Environmental
Sciences
Air and water pollution, extinction of species, depletion of ozone in the stratosphere,
buildup of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, nuclear waste, and oil spills in our seas
are among the pressing problems that endanger our environment. The best minds in the
country must be trained to examine and understand complex environmental issues, to predict
environmental change, and to participate in sustainable management of the environment.
Research and instruction on environmental problems and issues have been strong areas
of emphasis at OSU for many years. A program leading to the B.S. degree in Environmental
Sciences offers undergraduates an interdisciplinary curriculum that includes specializations
in a wide range of fields, such as aquatic biology, environmental policy, land-air interactions,
terrestrial ecosystem ecology, environmental health, and environmental conservation and
sustainability.
The curriculum is designed to give students a scientific foundation and prepare them
to become problem-solvers who can apply scientific methods to interdisciplinary questions
and communicate effectively. Experts from departments all across campus join forces to train
undergraduates in a wide range of environmental issues.
Students complete a core of courses in basic sciences, math, and topics related to
environmental sciences and also acquire depth of knowledge in one area of specialization. In
addition to the Corvallis-based OSU campus, this degree is also available online through OSU’s
ECampus.
Career Opportunities
Career opportunities for students graduating with a B.S. degree in Environmental
Sciences are plentiful. Federal agencies, such as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
the Department of Energy, and the U.S. Forest Service, hire qualified graduates, as do state
governments, private companies, consulting firms, non-profit organizations, and universities.
Many of our students continue their studies in environmental sciences in graduate degree
programs, or combine their undergraduate B.S. degree with graduate programs in other fields.
Recent jobs of Environmental Sciences graduates include:
• Sustainability Specialist, USDA
• Water Analyst, Portland General Electric
• Marine Resource Specialist, U.S. Navy
Environmental Sciences
What to know about
Oregon State University
Undergraduate Advising Office
College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences
102-104 Wilkinson Hall
541-737-1201
OSU Admissions
104 Kerr Administration
541-737-4411
800-291-4192
OSU Financial Aid
218 Kerr Administration
541-737-2241
OSU Registrar
102 Kerr Administration
541-737-4331
OSU Housing
102 Buxton Hall
541-737-4771
OSU Website
http://oregonstate.edu
OSU Extended Campus
4943 The Valley Library
800-667-1465
http://ecampus.oregonstate.edu
For more information,
please contact:
College of Earth, Ocean, and
Atmospheric Sciences
Oregon State University
104 Wilkinson Hall
Corvallis, Oregon 97331-5506
phone: 541-737-1201
fax: 541-737-1200
email: [email protected]
web: http://ceoas.oregonstate.edu
Oregon State University is an Affirmative Action
Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
Course of Study
The Environmental Sciences major consists of foundational basic math and science courses,
an interdisciplinary core in the Environmental Sciences and Humanities, focused coursework
in the specialization area, and an experiential learning requirement. A graduation checklist
with complete requirements can be obtained from an advisor. Below you will see an example
curriculum showing a course plan to complete the B.S. in Environmental Sciences. In addition
undergraduates at OSU must complete the Baccalaureate Core, consisting of Skills courses;
Perspectives courses; a class in Difference, Power and Discrimination; two Synthesis courses; and
a Writing Intensive Course.
Freshman Yearcredits
Environmental Science Orientation
ENSC 101
1
General Chemistry
CH 121, 122, 123 or
CH 231, 232, 233 (and lab)15
Calculus
MTH 251, 252 8
BC: Writing I
WR 121
3
BC: Speech
COMM 111, 114 or 218
3
BC and electives1–3
Sophomore Year credits
General BiologyBI 211, 212, 21312
Atmosphere course3–4
Lithosphere course3–4
Economics course 3–4
BC: Writing II
6
Environmental law and policy course
3–4
Environmental management course3
BC and electives9–15
Junior and Senior Years
credits
Physics 4 PH 201, 202, (203) or
PH 211, 212, (213) 15
Principles of Statistics
ST 351, 352 8
Ecology BI 3703
Hydrosphere course3–5
Environmental Ethics course
3–4
Course in the human environment
3
BC: Writing intensive course 3
Experiential Learning 3–12
Specialization courses (minimum)
27
Footnotes:
Students work with advisors to choose an approved specialization to develop an area of academic strength and a focal point for career development or
future graduate study. The specialization area builds on the foundation provided by the basic sciences, humanities, skills, and environmental sciences.
Curricula for approved specializations are available on the web at http://ceoas.oregonstate.edu/envsci/specializations/.
Internships, research, and select courses give students real-world, hands-on experience in their chosen field of study. Information on different types of
opportunities that can be experiential learning requirement is available from the following website: http://ceoas.oregonstate.edu/envsci/degree/.
Students pursuing the online (E-Campus) degree will need to complete, in-person, a preapproved full-year major’s biology
sequence with labs. BI 211, 212, 213 are not available online.
A full year of physics is recommended for students preparing for graduate school in the sciences.