Portland-State-University 2021-2022 Bulletin

Environmental Science B.A./B.S.

The Environmental Science degree is focused on natural science and is offered with two track options, a focus on the scientific and field study of the environment (Science track) or a focus on environmental management and policy (Management track).

In addition to satisfying general University requirements (45 credits), the Environmental Science and Management degree requires 74-87 core credits plus 30-31 credits in either the Science or Management track.

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.

Requirements

Students must complete the core requirements and either the Science Track or the Management Track.

Core Requirements

Students must complete the ESM, Biology, Chemistry, and GIS requirements.

ESM Core

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 335Introduction to Environmental Management

4
ESM 340Research Methods in Environmental Science

4
ESM 407Environmental Seminar

1
Wr 327Technical Report Writing

4
12 credits in 400-level topical area

12
16 credits of 400-level ESM courses (excluding ESM 407)

16
Up to 4 credits of approved research/internship can replace 4 credits of 400-level ESM courses.

Biology Core (Option 1)

8 credits selected from the following:
Sci 341UBiology Concepts and Applications I

4
Sci 342UBiology Concepts and Applications II

4
ESM 343Environmental Problem Solving: Restoring Ecosystem Damage from Human Impacts

4

Biology Core (Option 2)

15 credits of the following:
Bi 211Principles of Biology: Molecular Cell Biology & Genetics

4
Bi 214Principles of Biology Lab I

1
Bi 212Principles of Biology: Development, Evolution & Ecology

4
Bi 215Principles of Biology Lab II

1
Bi 213Principles of Biology: Organisms, Biodiversity & Conservation

4
Bi 216Principles of Biology Lab III

1

Chemistry Core (Option 1)

ESM 230Fundamentals of Environmental Chemistry I

4
ESM 231Fundamentals of Environmental Chemistry II

4

Chemistry Core (Option 2)

Ch 221General Chemistry I

4
Ch 227General Chemistry Laboratory

1
Ch 222General Chemistry II

4
Ch 228General Chemistry Laboratory

1

GIS Core (Option 1)

4 credits selected from the following:
G 424Geographical Information Systems for the Natural Sciences

4
G 425Field GIS

4

GIS Core (Option 2)

8 credits of the following:
Geog 380UMaps and Geographic Information

4
Geog 488/USP 591Geographic Information Systems I: Introduction

4

Total Credit Hours: 74-87

Science Track

ESM 320Environmental Systems I

4
ESM 323Environmental Systems Laboratory I

2
ESM 321Environmental Systems II

4
ESM 324Environmental Systems Laboratory II

2
ESM 322Environmental Risk Assessment

4
ESM 325Environmental Risk Assessment Lab

2
  
ESM 315Environmental Sampling and Contaminant Analysis

4
or
Ch 223General Chemistry III

4
Ch 229General Chemistry Laboratory

1
 
4 credits Geology or Physics, 200-level or above.

4
 
Mth 112Introductory College Mathematics II

4
or
Mth 251Calculus I

4

Total Credit Hours: 30-31

Management Track

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 487Environmental Justice

4
Ec 332UEconomics of Environmental Issues

4
ESM 435Natural Resource Policy and Management

4
Mth 112Introductory College Mathematics II

4
Geog 210Physical Geography

4

Total Credit Hours: 30

Total Credit Hours: 104-118