Dr. Matthew Potts

Professor

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Biography

Professor Matthew D. Potts is the S.J. Hall Chair in Forest Economics and the Associate Director of Sustainable Development at the Blum Center. He brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to climate change, biodiversity, natural capital reporting, and management, focusing particularly on carbon removal and emerging climate technologies. With decades of experience in resource management issues in low- and middle-income countries, he leads an interdisciplinary lab that emphasizes biodiversity conservation, ecosystem services, forest restoration, and natural pathways to carbon sequestration. Dr. Potts actively contributed as a coordinating lead author for the Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services Land Degradation Restoration Assessment. His extensive track record includes 90 publications, numerous speaking engagements, and multiple advisory roles in the sustainability and environmental sector, along with leadership in transforming the 21st-century workforce. He helped launch professional master's programs at UC Berkeley: the Masters in Development Engineering and Masters in Climate Solutions. Dr. Potts holds a B.S. from the University of Michigan and a Ph.D. in Applied Mathematics from Harvard University.

Research Interests

Courses

Individual Research Resource Management Supervised Research: Interdisciplinary Studies Special Topics Environmental Science, Policy, Management

Requirements for University of California, Berkeley

Doctorate Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3
GRE Subject
Overall Score
Required:500
Overall
Required:500
TOEFL
Total
Required:90
IELTS
Overall
Required:7
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree or recognized equivalent Preparation comparable to undergraduate major at Berkeley in Mathematics or Applied Mathematics 2 full years lower-division work (Calculus, Linear Algebra, Differential Equations, Multivariable Calculus) 8 one-semester upper-division courses (Real Analysis, Complex Analysis, Abstract Algebra, Linear Algebra)
Application Checklist
  • Graduate Application
  • Statement of Purpose
  • Personal History Statement
  • Three Letters of Recommendation
  • Unofficial Transcripts
  • C.V./Resume
  • Course and Textbook List
Specialization Notes

The Mathematics Subject GRE is required for the Fall 2026 admissions cycle. General GRE is optional.