based on Historical and Contemporary Habitat Distributions.

Hensley, A. 2007. Academic activites related to sustainability at UCLA.


 Water Quality and Environmental Chemistry
(Advisor: Dr. Mel Suffet)

Amah, G. 1999. Contribution of the Distribution Systems to Taste and Odor in Drinking Water Supplies. Advisor: Suffet.

Castenada-Jimenez, A. and H. Park. 2000. Evaluation of Water Reuse Operations. Advisor: Suffet.

Burnam, J. 2001. Desorption of Organophosphate Pesticides from Agricultural Fields Suspended Solids Runoff from Rainfall and Irrigation Events. Advisor: Suffet.