The Honors Track in Environmental Science or Environmental Studies allows outstanding undergraduate students to obtain recognition for exceptional performance in coursework and research.
You will:
- Gain real life experience that will assist you when applying to graduate school and/or for a professional career position;
- Have the opportunity to work closely with a faculty mentor and the graduate students in their lab;
- Strengthen your resume; and
- Get access to professional networking contacts.
What to Expect
This program is designed for upper-division ESM majors who wish to deepen their knowledge base in a particular area of interest. Under the guidance of an assigned faculty advisor, participants will identify a research project that will include readings, field or lab work, and a thesis.
The program is designed to be completed over three quarters (with prior approval of a faculty advisor, one of these terms could be Summer):
- First quarter: ESM 405 Reading and Conference (3 credits)(Reading - 3 credits)
- Second quarter: ESM 401 Research (4 credits)
- Third quarter: ESM 403 Thesis (2 credits)
In conjunction with their faculty advisor, students will develop a relevant reading list and develop a plan for their lab or field research. Students are also expected to attend a quarterly meeting organized by the department Program Coordinator, at which participants will exchange ideas and information about their work.
Participant Requirements:
- Students are expected to do a minimum of 10 hours/week of research/lab/field work during their second quarter of the program.
- Students will create a poster or presentation at a professional or scholarly conference (e.g., the PSU Student Research Colloquium, the ESM Research Colloquium, Sigma Xi Symposium, Urban Ecosystem Research Consortium, the PSU/OSU/UO Environmental Science Joint Campus Conference, the AESS Friday Seminar, etc.)
- Students must complete 3 terms of study (outlined above)
- Students must maintain a "B" or better on required Honors courses and overall GPA each term in order to continue in the program. A pass/fail option is not permitted.
- Students must write a thesis.