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 Studies Minor

Environmental Science/Environmental Studies Honors Track

Sustainability Minor

Environmental Science B.A./B.S.

Requirements

In addition to satisfying general University requirements (45 credits), a student majoring in environmental science must complete at least 52 credits of environmental science core courses and must meet department requirements for foundation courses (49-50 credits), and supporting elective courses (connected learning electives) in science, social science, and humanities (16 credits).

All courses used to satisfy the Environmental Science major requirements, whether taken in the department or in other departments, must be graded C- or above. Department requirements are listed below. Students must complete the foundation courses listed below. All foundation courses should be completed before a student enrolls in the upper-division sequence (ESM 320, ESM 321, ESM 322). Of the 16 credits of 400-level courses required in the core, a maximum of 4 credits may be taken as ESM 404 Internship.



Departmental Orientation

ESM 150Orientation to Environmental Sciences and Management

1

Total Credit Hours:1

Foundation Courses

Bi 251Principles of Biology

5

Bi 252Principles of Biology

5

Bi 253Principles of Biology

5

Ch 221General Chemistry I

4

Ch 222General Chemistry II

4

Ch 227General Chemistry Laboratory

1

Ch 228General Chemistry Laboratory

1

 

Ec 201Principles of Microeconomics

4

Or

Ec 332Economics of Environmental Issues

4

  

G 201Geology

3

G 204Geology Laboratory

1

Or

G 202Geology

3

G 205Geology Laboratory

1

Or

Ph 201General Physics

4

Ph 214Lab for Ph 201, 202, 203 or Ph 211, 212, 213 or Ph 221, 222, 223

1

Or

Ph 211General Physics (with Calculus)

4

Ph 214Lab for Ph 201, 202, 203 or Ph 211, 212, 213 or Ph 221, 222, 223

1

Or

Geog 210Physical Geography

4

Mth 251Calculus I

0-4

Mth 252Calculus II

4

Stat 243Introduction to Probability and Statistics I

4

And

Stat 244Introduction to Probability and Statistics II

4

Or

Stat 243Introduction to Probability and Statistics I

4

And

ESM 340Research Methods in Environmental Science

4

Total Credit Hours:49-50

Core Courses

ESM 220Introduction to Environmental Systems

4

ESM 221Applied Environmental Studies: Problem Solving

4

ESM 222Applied Environmental Studies: Policy Consideration

4

ESM 320Analysis of Environmental Systems I

4

ESM 321Analysis of Environmental Systems II

4

ESM 323Environmental Systems Laboratory I

2

ESM 324Environmental Systems Laboratory II

2

ESM 322Environmental Risk Assessment

4

ESM 325Environmental Risk Assessment Lab

2

ESM 335Introduction to Environmental Management

4

ESM 407Environmental Seminar

1

ESM 410-499
Advanced Environmental Topics

16

Total Credit Hours:52

ESM 404 can be substituted for 4 credits of the ESM 410-499 requirement.

Connected learning electives

Students must complete 16 credits of supporting courses selected from an approved list of courses available on the department Web site www.pdx.edu/esm/. These courses are intended to broaden the student’s background and include courses from allied sciences (e.g. biology, geology and geography), courses that focus on the development of skills and techniques (e.g. GIS and remote sensing) useful in environmental science, and courses that address the interactions of humans and the natural environment (e.g. economics, English, history, philosophy, political science, sociology, and urban studies and planning). In selecting these courses, students are strongly encouraged to broaden their studies beyond science by including courses from the social sciences and humanities.

Total Credit Hours:16

Total Credit Hours: 116-117

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 Science major requirements, whether taken in the department or in other departments, must be graded C- or above.