Program Overview
Environmental Science Program
The Environmental Science program at Portland State University is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the natural world and the impact of human activities on the environment.
Program Requirements
To complete the Environmental Science program, students must earn 180 total credits, including 102 credits in the major, 60 of which are from courses within the major, and 42 elective credits. A minimum of 62 credits must be upper-division (300/400-level).
Course Equivalencies
The following courses will transfer toward PSU requirements within the Environmental Science major:
- ESM 150: ESR 150
- ESM 220: ESR 200
- ESM 221: ESR 202
- ESM 222: ESR 201
- ESM 340: STAT 243Z and MTH 244
- WR 327: WR 227
- ENGL&235: Biology Core (Option 1)
- Biology Core (Option 2): BI 221Z, BI 222Z, BI 223Z
- Chemistry Core (Option 1): ESM 230, ESM 231
- Chemistry Core (Option 2): CH 221Z and CH 227Z (Lab), CH 222Z and CH 228Z (Lab)
- GIS (Geographic Information Systems): GEOG 488, GEO 265 and GEO 266
- Science Track: CH 223Z and CH 229Z (Lab), MTH 112Z or MTH 251Z
- Management Track: EC 332U, EC 201Z, MTH 112Z
Bachelor of Arts Requirements
A minimum of 23 credits is required, including:
- Two years college-level language proficiency
- 10 credits minimum in arts & letters
- 10 credits minimum in sciences and/or social sciences
Bachelor of Science Requirements
A minimum of 23 total credits is required, including:
- One year of science courses (10 credits minimum)
- 3 credits minimum in college-level mathematics/statistics
- 10 credits minimum in arts & letters and/or social sciences
Other Academic Requirements
- Race and Ethnic Studies Requirement: two RESR-designated courses (a minimum of 3 credits each) with a central focus on race, ethnicity, and systemic oppression
- University Writing Requirement: 2 Composition courses, starting with College Writing 121 (or equivalent)
- Second Language Proficiency for Admission: two years of second language at the high school level, or two terms at the college level
General Education Requirements
Students have the option of University Studies or University Honors for completing their general education requirements at PSU. The goal of general education curricula is to assure that all graduates have a common set of coursework designed around the university's educational goals.
University Studies
The University Studies option involves taking courses outside of the major that are linked by a common theme, as well as a Capstone project in the senior year. Credits transferred determine the University Studies requirements to complete.
University Honors
College Honors serves high-achieving, academically motivated students from diverse ethnic, social, and economic backgrounds. Students will take coursework that prepares them for a final thesis project, which takes the place of a senior Capstone course.
Degree Maps
The 4-year degree maps (BA and BS) provide suggested PSU course sequencing that allows for an efficient path towards graduation. Students should use the course equivalencies table or Transferology to determine the appropriate equivalent course at their current institution.