Undergraduate programs

The Department of Environmental Science and Management offers two undergraduate degrees. The Environmental Science degree is focused on natural science, whereas the Environmental Studies degree is focused more on policy and management. The B.A./B.S. degrees in both Environmental Science and Environmental Studies rest on an interdisciplinary curriculum that develops understanding and expertise in environmental science by building on a foundation in mathematics, natural sciences, and economics complemented by related courses in environmental policy and management. Students should consult with a department adviser to assure proper course planning. Students can complete field experiences by working on projects in the University, metropolitan community, and region.

Degree Maps and Learning Outcomes

Admission requirements

Environmental Science B.A./B.S.

Environmental Studies B.A./B.S.

Environmental Science/Environmental Studies Honors Track

Climate Adaptation and Management Certificate

Forest Ecology and Management Certificate

Lake and Reservoir Management Certificate

Environmental Science Minor

Sustainability Minor

Environmental Studies B.A./B.S.

Requirements

Department of Environmental Science and Management and the Department of Geography are collaborating to offer a degree in Environmental Studies. The degree prepares the students for more sophisticated upper division courses at the interface between science and policy by requiring them to take some prerequisite courses in natural sciences (biology, chemistry and physical geography) and some prerequisite courses in the social sciences (geography, economics and environmental policy).

 

A summary of the requirements are listed below:

  • 1 credit departmental orientation
  • 29-31 credits in natural sciences in the subjects of ecology, chemistry, environmental systems, and physical geography
  • 24 credits in social sciences and humanities in the subjects of resource management, economics, environmental policy and regulations, and others
  • 21 credits from a list of "skills" that includes quantitative analysis, visualization of spatial data, field methods, and others
  • 16 credits in an indentified topical area. Choices include environmental systems, urban issues, resource management, nature/society interactions, or environmental education

There is a minimum of 90 credits required for this major.

Courses taken under the undifferentiated grading option (pass/no pass) will not be accepted toward fulfilling major requirements. Additional courses may be required as prerequisites. All courses used to satisfy the Environmental Studies major requirements, whether taken in the department or in other departments, must be graded C- or above.

Departmental Orientation

ESM 150Orientation to Environmental Sciences and Management

1

Total Credit Hours:1

Natural Sciences Core Courses

Biology (8)

8 credits in one of the following sequences:
Bi 212Principles of Biology II

4

Bi 213Principles of Biology III

4

or

Bi 202Fundamentals of Biology: Ecology, Conservation, and Health

3

Bi 205Fundamentals of Biology Laboratory: Ecology Conservation and Health

1

And

Bi 203Fundamentals of Biology: Evolution and Diversity of Life

3

Bi 206Fundamentals of Biology Lab: Evolution and Diversity of Life

1

or

Sci 341UBiology Concepts and Applications I

4

Sci 342UBiology Concepts and Applications II

4

Chemistry (8)

(two quarters or one semester)
ESM 230Fundamentals of Environmental Chemistry I

4

ESM 231Fundamentals of Environmental Chemistry II

4

Environmental Science (8)

ESM 220Introduction to Environmental Systems

4

ESM 221Applied Environmental Studies: Problem Solving

4

Physical Geography (4)

Geog 210Physical Geography

4

Senior Seminar

ESM 407Environmental Seminar

1

Total Credit Hours:29

Social Sciences and Humanities Core Courses

Human Geography/Management (8)

Geog 230Environment and Society: Global Perspectives

4

Geog 345UResource Management

4

Environmental Economics (4)

Ec 332UEconomics of Environmental Issues

4

or equivalent

Environmental Policy/Regulations (8)

ESM 222Applied Environmental Studies: Policy Consideration

4

ESM 335Introduction to Environmental Management

4

4 credits from the following list of courses:

ESM 330Environmental and Ecological Literacy

4

PS 319Politics of the Environment

4

Phl 310UEnvironmental Ethics

4

Hst 339UThe Environment and History

4

Geog 347UEnvironmental Issues and Action

4

Total Credit Hours:24

Skills

Students must take a total of 20 credits of skill courses, including the following:

Quantitative Analysis (4)

4 credits from this list:

ESM 340Research Methods in Environmental Science

4

Geog 496Visualization of Spatial Data

4

Geog 497Spatial Quantitative Analysis

4

Sci 314UEnvironmental Statistics

4

Stat 243Introduction to Probability and Statistics I

4

Visualizing Spatial Data (8)

Geog 380UMaps and Geographic Information

4

Geog 488/USP 591Geographic Information Systems I: Introduction

4

Field Methods (4)

4 credits from this list:
Bi 473Field Sampling

4

ESM 342Field Methods

2

ESM 404Cooperative Ed/Internship

0-12

Geog 420Field Methods in Physical Geography

4

Geog 425Field Methods in Human Geography

4

Geog 489Building a GIS Database with GPS

4

Communications (4)

4 credits from this list:
Wr 327Technical Report Writing

4

Geog 481Digital Image Analysis I: Introduction

4

Geog 485Map Design and Production

4

Geog 495Maps, Models, and GIS

4

Total Credit Hours:20

Topical Areas (16)

Students must take at least 2 ESM 400-level courses and 2 Geog 400-level courses from an approved list of focus areas that is generated by the two departments (http://www.pdx.edu/esm/environmental-studies).

Any course taken to meet the core content requirement cannot be used to meet the topical area requirement.

Total Credit Hours:16

Total Credit Hours: 90