Exploratory Courses

Below is a list of courses which can help you to explore the different academic majors available at Portland State. Please refer to the PSU Bulletin or the specific department's website for course descriptions and a full list of major requirements. Courses with an asterisk (*) have pre-requisites as noted in the Bulletin.

List of exploratory courses at PSU
MajorCourse(s)
AnthropologyANTH 101 - Introduction to Biological Anthropology
ANTH 102 - Introduction to Archaeology
ANTH 103 - Introduction to Social/Cultural Anthropology
Applied Health & FitnessPHE 250 - Our Community/Our Health
PHE 270 - Basic Biomechanics
Applied Linguistics (BA only)LING 232 - Language and Society 
LING 233 - Language and Mind
LING 390 - Intro to Linguistics (sophomore level and above)
ArchitectureARCH 100 - Intro to Architecture
ARCH 101 - Intro to Environmental Design
Art HistoryARH 106 - Intro to Visual Literacy (2 credits)
ARH 204, 205, or 206 - History of Western Art
Art Practice ART 131 - Intro to Drawing
Arts & LettersAny 100 or 200 level course from an Arts & Letters subject
BiologyBI 211 - Principles of Biology*
Biomedical Informatics (BS only; 5 year dual degreeCS 161 - Intro to Computer Science*
Black StudiesBST 202 - Intro to Black Studies
Business (all Business concentrations)BA 101Z - Intro to Business 
Chemistry or BiochemistryCH 221/227 - General Chemistry*
Child, Youth & Family StudiesCYFS 101 - Intro to Child & Family Studies (2 credits)
UNST 228 - Family Studies
Civil & Environmental Engineering (BS only)CE 111 - Intro to Civil & Environmental Engineering
CommunicationAny 100 or 200 level Communication course
Community DevelopmentUNST 220 - Community Studies
USP 300U - Intro to Urban Studies (sophomore level and above)
Computer Engineering (BS only)ECE 171 - Digital Circuits*
Computer Science (BS only)CS 161 or 162 - Intro to Computer Science*
Conflict ResolutionCR 301 - Intro to Conflict Resolution (sophomore level and above)
Creative Writing (BFA only)WR 212 - Intro to Fiction Writing OR
WR 213 - Intro to Poetry Writing OR
WR 214 - Beginning Non-Fiction Writing
Criminology & Criminal JusticeCCJ 200 - Criminology & Criminal Justice
CCJ 230 - Policing in America
CCJ 240 - Punishment & Corrections
Earth ScienceG 201/204, 202/205 - Geology and Geology Lab
EconomicsEC 201, 202 - Principles of Economics
Electrical Engineering (BS only)ECE 101 - Exploring Electrical Engineering
EnglishAny 100 or 200 level English course
Environmental Engineering (BS only)CE 111 Intro to Civil & Environmental Engineering
Environmental Studies/ScienceESM 150 - Orientation to Environmental Sciences & Management
ESM 220 - Intro to Environmental Systems
FilmFILM 130 - Intro to Digital Filmmaking for Non-Majors
GeographyGEOG 210 - Physical Geography
GEOG 230 - Environment & Society
GeologyG 201/204 or 202/205 - Geology and Geology Lab
HistoryAny 100 or 200 level History course
Indigenous Nations & Native American StudiesNAS 201 - Intro to Native American Studies
International & Global Studies (BA only)INTL 201 - Intro to International Studies
Judaic Studies (BA only)JST 201 - Intro to Judaism
MathematicsMATH 251 - Calculus I (or based on math placement)
Mechanical Engineering (BS only)ME 120 - Introduction to Engineering*
Music (BA, BS, BM)MUS 101, 102, 103 - Contemporary Music Theory
MUS 111 - Music Theory &  MUS 114 - Sight-Singing/Ear Training
PhysicsPH 201/204 - General Physics* or
PH 211/214 - Gen. Physics with Calculus*
Political SciencePS 101 - United States Government or PS 102 United States Politics
PS 204 - Intro to Comparative Politics
PS 205 - Intro to International Relations
PS 208 - Intro to Political Theory
PsychologyPSY 201Z Intro to Psych I - (formerly called PSY 200 - Psychology as a Natural Science)
PSY 202Z Intro to Psych II - (formerly called PSY 204 - Psychology as a Social Science)
Public Health Studies (all concentrations)PHE 250 - Our Community: Our Health
PHE 295 - Health Promotion & Disease Prevention
ScienceAny 100 or 200 level Science course
Sexuality, Gender & Queer StudiesUNST 231 - Gender & Sexualities OR
WS 332U - Race, Class, Gender & Sexuality
Social ScienceAny 100 or 200 level Social Science course
Social WorkPSY 201Z Intro to Psych I - (formerly called PSY 200 - Psychology as a Natural Science)
PSY 202Z Intro to Psych II - (formerly called PSY 204 - Psychology as a Social Science)
SOC 200 - Intro to Sociology
SW 301U - Intro to Social Work (sophomore level and above)
SociologySOC 200 - Intro to Sociology
Special EducationSPED 418 - Survey of Exceptional Learner (sophomore level and above)
Speech & Hearing SciencesSPHR 222 - Intro to Speech, Language & Hearing Sciences    
Theater ArtsTA 102 - Intro to Acting
TA 144 - Voice for the Actor
Urban & Public AffairsUPA 103 - Pathways to Success
UPA 335 - World Changing Jobs
Any 100 or 200 level course in CCJ, EC, PS
Women's StudiesWS 101 - Intro to Women's Studies
World Languages & Literatures (BA only)May depend on prior knowledge; student with prior knowledge should take a placement test prior to selecting a course - those without prior knowledge should choose 101 of language of interest