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 150 | Orientation to Environmental Sciences and Management | 1 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 1 |
Foundation Courses
| Bi 251 | Principles of Biology | 5 |
| Bi 252 | Principles of Biology | 5 |
| Bi 253 | Principles of Biology | 5 |
| Ch 221 | General Chemistry I | 4 |
| Ch 222 | General Chemistry II | 4 |
| Ch 227 | General Chemistry Laboratory | 1 |
| Ch 228 | General Chemistry Laboratory | 1 |
| | | |
| Ec 201 | Principles of Microeconomics | 4 |
| | Or | |
| Ec 332 | Economics of Environmental Issues | 4 |
| | | |
| G 201 | Geology | 3 |
| G 204 | Geology Laboratory | 1 |
| | Or | |
| G 202 | Geology | 3 |
| G 205 | Geology Laboratory | 1 |
| | Or | |
| Ph 201 | General Physics | 4 |
| Ph 214 | Lab for Ph 201, 202, 203 or Ph 211, 212, 213 or Ph 221, 222, 223 | 1 |
| | Or | |
| Ph 211 | General Physics (with Calculus) | 4 |
| Ph 214 | Lab for Ph 201, 202, 203 or Ph 211, 212, 213 or Ph 221, 222, 223 | 1 |
| | Or | |
| Geog 210 | Physical Geography | 4 |
| Mth 251 | Calculus I | 0-4 |
| Mth 252 | Calculus II | 4 |
| Stat 243 | Introduction to Probability and Statistics I | 4 |
| | And | |
| Stat 244 | Introduction to Probability and Statistics II | 4 |
| | Or | |
| Stat 243 | Introduction to Probability and Statistics I | 4 |
| | And | |
| ESM 340 | Research Methods in Environmental Science | 4 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 49-50 |
Core Courses
| ESM 220 | Introduction to Environmental Systems | 4 |
| ESM 221 | Applied Environmental Studies: Problem Solving | 4 |
| ESM 222 | Applied Environmental Studies: Policy Consideration | 4 |
| ESM 320 | Analysis of Environmental Systems I | 4 |
| ESM 321 | Analysis of Environmental Systems II | 4 |
| ESM 323 | Environmental Systems Laboratory I | 2 |
| ESM 324 | Environmental Systems Laboratory II | 2 |
| ESM 322 | Environmental Risk Assessment | 4 |
| ESM 325 | Environmental Risk Assessment Lab | 2 |
| ESM 335 | Introduction to Environmental Management | 4 |
| ESM 407 | Environmental 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.
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.