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 foundational courses in natural sciences, geography, and environmental policy.

A summary of the requirements are listed below:

  • 28 credits in the Environmental Studies Core
  • 24-26 credits in Foundation courses including the subjects of biology, chemistry, and geography
  • 22 credits from a list of "Skills" that includes quantitative analysis, visualization of spatial data, field methods, and communication
  • 20 credits in Environmental Systems (12 credits) and Geography & Human Systems (8 credits)

There is a minimum of 94 credits required for this major.

Courses taken under the undifferentiated grading option (pass/no pass) will not be accepted toward fulfilling major requirements except for ESM 150 and ESM 407, which are only available as pass/no pass courses. 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.

Environmental Studies Core Courses

ESM 150Orientation to Environmental Sciences and Management

1

ESM 220Introduction to Environmental Systems

4

ESM 221Applied Environmental Studies: Problem Solving

4

ESM 222Applied Environmental Studies: Policy Consideration

4

ESM 330Environmental and Ecological Literacy

4

ESM 333Methods of Data Collection, Analysis, Representation, and Modeling for Environmental Managers

4

ESM 334Methods of Data Collection, Analysis, Representation, and Modeling for Environmental Managers Lab

2

ESM 335Introduction to Environmental Management

4

ESM 407Environmental Seminar

1

Total Credit Hours:28

Environmental Studies Foundation Courses

Biology (8-10)

Take one of the following sequences:

Bi 212Principles of Biology: Development, Evolution & Ecology

4

Bi 215Principles of Biology Lab II

1

And

Bi 213Principles of Biology: Organisms, Biodiversity & Conservation

4

Bi 216Principles of Biology Lab III

1

or

Sci 341UBiology Concepts and Applications I

4

Sci 342UBiology Concepts and Applications II

4

Take all of the following

ESM 230Fundamentals of Environmental Chemistry I

4

ESM 231Fundamentals of Environmental Chemistry II

4

Geog 210Physical Geography

4

Geog 230Environment and Society: Global Perspectives

4

Total Credit Hours:24-26

Skills

Students must take a total of 22 credits of skill courses, across four areas, including the following:

Quantitative Analysis (4)

Stat 243Introduction to Probability and Statistics I

4

GIS and Mapping (8)

Geog 380UMaps and Geographic Information

4

Geog 488/USP 591Geographic Information Systems I: Introduction

4

Field Methods (2)

ESM 342Field Methods

2

Communications (8)

Wr 327Technical Report Writing

4

Comm 410Environmental Communication

4

Total Credit Hours:22

Environmental and Human Systems (20)

Students must take at least 3 400-level courses in Environmental Systems and 2 400-level courses in Geography/Human Systems from an approved list of focus areas (http://www.pdx.edu/esm/environmental-studies).

Total Credit Hours:20

Total Credit Hours: 94-96