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.
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 51 credits of environmental science core courses and must meet department requirements for foundation courses (49-50 credits), and environmental science topical area elective courses (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 211 | Principles of Biology: Molecular Cell Biology & Genetics | 4 |
| Bi 212 | Principles of Biology: Development, Evolution & Ecology | 4 |
| Bi 213 | Principles of Biology: Organisms, Biodiversity & Conservation | 4 |
| Bi 214 | Principles of Biology Lab I | 1 |
| Bi 215 | Principles of Biology Lab II | 1 |
| Bi 216 | Principles of Biology Lab III | 1 |
| 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 332U | Economics of Environmental Issues | 4 |
| | | |
| G 201 | Dynamic Earth: Interior | 3 |
| G 204 | Geology Laboratory | 1 |
| | or | |
| G 202 | Dynamic Earth: Surface | 3 |
| G 205 | Geology Laboratory | 1 |
| | or | |
| Ph 201 | General Physics | 4 |
| Ph 214 | Lab for Ph 201 or Ph 211 or Ph 221 | 1 |
| | or | |
| Ph 211 | General Physics (with Calculus) I | 4 |
| Ph 214 | Lab for Ph 201 or Ph 211 or Ph 221 | 1 |
| | or | |
| Geog 210 | Physical Geography | 4 |
| Mth 251 | Calculus I | 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 | Environmental Systems I | 4 |
| ESM 321 | Environmental Systems II | 4 |
| ESM 322 | Environmental Risk Assessment | 4 |
| ESM 323 | Environmental Systems Laboratory I | 2 |
| ESM 324 | Environmental Systems Laboratory II | 2 |
| 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: | 51 |
ESM 404 can be substituted for 4 credits of the ESM 410-499 requirement.
Environmental Science Topical Area Requirement
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 provide specialization and skills in particular areas of study that are represented in the research and scholarly foci of our faculty.
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.