Undergraduate Advising

We offer two undergraduate degrees. The Environmental Science degree focuses on natural sciences and research. The Environmental Studies degree is offered jointly with Geography and focuses on environmental problems and policy. We also offer a minor in Sustainability and a minor in Environmental Science.

ESM students are welcome to talk with their academic advisor or faculty about career options for majors, internships, and how to apply to grad school. The ESM undergraduate listserv will also send you information about lectures and internship opportunities.

Pathway Advising

Students majoring in environmental science and environmental studies are part of the Health, Science & the Earth pathway.

Students are strongly encouraged to meet with their Pathways academic advisor at least once a year to create a plan of study, discuss internship possibilities, or update graduation plans.

Students in this pathway are assigned to an advisor based on the last 2 digits of their PSU ID number. Advisors have 15, 30 and 45-minute appointments.

ID ending 0-6: Stephanie Hamington
ID ending 7-9: Sang Rich

Use the links on the Pathway website to schedule a phone, virtual or in-person appointment. If you cannot access the appointment scheduler, call the front desk at 503-725-3822.

Health, Science & The Earth Pathway

Checklists & Degree Maps

University Studies and Major Requirements

Classes that are taken for University Studies cannot fulfill major requirements, so make sure that you do not register for any classes that are listed "ESM" in order to fulfill your University Studies requirements. However, classes that are taken for University Studies requirements CAN be used to also fulfill minor requirements.

Math Placement Assessment

To enroll in any of the following courses, you must successfully complete (C- or above) the prerequisite course within the last year, or place at the appropriate level on the math placement assessment within the last year: MTH 251, MTH 111Z, MTH 095, MTH 211, MTH 261, MTH 112Z, MTH 105, STATS 243Z, STAT 105)

Transfer Students

Once you are admitted to PSU, the university will run a Course Transfer Evaluation from your transcripts that will be mailed to you upon admission. You can also access this report online. This will tell you what classes from your current school will be applied to your degree requirements at PSU. There is an online tool that may be useful for applicants who want to know the course equivalencies for their current school and PSU. The academic advisors are available to help you plan future transfer classes.

In addition, applicants may wish to review the Environmental Science Degree Checklist and/or the Environmental Studies Degree Checklist to see what classes are required by the PSU Environmental Science and Management department that are also offered by your current school. These checklists are used in our advising sessions with students and are excellent for providing a clear list of required courses.

If you are transferring from Portland Community College, please see the PCC-specific transfer guide below in order to look at the course equivalencies:

CORE

PCC Equivalent	Required PSU Courses:
ESR 150 Environmental Studies Orientation	ESM 150 Orientation to ESM
ESR 200 Introduction to Environmental Systems	ESM 220* Introduction to Environmental Systems
ESR 202 Applied Environmental Studies	ESM 221** Applied Environmental Studies: Problem Solving
ESR 201 Science and Policy Considerations	ESM 222 Applied Environmental Studies: Policy Considerations
GEO 264*** Maps and Geospatial Concepts	Geog 380 Maps and Geographical Information
GEO 265*** Introduction to GIS & GEO 266 GIS Analysis	Geog 488 Geographical Information Systems I: Introduction
WR 227*** Technical Writing	WR 327 Technical Report Writing
BI 211, 212, 213 Principles of Biology w labs OR two of BI141,142,143 or ESR204	Bi 211, 212, 213 with labs Bi 214, 215, 216 Principles of Biology
OR 8 credits of SCI 341/L Biological Concepts and Applications I or SCI 342/L Biological Concepts or Applications II, ESM 343/L Environmental Problem Solving
CH 221 and 222 lab included General Chemistry	Ch 221 and 222 with labs Ch 227, 228 General Chemistry OR ESM 230*/R, 231/L
MTH 243 and 244 Statistics	ESM 340 Research Methods in Environmental Science

SCIENCE TRACK

PCC Equivalent	Required PSU Courses:
CH 223/229	ESM 315
Choose 1 from GEOL 201, 202 or PHY 201, 211, MTH 112, 251 (recommended)	4 credits 200 level GEOL or PHY , MTH 112, MTH 251 (recommended)

MANAGEMENT TRACK

PCC Equivalent	Required PSU Courses:
EC 201 Microeconomics	EC 332 Economics of Environmental Issues
MTH 112	MTH 112
GEO 110	GEOG 210

ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES

PCC Equivalent	Required PSU Courses:
ESR 150 Environmental Studies Orientation	ESM 150 Orientation to ESM (recommended)
ESR 200 Introduction to Environmental Systems	ESM 220* Introduction to Environmental Systems
ESR 201 Science and Policy Considerations	ESM 222 Applied Environmental Studies: Policy Considerations
GEO 110	GEOG 210
GEO 105 or 106	GEOG 230
GEO 170*** Maps and Geospatial Concepts	GEOG 380 Maps and Geographical Information

Optional as Major Elective Course

WR 227*** Technical Writing

WR 327 Technical Report Writing

^{*Mth 111 or ALEKS score of >59 prerequisite for ESM 220, highly recommended for ESM}
^{*** PCC lower-division course fulfills content requirement; all students must complete a minimum of 62 credits of upper-division (300 or 400 level) coursework to graduate from PSU}

Additional courses to get to 90 transferrable credits – if BA – language through 203, consider introduction courses for a minor, Race and Ethnic Studies Requirement.

Transfer & Returning Student Resource Center